Is the Pro-Life Movement a Religious Stance?

The debate over the pro-life movement often centers on the belief that it is primarily a religious stance. While it is true that many religious advocates support the pro-life position, the movement encompasses a broader spectrum of beliefs, including those of secular individuals.

Secular vs. Religious Support

Myself, as a secular conservative, adamantly oppose the barbaric and inhumane act of severing an unborn child’s spine and then extracting the brain. This attitude is not unique to individuals with religious convictions. Those who adhere to religious beliefs come from a variety of religious backgrounds, and there are also non-religious advocates who support the pro-life movement based on their ethical or moral principles.

Religion and Morality

Religion touches on every subject but is not inherently valid in any of them. It is the individual humans who people and the inheritors of the natural world that hold the true subjects of ethical considerations. Those who do not value life similarly and can devalue lives to justify their actions, whether perfectly innocent or morally ambiguous, do so regardless of religious affiliation.

The Pro-Life Position

The pro-life stance is often seen as advocating against late-term abortions, such as that at 39 weeks. However, it can also be understood as an alternate method of birth, similar to a cesarean section. The inclusion of religion in discussions often revolves around religious texts and beliefs, such as the Jeremiah 1:5, which some argue prohibits abortion. However, the interpretation of these texts is often ambiguous and can lead to inconsistencies.

Secular Grounds for Pro-Life Beliefs

While religion can provide a moral framework for pro-life beliefs, these can also be held by non-religious individuals. For example, the formation of a new individual at the moment of conception, as recognized in embryology textbooks, provides a secular basis for the pro-life stance. This biological perspective supports the belief that unborn babies should be treated as human beings from the moment of conception.

Authoritarianism and the Pro-Life Movement

The pro-life movement is often portrayed as an authoritarian stance, driven by the belief that unborn babies become human at conception and should be treated as such. While many anti-abortion advocates base their beliefs on religious doctrine, these doctrines are sometimes ambiguous regarding abortion. For instance, the Bible’s teachings, while clear on certain moral points, can be seen as less definitive on abortion compared to other moral issues, such as dietary restrictions.

From a secular perspective, the core of the pro-life stance is an authoritarian message that distrusts the ability of individuals to make the right choices for themselves. This stance suggests that certain moral choices must be imposed on others, indicating an inherent distrust in the moral compass of the general public.

The anti-choice stance reflects a belief that the actions of others must be controlled to ensure moral uprightness, aligning with an authoritarian worldview. This perspective is not unique to religious individuals and can be found in various secular contexts as well.

While the pro-life movement may have religious roots, the core arguments for and against it can be analyzed and understood without invoking religious doctrine. This realization can lead to a more inclusive and nuanced discussion of the issues at hand.

Ultimately, the pro-life movement is not solely a religious stance. It reflects a broader spectrum of beliefs and ethical considerations, including those based on biological facts and secular principles.