The Coercive Reality behind Pro-Choice Rhetoric:

Identifying What “Popular Sovereignty,” “Reproductive Freedom,” “Death with Dignity,” and “Marriage Equality” Demand from Persons Who Disagree

By Ryan C. MacPherson, Ph.D.

Bethany Series in Scholarship, Bethany Lutheran College, Mankato, MN, 16 April 2009

Prologue—“Popular Sovereignty”: The Coercive Reality behind Slavery in Antebellum America

• Pro-Choice Rhetoric
• The Coercive Reality

Introduction

• Thesis: Abortion, physician-assisted suicide, and homosexuality cannot comfortably exist in American society unless the individual liberties of a significant portion of our population suffer severe restrictions.
• Aim: Scrutinize the sincerity behind the often recited claim that abortion, physician-assisted suicide, and homosexuality should be tolerated because our national commitment to individual liberty supposedly necessitates it.

Part I—“Reproductive Freedom”: The Coercive Reality behind Abortion Rights

• Pro-Choice Rhetoric
• The Coercive Reality

Part II—“Death with Dignity”: The Coercive Reality behind Physician-Assisted Suicide

• Pro-Choice Rhetoric
• The Coercive Reality

Part III—“Marriage Equality”: The Coercive Reality behind the Homosexual Rights Movement

• Pro-Choice Rhetoric
• The Coercive Reality

Conclusion

• Political Considerations
• Ethical Considerations

Available:

• Audio Recording: Listen to MP3

See Also:

• A presentation including Parts I and II from this talk was delivered at the June 2009 University Faculty for Life conference.