An evangelical Christian university has launched a summer course qualification in pro-life activism.
Oklahoma Wesleyan University (OKWU) will this year offer a new course, "Pro-Life Training and Applied Bioethics", which aims to equip students "to answer pro-choice arguments compellingly and winsomely in any setting," according to its website.
The course will train students in "pro-life advocacy" and pregnancy centre management and will be run in partnership with the Life Training Institute and Care Net.
OKWU, an evangelical Christian private university that describes itself as "unapologetic in our commitment to the truth of Christ and the truth of Scripture", has launched the programme in response to their belief that "too many people today aren't convinced abortion is unthinkable".
It asks its potential students, "can you persuade them?"
The president of the university defended the course and OKWU's unequivocal pro-life position in an email to the College Fix, writing: "We humbly acknowledge that God defines life and that men do not."
Jody Ward, a pro-life campaigner and project manager of the Women's Care Centre in Baltimore, endorsed the programme, calling it "the most important pro-life training you will ever receive."
Speaking to the Independent, the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) – the UK's largest abortion provider – said: "Universities have the right to run these courses, and students have the right to attend. However, it is interesting they feel the need to do so.
"Abortion is a fact of life. That anti-abortion activists feel the need to receive such extensive and expensive training to present a 'compelling' argument against a woman's right to choose rather suggests they are struggling to make their case."
The program will run from July 11-22, will cost $3,000 and teach modules on the ethics of abortion and public speaking.
The university is looking into the "feasibility" of expanding the course into a full Bachelors degree, which would prepare students for "vocational work in pro-life apologetics, political consulting, or for an executive role" in pregnancy help centres, according to its website.
