What It Really Means To Be Pro-Life
Start writing a post
Politics

What It Really Means To Be Pro-Life

Because yes, there is a difference between pro-life and pro-birth.

363
What It Really Means To Be Pro-Life
npr.org

I recently read a statistic that got me thinking. It stated that there are over 415,000 children in the United States foster care system. If one family in every three churches were to commit to adopt one child, every one of these children would have a home. This seems like such an attainable goal, yet it has not been met. Thinking about this gave me hope, made me uncomfortable, and set my mind out on rabbit trails, all at the same time. It was then that I started thinking about life: from conception to birth, and from birth to death.

Most of these said churches in the United States have strong convictions and morals that propel them to take up a pro-life stance on the controversial topic of abortion. Whether this means picketing on street corners or subtly slipping it into a sermon, traditionally, the church opposes 1973's case of Roe vs. Wade. On the other side of the debate is the pro-choice stance, which advocates that the government should not legislate a woman's body and she should have the choice to end a unwanted pregnancy.

I'd like to start by clarifying a few things now, before things get sticky. First, whatever abortion is, it is not simple. I can't even begin to imagine being in a place where I am faced with having to make a choice to keep or terminate a pregnancy. I say confidently, typically a person who chose to have an abortion did not take the decision lightly, so let's not be quick to judge. Second, supporting a woman's right to choose does not inherently mean that that person is anti-babies and fully supports the act of abortion. A person who votes pro-choice may not even believe in abortion (this is the reason for calling it "pro-choice" not "pro-abortion"). In the same way, opposing abortion does not automatically make a person pro-life, but rather pro-birth.

There is so much more to being pro-life than just opposing abortion, which is something that is not discussed nearly enough by those who proudly claim the title of "pro-life".

Pro-life is not a stance, a mark on a ballot, a bumper sticker, or a picketing sign, it is a complete and total mindset of valuing human life in every form.

Pro-life means being a support system to the anxious mother who made a difficult choice to keep her baby -- throughout her pregnancy and then on after. It is adopting a child who needs a forever home (not just cute babies, mind you). It is taking on the role of a foster parent and providing a safe, loving place for children of all ages to feel welcomed. Pro-life even means providing education and resources to prevent unplanned pregnancies in order to avoid tough choices.

Pro-life means supporting those who are less fortunate. Those who struggle economically or depend on government assistance. Even if it means your taxes go to funding programs like universal healthcare or assistance in the grocery store.

Pro-life means pursuing the homeless. Feeding and clothing the homeless. Using our resources to house the homeless. It means we see them as humans and not as hazards.

Pro-life means valuing the lives of innocent civilians abroad. It means we don't support bombing entire cities and carelessly murdering bystanders in hopes of reaching a small target. It means supporting refugees and people who have managed to escape death, but have lost their homes.

Pro-life means valuing life outside of the womb just as much as, if not more than, life inside of the womb. It is protecting everyone's right to live and thrive, not just the unborn. It is relatively easy to oppose abortion, to call someone a murderer, and to judge someone by their actions, but what really makes a person an advocate is to demonstratively value life in every scenario.

I will leave you with this quote, which states so eloquently what I feel in my heart.

"I do not believe that just because you're opposed to abortion, that that makes you pro-life. In fact, I think in many cases, your morality is deeply lacking if all you want is a child born but not a child fed, not a child educated, not a child housed. And why would I think that you don't? Because you don't want any tax money to go there. That's not pro-life. That's pro-birth. We need a much broader conversation on what the morality of pro-life is." - Sister Joan Chittister

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

45282
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

28628
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

953189
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

160091
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments