FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q – To become a member organization of RTLACO are we encouraged to disaffiliate with any other statewide pro-life organization?
A – No.
Q – As a coalition member, are we required to actively engage in and support the positions that the RTLACO advocates, on issues like traditional marriage or religious liberty?
A – No. On the other hand, you cannot be actively opposing our endorsed positions.
Q – Must our organization formally adopt the RTLACO Policy Document?
A – No, as a member organization you should be in fundamental agreement with the principles stated in our Policy Document but it is not required that you conform your mission statement, or the focus of your mission activities, to the Policy Document’s stated objectives.
Q – Why address controversial topics like contraception and IVF where there are many diverse opinions on these issues even within the pro-life community?
A – As one expands their understanding of the interconnectivity of these core issues and God’s design for family, our sexuality, and procreation, the more holistic our pro-life worldview becomes.
Q – As a coalition member, are we required to actively support the entire legislative agenda of the RTLACO?
A – No, that is the benefit of a coalition. As an independent organization you can support, or not support, any specific bill. Because you have helped to set our legislative agenda and actively influenced the final consensus position, you can respect the process even though you may not always fully agree with the RTLACO final position.
Q – Are we required to submit our mailing list to RTLACO to become a member?
A – No, you simply need to let the RTLACO know the number of names you estimate are on your mailing list.
Q - Couldn't a no-exceptions policy for candidates mean that pro-abortion candidates could be elected because a candidate that opposed abortion, but accepted exceptions, was not supported (i.e., imperfect but better than alternative)?
A – First, that you are pro-life and support exceptions is an oxymoron. On what basis do they form their pro-life beliefs? As pro-lifers we believe life begins at conception. Either there in an inalienable right to life or there is not. Either we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights, (chief among them the right to life) and as such it is the duty of governments to secure those rights; not nullify them because of the circumstances surrounding conception. Neither candidate is pro-life, so you are choosing between the lesser of two evils.
As a pro-life organization, our endorsement should mean something. Our position is to be standard bearers, not king makers. We are not a proxy organization for a particular political party. One objective of the RTLACO is to build strong pro-life majorities in the house and senate and that takes time. Our goal is the abolition of abortion. It is not to elect and re-elect politicians who are not committed to that goal.
The Revered Martin Luther King Jr. said -
“THE CHURCH MUST BE REMINDED THAT IT IS NOT THE MASTER OR THE SERVANT OF THE STATE BUT RATHER THE CONSCIENCE OF THE STATE. IT MUST BE THE GUIDE AND THE CRITIC OF THE STATE AND NEVER IT’S TOOL. IF THE CHURCH DOES NOT RECAPTURE ITS PROPHETIC ZEAL IT WILL BECOME AN IRRELEVANT SOCIAL CLUB WITHOUT MORAL OR SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY.”
Q – What is RTLACO’s relationship with Ohio Right to Life?
A – The majority of our individual member organizations currently affiliated with ORTL will remain affiliated and will obviously work to support their efforts to advance the cause of life whenever possible. There is strength in numbers and power in alliances. Whenever and wherever we can we will work with them to restore Ohio in the top 10 pro-life states in America. Currently, Ohio ranks number fourteen.
Q – Is it true that RTLACO was formed to go against ORTL?
A – No that is not at all true! The RTLACO was formed after five years and numerous good-faith attempts to address a few essential issues needed to insure Ohio maintains a unified voice within the pro-life community. Regrettably, under the current leadership at ORTL, it became abundantly obvious they had no intention of instituting even a few of these basic enhancements. We were left with no other choice but to chart a new course and embrace a strategy for victory and a governance model designed for the 21st century. We are happy to work with any group that protects life.
Q – How will we receive communications and action items from RTLACO?
A – Email would be our preferred method because of cost and expediency. If we don’t have your email address we will mail the notices to your member organization’s primary mailing address for official meeting notifications and other essential communications.
Q – How is the RTLACO funded?
A – The same way all of our organizations are funded through individual, business, and in-kind donations, and to a much lesser degree, annual membership fees. Our membership fees for any organization is nominal.
Q - Can a 501c3 organization be a member of RTLACO?
A - Yes, your membership is not a conflict for your 501c3 status.