Sanctity of Life Sunday

John on January 22, 2006 at 4:09 pm

Today, I just want to take a moment and explain why I’m pro-life.

I wasn’t always. It wasn’t until college that I ever really thought about the issue. Then a friend had a meeting one night to talk about it. She was very involved in the pro-life movement and also happened to be one of the smartest people I knew (she got her PhD in genetics a few years ago and is now a research associate). In any case, I became pro-life in one night, the moment I understood exactly what abortion was.

Since then I’ve participated in the big march on Washington three times. I’ve participated in smaller marches 4-5 times. I was a volunteer at a Crisis Pregnancy Center for two years. I’ve given money to a number of pro-life groups over the years, most recently just last week.

In the last 15 odd years I’ve seen a lot, all of which has strengthened my convictions. I believe this is the biggest human rights issue of our generation and I believe we are making progress. There is still a ways to go, but I believe we have reason for hope. In my view, most people who are pro-choice today are pro-choice for one of three reasons:

1. They’ve had an abortion or simply don’t like being told they’re wrong, especially not by someone “religious.” Everyone tries to justify their own behavior. No one likes to think they’re wrong. No one wants to accept they aren’t good enough as is.
2. Their lifestyle neccesitates access to abortion and that’s as far as they care to think about it. These are the playboy pro-choicers. Abortion is an easy out for an “authentic lifestyle.” Keepin’ it real, and all that nonsense.
3. They’ve been lied to by a sympathetic media for three decades and don’t really know what abortion is. I think the last one accounts for the majority. They’ve heard the rhetoric about women’s rights and that’s enough for them. Few of the people in this category have ever really confronted the ugly reality.

All people have an inherent moral sense. Therefore, I believe most people who consider themselves pro-choice would change their mind if they even spent time considering what it is they actually support. It’s certainly hard for me to understand how people, including members of my own family, can feel outrage about the slaughter of cows for hamburger but think it’s outrageous that anyone should be against the slaughter of human infants.

That’s what it comes down to in my estimation. It’s willful blindness, something we are all prone too in various ways on various issues. But this more than any other is an issue where we need to find the courage to swim against the tide. Whether you are an atheist or a Christian, if you value human life then act, speak and vote to protect it.

We are on the right side of this issue morally and scientifically. One day I believe most people will take that for granted. Until then, we mark another sad anniversary and add another year to the scarlet score and twelve that have already passed.

Update: Michelle Malkin has the text of the President’s proclamation today.

Update 2: Hugh Hewitt has a case of typical media bias on this issue from the LA Times.

SCOTT ADDS: Amen!

Category: Pro-Life |