Ask a Pro-Life Agnostic: Colin
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. As they become more prominent in the pro-life movement generally, we’re excited for the opportunity to share their stories. This month, we welcome agnostic atheist Colin.
How did you arrive at the anti-abortion position?
Trial and error. I’ve been for limited abortions as a younger man. Much of my personal belief set path had to do with my feelings on human evolution, my personal pushback against human barbarism through recorded history, and my natural masculine role as a protector of the defenseless. It’s scientifically and biologically evident that in the embryonic stage it is a non-parasitic human life, and all human life deserves protection and human rights.
How did you arrive at the atheist position?
I stopped believing a deity or deities could bring thinking, choosing, sentient beings into existence, grant them agency, then provide them with unclear instructions on how to attain an eternity in a heaven or hell with penalties for intellectual honesty and unclear evidence of a higher power or powers. The multitude of conflicting religions is circumstantial evidence in favor of there being no one true religion or a higher power, and the measured, constant speed of light in a vacuum is evidence that the universe is much older than any religious text claims. I do not claim to know anything for certain beyond what I can prove myself or reasonably understand. I do not rule out the existence of the supernatural.
I arrived at these conclusions through my own reading from around age 15 till now (late 40s). I’m always open to new evidence. I do not accept faith as a reasonable way to know a thing, instead preferring measurable evidence.
How do you contribute to the cause of saving lives in the womb?
I sh*tpost. I’m an active participant in the culture wars on the internet on multiple platforms, always defending the human rights of unborn babies, not always in an uplifting or kind sort of way, as I believe in meeting the energy of attacking bad faith actors with equal or opposing energy.
I volunteer at an American Planned Parenthood location, doing counseling and maintenance. To me, this is somewhat amusingly subversive. I’m not the protestor type.
What words of wisdom do you have to share?
I wouldn’t call this wisdom, but observations: It’s somewhat dismaying when assessing how set in beliefs most are. I advocate searching for purpose instead of pursuing happiness and think the best decision any two people can make is to reproduce and dedicate their lives to living for their children even if it seems like a mountain of difficulty to climb. Children are rewarding, beautifully scientific creatures. Creating one or a few and watching them develop into loving, caring adults is a priceless experience.
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