Pro-Life or Anti-Abortion (pro-birth)? A 3-part series.

Part III: How do we take back the pro-life movement?

Those who were/are passionate about being anti-abortion, anti-gay rights, anti-stem cell and anti-euthanasia (assisted suicide) and those who held to other pro-life issues just as passionately, began to look at each other as political and ideological enemies. Each side began to resent and attack the other for their narrow view. Since the Church declared that the fight to end abortion is the preeminent right to life issue, church funding for most other right to life issues was diverted to that one cause and began to include political campaigning for a single party over a single issue cause. Some church leaders went so far as to endorse a political party or politician outright, risking their preferred tax status. Those of us who could not endorse the other goals of that political party found ourselves outside of the system. Some of us "put our souls at risk" and actually voted for candidates in the "opposition party". Others caved to the pressure to vote based on a single issue and voted for the approved political candidate in the approved political party. Those who hoped to break the unbreakable unity of the pro-life message had succeeded. Is the damage permanent?

Re-unifying the pro-life movement will begin with respect. Respect for life and for each others' opinions. As I have discussed the problem of a fragmented pro-life movement, I pray daily for unity to prevail. With our voices fragmented through suspicion and talking past each other, our causes falter. We find odd bed-fellows in our struggles.

If we begin by respecting each other, much can be accomplished. To have a meaningful discussion we must listen to each other respectfully. It is not hard to demonstrate to those who have put most of their voice and strength and political will into championing pro-life causes other than abortion, to take another look. Much more difficult is the entrenched anti-abortion pro-life constituency. I have conversations regularly with those who are opposed to unjust war, capital punishment, euthanasia, and are for more and better education, support for the poor and the disenfranchised. Many of these folks are anti-abortion as well as they can extrapolate from the most fundamental right to life of the unborn to the preservation of and dignity of life until natural death. However, many who are strictly against unjust war, capital punishment, have not been willing to look back at the issue of abortion because they feel left out of that movement. With respectful dialog many have been persuaded to join the fight against abortion by seeing it an extension of their own pro-life ideology that began formation while working on other pro-life issues. The fundamental right to be born and not be assaulted in the womb becomes obvious. As has been stated by many church leaders, all other human rights and in particular pro-life rights stem from the right to be born.

On the other hand, you have those who came into the pro-life movement who became entrenched in the single issue of abortion. I understand it is the fundamental right, but not the only right. Many in that camp will not even give respect to a person fighting for the life of the already born, unless they first demonstrate their total allegiance to the plight of the unborn. Many go so far as to fight against these other rights to life in their effort to keep abortion on the front burner. In addition, some within the struggle against abortion have coupled their struggle with other issues which were not traditionally part of the pro-life agenda such as gay marriage and other gay rights. It makes those in the other camp wonder if they are consistent in their pro-life campaign or just single issue. When those who oppose abortion also openly endorse unjust and unending wars and capital punishment, not to mention holding disdain for those fighting systemic poverty, malnutrition, AIDS and other health crisis, their arguments for the preeminence of the right to be born fall on deaf ears. They are seen as at best inconsistent and at worst at war against other pro-life issues.

Both groups have been played for their votes. Both groups have been co-opted by others with other agendas. Both groups must get back to the original consistent message of being unconditionally pro-life and support each other in the struggle. Having divided the spoils of the pro-life movement, the two primary political parties have now helped both sides further alienate. We can re-unite and begin to exert political and social pressure that represents a consistent pro-life stance. Here’s how: We need to listen, understand and support each other. We must stop shouting over each other to make our points. We must adopt a consistent and unconditionally pro-life stance to have credibility with each other. That means those who have not understood the fundamental right to be born, literally gives birth to all other rights. It also means that those who have understood and championed the right to be born must recognize it is inconsistent to abandon the fight for those persons’ right-to-life once they are out of the womb. We must be willing to jettison the add-on agendas of others. We must carefully discuss every issue in light of our position as being unconditionally pro-life.

I am willing. Are you? Share with me your thoughts.