Intersecting Issues — TKC Students For Life Encourage Discourse on Polarizing Topics
Debaters from left to right: Carys Walters, Trey Shell, Juliet Miller and Bella Rush. Photo Credit to Jules Jensen.
The King’s College student organization “TKC Students for Life” (TKC SFL) hosted a public debate labeled “The Nine Month Dilemma” concerning anti-abortion related issues on Wednesday, Sept. 28. This event marks one of the first times TKC SFL decided to orchestrate an event completely student-led — created for people to gain a deeper understanding of the different sides of the abortion issue.
Carys Walters, a senior in the House of Corrie Ten Boom, and Trey Shell, a freshman in the House of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, debated on the anti-abortion platform. Juliet Miller, a senior in the House of Ten Boom, and Bella Rush, a junior in the House of Margaret Thatcher, debated from the pro-abortion rights platform. The students were picked in accordance within their set of beliefs in order to properly represent the student body. Associate Professor of Philosophy Dr. David Talcott moderated the debate.
Julia Jensen, President of TKC SFL, began by announcing her intentions for the event.
“This is our first event of the season here today, and we are so excited to move in a forward direction with this organization,” said Jensen. “We really wanted to take it and rebrand it this year to be all about being involved and including everyone, whether you have opinions that may differ with the majority or minority.”
The debate format allowed each side to address an issue within a two-minute time period before giving a 30 second response and then moving to the next issue.
The issues ranged on a number of topics all revolving around fundamental questions about life. Topics included the abortion issue, elderly care and trans-rights to what is human life and if it should be valued. The debaters rationalized on both sides using statistics, scientific research and philosophical rhetoric to deduce specific principles that coincided with their positions.
Afterwards, speakers from both sides of the debate expressed their feelings towards the opportunity to present contrasting views to their audience.
“We have more in common than we realize, and I hope that the discussion may help us realize that we may have different ways of going about it,” said Rush. “After providing both sides of an issue, both sides are open-minded and open to questions.”
“Creating a space about life, we are realizing that both positions are really passionate about life and that does not mean that only one side cares about life and only one side cares about choice,” said Walters.
In response to the turnout, Jensen spoke about the future of TKC SFL events and what the current goal was of the organization.
“I am excited to create a space for anyone to say what they want to say with the beliefs that they really hold, that’s the goal we want to promote instead of making people feel minimized and that their opinion is not worth mentioning,” said Jensen.
Rachel Guerra, Vice President of TKC SFL, led the event alongside Jensen.
“I think this went incredibly well. There was so much heart and soul that perpetrated this event. We really want to revive this organization and I think the debate went really well in doing that.”
Professor Talcott also gave his thoughts on the intention of public discourse and its effect in showcasing broader perspectives to give people a greater appreciation for the diversity of the argument.
“[SFL] want[s] to increase the amount of discussion about life-related issues, it is an important issue, and this is a great way to let student voices be heard and increase the amount of discussion of serious issues,” said Talcott.
As the debate ended, the debaters were met with the sound of resounding applause. “Both sides presented their arguments well and demonstrated a successful discussion,” said Aiden Ableson, a freshman in the House of C.S. Lewis.
“I really enjoyed how they talked about all aspects of life and brought it all into light… I really appreciate the [inclusive] space that they are creating,” said Leah Webber, a junior in the House of Susan B. Anthony.
Colton Taussig is a freshman at The King's College majoring in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. He is an avid film-lover and takes great pride in his home state of Missouri.