One of the most astute decisions made by our nation’s Founding Fathers was to establish a clear distinction between religion and government. As someone who holds religious beliefs, I value the fact that no single faith can dominate our country’s laws and policies—including those regarding abortion.
I firmly believe that life begins at conception and that both embryos and fetuses are distinct human beings. I find it morally troubling to terminate a life simply due to inconvenient timing. These convictions stem from my faith, which is why I generally find the concept of abortion difficult to accept.
However, I cannot advocate for the separation of church and state while simultaneously wishing to impose my religious beliefs on public policy. That would be hypocritical. I believe that laws should be grounded in empirical evidence rather than personal or group ideologies.
Research indicates that the most effective means of reducing abortion rates include providing comprehensive healthcare for women, thorough reproductive education, and ensuring accessible, affordable contraception. Evidence does not support the notion that outright bans on abortion lead to lower rates; in fact, countries where abortion is illegal often experience higher abortion rates than those where it is legal.
In the United States, abortion rates have plummeted to levels not observed since the landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. While abortion laws vary by state, rates have declined in both restrictive and non-restrictive environments. The key to this reduction lies not in the legality of abortion itself, but in reliable access to birth control. This has been the only consistently proven method for significantly lowering abortion rates.
This raises an important question: Why aren’t more pro-life advocates actively promoting better access to contraception? If the ultimate aim is to lower the number of abortions, shouldn’t energy be directed toward making contraception free and easily accessible for all women?
One major flaw within the pro-life movement is that those who advocate for banning abortion often support policies that limit access to birth control and cut funding for educational programs that promote contraceptive use—both of which have been shown to decrease abortion rates. In contrast, pro-choice advocates typically push for increased access and funding for these resources. Since education and contraception have a more substantial impact on reducing abortion rates than prohibitive legislation, it seems more logical to support women’s reproductive rights, which currently align with the pro-choice movement.
Moreover, the topic of abortion is not as clear-cut as some may believe. Who am I—or any legislator—to make judgments about the health implications of another person’s situation? The reality is complex. I have witnessed families who desperately wanted children endure unimaginable hardships because of restrictive abortion laws. The narratives I have encountered lead me to conclude that laws banning abortion often do more harm than good.
As someone of faith, I trust that God—not the government—should determine the morality of such decisions. I believe that God will care for those babies, regardless of circumstances, while our responsibility is to support the women facing challenging choices.
Beyond the ethical implications, I am a realist. The truth is that prohibitive abortion laws do not stop abortions. Women will seek them out regardless of legality. Many will travel to places where abortion is permitted, turn to unsafe underground providers, or attempt to perform the procedure themselves. If a woman suffers due to a botched abortion, the baby suffers too. Banning abortion saves no one.
If you feel compelled to advocate against abortion, you are free to do so. You can counsel women considering abortion toward different choices. However, it’s crucial to keep the legal system out of personal beliefs.
If the goal is genuinely to reduce abortion rates—something I trust any pro-life advocate would agree with—then we should focus on legislation designed to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Start advocating for affordable, accessible birth control, comprehensive sex education, and quality healthcare for everyone. This is the only proven method to achieve that goal.
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In conclusion, supporting political pro-choice policies aligns with a genuine pro-life philosophy. It prioritizes the health and well-being of women while effectively addressing the factors that lead to abortion.