I looked out over the mixed crowd of abortion opponents and supporters.  "No," I responded.  "Thank you for illustrating my point, actually.  An acorn is not an oak tree--but, it is part of the oak family.  Just as an acorn is a very young member of the oak family, a fetus is a very young member of the human family."

He tried again: "So, if I asked for an oak tree, you'd bring me an acorn?"

"No," I said, "just like if you asked me for an infant, I wouldn't bring you a thirty-year-old woman."  Laughter erupted from atheists and Christians alike packed into the Ohio State (OSU) classroom. The event had been co-sponsored by Ratio Christi (a Christian apologetics group) and Students for Freethought (an atheistic club).  I began with a basic presentation against abortion, then responded to objections from the latter group.

This event came on the heels of another unique opportunity the same week: when Baby Drayer testified on the steps of the Ohio statehouse.  Legislators and citizens gathered to support Ohio's heartbeat bill on May 10th, and all had been listening when the sound of our baby's beating heart filled the air in support of all preborn children.

Events like these have become increasingly rare, but they ought to be commonplace.  Christians and atheists ought to frequently join together--not to compromise their beliefs but to engage in robust, respectful dialog.  This is the only way we will collectively come to conclusions on issues that really matter.  And, while not every baby created will have her heartbeat broadcast, her heart should certainly be permitted to keep beating.

Instead, though, many avoid rather than engage those with opposing views.  And, preborn hearts are silenced every day.

The former is the key to the latter.  Engaging those who aren't already in our camp is the way we will win others to our side to end the injustice that is abortion.  This is something reserved not only for college campuses, but for whatever sphere of influence in which we find ourselves.