Interesting slogan

The winner of Students for Life of America's t-shirt contest was just announced. Ashley Tyndall, a college student and pro-life advocate attending UNC-Chapel Hill submitted the slogan: "A woman has the right to her body, even if she's still in the womb."

Original Man: original solitude

As much as we toss around the phrase, "theology of the body," you may be wondering what exactly we are talking about. In a previous post, I explained the basic concept (how our bodies reveal God).

The first thing that Pope John Paul II does is to turn to the beginning, before original sin, to determine what God's original plan was for our lives. There are several points he makes, which I will explain in future posts.

The first concept he addresses is called "original solitude." We read in the second creation account (Genesis 2) that when God created Adam in His own image and likeness, Adam was alone. From this experience of "original solitude" Adam learns that he is different from the animals. He has a different relationship with God, he can reason with his intellect and he can make choices due to the gift of free will.

When Adam looks at the animals around him, he can see he is different. When he looks at himself, he can tell that not everything about him is visible (intellect and will, for example). So, Adam's body reveals something about himself. Through his body, he realizes his different relationship with God and his difference from the animals. They cannot fulfill him. He experiences a sense of solitude through this experience.

As Adam searches for his meaning in life, God creates a "helper fit for him," who we know as Eve. This will lead us to the concept of "original unity." But that will be another post.

For now, just know that through Adam's solitude, we know that we are different from the animals, and that our relationship with God is special. Ponder this: YOU are made in God's image and likeness!

Stories of silence

Read accounts from across the country about the fruitfulness of the Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity. Here's one example:

"Well, I'm older than most of the people who took part in this event. I will be 25 on Sunday and I really wish this would have been going on when I was in school. I run an online group for pro-life and I'm highly educated in all aspects of abortion. I went to Walmart today with my husband and our 7 month old daughter, and let me tell you, I got some looks. However, there was a young girl who seriously wanted to talk to me because she had found out she was pregnant very recently. Her parents were outraged and wanted her to have an abortion. Her boyfriend had left her and accused her of cheating on him and she saw a shirt that I wearing about being pro-life and was asking about the duct tape. I had to talk to her in hopes of talking her out of having an abortion. She was very naive about the whole process, which I have come to find out, that most women are. I told her about some websites where she could research abortion and I explained it to her myself. I also gave her my phone number, and she just called me!! She was crying and told me there was no way she could ever do that to her baby and she was going to keep it! I couldn't believe it. Never in my life has anything like that happened."
-- Natasha Martin

Rise of the TOB

In our abbreviation-crazed society, TOB stands for Theology of the Body, the incredible teaching on sexuality that Pope John Paul II gave us. Check out Nolan Reynolds blog, Rise of the TOB for some great TOB insights from a young man who is excited about JPII's awesome gift. He has a wonderful list of recommended reading and a cool graphic too (but Blogger isn't allowing me to upload the image right now, so you'll have to visit the blog to check it out).

Bella... true love goes beyond romance

It seems as if knowledge of the movie Bella is at either end of the spectrum. Either you have a personal countdown for its opening on your desk, are part of 15 facebook "support Bella" groups, and are linked to 3 different websites for e-mail updates while simultaneously arranging for a showing in your own town... or you say, "Bella... isn't that Italian for beautiful???". Well, I am one of the former, and the exciting news is that Bella is coming to Cincinnati! It is reported to be opening here on November 9th, but besides that my knowledge is limited. As soon as I know more, I will be sure to post an update.

As for other cities, opening dates as well as the trailer are listed on the official Bella site as well as more information on the movie. I have had the privilege of seeing it already and can tell you it is a life-changing movie that speaks of both true love and the preciousness of human life. It is a wonderful pro-life movie in an industry that rarely promotes good values, so please, support Bella in a city near you!

What is it like to take RU-486?

RU-486 is a chemical form of abortion that is taken in the earlier weeks of pregnancy. One brave mother recently spoke out about her experience with the drug. Take the time to read it and learn why women deserve better than abortion.

Good news for a change

We often focus on the bad news in our society and dwell on depressing thoughts when it comes to the reception of our values in the world. How refreshing it is, then, to read daily updates from the 40 Days for Life campaign, of hearts changed, lives saved and communities educated. I cannot encourage you enough to sign up to receive these daily updates and prayer/meditations. Nearly every day I come away from reading these e-mails with a tear in my eye or a smile on my face. You can read the past updates or sign up for the new ones on the 40 Days for Life website.