Daily Christian Journey

The Pro-Life Movement: Staying Focused on the Main Issue

As a pro-life advocate, it’s essential to stay focused on the primary objective: protecting unborn human beings from intentional killing. While some may argue that the pro-life movement should broaden its scope to address various social issues, this approach can be counterproductive.

A Clear and Concise Message

When coaching pro-life candidates for public office, I emphasize the importance of delivering a clear and concise message: “I oppose abortion because it’s wrong to intentionally kill innocent human beings.” This statement accurately conveys the moral logic of the pro-life position and minimizes the risk of being misinterpreted or attacked by opponents.

The Whole-Life Argument: A Flawed Strategy

Some pro-life advocates suggest that the movement should shift its focus from “pro-life” to “whole life,” encompassing a wide range of social issues. However, this approach is flawed for several reasons:

1. It dilutes the main objective: By trying to tackle multiple issues, the pro-life movement risks losing its primary focus on protecting unborn human beings.
2. It sets an impossible standard: No organization or individual can effectively address every social issue; this approach sets an unrealistic expectation.
3. It allows opponents to define victory: By broadening its scope, the pro-life movement gives opponents the opportunity to dictate what constitutes success.

A Biblical Christian Ethic

While it’s true that a biblical Christian ethic is concerned with the whole life, this doesn’t mean that the pro-life movement should try to tackle every social issue. Rather, we should prioritize protecting unborn human beings and trust that other organizations and individuals will address other important issues.

Staying Focused on the Main Issue

To achieve victory in the pro-life movement, we must stay focused on the primary objective: protecting unborn human beings from intentional killing. This requires a clear and concise message, a commitment to the main issue, and a willingness to work together to achieve our goal.

Additional Perspectives

• God alone is the potter: He alone has the right to destroy or glorify the work of his hands.
• A street-level view of the history of abortion: Understanding the complex history of abortion in America can help inform our approach to the issue.
• What we misunderstand about the story of abortion in America: Challenging common misconceptions about the history of abortion can help us better understand the issue.
• Does America’s history reveal a common consensus on abortion?: Examining America’s past can provide insight into the complexities of the abortion debate.