I just posted a recording of my presentation of the “de facto guardian” argument at the Students for Life of America Regional Leadership Summit at UCLA. This is an updated version since the speech audio I posted last year. There are some changes to the way we frame the argument now, that I make clear towards the end of the speech.
I described both types of bodily rights arguments, discussed the most common pro-life responses to the violinist analogy and why they are unpersuasive to many pro-choice atheists, and then explained the de facto guardian argument that may solve this problem.
This is the first part of a two-part speech. I was asked to talk about bodily rights arguments as well as responding to life of the mother cases. This is just the audio from the bodily rights portion of the speech. You can download the second part on life-threatening pregnancies here.
Josh Brahm is the President of Equal Rights Institute, an organization that trains pro-life advocates to think clearly, reason honestly and argue persuasively.
Josh has worked in the pro-life movement since he was 18. A sought-after speaker, Josh has spoken for more than 23,000 people in six countries and in 22 of the 50 states.
Josh’s primary passion is helping pro-life people to be more persuasive when they communicate with pro-choice people. That means ditching faulty rhetoric and tactics and embracing arguments that hold up under philosophical scrutiny.
He has publicly debated leaders from Planned Parenthood, the National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL), Georgians for Choice, and one of the leading abortion facilities in Atlanta.
Josh also wants to bring relational apologetics to the pro-life movement. “Some pro-choice people will not change their mind after one conversation on a college campus. Some of them will only change their mind after dozens of conversations with a person they trust in the context of friendship.”
Josh is formerly the host of a globally-heard podcast turned radio/TV show, Life Report. He now hosts the Equipped for Life Podcast. He’s also written dozens of articles for LifeNews.com and the ERI blog.
He directed the first 40 Days for Life campaign in Fresno, resulting in up to 60 lives saved.
Josh has been happily married to his wife, Hannah, for 15 years. They have three sons, Noah, William, and Eli. They live in Charlotte, North Carolina.
David Bereit, the National Director of 40 Days for Life, sums up Josh’s expertise this way: “Josh Brahm is one of the brightest, most articulate, and innovative people in the pro-life movement. His cutting-edge work is helping people think more clearly, communicate more effectively, and — most importantly — be better ambassadors for Christ. I wholeheartedly endorse Josh’s work, and I encourage you to join me in following Josh and getting involved in his work today!”
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I just posted a recording of my presentation of the “de facto guardian” argument at the Students for Life of America Regional Leadership Summit at UCLA. This is an updated version since the speech audio I posted last year. There are some changes to the way we frame the argument now, that I make clear towards the end of the speech.
Please note: The goal of the comments section on this blog is simply and unambiguously to promote productive dialogue. We reserve the right to delete comments that are snarky, disrespectful, flagrantly uncharitable, offensive, or off-topic. If in doubt, read our Comments Policy.