One of the smartest things our Founding Fathers did when establishing the U.S. government was to ensure a clear divide between church and state. As someone who holds religious beliefs, I truly value that no single faith can dictate our nation’s policies — particularly when it comes to the sensitive issue of abortion.
I firmly believe that life begins at conception. An embryo and a fetus are distinct human beings in my view, and I think that choosing to end a life simply due to timing issues is morally wrong. These convictions stem from my faith, which is why I find the idea of abortion so troubling.
However, I cannot champion the separation of church and state while simultaneously advocating for public policies rooted in my own religious views. That would be hypocritical. I am convinced that our policies should be informed by the best available data and facts, rather than any individual’s or group’s beliefs.
And the evidence is clear: the most effective ways to lower abortion rates are through robust healthcare for women, comprehensive reproductive education, and easy access to affordable contraception. Banning abortion outright has not been shown to decrease abortion rates; in fact, countries where abortion is illegal often have higher rates than those where it is legal.
In the U.S., abortion rates have plummeted to levels we haven’t seen since the landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. Abortion laws differ from state to state, but the decline in abortion rates has occurred in both restrictive and non-restrictive environments. The real key to this decline? Reliable birth control. My research shows it’s the one factor that significantly makes a difference.
So, here’s the real question: Why aren’t more pro-life advocates pushing for better access to birth control? Why aren’t they advocating for contraception to be free and readily available to all women? If the goal is to truly reduce the number of abortions, shouldn’t that be where we focus our efforts?
One major flaw of the pro-life movement is that many who want to ban abortion also support legislation that limits access to birth control and cuts funding for education and contraceptive services, which are proven to lower abortion rates. On the other hand, pro-choice advocates generally support greater access and funding for these resources. Since education and contraception have a more profound impact on abortion rates than bans do, it makes more sense to me to support women’s reproductive rights, which are primarily championed by the pro-choice movement.
But my reasons for supporting legal abortion go beyond that. Abortion is not a black-and-white issue, no matter how much people try to simplify it. Who am I, or any legislator, to make sweeping judgments about another person’s health situation? I’ve seen too many families who longed for a child endure heartbreaking experiences due to restrictive abortion laws. I’ve read countless personal stories that persuade me that anti-abortion laws often do more harm than good.
I have witnessed enough to understand that abortion isn’t always wrong. As a person of faith, I believe that God — not the government — should be the ultimate judge of such matters. I trust that God will care for those babies, regardless of the circumstances, and our responsibility is to support the women facing tough choices.
Besides the detrimental effects of abortion restrictions on families, I also consider myself a realist. The stark truth is that laws against abortion don’t prevent it. Women will pursue abortion, whether it’s legal or not. Many will seek care in places where it’s allowed, resort to underground providers who may be unqualified, or attempt to perform the procedure themselves. If a woman suffers or dies from a botched “back alley” or self-induced abortion, that tragic outcome affects both her and the baby. No one is truly protected by banning abortion.
So, if you feel compelled to advocate against abortion, go ahead and do so. If you want to persuade women contemplating abortion to consider different options, that’s your right. But please, keep the law out of it.
If your genuine aim is to lower abortion rates — which I hope is the goal for anyone labeling themselves pro-life — then focus your energy on supporting legislation that will effectively reduce unwanted pregnancies. Start advocating for affordable, accessible birth control, comprehensive sex education, and quality healthcare for everyone. That’s the proven path to achieving the goal of reducing abortions.
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Summary:
This piece discusses the author’s perspective on the pro-life and pro-choice debates, emphasizing the importance of separating personal religious beliefs from public policy. It argues that the best ways to reduce abortion rates lie in providing accessible contraception and comprehensive education rather than enforcing restrictive laws. Ultimately, the article advocates for a more compassionate and data-driven approach to reproductive health.