Youth for Truth Meeting Tomorrow
— Posted by John (September 18, 2007 at 10:08 am)
Danny Schleitwiler, one of the founding members of Youth for Truth — the group that sponsored the huge teen rally at the Aurora Planned Parenthood site earlier this month — has asked me to post a general invitation to the group’s next meeting tomorrow, September 19, at 3:30pm in the library at Aurora Central Catholic High School [see map here]:
Any and all youth are invited and welcome to come be a part of the planning for our future. We will be discussing our platform of beliefs and what our upcoming plans will be.
(Some members of YFT were pictured carrying a large cross during Saturday’s Jericho March finale in this Chicago Tribune article that appeared yesterday.)
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lauren says:
Can I comment on the irony that this site is supposedly a “youth” pro-life site, yet none of the people on here writing are youthful besides me.
Comment posted September 18th, 2007 at 11:25 am
Michael says:
Oh, really, Lauren? What is your definition of youthful? What age is acceptable? After all, I’m in my 20s working on an accounting degree. Am I too old?
What about Quinn? He’s young, too. Take some of your own advice, Lauren, and learn to back something up with evidence.
Comment posted September 18th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Molly says:
I’m thirteen. Does that count as “youthful”?
Comment posted September 18th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
Robert says:
I’m 25 and an Irish pro-life activist. God Bless your continued good work there.
Comment posted September 19th, 2007 at 11:54 am
Veronica says:
Thank you so much for all you do for the pro-life cause. My family has only been able to take part in a few of the events that have gone on in Aurora, but we are defiantly praying. It is so beautiful to be a part of working for this wonderful cause – LIFE!
Veronica ~ age 15
Comment posted September 19th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
lauren says:
I meant the main posters–DUH? John, Eric, Annie, I dont think any of them are in college anymore are they?
Thirteen, Fifteen, so young. Someday you may change your mind.. Talk to me in 10 years when odds are you may need the services of Planned Parenthood. Don’t be worried to disagree with your parents.
http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/news/20050322/virginity-pledges-dont-cut-std-rates
Michael-I too am in my 20s and working on my accounting-finance degree. I pray to God I never have to work anywhere with you. Grown-up jobs require tolerance.
Comment posted September 19th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Mary says:
First it’s a problem that they’re not young, then it’s a problem when they are young. . .
Comment posted September 19th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
Molly says:
“I meant the main posters–DUH?”
Please specify what you mean next time.
“Talk to me in 10 years when odds are you may need the services of Planned Parenthood.”
I don’t believe that will be the case, but I am quite young.
It is rather odd to me that you would believe that so many girls engage in premarital sex. Unless they’re all lying to me, none of the adults I know had sex outside of marriage. And I don’t think they are, because they told the truth about other things they did in their youth (drugs and drinking, for example). Is it safe for me to say you come from the city?
Comment posted September 19th, 2007 at 6:08 pm
Michael says:
Lauren,
I love how you preach tolerance when you never show anyone any yourself. You automatically equate pro-life with oppressive autocrat, and then proudly think of yourself as tolerant and open-minded.
As far as accounting goes, I sincerely hope the quality of your professionalism, work and knowledge is much better than your lack of civilization on this website would indicate. If it’s not, you don’t have to ever worry about working near me, because you won’t pass the CPA exam.
Comment posted September 19th, 2007 at 7:06 pm
lauren says:
How can one be tolerant to an oppressor? Michael you are my generations’ oppressor! You are trying to take my rights away! I can’t be tolerant to you.. that’s just ridiculous. Honey, I have no worries about passing the CPA exam, I’m a double major and I’m just about ready to take the exam this spring. Don’t worry about me, worry about yourself. I pray to GOD you are not working at one of the big 4
Molly—odds are at LEAST one of them is lying to you. One thing I didnt realize when I was your age was that grown ups sometimes lie. Even my parents lie!! I think I started realizing that around 17. Adults are not infallible, they make mistakes. Your body is YOUR body, no one else.
I’m not sure what you mean by come from the city, but while I live down here now in Wrigleyville, I’m certainly not FROM the city. I am from Frankfort, which is a suburb south of Chicago. I went to Lincoln-Way. I’m not some kid from the wrong side of the tracks either if that’s what you’re insinuating. I was president of my class of 1500 every year of high school. I was in all honors classes, never did drugs, and never had a detention. Does that make me perfect? Hell no! But I learned from my own intuition, personal experience, and intelligent adults that I could never be free if I didn’t have the rights to my body. Someday you may want to have sex before marriage. Someday you may not. Abortion services from planned parenthood account for 3% of what they do. More often than not they are supplying contraception, counseling men and women, and taking care of womens’ health. Planned Parenthood has helped me more than I will ever know.
Can I refer you to a few sites that opened me up? Feministing.com is where I read things as well as campusprogress.org. You are a young woman and I understand as well as you do that this is a challenging time in your life. You’re learning new things, finding out new feelings about boys, and you may be scared or even excited about hormonal changes you’re going through. It’s natural. It’s a fun and scary time. If you make the right choices, you will succeed. Just keep your head up and stay strong. It’s impressive that you already have formed beliefs, but allow yourself to remain malleable. I still am.. I change my mind everyday if new information presents itself. I’m 22! Quinn and the other men on here pretty much hate me.. They pretty much hate women who think they have the audacity to assert control over their own body! Crazy huh? But I’m not that scary, really. I know Quinn called me a vile wench, but here’s a pic of me and I think you can tell I’m not too vile. http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sctm/v117/112/32/20000110/n20000110_32312955_2241.jpg
Oh and I was raised Catholic by the way.. I didnt think any of it made any sense so I quit. Well that and some of the most devout people in my church were racists, homophobes, mysoginists, and bigots. And a priest was hitting on my friend’s mom. Plus, I think the church is super corrupt.. but that’s another story for another day…
Comment posted September 20th, 2007 at 9:17 am
John says:
Lauren said: “One thing I didnt realize when I was your age was that grown ups sometimes lie.”
Can I assume, then, that by saying this, you’re acknowledging that the “grown ups” at Planned Parenthood, et al. “sometimes lie”?
“Quinn and the other men on here pretty much hate me.. They pretty much hate women who think they have the audacity to assert control over their own body! Crazy huh?”
Um, yes, Lauren, it’s “crazy” to say that anyone who believes that the act of killing an innocent human being in her mother’s womb is hateful.
As for your comment that the “other men on here pretty much hate me”, apparently you missed Sean’s comments here and here from two days ago. (Sean is a high school student, BTW.)
I’m not one for name-calling; personally, I think it’s often childish, mean-spirited, and serves little or no legitimate purpose. As I’ve said many times before, I’d prefer that everyone who comments on this blog not stoop to that level.
Comment posted September 20th, 2007 at 10:10 am
Molly says:
Lauren,
Yeah, one of them probably is. I see that. So far, my parents have never told a lie to me that I am aware of…
“Your body is YOUR body, no one else”
I know that. Like my brother’s body is his and not mine, like my best friend’s body is his and not mine, like my someday-to-be baby’s body is his/her’s and not mine.
“I was president of my class of 1500 every year of high school. I was in all honors classes, never did drugs, and never had a detention.”
Glad to hear.
“some of the most devout people in my church were racists, homophobes, mysoginists, and bigots. And a priest was hitting on my friend’s mom.”
Sad, but not all Church’s are that way.
“I’m a double major and I’m just about ready to take the exam this spring.”
Interesting… I know this is a little off topic, but how hard is the work load in a double major? I’m curious because I’m thinking of going into one (pyschology and graphic design) when I get into college…
Comment posted September 20th, 2007 at 10:27 am
Danny Schleitwiler says:
Lauren,
My name is Danny Schleitwiler, the FOUNDER of Youth For Truth. I am 15 years old, and Pro-Life! I believe that every life is a sacred gift from God and no person alive has the right to destroy it. You may assert your choices over your body. You may choose to be virtuous or not. When you and a guy make a baby there is a third person involved. So not only are you breaking the tenth Commmandment but the fifth as well. for such a “good” student, you need to be a little more learned.
Comment posted September 20th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Veronica says:
I will NEVER need Planned Parenthood. Even if I did get pregnant on accident, I would not abort the baby. It’s not the baby’s fault that it was conceived. I need to deal with my own actions, not put them on the baby.
That is not because of what my parents tell me either. I would look into better options because abortion is murder, and I believe that killing is the answer to our problems.
My mindset will never change, whether it is in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years or more. I will never believe that murder solves problems.
I am pro-life and I will always be pro-life.
Comment posted September 20th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
Veronica says:
Oh, I also forgot to mention. My body is NOT mine:
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 1 Corinthians 6:19
My parents have never lied to me. I am sorry, Lauren that yours did. I have a wonderful relationship with my parents. I love them very much and so do my 17 and 19 year old sisters. Sure, they make mistakes, they are human. But, I make mistakes also, I am human, we all are. Forgiveness is so important.
I am a Catholic, Pro-life Teen Girl. I believe that what the church teaches. Yes, people in the church have made mistakes, but I don’t quit because of that. I LOVE my Faith and my beliefs.
I don’t hate you Lauren. I don’t hate anyone, not even the Planned Parenthood leaders. I pray for their conversion, but I don’t hate them.
Comment posted September 20th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
lauren says:
One in four women will have an abortion before they reach the age of forty. More than likely, no almost certainly, some woman that you been close to, has had an abortion Molly. Do you think that woman is a murderer? What if one of your sisters were to have an abortion someday? Would you forgive her? What about your best friend? What if she were raped? What if she was 17, no money, and she just wasn’t ready for a child? Reasons for having those abortions are numerous, and yet incredibly personal. The choice to keep a child or terminate a pregnancy is not an easy choice. The conversation on this site isn’t personal, it’s against an “idea”. What about those out there who really have made that choice? You understand what this site stands for then dont you? How do you think it makes the women who are post-abortion feel? Who is anyone here on this website to judge the pain and motivation of another person.. There’s this song I really like and I suggest all the young people on the board to listen to it. It’s called What It’s Like by Everlast. What are your reactions?
Please realize I understand why someone may not choose abortion for themselves, but what I don’t understand is this… The people who run this site are so vehemently against abortion and characterize anyone who believes in a woman’s right to choose her destiny (which is what is at stake, truly!) as vile pro-aborts. I’ve never felt more hatred in my life than I have from this very website. I have come to understand the honest (though not all of it is) sidewalk counseling and and even the prayers that women don’t get abortions. What I don’t get is the forceful actions that try to remove a woman’s ability to decide for herself what she should do. Why should the government decide for me? Think for a moment what it would be like to be literally mandated by the government to carry a pregnancy to term when you didnt want to.. Imagine this. This happened a long time ago girls, and it was pre Roe v. Wade. I mean we could go back to those days where we became merely vessels, and not breathing, thinking human beings. We may even still be able to get abortions, just with some person we don’t know and are not even sure we can trust with rudimentary tools or drugs. We may even get locked up for trying. And if Quinn had his way, we would get executed. Is this truly compassion and love? No, my dear, it is not.
Danny, what does it mean to be virtuous? That is a very shaky term? Virtuous to me is respect for oneself and our abilities. Virtue is using the brain we were given. Who are you to ascribe virtue? Are you God?
Sure John, everyone lies, but if you’re trying to get me to admit that Planned Parenthood is part of some deceptive scheme, I’m not going to. Planned Parenthood exists because there is a demand. Human beings did not start having sex because Planned Parenthood exists. Do you really honestly believe that? Planned Parenthood has taken care of me. I love Planned Parenthood. You wouldn’t believe how nice everyone there is.. And most of the people working there are my age! You can ask them anything and not make you feel dirty or awkward! Everyone I’ve met there cares about your sexual health and preventing pregnancy. But I’m sure you’ll find some reason to contradict me.
And yes, John I do believe all the men on this site hate pro-choice women. It may not be the direct hate that Quinn exhibits, but it could be the more latent, brutal hatred of female exertion of power. I think it scares men. I’m not sure why, but you know, Freud can explain that. As for the creep who said he loved me, I say whatever to that. He doesn’t know me and anyone who says they love me when they dont know me is creepy. I saw a sign outside of a Catholic church this afternoon that said something along the lines “lost sheep being found”.. And i”m like sheep are the stupidest animals on earth.. for instance, my friend takes her border collie to herd sheep and this sheep freaked out and ran head first into a fence and broke its neck. Needless to say, I never want to be described as a sheep.
I’m hostile to religion when it enforces its views on me. And I can’t stand when religious people say well secularists are forcing their views on me. No they aren’t. And that’s ridiculous. If you don’t like abortion.. don’t have one! If you don’t like gay marriage.. dont marry a person of the same sex! If you don’t like environmentalism, well then wreck the earth ya jerk! I bring up environmentalism because the Christian Coalition (well funded by republicans) has a long standing record of promoting practices that hurt the environment, but I digress…
When I was close to your age I read something that changed my life and affirmed what I had been thinking before. I guarantee if you sit down and read it, it will at the very least make you think. It’s called “Age of Reason” by Thomas Paine. http://www.ushistory.org/paine/reason/index.htm
Give it some time and let it sink in. Maybe it will make you think differently, maybe it wont. I assume all of you young people are capable of rational thought, I have less hope for the adults, but I have hope for you :).
And Danny, honey, dearest, I don’t listen to the 10 Commandments because I don’t consider myself a Christian. I am a Unitarian Universalist. Look it up.
Molly, have you ever seen the movie Jesus Camp? You should watch it, it’s really interesting and not biased given that both sides have endorsed the movie. You can go to jesuscampthemovie.com and click on videos to see a preview.
Well sadly as for my church experience, i think the sex scandals plaguing the Catholic Church give me reason not to try to go back to one of the churchs.. I do go to a Catholic university and I love it there.. They’re not preachy and quite tolerant.. Believe it or not many of the people on this site went to the same school as me haha
And now to the non-heated stuff… Yes I’m in my 5th year going for 150 hours, most people graduate with 120, but because I have to take the CPA exam the state of illinois requires a much more rigorous course schedule. It is difficult to double major but feasible. It really depends on your major. I’m also a minor in English. My mom is an English prof. so I had to please her some way! I dont know much about graphic design, but I do know psych is a tough major… But you know what college is tough and as long as you open your mind and study hard you are capable of anything. College is an amazing experience and I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world
Comment posted September 20th, 2007 at 3:55 pm
lauren says:
Veronica, you don’t know my parents, much less know me. How dare you think you can ascribe your PERSONAL religious beliefs to me. Your parents should’ve taught you some semblance of tolerance and respect. Corinthians is a letter from Paul that has been copied, and miscopied, and miscopied, and miscopied, and mistranslated, and translated, and translated.
Since you are such a biblical expert, will you please answer this question for me…
“When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Leviticus 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. How should I deal with this?”
Guess what honey baby, I’m praying that someday you gain rational thought.
Comment posted September 20th, 2007 at 4:02 pm
Molly says:
“One in four women will have an abortion before they reach the age of forty”
So PP says…
“More than likely, no almost certainly, some woman that you been close to, has had an abortion Molly. Do you think that woman is a murderer?”
I think the abortionist was the murderer, and the mother just as much a victim as the unborn child.
“What if one of your sisters were to have an abortion someday? Would you forgive her?”
There wouldn’t be forgiving because there would be no anger or judgement; I would react the same way I would if they were raped: comfort them and be mad at the person who had done that to them and their child.
“If you don’t like abortion.. don’t have one!”
You have to remember that, to us, that’s the same as saying “If you don’t want to murder someone… don’t!”
“The people who run this site are so vehemently against abortion and characterize anyone who believes in a woman’s right to choose her destiny (which is what is at stake, truly!) as vile pro-aborts.”
A woman can choose her destiny without having an abortion. No, it’s not far that a man can impregnant a woman and just walk away, worry free, and the woman has to spend nine hard months pregnant, but what’s even less fair is a child who is killed because her mother (or father) made a mistake.
Comment posted September 20th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
lauren says:
No one forces a woman to go into an abortion clinic. And if they do, the clinic finds out and doesn’t allow the procedure to be performed. Don’t infantilize women and suggest that they are not the one’s who ar eresponsible for their choices. They are. If I were to choose to have an abortion, it would be my choice, not the doctor’s nor anyone else’s. And I would argue that that is what happens in most cases, that the choice lies with the women. What if a woman does not regret her choice? What then? A woman is not in charge of her destiny if she does not have charge of her very being. I stress again, no one “did that to them” like you suggest.
Also, you are ascribing personhood to someone who I dont believe is yet a viable human being. First trimester abortions should be allowed 100%. http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_induced_abortion.html
my facts by th eway did not come from Planned Parenthood. and actually my statistics were a bit off, they were worse than i thought….
“About half of American women have experienced an unintended pregnancy, and at current rates more than one-third will have had an abortion by age 45″
Comment posted September 20th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
mk says:
Hey,
Lauren. Remember me? I just had to add my two cents.
First off, you’re no spring chicken yourself, so I’m not sure why you are on here. Why don’t you come on over to Jill’s and play with the big kids. Or is it easier to manipulate children?
Second, while I’m sure you thought you were playing “the wise adult” with these guys, I gotta tell you, they just ran circles around you. To begin with, they countered every argument and insult you threw at them… But more importantly, they did it without out resorting to childish tactics like name calling and attacking your parents. I can’t imagine how you would react if one of them said that your parents were liars.
Instead of coming across as the grown up, you came across as the immature, manipulative bully on the playground. And they came across as the adults. If I didn’t know your ages, I’d have sworn that you were 12.
You attacked their churches, their families, their choices…like satan, you tempted them with sex, deciet, pride…I think I might have heard you hissing…
But unlike Eve, they were not deceived by your ploy and refused the apple.
Again, I ask you, why not come into the deep water and leave the kiddie pool to the youngsters…the water is fine.
http://www.jillstanek.com/
Comment posted September 20th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
mk says:
Veronica, Michael, Molly, Danny,
You guys rock!!!! Just throw a little holy water on her and she’ll steam a little and go away…
Comment posted September 20th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
Mary says:
More than likely, no almost certainly, some woman that you been close to, has had an abortion Molly. Do you think that woman is a murderer?
I do.
I grant that her circumstances might mitigate her guilt. Then I grant that the circumstances of an impoverished woman in India who murders her newborn daughter for being a girl might mitigate her guilt.
Comment posted September 20th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
mk says:
Oh, and guys, The Guttmacher Institute works for planned parenthood. Always be wary of sources given to you by the enemy…
Comment posted September 20th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
Mary says:
I’m hostile to religion when it enforces its views on me.
So what are you doing to get the civil rights laws of the 1960’s removed? After all, a minister led the charge to get them implemented, invoking God all the way. You must be very hostile about that!
And I can’t stand when religious people say well secularists are forcing their views on me.And that’s ridiculous.
When secularists take it for granted in their conversation that I have to vote the way they want — this is simply denial
Comment posted September 20th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
Joe says:
Lauren,
I think you should join us on Jill Staneks site. I started posting there a few weeks ago. You will love it because the liberals on the blog voted one of my posts “the stupidest post award”. It was so funny because liberals are all the same everywhere.
Joe
Comment posted September 20th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
Mary says:
How dare you think you can ascribe your PERSONAL religious beliefs to me.
How dare you make this claim when her very words stand before us? She explicitly said that her body was not hers.
And if you really believed that religion was personal, you would not object to it at all.
In reality, of course, a personal religion makes no more sense than a personal multiplication table.
Comment posted September 20th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
lauren says:
Rolling eyes.. I remember why i left this site.. such stupidity and grossness.. It makes me sick… well you officially freaked me off the site.. Although I’m sure everyone is glad because i dont think there were this many posts since the last time I was on… go ahead all of you HOLIER THAN THOUS… pray for me… but the battle rages on and women will win!!!
Comment posted September 20th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
mk says:
Yes, Lauren, We will….
Comment posted September 20th, 2007 at 8:43 pm
mk says:
And Lauren,
I’ve missed you…c’mon over to Jill’s…
Comment posted September 20th, 2007 at 8:45 pm
Veronica says:
Thanks for the encouragement Mk.
With you for LIFE!
Veronica
Comment posted September 21st, 2007 at 12:11 pm
John says:
First, Lauren said: “Quinn and the other men on here pretty much hate me.. They pretty much hate women who think they have the audacity to assert control over their own body!”
Then, Lauren said: “As for the creep who said he loved me, I say whatever to that. He doesn’t know me and anyone who says they love me when they dont know me is creepy.”
Lauren,
I can’t keep pace with your self-contradictions.
I guess I’m a creep, too, then, because I love you too. In fact, if I said I loved God, but did not love you — or anyone else, for that matter — I would be a liar.
1 John 4:20-21 says: “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. This is the commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.”
St. John is plainly telling us that we must love everyone. (G. K. Chesterton once said: “There are limits to human charity. … That’s the difference between human charity and Christian charity.”)
Is this a hard teaching? Absolutely it is. Then again, Jesus also told us to “be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matt. 5:48) — also a hard teaching.
Jesus had quite a knack for giving hard teachings, like the idea that we are to eat His flesh and drink His blood. In fact, after He gave this teaching, “many (of) his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him” (cf. John 6).
Following Jesus is hard, because loving everyone — including the people we’ve just met, including the people we’ve never met, including the people we never will meet, including every single person on earth, even those we find it most difficult to get along with — is hard.
Chesterton again: “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried.”
Comment posted September 21st, 2007 at 2:16 pm