Reeling in the pro-life fringe.

As I'm sure you are well aware, pro-lifers are the majority at 51% with pro-choicers being the minority at 42%.

But do you know which groups call themselves pro-life?
There are many fringe groups- Pagans for life, "Godless Pro-lifers" [Atheists and Agnostics] Pro-life alliance of Gays and Lesbians [PLAGAL] and many more.
In fact, on the Gallup Poll about 19% of Liberals proclaimed their pro-life ideology. 31% of people fitting in the non-christian category said they were pro-life as well.
That's a fine amount of people that can be brought into our movement. Oftentimes, though, they aren't active- and why?

Probably because the majority of pro-life activists are also very religious. I have an atheist friend who would love to come to the March for Life every year, but is afraid if she goes as a proclaimed atheist she'll receive numerous attempts for people to convert her, because that's been her experience in the past. They need to focus on the issue, she says, instead of my personal convictions in the realm of religion.

You know, she's right. While we all love a good conversion, we are standing up to an evil that, as can be proven because of the existence of these fringe groups, is not merely a religious issue. It's a civil rights issue. We need to tolerate the differences of the fringe pro-life groups so that they won't be afraid to say, "I'm pro-life too."

You'd be surprised at how many people act merely to fit their stereotype. That's what the world expects of them.

And unfortunately for us, the pro-life stereotype is portrayed to be a bunch of self-righteous, gun-clinging, bible thumping Christians with seventeen children. If we can make enough room and have enough tolerance for atheist and scientist and homosexual pro-lifers, we could have enough diversity that will make people say, "Hey. It's not just a bunch of religious crazies. There are people here for reasons aside from 'God said so.'"
And while 'God said so' is a good enough reason for me, I'm afraid that's not exactly the best way to convince others.

If we could put other judgments aside until after we've come together to ensure the personhood of the pre-born, that'd be great. It'll foster respect between our often-marginalized brothers and sisters.



I would like to remind everyone that today is Memorial Day. Take a moment to thank the soldiers who have died to ensure our freedoms. Say a little prayer, perhaps, for those who have passed on. Because of these wonderful men and women who served our country, we have the right to freely speak our dissent and to peaceably assemble in protest. Thank you to all who have served in the Armed Forces . ♥