Struggling with the pro-life movement

[larael]

Hi all,

I live in Texas, a wonderful state in the process of passing a bill to ban abortions after 20 weeks. I am pro-life; although I am relatively new to the issue as a whole and the movement. The movement is very much a part of the Catholic “culture”, and as someone who is leaning toward a swim up the Tiber at some point, I’m just not sure how I feel. I know abortion is wrong, and I think we should do everything we can as a people of faith to protect the preborn and their mothers.

I just don’t like the pro-life movement very much, and I feel bad about it. I feel like, from what I’ve seen, to be a Catholic means I’m expected to pray in front of abortion clinics and rally at the capital (as is happening right now in Texas!). But, my heart isn’t in it. I feel like I would be putting up a false front if I went. It’s not that I do not agree with the pro-life movement; it’s just I don’t agree with their tactics sometimes.

For instance, right now I’m following many of my friends on Facebook. as they rally at the capital in Austin. I know many of them are speaking the truth with love there, as we should, but I’ve also seen many posting about the not so gracious things that the opposition is doing and their (my friends) reactions seem so self-righteous. Sometimes I’m afraid that we pro-lifers are too quick to condemn all pro-choicers as evil and horrible and infant killers. Many of my pro-life friends have said ungracious things about Senator Wendy Davis, who filibustered against the bill in the first special session. While I don’t agree with Ms. Davis, I don’t think we present the face of Christ when we talk badly of her.

Anyway, those are just some thoughts from a Catholic leaning Lutheran. If you’re pro-life, can you understand what I’m getting at? If you’re like me, how can you remain authentically pro-life but separate from the movement? It’s honestly a strain for me. Thoughts?

 

[Edward_H]

Hello. Great topic with substantially good questions.

Keep in mind there are many ways to show our love and thanksgiving to God for the gift of life…

by taking the topic to prayer,
by quiet vigils at abortuaries
by fasting…perhaps with no one else knowing…just you and Our Lord
by studying up on life matters and Church teaching
by bringing more joy into your own home and family life…making your home “more bright and cheerful”…a beacon of family life overflowing in your neighborhood.
by offering penance for all who have chosen to kill their own children.
by praying for those who are considering aborting.

A million ways.

I am convinced the real fight…the wonderful fight is in the home…if our nephews and nieces and neighborhood kids KNEW how much joy can be had and shared in family life…if they saw convincing examples of how much REAL AND LASTING happiness can come from self donation in the family…the abortuaries would be empty.

Takes years…but God is giving us those years, hoping we get going tonight!

God Bless your thinking and actions on this topic…and on your path to Him.

 

[Prodigal_Son]

This might be exactly the reason for you to be a part of the movement. It needs moderating voices, people who understand that pro-choice people have real concerns and aren’t always just trying to justify sin.

 

[Michael57]

I don’t think that there is any expectation for you to go to pro-life demonstrations or rallies if you become Catholic. Never ran across that in the CCC. (Link to it HERE)

Perhaps you should look into an RCIA class to learn more about Catholicism? That is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, and there is no commitment required. And it’s free.

Maybe that would help clear up any concerns/questions that you have about what being Catholic means?

 

[powerofk]

First of all, it’s not the “pro-life movement” that’s upsetting you. It’s the actions of some people within the pro-life movement that bother you. The most important part of the pro-life movement, honestly, is to pray… and pray fervently, and daily, for there to be no more abortions in the country, for any reason. For this prayer, I recommend the Holy Rosary and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Personally, I doubt Roe v. Wade will be overturned in my lifetime (and I was born 6 years after the decision), so part of my prayers simply ask for abortuaries to go out of business. This prayer can be done at home, in a church, or in front of an abortuary. Praying in front of an abortuary is a dramatic public witness, but not all pro-life people are called to pray in front of an abortuary, as abortuaries are temples to Satan, and not all people can handle it. Also, the use of graphic images, which Fr. Pavone advocates, is unnecessary, and actually detracts from the cause - pro-life people know the reality, and it makes us sick; “pro-choice” people think that the images are photoshopped and, thus, don’t believe them anyway; and post-abortive women end up being forced to relive their trauma. Plus, the images give children (and some adults) nightmares.

The second most important part of the pro-life movement is, if you see a pregnant woman in crisis, do whatever you can to help the child and the mother. It is important for the “pro-choice” crowd to see that we do care about both the mother and the child. Advocate for programs that help the poor, because many women choose abortions for economic reasons.

It is ironic that the same party that claims that it is pro-life often cut economic programs that help women choose life, and also wishes to treat people who were not born here as second-class citizens. It is also ironic that the party that wishes to help the poor and immigrants advocates for women to be able to kill their own children, thus making the programs irrelevant. But that’s an aside. My point is, pro-life ministries and social justice ministries are not mutually exclusive, regardless of what our political parties would like to make you believe. Actually, they are one and the same - pro-life ministries cannot work effectively without social justice programs, and social justice programs are meaningless if the sanctity of human life is not upheld. This is why many faith-based pro-life ministries in the US actually try to link pregnant women in crisis situations with the help that they need to be able to provide for themselves and their unborn children.

Finally, it’s important for us to never resort for name-calling. Part of the reason we need to pray is so that the people who support abortion can come to conversion and understand what they support. Back in the 1960s, the abortion industry tricked the feminist movement (which, up to that point was adamantly pro-life, because they saw abortion for what it was - a way for men to cover up rapes, affairs, and incestuous unions) into supporting abortion, and actually demanding it.

And we need to continue to push the scientific fact - that when a sperm and an egg join together, a unique individual is created, is biologically alive, and, when the parents are human, the unique individual is of the human species. As such, ending the life of this individual at any point in its life is the ending of a human life. The individual may not look like a human early on, but genetically, biologically, the individual is a human. This was proven in the mid-1800s, and is a fact taught in every middle school, high school, and college Biology textbook, not to mention Health textbooks, Psychology textbooks, Child/Human Development textbooks, etc. The only difference is the development stage of the human and the place where the human lives.

 

[larael]

Thank you all for the moderating voices here. powerofk, I especially like what you had to say about advocating for the poor. I’ve been getting stuck at the (perhaps non-intentional) divide between advocating against abortion and for the preborn but ALSO advocating for women and the difficult socioeconomic situations they may come from. Politics aside, it is difficult for me to reconcile the fact that many who say they are pro-life are so willing to cut programs that help these women. Many times it becomes a discussion about responsibility, and sometimes I think we forget about our call to charity and compassion.

I don’t think that there is any expectation for you to go to pro-life demonstrations or rallies if you become Catholic. Never ran across that in the CCC. (Link to it HERE)

Perhaps you should look into an RCIA class to learn more about Catholicism? That is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, and there is no commitment required. And it’s free.

Maybe that would help clear up any concerns/questions that you have about what being Catholic means?

Thanks for the link, Michael. I’ve been meaning to get a copy of the CCC for a while. I meant more that doing such things is sort of an “unofficial thing” that Catholics just seem to do - some more than others. I suppose I’m afraid I would be pressured into doing something I didn’t feel called to, if that makes sense.

As for RCIA, I’m getting there. I’ve done quite a bit of research about all sorts of Catholic topics (about a year and half’s worth), and I know the Lord is pushing me in that direction to get on the path to the Church. Thanks for your help!

 

[Michael57]

Thank you all for the moderating voices here. powerofk, I especially like what you had to say about advocating for the poor. I’ve been getting stuck at the (perhaps non-intentional) divide between advocating against abortion and for the preborn but ALSO advocating for women and the difficult socioeconomic situations they may come from. Politics aside, it is difficult for me to reconcile the fact that many who say they are pro-life are so willing to cut programs that help these women. Many times it becomes a discussion about responsibility, and sometimes I think we forget about our call to charity and compassion.

Thanks for the link, Michael. I’ve been meaning to get a copy of the CCC for a while. I meant more that doing such things is sort of an “unofficial thing” that Catholics just seem to do - some more than others. I suppose I’m afraid I would be pressured into doing something I didn’t feel called to, if that makes sense.

As for RCIA, I’m getting there. I’ve done quite a bit of research about all sorts of Catholic topics (about a year and half’s worth), and I know the Lord is pushing me in that direction to get on the path to the Church. Thanks for your help!

Hope you get into the RCIA at your local parish soon.

God Bless!

 

[CompSciGuy]

Hopefully you don’t discount me as one of the “self-righteous” but honestly, I don’t know why you think the pro-life demonstrators are being ungracious. I also live in Austin. I have also seen criticism from pro-life friends regarding the behavior of pro-choice protestors… however this is understandable because the pro-choice protestors are behaving in a way that is absolutely deplorable. I don’t think pro-lifers are doing it to make themselves look better, I think they are venting their frustrations and fears of having to deal with an increasingly hostile mob of pro-choicers. Perhaps a few pro-lifers go overboard at times but I think if you put yourself on the front lines and had to deal with this stuff then you would understand their frustrations.

I am doubly confused by your criticism of the peaceful approach that pro-lifers take, both in demonstrating in front of the capitol and in praying in front of abortion clinics. If you understand the absolute gravity of abortion, the fact that it is the taking of human life, and not just any human life, but the most innocent and defenseless human life, then you would understand why we can’t just sit in church or in our homes and do nothing to oppose it. We simply cannot be quiet about it! If we care about justice then we must speak up.

I am actually impressed by the pro-life protestors’ ability to remain calm and peaceful despite the actions and attitudes of their opponents.

 

[powerofk]

Thank you all for the moderating voices here. powerofk, I especially like what you had to say about advocating for the poor. I’ve been getting stuck at the (perhaps non-intentional) divide between advocating against abortion and for the preborn but ALSO advocating for women and the difficult socioeconomic situations they may come from. Politics aside, it is difficult for me to reconcile the fact that many who say they are pro-life are so willing to cut programs that help these women. Many times it becomes a discussion about responsibility, and sometimes I think we forget about our call to charity and compassion.

Actually, most pro-life people haven’t forgotten their call to charity and compassion - it’s politicians that cause most of the divide. As I stated before, pro-life activities and social justice activities go hand-in-hand with each other. It’s our politicians (and political parties) in the US that try to divide the two movements, which cannot truly be divided. We are not called to be faithful Democrats or faithful Republicans - we are called to be faithful followers of Christ. And that means standing up for people everywhere, whether they are unborn or born, poor or rich, young or old, male or female, immigrant or native-born, victim or criminal, healthy or sick, disabled or able-bodied, sinner or saint. Why? Because all of us were created in God’s image, and God wants all of us to be with Him in Heaven. For this Christ died for us and rose from the dead. He now sends us to carry out His work and build his Kingdom, as we are His body, His bride, His Church.

 

[larael]

Hopefully you don’t discount me as one of the “self-righteous” but honestly, I don’t know why you think the pro-life demonstrators are being ungracious. I also live in Austin. I have also seen criticism from pro-life friends regarding the behavior of pro-choice protestors… however this is understandable because the pro-choice protestors are behaving in a way that is absolutely deplorable. I don’t think pro-lifers are doing it to make themselves look better, I think they are venting their frustrations and fears of having to deal with an increasingly hostile mob of pro-choicers. Perhaps a few pro-lifers go overboard at times but I think if you put yourself on the front lines and had to deal with this stuff then you would understand their frustrations.

I am doubly confused by your criticism of the peaceful approach that pro-lifers take, both in demonstrating in front of the capitol and in praying in front of abortion clinics. If you understand the absolute gravity of abortion, the fact that it is the taking of human life, and not just any human life, but the most innocent and defenseless human life, then you would understand why we can’t just sit in church or in our homes and do nothing to oppose it. We simply cannot be quiet about it! If we care about justice then we must speak up.

I am actually impressed by the pro-life protestors’ ability to remain calm and peaceful despite the actions and attitudes of their opponents.

It’s not the tactics themselves! Please, don’t misunderstand me. I understand the gravity of the situation. I appreciate the efforts of pro-lifers, especially their peaceful efforts! I do not see anything wrong with those actions at all; the opposite in fact - they are very good things! Perhaps I am not being clear. I merely do not feel called to take those types of actions. As has been suggested, perhaps I am better suited to prayer, penance, fasting, etc. and not public action.

I’m not here to argue. We are obviously seeing two different sides of the movement, and that is ok.

Anyway, I’ve had my questions answered. You have effectively shut down the conversation, because you have made my reluctance to participate in pro-life activities beyond personal prayer a bad thing - obviously I’m not doing enough. No one likes to be told that, especially when they’re just starting out and trying to find their footing. How discouraging. How many other Catholics out there turn interested people off to such a good cause in the same way?

 

[_Abyssinia]

Thank you all for the moderating voices here. powerofk, I especially like what you had to say about advocating for the poor. I’ve been getting stuck at the (perhaps non-intentional) divide between advocating against abortion and for the preborn but ALSO advocating for women and the difficult socioeconomic situations they may come from. Politics aside, it is difficult for me to reconcile the fact that many who say they are pro-life are so willing to cut programs that help these women. Many times it becomes a discussion about responsibility, and sometimes I think we forget about our call to charity and compassion.

Thanks for the link, Michael. I’ve been meaning to get a copy of the CCC for a while. I meant more that doing such things is sort of an “unofficial thing” that Catholics just seem to do - some more than others. I suppose I’m afraid I would be pressured into doing something I didn’t feel called to, if that makes sense.

As for RCIA, I’m getting there. I’ve done quite a bit of research about all sorts of Catholic topics (about a year and half’s worth), and I know the Lord is pushing me in that direction to get on the path to the Church. Thanks for your help!

Cutting which programs?

 

[casey_cates]

The blue shirts that I saw on the whole were much quieter and more respectful while some of the sacrilegious signs and yelling from the people wearing the orange shirts was very disheartening. It was hard to be there and listen to them and not get confrontational. Something, admittedly, when I went the first time, I failed at. But as I learned my lesson from the example of others and with the help of the sacrament of confession, I was very proud to be counted among those that silently stood for life.

We have a right to be there. And I agree, when we are standing up for the rights of the unborn, we do need to make sure we show class and restraint on such an emotional issue.

 

[powerofk]

Cutting which programs?

Food stamps, Earned Income Credit, housing programs, WIC, etc. These are programs that are often looked at for cuts in federal budgets. The programs being available makes it easier for poor women to choose life.

It’s not the tactics themselves! Please, don’t misunderstand me. I understand the gravity of the situation. I appreciate the efforts of pro-lifers, especially their peaceful efforts! I do not see anything wrong with those actions at all; the opposite in fact - they are very good things! Perhaps I am not being clear. I merely do not feel called to take those types of actions. As has been suggested, perhaps I am better suited to prayer, penance, fasting, etc. and not public action.

I’m not here to argue. We are obviously seeing two different sides of the movement, and that is ok.

Anyway, I’ve had my questions answered. You have effectively shut down the conversation, because you have made my reluctance to participate in pro-life activities beyond personal prayer a bad thing - obviously I’m not doing enough. No one likes to be told that, especially when they’re just starting out and trying to find their footing. How discouraging. How many other Catholics out there turn interested people off to such a good cause in the same way?

Lots. In fact, I’m sure almost all of us have turned people off from a good cause for one reason or another. And there’s many ways to help the pro-life cause - prayer is a good start (and the most important part of the pro-life movement, actually), and when you feel called to do more, when your faith compells you to do more, you will do more. Sometimes, we as people get so overzealous for our causes that we can’t see how others aren’t as zealous as we are. Honestly, myself, I’ve been praying in front of abortuaries during my vacation, but when I’m not on vacation, I help the pro-life cause through my work as an educator for children with severe disabilities. You will find your calling in the movement in time.

The blue shirts that I saw on the whole were much quieter and more respectful while some of the sacrilegious signs and yelling from the people wearing the orange shirts was very disheartening. It was hard to be there and listen to them and not get confrontational. Something, admittedly, when I went the first time, I failed at. But as I learned my lesson from the example of others and with the help of the sacrament of confession, I was very proud to be counted among those that silently stood for life.

We have a right to be there. And I agree, when we are standing up for the rights of the unborn, we do need to make sure we show class and restraint on such an emotional issue.

And thank you for your witness. Not everyone is called to witness in that way, but your witness was powerful.

 

[_Abyssinia]

Food stamps, Earned Income Credit, housing programs, WIC, etc. These are programs that are often looked at for cuts in federal budgets. The programs being available makes it easier for poor women to choose life.

Lots. In fact, I’m sure almost all of us have turned people off from a good cause for one reason or another. And there’s many ways to help the pro-life cause - prayer is a good start (and the most important part of the pro-life movement, actually), and when you feel called to do more, when your faith compells you to do more, you will do more. Sometimes, we as people get so overzealous for our causes that we can’t see how others aren’t as zealous as we are. Honestly, myself, I’ve been praying in front of abortuaries during my vacation, but when I’m not on vacation, I help the pro-life cause through my work as an educator for children with severe disabilities. You will find your calling in the movement in time.

And thank you for your witness. Not everyone is called to witness in that way, but your witness was powerful.

The following article looks at

1. The connection between welfare and illegitimacy is
   well-established:

1. Welfare does not lower the abortion rate:

1. Welfare may increase the abortion rate:

1. As welfare decreased, so did the abortion rate:

1. Decreasing welfare may decrease irresponsible sexual behavior:

1. Other examinations of the data give the same results:

1. Recent history doesn’t help pro-welfare argument:

hli.org/files/PLTP_wefare.pdf

 

[powerofk]

If that’s the case, then why does the USCCB endorse food stamps, EIC, common-sense immigration reform, and the like, almost as fervently as they endorse pro-life causes? The truth is, it’s not the programs that encourage irresponsibility - it’s the culture itself. PP bombards schools with their propaganda, and are invited to talk in most schools’ Health classes during the sex education unit. Health classes are federally required by all Middle schools and High Schools receiving Title I funding, and the sex ed unit is a required unit in the classes. We are then bombarded by immense immorality in most TV sitcoms, and everything else. So, all people end up being encouraged to be irresponsible - but it’s the poor who end up being most affected by their irresponsibility. The purpose of the aid is to not punish the children for the mistakes of their parents.

 

[Kal2012]

Not every Catholic is called to pray in front of abortion clinics or participate in the March for Life or Operation Rescue or…(fill in the blank).

Some people give money. Some people pray. Some people vote and support pro-life politicians.

I know quite a few pro-Choice Catholics. They see nothing wrong with their position. (We can argue whether or not they are “real” Catholics; however, that’s not the point of the post. So, I’m not going to debate the issue. It’s just an observation.)

I’m a pro-lifer and I struggle with the movement too because it’s not my primary motivator for voting. I’d rather focus on economic issues which conservatives tend to agree on rather than social issues that divide the public.

I’ve never felt the expectation from the Catholic community (or any other community) to participate in pro-life rallies. It’s a choice to participate or not.

 

[mek42]

I’m pretty sure some Catholics focus their energies on other worthy acts of charity. We have different interests, different talents, different callings. Maybe the plan has you doing something else.

 

[CrossofChrist]

Politics aside, it is difficult for me to reconcile the fact that many who say they are pro-life are so willing to cut programs that help these women. Many times it becomes a discussion about responsibility, and sometimes I think we forget about our call to charity and compassion.

I know you weren’t trying to be political, but you actually were. Many people think that some programs actually keep people in poverty longer and make it harder for women to choose life. Just sayin’

As for RCIA, I’m getting there. I’ve done quite a bit of research about all sorts of Catholic topics (about a year and half’s worth), and I know the Lord is pushing me in that direction to get on the path to the Church. Thanks for your help!

Congrats! God bless you on your journey.

As to your original post, it seems you have more of a problem with how some pro-life people act by being too in-your-face about being against abortion. That’s not being against the pro-life movement, but how they act. I’m very pro-life and I don’t go to pray outside of abortion clinics, albeit I support those who do. Instead I pray the rosary in my room (easier to focus on the mysteries that way ) for an end to abortion. Maybe you’d prefer doing something more “behind the scenes” to help the prolife movement.

 

[CrossofChrist]

If that’s the case, then why does the USCCB endorse food stamps, EIC, common-sense immigration reform, and the like, almost as fervently as they endorse pro-life causes?

Because there is a very politically liberal streak within the USCCB and it’s been planted there for quite some time.

 

[Michael_Allen]

Anyway, those are just some thoughts from a Catholic leaning Lutheran. If you’re pro-life, can you understand what I’m getting at? If you’re like me, how can you remain authentically pro-life but separate from the movement? It’s honestly a strain for me. Thoughts?

I can understand. I think there is room to disagree on how the life issue is tackled. Sometimes the debate appears to lack sensitivity, especially (in my observation and opinion) concerning end-of-life questions. There is also, just in my opinion, a little too much focus on the legality/illegality of abortion as the primary means to tackle abortion rates.

God bless +

Michael