Monday, October 24, 2016

Am I Pro-Life or Just Anti-Abortion

I'm definitely anti-abortion. The thought of a baby losing its life in utero saddens me deeply. But does the fact that I am against the termination of an unborn life automatically make me pro-life?

I'm beginning to understand how my pro-choice friends can be put off by my hypocrisy, just  as I am by theirs. 

If I say I'm pro-life yet protest the entrance of refugees and immigrants into my country; men, women and children just looking for a safe place to live, can I honestly say I'm pro-life? Am I pro (for) the lives of these people?

If I say I'm pro-life and translate my "pro-life" stance into legislation that forces a mother to bring her baby into this world but then protest policies and legislation that would provide that child with better food, better education... a better shot at a better life, can I honestly say I'm pro-life? Perhaps I'm no more pro-life than Cain, the biblical character who famously asked, "Am I my brother's keeper?"

If I say I'm pro-life yet fail to protest the execution of a living breathing human being on death row, a human being who bears the image of God just like me, can I honestly say I'm pro-life?  I may wear the "pro-life" moniker proudly, but am I pro (for) the life of that person waiting for his life to be extinguished?

If I say I'm pro-life yet consume and abuse the earth's resources like there's no tomorrow until my great grandchildren are literally cheated of all their tomorrows, can I really, honestly say that I'm pro-life?  Will a future generation believe my pro-life claim?  

I could list more "If I say I'm pro-life" examples, but you (and I) get the idea.  If I'm really honest with myself I must at least admit that being pro-life is complex.  Being pro-life includes more than just one spiritual, political and social issue. If I'm really honest with myself I may have to admit that maybe, just maybe I'm not as pro-life as I like to think I am. 

Maybe, just because I'm anti-abortion doesn't necessarily mean that I'm pro-life.