Florida Preborn Rescue offers “Christ-centered, on-site sidewalk counseling at local abortion clinics,” according to the group’s website. Scott Mahurin, the founder of the group, will participate in an on-campus debate regarding the morality of abortion Oct. 25. Courtesy of Florida Preborn Rescue
By Alyssa Harmon
USF St. Petersburg will host a debate on abortion Oct. 25 that will be dominated by two men.
The main question driving this debate is whether or not abortion is morally acceptable.
Scott J. Mahurin, one of the debaters, has been the president of Florida Preborn Rescue for the past six years, according to his LinkedIn. Mahurin graduated from the University of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in history and philosophy in 1999.
The activist group’s website says “Mahurin is interested in having a debate with a local professor on the abortion issue. Florida Preborn Rescue will provide a cash honorarium for any professor willing to have a 90-minute public debate on the abortion issue with Mr. Mahurin.”
Is this what prompted the future debate that will take place on our campus?
His opponent, John Miller, is a professor of philosophy. According to USFSP Connect, Miller has taught philosophy at a university level for more than 40 years.
This event is free to anyone who wants to watch two men debate an issue about women’s rights.
Whether you are pro-abortion rights or anti-abortion, the issue here is that at this event, women’s voices are being silenced. We live in a country that is leaving women out of important conversations right now, and this debate is just another representation of that.
For example, when President Donald Trump was elected to office, he immediately re-established the Mexico City Policy, also known as the “Global Gag Rule.”
This rule dictates that organizations overseas that receive aid from the United States are not allowed to provide “information, referrals or services for legal abortions,” according to Planned Parenthood. If an organization breaks this rule, its funding would be cut off.
Trump signed the rule Jan. 23, 2017, with seven men standing behind him.
In March 2017, Vice President Mike Pence tweeted a photo of a room of all men meeting to discuss the future of health care plans. They wanted to make it voluntary for insurance companies to provide maternity care in their policies.
With Brett Kavanaugh confirmed to the Supreme Court, there are now six men that have the power to overturn the Roe v. Wade decision, which would make it more difficult for women to have an abortion.
If the situation was reversed and women in government were making choices regarding men’s reproductive rights, you could be sure that the men would be voicing their opinions and anger, and rightfully so.
If the situation was reversed and two women were chosen to debate an issue that was related to men’s reproductive rights, men would be just as confused and upset, and rightfully so.
Women now more than ever need to put a megaphone to their voices. Women need to make sure that they vote on Nov. 6, because we need to make sure our voices are heard.
I don’t have an issue with the university hosting a debate on abortion; I think it’s good that they are trying to start a conversation. However, I do believe that women should be represented in that conversation.
As a feminist, I believe that men and women should be equal. By not giving women a voice in an issue that is about their own bodies, they’re not being treated as equals.
I’m not saying men aren’t allowed to have opinions on abortion. I’m just disappointed our university is hosting a debate that continues to enforce the trend of excluding women from a conversation that concerns them.
Thanks for this opinion article, Alyssa. I would like to add that I offered this opportunity to over 500 professors/instructors from around Tampa Bay. John answered with the most interest. In fact, many females responded that they were not interested due to the fact that I am a man. No one is being excluded from this debate. I am happy to come and discuss this issue with a female professor of your choosing anytime. There will also be a Q and A time for at least 20 minutes after the debate concludes. Hope to see you there.