Pro-Life Battlefronts

There is no debating the fact that abortion is a hot topic in our culture. And there is also no debate that there is a worldview clash when it comes to conversations about abortion. For anyone who wants to advocate and care for unborn babies, it is wise to know the central battlefronts in our culture right now. This post will walk through three clashes that are current battlefronts when it comes to the conversation about abortion in our country.

My Body, My Choice

It is impossible to delve very far into the abortion debate without hearing the slogan “My body, my choice.” This basically communicates that no one else gets to decide whether or not a woman has an abortion because abortion is a person choice about what she does with her body.

When speaking with Evangeline Sanders, Director of Development at Assure Pregnancy Clinic, she brought out the fact that many women who are reluctant to keep their unborn baby have not even come to grips with the idea that there is another person in the equation. The fears and the objections all relate to the woman’s life—school, work, finances, shelter—without yet thinking about the life of the baby. In fact, many women who end up having ultrasounds are surprised to see how clear and plain it is that it is a baby growing inside their womb.

When the realization comes that there is more than one person impacted by the decision of abortion, this changes everything. Giving dignity to the child—and bringing to bear the undeniable reality that it is a child—is a key battlefront.

I Shouldn’t Speak Up

Related to “My body, my choice” is the idea that other people—especially men—are not supposed to speak up about this “personal” choice that a pregnant woman is making. Some people probably abide by this simply because they think it is the respectful thing to do. Others choose not to speak up because they have been rebuked when they have spoken up. This leads to a culture of silence surrounding pregnancy and abortion.

If nothing else, we need pro-life people to speak up so that when an unplanned pregnancy comes about, seeds have been planted. Seeds of the truth that unborn babies are created in the image of God and are worthy of dignity and protection. Seeds of the truth that men take their proper place in the world not by staying quiet when their wife or girlfriend is pregnant, but by reassuring them and by taking responsibility for the child. Seeds of the truth that a woman’s church family will be waiting and ready with grace and help and support no matter the situation. Silence leads to isolation and fear. When we choose not to speak up, we leave vulnerable people on their own.

As a note, we are wise to realize that there will be blowback if we speak up about abortion. This goes with the territory. Jesus himself said, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). The Apostle Paul said, “Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Opposition does not mean that we are doing something wrong. Speaking up with grace and truth is God’s calling for God’s people.

I Am on My Own

In my conversation with Evangeline, she also said that many of the women she speaks with say that they would never have got an abortion if the child’s father had spoken up and given support. But they chose abortion because they were convinced that they were on their own. And, ironically, the slogan “My body, my choice” is very isolating. It tells a vulnerable woman that the full weight the decision is on her. Abortion is fueled by vulnerable pregnant women being convinced that they are on their own.

This means that one of the greatest things that any of us can do is to partner together with women (and couples) who are pregnant and vulnerable. This can happen in formal effort (like volunteering at Assure Pregnancy Clinic) and in informal ways (coming alongside those who God has brought into our paths). We were not created to be on our own (Genesis 2:18), and so it is profound and powerful when the church of Jesus Christ offers the comfort and help that Jesus himself wants to give.

For a woman who is isolated, abortion can feel like a great option. For a woman who has support, all sorts of other options suddenly become viable.