The Evolution of Terminology

Propaganda Effective propaganda campaigns use verbal engineering to bring about social change. "Verbal Engineering" is acknowledged to be the first step in social, legal, political, and cultural engineering.

• Dr. Joseph Goebbels, Minister of Propaganda of Nazi Germany was able to manipulate the thought patterns of an entire nation.
• George Orwell's classic "1984" used the term "Newspeak" to describe the verbal engineering that made unacceptable ideas impossible to communicate.
• Sometimes the definition of a word or term is changed according to the bias of the person speaking.
• Feminist, Naomi Wolf has called for an end to the use of 'euphemisms.'
• In genetics and biology, human life begins at conception, abortion advocates insist it begins at implantation.
• Extremists, while demanding tolerance for their beliefs, are causing erosion of tolerance and open-mindedness.

Word Games
One of the most powerful things a man can do is to create an "image." Words are the tools of an image-maker.

In an address to journalists at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., June 18, 1999, Gloria Feldt, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America said:

"You all make your living by using words. You know how language forms us as it informs us. Language creates context, shapes and defines how people think about issues...Language shapes the public debate that shapes public policy." She is correct.

Over the past century in particular, we have seen how effective propaganda (PR) campaigns have used verbal engineering to bring about social change. "Verbal Engineering" is acknowledged to be the first step in social, legal, political, and cultural engineering.

Nazi Propaganda
The Nazi 'Final Solution' ethnic cleansing programme couldn't have happened unless there had been a "prior intensive and successful educational campaign to dehumanize those who were then to be killed."

Dr. Joseph Goebbels, Minister of Propaganda of Nazi Germany in the 1930s and 1940s was able to manipulate the thought patterns of an entire nation through the skillful use, and misuse, of words.

There have come to be words, terms and phrases used in the abortion controversy that change according to the bias of the person speaking. When a person is in favour of abortion 'rights' they call themselves 'pro-choice,' while their opponents refer to them as being 'pro-abortion.' Those against abortion call themselves 'pro-life' while their opponents call them 'anti-choice' or anti-abortion.'

There appears to be an exception to the above rule when it comes to media reports. Although those opposed to abortion are nearly always referred to as 'anti-choicers,' the term 'pro-lifer' is almost invariably used if there is an act of violence against clinics, abortionists, or staff.

Abortion, by definition, is either the spontaneous expulsion of a foetus, as in miscarriage, or the deliberate interruption of a pregnancy and removal of a fetus, as in an elective abortion. Abortion, today, almost always refers to elective abortion.

Choice is one of those ambiguous words that have had its meaning transposed and requires redefinition. Choice used to be synonymous with 'freedom.' Choice is:

1. The act of choosing; selection.
2. The power, right, or liberty to choose; option.
3. One that is chosen.
4. A number or variety from which to choose: a wide choice of styles and colors.
5. The best or most preferable part.
6. Care in choosing.
7. An alternative.

"Choice" is meaningless however, if there are no choices.

In 1981 (April 23-24) a US Senate Judiciary Subcommittee held hearings on the question: When does human life begin? Appearing to speak on behalf of the scientific community was a group of internationally-known geneticists and biologists who had the same story to tell, namely, that human life begins at conception. No-one gave any evidence to the contrary.

One of those, Dr. Micheline M. Mathews-Roth, Harvard Medical School, gave confirming testimony, supported by references from over 20 embryology and other medical textbooks that human life began at conception.

When does pregnancy begin?
The state of being pregnant is the period from conception to birth when a woman carries a developing foetus in her uterus. Conception (fertilisation) was always regarded as the beginning of pregnancy.

A 'wanted' pregnancy, is actually dated, by the medical profession, as beginning two weeks prior to actual conception, the time the woman's 'last normal period' began. This happens because few women who are not practising natural fertility regulation (and doctors) can pinpoint the actual date of fertilisation.

Pro-Choice groups, Planned Parenthood (& affiliates) and some medical professionals now define pregnancy as beginning when a fertilized ovum, has attached itself fully to the lining of the uterus. By the time of implantation, the living human embryo is already approximately 5-7 days old.

As seen in the previous definition, geneticists and biologists consider that human life begins at conception. The establishment of 'pregnancy' would be the same. However, changes in terminology are injecting an element of confusion into people's minds and, as previously mentioned, this verbal engineering will then bring about the social acceptance desired by abortion advocates.

The definition as to "when pregnancy begins" changed from fertilisation to implantation following the development of in vitro fertilisation (IVF). It has also been an important part of the debate as to whether oral contraceptives and 'morning-after pills' are abortifacient.

Tolerance is "the capacity for or the practice of recognizing and respecting the beliefs or practices of others."

It does not mean that we have to ignore our differences and help each other to spread opinions with which we strongly disagree. It does not even mean that we must refrain from harsh criticism of our opponents and their opinions. There is wide concern that extremists, while demanding tolerance for their beliefs, are actually causing erosion of tolerance and open-mindedness.

Too many of those who demand tolerance and open-mindedness are not willing to 'tolerate' the opinions and/or beliefs of those who disagree with them.

Different factions in our society have different ideas of what actions are intolerable. Too many of those who demand tolerance and open-mindedness are not willing to 'tolerate' the opinions and/or beliefs of those who disagree with them.

Reproductive rights is now synonymous with the right to have abortion on demand.

A coerced or forced pregnancy is not only regarded as one resulting from rape or incest, but also if the woman did not plan for the pregnancy and is legally prevented from having an abortion.

1. Grant, G. Grand Illusions p.129