One Pro-Lifer's response to "5 Things Pro-Choicers Wish Their Anti-Choice Friends Understood"

I recently came across an article entitled "5 Things Pro-Choicers Wish Their Anti-Choice Friends Understood," which you can view here. Now I can't speak for everyone who calls themselves Pro-Life, just as I'm sure the original author does not speak for all in the Pro-Choice community, but the following is my response.


"1. We want fewer abortions too."

I didn't think this was a common misunderstanding, but if it is, it could be related to some of the signs at protests and some of the articles written by members of the pro-choice movement. I've heard "abortion without apology" and #shoutyourabortion. How is encouraging women to be proud of their abortion going to help lower abortion rates? As for "let’s take the steps we can to limit the number of unplanned pregnancies: accurate education, access to birth control, and access to affordable (or free) health advice and care," I absolutely agree. It is possible to work toward lowering unplanned pregnancy rates and outlawing abortion at the same time.


"2. We Are Pro-CHOICE, Not Pro-ABORTION"

So if someone wanted to legalize theft, you wouldn't call them pro-theft? If you're for something being legal, then you're supporting it. If you want abortion to be legal and socially accepted, then you're for it. Why would you be offended at being called pro-abortion anyway, if there's nothing wrong with abortion?


"3. Banning Abortions Doesn’t Prevent Them"

I've never understood this argument; it is beside the point. Outlawing murder doesn't stop ALL murders; outlawing theft doesn't prevent ALL theft. That doesn't mean either of those should be legal. Outlawing abortion would greatly reduce the number of abortions and allow prosecution of those who perform them anyway. Also, outlawing abortion is not the only focus of pro-life groups. Take the Feminists for Life, who focus on giving women considering abortion real help with whatever situation led them there.


"4. We Think You Shouldn’t Call Yourself ‘Pro-Life’ If You Don’t Support Children"

Agree. What's your point? Just because someone is active against abortion, doesn't mean that's all they ever do with their time.


"5. We Wish You Would Stop Being So Damn Glib"

I ABSOLUTELY agree. Shaming and attacking (verbally or otherwise) women who have abortions or anyone who supports abortion is cruel and useless. Although most of us against abortion do not hate those who have had one, it unfortunately seems that some of the loudest in our group do. I want anyone for abortion and/or who has had an abortion to know that most of us bear you no ill will, but simply hope to change your opinion if we can. I also want any fellow pro-lifers to understand that being cruel has no place in the pro-life movement.

"Using pat platitudes doesn’t add anything to a complicated and necessary discussion. And treating the issue of abortion as if it has an obvious, foregone conclusion is insulting to everyone’s intelligence. We’re better than that." Still agreeing. People may be pro-life or pro-choice for a variety of reasons, and we certainly haven't reached a consensus on the issue.


Also, if the choice in question is the choice to end the life of a human being, born or not, then I suppose you can call me "Anti-Choice," because I'm certainly against THAT "choice."