Ask a Pro-Life Atheist: K.K.
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.) Although Secular Pro-Life is not exclusively for atheists and agnostics, historically, they have played a key role in the organization. As non-religious pro-lifers become more prominent in the pro-life movement, we’re excited for the opportunity to share their stories.
This month, we welcome pro-life atheist K.K.
How did you arrive at the anti-abortion position?
It was a mix of a few things: Education on pregnancy and fetal development, my own experiences of teen pregnancy, crisis pregnancy, and medically complex pregnancy, and my own personal values and sense of justice. As a disabled queer woman, I have faced and seen a lot of injustice and cruelty, and it’s easy to see that the same kind of rhetoric used to dehumanize adult disabled individuals contributes to the abortion industry and to the dehumanization of both disabled and nondisabled individuals in the womb. It is heartbreaking to see it so normalized to treat fellow human beings this way.
Every person deserves to be protected from cruelty and violence, regardless of where they are from, the color of their skin, their sexuality, their health, their ability, their stage of life. I would be a hypocrite to not apply that same logic to human children in the womb.
How did you arrive at the atheist position?
I was born into a family who had already chosen to step away from religion. I grew up exposed to multiple religions through family, friends, and through travel, and while I was encouraged to explore them and be myself, I was also taught skills to think critically, to be skeptical, and to form my own opinions. I ultimately developed a love for anthropology and cultural geography, but no draw towards organized religion.
How do you contribute to the cause of saving lives in the womb?
Unfortunately, at this time I have not been able to do much to contribute, but moving forward I would love to contribute by donating time and money to organizations that provide food, OB-GYN services, clothing, and financial help to pregnant women and to their born and unborn children. When I was pregnant as a teenager with my son, these organizations helped save me and provide for him. I was given help with housing, clothing donations, help applying for jobs, practical skills, and classes on things like financial planning and childcare, as well as diapers, car seats, strollers, and food.
What words of wisdom do you have to share?
As human beings we owe it to ourselves and to each other to think critically, to notice patterns of oppression and injustice, and even when it is difficult or uncomfortable, to stand up against that injustice and protect those who cannot protect themselves, to speak up for those whose voices have been silenced or stolen. Everyone deserves a chance at life.
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