Ask a Pro-Life Agnostic: John-Philip Russo
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 John-Philip Russo.
How did you arrive at the anti-abortion position?
I was first convinced that the child in the womb was just a clump of cells and was essentially a part of the woman’s body. I never advocated for abortion, I just didn’t see a problem with it. It wasn’t until my brother told me about how they rip the baby apart in the womb, that I had to reassess this programming. I took a few days to think about and research the matter, and came to the only logical conclusion that the ‘fetus’ is a separate living human being that deserves life, much like any other.
[Read more – Many pro-choice views depend on believing embryos are “clumps of cells”]
Then I had to address the bodily autonomy argument, which as it turns out, is not the issue if the sex was consensual. Then the argument becomes whether or not that person was entitled to sex at the expense of another human being’s life. To agree to that would lead to all manner of other atrocities, so obviously it couldn’t be the case.
Furthermore, even if we address bodily autonomy, if the sex was consensual, that means you placed the child in the position where it requires your body to live, and are now obligated to do so. In any other case, where you put someone in this position, and not provide, and they died, you would be charged with murder. The same should be the case for the child in the womb.
However, I do agree that rape should be an exception, as the bodily autonomy argument works, since the woman in question had no agency, and thus not responsibility to, the resulting life.
How did you arrive at the agnostic position?
There is zero evidence of there being a God, or gods. The only correct answer is “We don’t know.” I’ve also read the bible, and find that God to be lacking in moral character, including Jesus who demands your surrender, on the pain of hell.
I live life as if there is some higher power or other that will judge me at the end, and seek to right all of my wrongs and leave the world better than when I found it.
How do you contribute to the cause of saving lives in the womb?
I mostly argue on Twitter against abortion. Maybe I’ve convinced someone, but the people I argue with are zealots and I don’t think there is any hope for them
What words of wisdom do you have to share?
“Seek wisdom, even in those you disagree with.”
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