“Abortion does not kill a potential human person; it kills a human person with great potential.” — Author Unknown
Knowing how to defend your pro-life convictions on abortion isn’t just important. It can have life or death consequences in a country where thousands of children are aborted each day. We cannot be silent on the issue of life. Remember, your silence on abortion may be interpreted as an endorsement of it.
In Part 2 of this series (read Part 1 here), we will address one of the most common pro-abortion arguments: the claim that a woman’s bodily autonomy includes the right to kill a child.
“Bodily Autonomy”
Abortion advocates often claim that a person’s bodily autonomy includes a mother’s right to remove her preborn child if she does not want him or her in her body.
We must first acknowledge that bodily autonomy absolutely exists. No one has a right to violate another person’s body. That’s why rape and abuse are wrong.
But bodily autonomy cannot logically include the right to kill another innocent person, as doing so would violate that other person’s bodily autonomy. A child existing in his mother’s womb is not a violation of her bodily autonomy. He did nothing to put himself there; in fact, he is there due to the actions of his parents. Pregnancy does not violate bodily autonomy.
Scientifically, the preborn baby in the mother’s womb has its own genetic makeup — its own DNA, fingerprints, hair color, blood type, and a distinct beating heart. Abortion does not remove some part of the woman’s body; it destroys the body of a separate, unique individual in her womb (see The Voyage of Life).
Biblically speaking, everyone from conception to natural death is sacred, created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). The child in the womb is no less worthy of life than his mother; the bodily autonomy of both matters equally.
Biblically speaking, everyone from conception to natural death is sacred, created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). The child in the womb is no less worthy of life than his mother; the bodily autonomy of both matters equally.
The bodily autonomy argument simply does not justify killing an innocent child by abortion.
CONCLUSION
Pro-choice advocates claim that abortion is necessary. The fact is, abortion does not undo the pregnancy. Instead, it destroys an innocent human life and seriously harms the mother’s life — mentally, emotionally, and physically. Women deserve better than abortion.
When debating abortion from a pro-life stance, hold firm to your convictions and approach the topic with kindness and humility. An overbearing or arrogant approach will not bring a change of heart. Instead, it may drive the pro-choice advocate deeper into their point-of-view. Rarely will that person’s heart be transformed in one conversation. Yet each discussion will plant seeds of life that the Lord can nurture — helping the person to ultimately recognize abortion as unthinkable and unnecessary.
“Never tire of firmly speaking out in defense of life from its conception and do not be deterred from the commitment to defend the dignity of every human person with courageous determination. Christ is with you: be not afraid!” St. John Paul II
Read Part 1 of this series HERE, and stay tuned for additional installments.
