Ask a Pro-Life Agnostic: Anna Sturges
Once a month or so, the Secular Pro-Life blog features a short interview with a pro-life atheist or agnostic. (See the full series of interviews here.) Although Secular Pro-Life is not exclusively for atheists and agnostics, historically they have played a key role in the organization, and we’re excited for the opportunity to share their stories. This month, we welcome agnostic Anna Sturges.
How did you arrive at the anti-abortion position?
I came to the anti-abortion position only a couple of years ago. I was raised in a very pro-choice family in a suburban area in Virginia. When I first heard about the topic of abortion and the controversy surrounding it, I came to my mother and other family friends for information due to my lack of knowledge. At the time, I was very prone to following what my friends and family said as truth, and this led me to become a very passionate pro-choicer for the majority of my life. My family told me that life did not begin at conception, and I believed them wholeheartedly.
A few years ago, it dawned on me that I had never even given the opposing side a chance to make their case, so I began a research project of mine, diving into the pro-life vs. pro-choice world. I was determined to find the lies within pro-life arguments and cement my pro-choice view all that much more.
However, the more I researched and the more debates I listened to, the less sure I was of my previous stance. To this day, I remember the moment I truly realized how wrong I was and saw that life begins at conception while abortion is truly killing real, innocent human beings. In that moment I was filled with many tears and silent words of apology to all the unborn children taken by abortion, something I had been in support of for so many years of my life. It was an immediate turning point in my stance for me.
How did you arrive at the atheist position?
I grew up with faith in my youth, but as I aged, I started questioning my beliefs and eventually concluded that I didn’t believe in a god anymore. I know that I truly have no idea what lies beyond my scope of understanding. However, from what I’ve seen and learned, I believe our universe came from a purely scientific process absent a higher power.
How do you contribute to the cause of saving lives in the womb?
I have had the honor to partake in multiple ‘March For Life’ marches in D.C. As of writing this, I was recently able to participate in the March For Life 2024, it being my 4th. I make it a priority to protest, donate, and talk about the pro-life movement with friends and family whenever the opportunity arises. I am very vocal and unapologetic about my view with those around me. I also spend time researching different topics pertaining to abortion, and make sure to use this research whenever I am given the chance to debate.
What words of wisdom do you have to share?
Progress does not come in one stroke, and minds are not changed overnight. Talking and debating about abortion is so incredibly important, but often the signs of change only come about many months or years later, if at all. You may find yourself talking to the same people, saying the same thing over and over again. I implore you, do not give up or become deterred. Your continued voice allows for opportunity and opportunity allows for change. Just a couple of years ago, I viewed the pro-life movement as “evil” and “anti-women,” but now I march and chant among other pro-lifers for the elimination of abortion within our country. Remind yourself that minds always have the ability to change.
[Read more – Becoming Pro-Life]
When talking to pro-choicers, your approach matters significantly. I know I speak for myself when I say I wouldn’t really be taking in an opponent’s words if they were getting frustrated or being rude to me, but I would be more likely to do so if they were calm and kind in their tone. We are all a representation of the pro-life movement, in all of what we say and what we do in our lives, related to the topic or not. Your character carries more weight sometimes than even your words do. Humanize your opponent. Pro-choicers are pro-choice because they truly believe it is the right thing to do. These people are not our enemy; abortion is. More will walk towards an open hand than a pointed spear.
[Read more – Quick tips for making online abortion debates worthwhile]
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