Graphic Pictures Comments

As part of his presentation, Scott shows a short video clip or PowerPoint slides to support his arguments for the humanity of the unborn child and the inhumanity of abortion. Our policy is to allow each event host to make the final decision on whether to show the pictures. However, we highly recommend the use of the pictures as they are central to Scott’s message and are the most important tool that pro-lifers have to persuasively present the pro-life view. We don’t advocate pictures alone, but find they are very effective when used along with sound reasoning and presented in a respectful manner.

Scott has shown the pictures to tens of thousands of people, with an overwhelmingly positive response. When used poorly, graphic pictures can create a controversy. However, when Scott uses the pictures there are few, if any, complaints. (There is less than one complaint per 1,000 people at Scott’s presentations, and even less at banquets.) Here’s why the response is so positive.

* Scott has a winsome manner.

* Pictures are shown in only one part of the presentation, rather than spread throughout the presentation.

* The graphic content is kept short – less than two minutes for the video. (PowerPoint still shots can be substituted for the video clip, making the graphic content even shorter.)

* The audience is warned of the content and encouraged to look away if it becomes too intense.

* Scott explains that his purpose isn’t to condemn, but that there is forgiveness through Christ.

* The need for showing the pictures is explained by telling the story of Emmett Till. Back in the 1950’s, this teenage boy was killed following some remarks to a white woman. Scott makes the point that just as Emmett’s mother decided to have an open casket funeral to “show the world what they did to my boy,” we need to “open the casket” on abortion. (This story creates tremendous support among Scott’s audiences for showing the pictures, as people understand why they are so important.)

The Emmett Till story is possibly the most powerful part of Scott’s presentation. However, the story has to be taken out if the pictures aren’t shown, because it doesn’t make sense to talk about “opening the casket” on abortion, if a decision is made to not show the pictures. This story leads well into Scott’s fundraising appeal, so we believe that there is a negative impact to fundraising when the pictures and story are left out.

After years of using the pictures in numerous venues, we can confidently say that they are well received and they increase convictions, even among those that are already strongly pro-life. We share a concern raised by some banquet hosts that they don’t want to lay an additional guilt trip on those with a prior abortion experience. However, the most common response we hear from post-abortive women is that the presentation was difficult, but helpful. The truth spoken in love is received as such, even among those that find the truth personally painful.

Prior banquet hosts attest to the effectiveness of using the pictures as part of Scott’s banquet presentation.

“We had Scott as our speaker. Our board reviewed his pictures and listened to how he presented it to an audience. It was very non-offensive. We even had a post abortive woman come up and thank him for showing the pictures along with a counselor who stated that it was a good reminder of why she works at the center.” Donna Sipes, Birth Choice, Jackson TN

“Scott Klusendorf is the best pro-life speaker that I have ever heard. He is compassionate, he is knowledgeable, and he understands the calling that God has placed upon his life to be a voice for the unborn. I see post abortion clients in my center on a regular basis. Helping individuals through the healing process after an abortion is one of my life’s passions. I am post abortion myself. I am quite aware that certain things “trigger” individuals in their recovery, however, I have to disagree with anyone who thinks Scott’s presentations is hurtful in this regard.

We have had Scott as our banquet speaker two years in a row. He has spent four days with our ministry both years, helping us reach our community by sharing the message that Jesus loves us and forgives us and helping our community to understand exactly what abortion is. That is part of the problem. We have hidden behind the silence for so long that no one can even remember what is happening each and every day. Innocent lives are being slain...and we need to know that and understand it. I was unsure about the use of the pictures at our first banquet with Scott. But after the fact, I was thankful that our ministry had decided to allow the pictures. Scott does give individuals in the audience ample warning and invites them to look away if they feel that they cannot handle what they are going to see.

If there is someone who is ‘affected’ (I like that word better than ‘offended’) by the presentation, by the end of the evening that person will know there is a ministry that is more than willing to help them in their healing process. They will have help. I believe that if God allows the pictures to be ‘triggers’, He will also allow the opportunity for healing to take place.” Judith E. Sloan, Labor of Love Ministries, Morgantown, WV

Yes, parts of his presentation are difficult. But I felt it was time to remind our donors exactly what we are fighting for - the very lives of the unborn and the souls of those we minister to. He gives one of the best pro-life messages I have ever heard, sensitively delivered. And he shares his faith in Jesus Christ with grace and ease. What truly impressed me was how much he interacted with my guests before and after he spoke. He took time to answer their questions and get to know them as supporters of our ministry. I can never put in this email how much I appreciated that. We have heard nothing but positive responses from our guests. The word awesome is used almost all the time! Joy Lavelle, Twin Tiers Pregnancy Care Center, Bradford, PA

“The decision to bring Scott in was easy, but deciding to use the video, ‘Harder Truth’ was not so easy. As a board, we wrestled with whether to show the video at the banquet. In fact, we were undecided until the evening of the banquet. Scott talked with the board members, and he showed great respect for those that were hesitant. He never forced his opinion on anyone, and he used no pressure. He was willing to abide by whatever decision the board made. The board member who was initially most opposed to the showing of the video said after the banquet, ‘Scott can use my recommendation any time…I’m glad we showed the video.’

His treatment of the post-abortion woman or man was full of gentleness, kindness, and done with great compassion. Not one person complained about the video clip. The lights are dimmed, and he does it in such a way that no one would feel awkward putting their heads down. I have many friends that our post-abortion that attended the banquet, and I spoke with ones that had been through PACE and those that hadn't, and none were offended.

I found the video to be of extreme importance in confronting post-modernism. Post-modernism exists even within the church, and this video takes your banquet audience from ‘Oh, our Center saves babies, isn’t that nice?’ to ‘Abortion is a moral outrage…what can I do to help stop it?’ This is crucial! Now there are 250 people out there in Pagosa Springs who understand the reality of abortion and will never feel the same complacency about this vile procedure…and they are now equipped to defend the position of LIFE!” Kathy Koy, Pagosa Pregnancy Support Center, Pagosa Springs, CO

“My staff and I have only heard positive comments about Scott’s presentation. The short video clip that Scott showed as part of his presentation was well received. He presents his material in such a careful and tasteful way that it would be difficult for people to be offended. I myself am post-abortive and I thought the way he presented it was very sensitive. Scott addresses post-abortive individuals in the audience by talking about God's forgiveness as well as letting them know that the center has post-abortion counseling available. If anything, I would say that his presentation would encourage a post-abortive woman to seek healing. You couldn't ask for Scott to be any more sensitive to the post-abortive woman than he already is. Our board member heading up our post-abortion program sought out the opinions of post-abortive women who attended the event and found that while the video presentation was difficult for them, they believed that it was a vital part of the presentation.” Debbie Butler, Real Choices Pregnancy Resource Center, Grapevine, TX

“…we received a very large donation from one man who was quite moved by your presentation, especially the video Harder Truth. He is a wealthy man, but his contribution of $10,000 exceeded what anyone on our board had hoped for.” Judy Wilson, Kern County Right to Life of Central California

“Our banquet was a resounding success! The money we raised that night exceeded all of our previous fundraisers! Your keynote address, combined with your short video presentation, touched many hearts and minds. Thank you for your compassionate and compelling presentation.” Sharon Vaughn, Woman to Woman Pregnancy Resource Center, Denton, TX

“The positive impact that you made with your talk and video clip have been huge. (I did not get even ONE complaint about the video!) This year seems different on a spiritual level and I

attribute that difference to your gifted ability to speak the Truth in love.” Dawn Eliades, Crisis Pregnancy Center, Simi Valley, CA

“At our banquet, one man who seldom has anything positive to say regarding spiritual or religious matters was very moved by the message, saying, ‘I had no idea the horror of what abortion is.’ Another young woman received Christ that night.” Barb Schauer, New Life Pregnancy Center, Auburn, CA

“One board member writes how teachers that she had invited stated that they understand the need to view the ‘Harder Truth.’ Other board members felt the same way. We have received almost 30 interested in volunteering and three of those are men.” Sharon Carey, Care Net of the Wabash Valley, Terre Haute, IN

“His presentation included two minutes from the video ‘Harder Truth’ and prospective donors were not offended, but motivated to give at sacrificial levels. We received many affirming calls following the banquet and everyone truly enjoyed his presentation.” Sharon Hayes, A Pregnancy Center and Clinic, Lafayette, LA

“You beautifully accomplished that by giving our audience food for thought that will keep them thinking for a long time. I have had so many people for months afterwards tell me it was one of the best dinners ever. Your words and those pictures will stay with us all. I want to thank you for encouraging us and giving us the strength as a committee to show them.” Peggy Stinnet, Grand Traverse Right to Life, Traverse City, MI

“The Board approved the use of the video at the banquet although a little hesitant at first. I had called most of the people who had comments, from the list you sent me, and talked to them personally. They all had wonderful things to say about Scott and his presentation and the banquet results in general. I shared with the board what the other centers said and that was encouraging to them. I told them I wanted 100% support and they gave it.” Cindy Broese Van Groenou, Pregnancy Care Center of the North Coast, Eureka, CA

“Scott was the speaker at our banquet last year and he was awesome! It was our most successful banquet ever, not only in terms of finances but also in terms of getting new "friends" to join this ministry. We (myself, staff, board, and volunteers) didn't hear any negative comments from anyone about pictures that were shown – only positive ones. His presentation was wonderfully powerful. The lead-in he gives to the presentation of the pictures is excellent and there is ample opportunity given for anyone to look away from the screen should they wish not to watch. I would be remiss in not mentioning that there was more than one post-abortive person present that came up to me afterwards and thanked me for having Scott as our speaker. We try to be extremely sensitive to those who are post abortive, but in my opinion Scott's presentation is one of the most powerful ones I've seen. To anyone wishing to have Scott speak at their banquet, I say go for it – ours was awesome last year.” Michele Osborne, Director, Pregnancy Center of LaGrange, GA

“I also want to throw my two cents in regarding Scott Klusendorf, President of Life Training Institute, pro-life apologetics speaker formerly with Stand to Reason. Scott spoke at our banquet last year, Sept 2005, and moved hearts and raised money for our work as never before. Christ-centered pregnancy ministries are about so much more than saving babies or keeping women from making the tragic choice for abortion; our ministries are ultimately about testifying of the One that gives all human life value. We can only go so far by flashing pictures of adorable babies – to truly reach the core of our donors we have to make the case for the pro-life cause on a world-view level. Scott does this better than anyone else I have heard. As testimony to the effectiveness of his message with our banquet audience – we went from $100,000 (past highest) to $130,000 in pledges. We have continued the momentum by using Scott's materials (prolifetraining.com) and Greg Koukl's (Stand to Reason – str.org) in newsletter articles and a new weekly radio broadcast we do on a local Christian radio station. Once again, we saw an increase in giving in this spring's Walk for Life as we went from $77,000 to $105,000 raised in pledges.

This isn't a gimmick to raise money – yet Christ told us that where our treasure is, there our heart is also. Scott addresses the heart of the issue of saving unborn lives. Painful? Absolutely. Inappropriate? Never.

We have many in our ministry that are post abortive and they expressed nothing but great appreciation for the message Scott gave. In fact one of our staff, post-abortive, was so touched by Scott's ministry that she and her husband now personally support his work. All the caveats people worry about – i.e., warning the audience, providing counselors and post-abortion healing resources, Scott routinely includes in his presentations. Not only that, but in the context of showing the "graphic portion" of his presentation – which for our banquet was in its totality two 12-second slides of two aborted children at 12 weeks of age – in the context of showing these two slides Scott gave the most powerful gospel message that I have ever heard at a banquet.

It takes courage and, yes, a little risk, to ask Scott Klusendorf to come to speak to your banquet and potential donor base – yet this stepping out proved itself when our ministry moved to another level of donor commitment. Oh, yes, our volunteer base has also grown by 1/3 since that fall banquet – many of those coming heard Scott's message and many of these are post-abortive. Far from being offended, they were motivated to become involved. I can't speak to your personal experience regarding the use of graphic images in this context – but when done at our banquet in a loving and sensitive manner, the visual of what abortion is was more powerful than any words.” Barb Shackelford, Director, A Women's Pregnancy Center, Tallahassee, FL