In the Pro-Choice vs. Pro-Life debate, the allegory in the Biblical story of David and Goliath offers some context. And this deeper layer of understanding should not be ignored.
This narrative is not just a battle of strength versus weakness but also a testament to the power of faith. The Pro-Choice movement is like Goliath in its strength and influence. The Pro-Life movement is akin to David. And it is called to maintain a profound faith in its cause, much like David’s faith in God when he confronted Goliath.
The Pro-Life Movement and the Faith of David
The story of David and Goliath is one of faith triumphing over seemingly insurmountable odds. In 1 Samuel 17:45-46, David declares to Goliath, “You come against me with sword and spear and scimitar, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel whom you have insulted. Today the LORD shall deliver you into my hand; I will strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will feed your dead body and the dead bodies of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field; thus the whole land shall learn that Israel has a God.”
This powerful declaration exemplifies the essence of the Pro-Life stance. It shows a deep, unwavering faith in a higher moral law and the sanctity of life as ordained by God.
A Societal Pro-Life Conversion
The Pro-Life movement, empowered by a faith like David’s, can draw inspiration from his courage and conviction. This faith is not just in the protection of unborn life but in the belief that a societal conversion is possible. It is in believing in a conversion that recognizes and respects the intrinsic value of every human life.
A societal pro-life conversion needs to be based on a binary belief about abortion that requires an answer to one question: Are the unborn human? I believe this question is the crux of the entire abortion debate. It renders all other considerations secondary.
The significance of this question stems from its direct link to the moral implications of abortion. If the unborn are not considered human, the moral weight of terminating a pregnancy dissipates. It can be likened to swatting away a mosquito or curing an ailment.
Without human status, the unborn entity bears no moral consequence. A lack of human status nullifies the ethical debate surrounding abortion.
Conversely, if the unborn are indeed human, the act of abortion is elevated to an extraordinary moral dilemma. It becomes equal to the taking of innocent human life.
The Primary Question
This perspective shifts the focus from some reasons that might justify abortion – such as rape, incest, or the right to bodily autonomy – back to the primary moral question of the humanity of the unborn. I believe that all reasons for abortion become secondary to the essential determination of the unborn human status. It is not the unborn’s fault as to the reason for its existence.
To further challenge the pro-choice perspective, consider a series of rhetorical questions aimed at reinforcing the argument that the unborn should be considered human. These questions challenge the pro-choice individual to consider the characteristics of life (growth), genetic lineage (human parents), and intrinsic value (human dignity).
In short, these inquiries invite a pro-choice person to reflect on the fundamental aspects that define human life and its value.
Are human beings valuable?
People who are not sure that the unborn are human, should ask themselves these questions:
First, if it’s growing, isn’t it alive?
Second, if it has human parents, isn’t it human?
Third, human beings like you and me are valuable, aren’t we?
(The credit for these three questions goes to Steve Wagner and his ”Ten Seconds Can Change Minds” newsletter.)
My stand is that unborn beings are indeed human. I would emphasize that differences such as size, level of development, environment, and dependency do not detract from their humanity. This argument, however, suggests that these characteristics are arbitrary. They do not provide a moral basis for distinguishing the unborn from born humans.
Instead, being human is not a matter of degree but a binary state. An entity is either human or it is not. If it is human, then the question remains: do you value human life?
Counterarguments
There are, however, counterarguments that have to be addressed. These include the importance of women’s rights and bodily autonomy, and how these rights intersect with the moral considerations of the unborn’s humanity.
Addressing these counterarguments involves exploring the philosophical, ethical, and scientific dimensions that underpin the question of when human life begins. This includes examining the biological criteria for life, the development of human characteristics and consciousness in the womb, and the legal and societal implications of defining human life.
By engaging these broader themes, the discussion can move beyond a binary one. Acknowledging the complexity of the abortion debate and the diverse values and beliefs that inform individuals’ positions on this contentious issue is, in short, necessary.
Philosophical Dimensions
In the realm of philosophy, the concepts of personhood and moral status occupy a central place. Criteria like consciousness, self-awareness, and the ability to experience pain are considered. Such criteria assess the necessity for moral consideration and the stage of development at which they emerge.
Potentiality introduces another layer of discussion. This layer focuses on the unborn’s future capabilities to attain personhood and full moral status. It questions the moral significance of potential versus actual life.
Such philosophical discourse also extends into the realms of identity and continuity. It examines whether a fetus remains the same entity throughout its development into a person, and how its evolving identity impacts this continuity.
Ethical Dimensions
Ethical dimensions surrounding the abortion debate also encompass a variety of philosophical perspectives. Each of these perspective brings a unique lens through which the moral complexities of the issue are examined.
Rights-based approaches, for instance, weigh the rights of the unborn against those of the mother. They juxtapose the right to life with the right to bodily autonomy within a broader context of individual rights and freedoms.
From a consequentialist standpoint, the ethics of abortion are considered through the lens of the action’s outcomes. This point of view considers the potential quality of life for the child, the impact on the mother, and broader societal repercussions.
Virtue ethics, on the other hand, shifts the focus towards the character and intentions of the individual contemplating abortion. It emphasizes virtues such as compassion, responsibility, and adherence to societal roles.
Each of these ethical dimensions contributes to a multifaceted understanding of the abortion debate. They highlight the complexity of balancing individual rights, potential outcomes, and moral character in ethical decision-making.
Scientific Dimensions
But the scientific dimensions of the abortion debate must also be considered. These dimensions encompass biological, developmental, and genetic considerations. Each of these considerations contribute to our understanding of human life and its inception.
Biological criteria for life, including cellular organization, growth, response to stimuli, and genetic composition, offer a foundation for determining the commencement of life in human development, guided by scientific analysis. Research into embryonic and fetal development sheds light on crucial biological and neurological milestones. These milestones include the initiation of heart function, brain development, and the capacity for pain perception, providing a timeline for these significant events.
Additionally, genetics plays a pivotal role in establishing human identity from conception. The unique human genome present at conception highlights evidence of individual human life.
Together, these scientific dimensions offer a nuanced framework for considering the beginning and development of human life. They enrich the ethical and philosophical debates surrounding abortion with empirical insights and milestones.
Do the counterarguments matter?
All the counterarguments do not surpass the fact that being human is not a matter of varying dimensions but a binary state. An entity is either human or it is not. And if an unborn is human the question remains: do you value human life?
Some number of pro-choice people are personally opposed to abortion but are for a women’s choice to do what she wants to do with her body. I believe most pro-lifers are not opposed to the concept of “choice,” per say, but are opposed as to just what is the “choice.”
The “choice” before pregnancy is certainly in the wheelhouse of the women. The “choice” to engage in sexual activities that could produce a child is almost always most certainly hers. But the “choice” after pregnancy is not hers to make because another human entity is in play. There is a baby growing in her womb.
Pro-lifers pray that women choose life! And therein lies the work of pro-lifers. How do we convert the minds and hearts that is the Goliath of abortion minded women in a pro-abortion society.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, the Democratic Party has begun their 2024 Presidential Campaign and has as one of its primary planks an end-run around Roe v Wade. This end run is codifying abortion rights issues in each state.
In a previous essay in Catholic Stand The Democratic Party and the Sanctity of Life (June 19, 2020), I outlined various issues around this Party’s ideologies on life. It seems, with the leadership of this party, that things have not changed that much in four years.
What is interesting is that in many national polls immigration, poor government leadership, the economy, inflation, crime, and homelessness all rank higher than abortion. I pray for a conversion to life in the minds and hearts of pro-choice believers.
Pro-lifers must have the faith of David and continue their work in preserving the life of the unborn child.
8 thoughts on “The Goliath of Pro-Choice and the David of Pro-Life”
Overrepresented just in Democratically controlled areas, what a surprise!
I am so sorry to add on but Obianuju Ekeocha, big pro-lifer out of Nigeria, one of her speeches was even relayed live in our Archdiocese says “abortion” is not even a word in there culture. Anyway, one may look her up on X or youtube.
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I agree the article is very good and goes into depth admirably. I will read it again.
And to deal with the article itself, I Have been a prayer partner at abortion mills for a pro-life group. I can even sidewalk counsel though, I’m not very good at that yet. Holding up signs is a great way to be in the movement. All Catholics need to help the cause.
Someone who has become a hero to me recently is Rachel from the Bible, Genesis 29, 30 and so on. Fox News Reporter Shannon Bream has come out with a book. Page 38″As many women in her day did, she struggled and died in childbirth”. So, this gave me a pause to think. Shannon went to Liberty University, so we are not dealing with some leftist. Later to Univ. in Florida. But it’s made me reflect on so called “difficult pregnancies”. It’s not too hard to speak about the more general matters of abortion but it can get a bit complex from that.
Anyway, thank goodness, some states have outlawed the barbarism of abortion. I Haven’t heard of any women in these pro-life states dying from pregnancy since Roe was reversed. I think your article does touch on this in “outcomes”.
Sometimes the choice or pro-abortion side will bring up what are probably somewhat rare problematic pregnancies.
The pill has killed and sent many to emergency rooms. Surgical abortions have killed the women.
Rachel, Heroine of the Bible Pray for Us. Israelis indeed, do pray at her ttomb.
As usual, a very succinct challenge. Stepping way aside, to frame the dilemma as a thought
experiment, we could also exact binary points to counterbalance the biblical reference.
If, the unborn human were Hitler, would that fact justify an abortion. Up or down, as you
have set the rules.
I’m glad you acknowledge that the issue is complicated.
The fact remains that when Democrats are in power, the number of abortions goes down.
Supreme Court rules Roe V Wade unconstitutional, abortion illegal in Republican States, Missouri, Texas, Dakotas Tennessee, Alabama, Utah and the list goes on. So, list all facts.
Fact remains that in Democratic States like Michigan, over half of abortions are of African Americans, Ohio nearly half even though, the percentage of African Americans in those states is 12% or 13%, that fact remains. The Democrats need to own this. Wouldn’t make me proud.
What this tells me is that many abortions are due to 1) unwanted pregnancies; 2) economic factors, 3) lack of education/access to birth control. These are class-based problems so it’s no surprise that black women are overrepresented.