27th October 2020
By Alexander Ruggles
Introducing people to the pro-life position and defending the pro-life argument can certainly be a daunting task, particularly in this day and age!
Unfortunately, as anyone who actively promotes the pro-life position knows, it can present quite a few problems, particularly because of the common misconceptions surrounding the argument in favor of life and surrounding pro-lifers themselves. Yet each difficulty presents its own opportunity and whilst being a pro-life ambassador can certainly be daunting, it also provides within itself the chance to correct people’s misinterpretations of pro-lifers and the arguments we endorse. Introducing people to the pro-life movement can not only dispel these myths but can also allow us a chance to win people over to our side! Whilst difficult, each discussion about abortion has the potential to clearly represent the pro-life point of view and even the opportunity to create fellow pro-lifers through doing so!
There are a few ways I found particularly effective to winning over hearts and minds to being a pro-life advocate. The first way to do this is to actually explain what abortion is and what the procedure actually involves. A lot of people in my experience are actually very unaware of what abortion actually is. If time is available, perhaps try to introduce people to the work of former abortionists who became pro-life (such as Anthony Levantino) who can actually describe the reality of performing an abortion procedure and explain why they subsequently became convinced by the pro-life position. Moreover, using the work of embryologists can also be effective to explain firstly to people that human life has been scientifically proven to begin at conception. It is also key to explaining the process of human development in the womb and actually describe just how fast this development is (such as the beginning of a heartbeat at 3 weeks).
Being aware of and using the science available helps to dispel a popular myth of the pro-life position as being anti-scientific and based on false premises and arguments. Instead, the use of such sources mentioned helps portray the pro-life position as being in favor of science, backed up by evidence, significant research and medical professionals. It presents the pro-life position as an entirely rational one that can be help by educated and scientifically literate people. Many people can be won over by explaining just how reasonable and pro-science the argument against abortion actually is. In my experience many people are actually very willing to listen to a point of view, as long as it is presented in a rational and fact-based manner. Introducing people to the science is therefore a key first step to introducing them to the pro-life movement!
A second key step in introducing people to the pro-life argument is establishing common ground. After explaining the science of embryology and the way in which an abortion procedure ends a very real human life, the focus must then turn on establishing common values. Most individuals, from a variety of backgrounds want people to be treated equally and fairly and dislike discrimination and bigotry of any kind. Most people want to offer support to those who have no means of helping themselves and to assist the vulnerable. Regardless of political or religious leanings, most people share a recognition of the sanctity of human life. The argument against abortion must then be made from a values-based perspective, through focusing on the humanity of the unborn child. Abortion must be shown to be the biggest offence to equality, the biggest opponent to fairness and decency and the biggest example of discrimination in society today. The baby in the womb must be shown to be who they are, fully human from conception and the most innocent and vulnerable members of society who are the only group of individuals that it is legal to discriminate against. The argument must be made that to be for equality, human rights, charity, fairness and against discrimination and violence must mean you are unequivocally against abortion.
A final way to introduce people to the pro-life movement is to encourage their participation in the movement itself. This can be by inviting them to join pro-life societies, attend pro-life events and meet other members of the pro-life community. Even if they remain initially unconvinced, such actions can lead them to learn more and develop their understanding of the pro-life position and to hopefully become convinced of the pro-life argument! People in my experience also love to help and this can be encouraged through asking if they want to volunteer at pregnancy resource centres, donating to mothers requiring financial support for themselves and their unborn child and even offering childcare to mothers with young children. All of this, as well as being good in itself, can convince someone to support the pro-life position.
Whilst being a pro-life advocate can seem hard and unfruitful, there are many ways to bring people to the pro-life position and do not become discouraged by initially unpromising attempts to bring people to the pro-life side; even encounters such as these can sow the seed for people to eventually become won over by the pro-life argument. Every discussion on abortion with individuals has the potential to create a new pro-life advocate; do not fear, for you have science, righteousness and virtue on your side. With such allies as these, who can possibly triumph against you?
