Ask a Pro-Life Atheist: Pete Slater
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 Pete Slater.
How did you arrive at the anti-abortion position?
I realized the pro-choice arguments I used to make could not logically or morally be condoned. As somebody who is very “pro-human,” I believe wholeheartedly that humans have intrinsic value at every stage of development. I also understand that there is no magical property of the birth canal that suddenly bestows inalienable rights onto a person for simply being born into the world. I also firmly stand on the idea that whatever happened to the mother-to-be, no matter how horrible, making the unborn child pay for that crime with their life is inexcusable.
How did you arrive at the atheist position?
Simply put, any claim made without evidence can be dismissed without evidence. If a god wanted me to know it existed, it would know how to convince me of its existence.
How do you contribute to the cause of saving lives in the womb?
I post my ideas on the subject on social media. Every time I see a post or comment that dehumanizes the unborn, I make a statement about it.
What words of wisdom do you have to share?
No matter how many times your opponent tries to dehumanize the unborn, continue to refer to them as a human or child. Because that’s what they are.
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