Although theologians have addressed the question of the beginning of life for centuries without reaching a single answer, abortion rights opponents promote their theological belief as the one and only truth. Further, opponents of abortion rights select pictures and images that trivialize and devalue women. Pictures of late-term fetuses and abortions are used to stir our emotions and to evoke images of babies, but the images ignore the pregnant woman. Focusing on late-term fetuses diverts our attention from the pregnant woman and the small number of abortions performed after the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. Yet more subtle, equally dangerous terms find their way into journalism and public discourse.
Individuals often use the misleading language, unaware of the terms' half-truths and inaccuracies.
The media then report on this legislation, using the words essentially as they appear in the bills. The media assumes that legislative language is neutral. Thus, the deceptive words are passed on to the public, which accepts them as neutral and begins to use them, often unaware of these words' subtle manipulations. These deceptive phrases are also reported on radio and television. All who discuss abortion rights must be held accountable for their words.