Ask a Pro-Life Agnostic: Anonymous
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 an anonymous pro-life agnostic.
How did you arrive at the anti-abortion position?
I had never seriously thought about pregnancy or abortion until a few years ago when a girl I was dating became pregnant. Prior to either of us knowing, I had become, among other things, more affectionate and protective. A bond had formed in just the first few weeks. Afraid of hardship at college and her family’s reaction, she aborted a few weeks later. Acting in the way I had been taught “supportive” boyfriends were supposed to act, I didn’t try to stop her. The bond that had formed swiftly severed, and I still feel its loss to this day. It was only then that I gave thought to the value of unborn life.
I realized that there is no rational means to distinguish child from fetus. In all ways except location, a day old child is the same as a child a day before birth. Similarly, a child a day before birth is nearly identical to a child two days before birth. At no point in the chain following implantation is there a moment-to-moment distinction that does not rely on an arbitrary decision of personhood. Logically, if a fetus is a sub-human clump of cells, then it follows a born child is as well. And if children are denied personhood on arbitrary grounds, then to who else can personhood be arbitrarily denied as well? Would killing those people be celebrated and defended as abortion is today?
How did you arrive at the agnostic position?
No theory addressing the nature of existence has sufficient evidence to convince me.
How do you contribute to the cause of saving lives in the womb?
At this point, voting and monetary donation. In the future, action, if necessary.
What words of wisdom do you have to share?
Do not simply act in accordance with how you were taught to act. Look deeply at your beliefs, why you hold them and if they are consistent, and afterwards act according to what you believe to be right.
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