Rotary Club condmned for anti-life policies

Update: this defence of the Rotary Club via CFNews:

Edmund Adamus emails in response to CF NEWS item 1389.21 ('Life Decisions International (LDI) exposes what it claims are ties to pro-abortion and population control programs) : ''There is certainly no programme for abortion or birth control endorsed by Rotary International in the same way that the elimination of Polio is. The Rotary Foundation contributes about 13% of the budget that the WHO uses to eliminate Polio but there is nothing similar for abortion or birth control. However each of the 32,000 clubs that make up Rotary are semi-autonomous and there may be clubs that put some effort into that area but that is their concern. Many clubs work with UNICEF but to support children and clinics. I fail to see the connection that the writer is trying to make with the 4-way test? A search of the Rotary International website turned up one result under 'abortion' - a Chernobyl mother who had refused an abortion. It produced two results under 'birth control' both letters from pro abortionists'.

Briefing: 24/09/07.

From CFNews: The Rotary Club is an organization that is most often associated with its drive to end polio. However, in a new report on the group, Life Decisions International (LDI) exposes what it claims are ties to pro-abortion and population control programs. In his recent report titled, 'Rotary's Dance With Death: Population Control Agenda and Ties to Pro-abortion Groups Eclipse Good Works,' the President of LDI, Douglas R. Scott, Jr., stated, 'It would be impossible for any person with an intact conscience to turn a blind eye to Rotary's ungodly associations and population control programs. One may offer up any excuse or justification he or she desires, but there is no way that anyone who truly cares about human life, born and pre-born, could be associated with Rotary International. No way whatsoever.'

The report, which is featured in the Summer 2007 edition of LDI's Special Reports, begins by outlining Rotary's beginnings in 1905. In 1943, Rotary adopted its famous 'Four-Way Test' which consists of four questions that business people should apply to everything they 'think, say or do': Is it the truth?Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build good will and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? While the report praises Rotary Clubs for their goal of eliminating Polio, it strongly opposes their positions on population control and abortion. Scott points out the contradiction posed by he clubs' goals saying, 'with one hand Rotary Clubs are helping save the lives of children by inoculating them against polio.

With the other hand Rotary Clubs are working with population control agencies to advance the Culture of Death.' 'This is no different than a hospital that commits abortions on one floor and has an advanced prenatal unit on another. It's another example of society's schizophrenia when it comes to how we treat pre-born human life,' said Scott. LDI's president also gives round on this by looking at Rotary's ties to pro-abortion and pro-population control agencies such as the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). 'Rotary had an admirable start,' Scott said. 'But one need only apply its own Four-Way Test to see the group has lost its way.' The report may be accessed on LDI's website: www.fightpp.org [CNA]