Youth4Life

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Children with Down Syndrome (DS), the most common chromosomal disorder, are specifically targeted by abortion. In large part because of prenatal tests that screen for DS , many babies identified as having DS are aborted. In the U.S., the abortion rate for babies with DS is about 30% and across Europe, it is 54%. Some countries have nearly "eradicated" DS, like Iceland, where the termination rate for babies with DS is nearly 100%. Clearly, many people take equate this diagnosis with a life that is not worth living and can be dispensed with.

In this episode, Deaconess Pat Nuffer joins us to discuss the history of the treatment of people with developmental delays in the U.S. and how we can help support individuals with DS and their families. She also shares how her personal experience raising her son, Carl, who was diagnosed with DS at birth, taught her that Carl and all those with DS are truly indispensable. 
View accompanying slides here.

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Kari Smith of Lutheran Family Service joins us on the podcast to share how to build a healthy relationship with a view toward marriage. 
View accompanying slides here.

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In this episode, Rev. Brian Barlow (vicar at the time of recording) discusses gender identity, homosexuality, and what role the gospel has in addressing the brokenness of sexual confusion. 

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This week, we hear from Virginia Flo, Regional Director of Minnesota and National Conference Director at Lutherans for Life, about how to care for the elderly in our lives! We live in a fast-paced, function-focused culture that tends to treat older people as a burden on society. It's important for us as Christians to take time to recognize that problem and fight against it by learning how we can reach out to, support, and value elderly people in our communities. 
View accompanying slides here.

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Deaconess Kim Schave joins us on the podcast to talk about child abuse. As the former Chair of the LCMS Taskforce on Domestic Violence and Child Abuse, she comes to us with a wealth of expertise about the seen and unseen affects of abuse on children and how we can best care for children, families, and communities affected by child abuse.
View accompanying slides here.

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Sidewalk counseling: how do you do it? Who should you take with you? What do you say to the women you talk to? Should you hold signs, and if so, what should they say? Renee Gibbs, longtime leader of Concordia Seminary's Life Team in St. Louis and experienced sidewalk advocate, gives her advice on how to best reach and care for those we encounter on their way into abortion clinics.
See accompanying handout here. 

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Guest Rev. Dr. Scott Stiegemeyer returns to talk about where surrogacy came from, the different ways surrogacy is used in our culture, and the practical and ethical issues with this practice. Dr. Stiegemeyer is Associate Professor of Theology and Bioethics at Concordia Irvine.

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How does embryo adoption actually work? How much is it like traditional adoption? What does embryo adoption have to do with IVF? Is embryo adoption okay? Joining Michelle on the podcast today is Kim Laube, Director of Life Ministries at Lutheran Family Service of Iowa, to talk about the nuts, bolts, and ethics of this complicated topic! 

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How are we supposed to treat animals? What rights do animals have? Are humans and animals really any different?
The issue of animal treatment cannot be understood properly without going back to the very beginning to see how humans were created, how animals were created, and what roles God gave to Adam and Eve over the rest of creation.  Retired veterinarians Dr. Barbara Geistfeld (LFL Regional Director of Texas) and her husband Dr. James Geistfeld draw on their wealth of expertise to explain what the Genesis account of creation means for animal treatment today.
Access accompanying slides here.

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Capital punishment is complicated! We know God gives governments the authority to use the sword. We also know God cherishes life. And there are practical considerations, too. What about wrongful convictions? What about the taxpayer burden of funding life sentences in prison? What should we make of it all? In this episode, Rev. Dr. Charles Lamb, former executive director of Lutherans for Life, helps us make sense of what the Bible really says about capital punishment and what it means to see this issue through a gospel-motivated and life-affirming lens.
Access accompanying slides here.

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