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NRL News
Third
Annual National Teens for Life Summit Trains Pro-Life Leaders There is no doubt that the future of our Movement is bright. We see it every time we look into the eyes of a teenager moved to action by the sheer inhumanity of abortion and euthanasia. We are struck with the sheer reality of their numbers and their passion as we look around us at the annual March for Life and realize that the majority of participants are youth—a far cry from decades past. This year’s National Teens for Life Summit trained more than 20 teens from diverse backgrounds with a host of talents. They ranged in age from 13 to 22 and will take what they learned one cold January weekend in Washington, D.C., and carry it with them as they go back to their middle schools, high schools, and colleges. But rather than ramble on about what they learned, here’s a chance for you to hear them, in their own words.
“After 35
years of Roe v. Wade it is sometimes discouraging to think of how
much work still needs to be done to protect life. Just looking at my
generation, however, gives me hope for our future. We are tired of
the continual disregard and destruction of human life and we will
not put up with it any longer. Looking at my peers, who took a
weekend of their time to come and learn how to defend life, is
testimony to this fact. Summit this year was an amazing opportunity
to learn from the brightest of minds how to make a real difference
in our society. With opportunities like this, my generation is being
equipped with the knowledge and will-power to end abortion,
euthanasia, and other activities that are destroying human life. We
are taking our stand.”
“Being
here makes me want to be more involved and think about a potential
career in the movement.”
“I like
the speakers. It was important for me to learn the history of the
pro-life movement and how to argue persuasively when faced with
arguments from the other side.”
“I know
how I feel, but I liked learning how to respond. I have a class in
bioethics and what I learned will help me argue points in class with
valid information.”
“I liked
learning how NRL is fighting abortion and euthanasia. The Summit
made me want to investigate presidential candidates, and it helped
prepare me for when the issues come up, and know how to encourage
people to see the pro-life stance.”
“The
Summit addressed different pro-life issues ... it wasn’t just
abortion—but also euthanasia and other topics. Now I want to look
more into being involved in political campaigns and activism on my
campus.”
“I want
to be more active and tell more teens about abortion and euthanasia.
I want them to be more active too.”
“The best
thing about Summit is being able to get together with other pro-life
youth from different parts of the country. The Summit encouraged me
to renew my efforts to involve my school in pro-life activities, and
to talk more about the issues with my friends.”
“What I
liked about Summit [was] being able to learn about the future of the
movement and being able to associate with those with the same belief
system. The general life issue should be given more attention and
people should be more informed about the current state of our
nation—abortion for any reason, ‘on-demand.’” From just a sampling of the thoughts of the next generation of pro-life leaders, several truths can be gleaned. They are informed, they are passionate, they want to spread the truth about life and death to others, and, when educated, they can become an amazing force for good—for life—for decades to come. |