Ask a Pro-Life Atheist: Corbin Summers
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 pro-life atheist Corbin Summers.
How did you arrive at the anti-abortion position?
As an atheist, I have always enjoyed watching debates between atheists and theists to challenge my own thoughts/opinions. I want to make sure I am not just regurgitating talking points I got from someone else. That I actually spent the time to make sure I agreed with what I was saying. A few years ago the social media algorithms started serving up more abortion related content, probably due to the heavy political divide, so I watched those videos with the same “I bet I can debunk this” attitude.
The more I watched Pro-Life speakers ask simple questions like “When does a fetus become a baby?”, the more I realized I had never really given my Pro-Choice stance any deep thought. I had just taken up the standard Liberal Atheist talking points, so I knew I needed to actually think about it. I then broke down every bullet point I had on why a mother should be allow to choose to have an abortion and challenge why she should be allow to do so. I then realized there was no scenario where an abortion would be the only choice or even the least harmful choice to all parties involved.
How did you arrive at the atheist position?
I was raised in a default Protestant household, where religion wasn’t discussed much. I was taught that is never wrong to ask questions when you don’t understand something. I attended church regularly to spend time with friends. Once I started asking questions there, I was always hit with anger as to why I would even have questions. The more it went on the more realized you just have to believe and I just don’t. I like to believe that I am a logical person, but I know I am just an irrational ape like the rest of us. I have never been faced with any proof or evidence to change my mind.
How do you contribute to the cause of saving lives in the womb?
I am still trying to find the best way I can support the movement to stop the practice of abortions. Since I started questioning my own opinions, I have started challenging friends and family when they throw out one of the old talking points. I know I at least have the power to change the hearts and minds of those around me.
What words of wisdom do you have to share?
Speak up. Abortion has become a very divisive topic: Men vs Women; Democrat vs Republican; Religious vs Secular; as a way to draw attention away from the act of killing an innocent child. The more people we speak up to more others will be forced to face the question of if they really do support the taking of an innocent child’s life.
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