To Vote for “Pro-Life” Candidates?

My friends: 

I am 100% “Pro-Life!” 

* As such, I believe I must support political candidates who share my values “most consistently,” and “across the board!”  I believe they must hold the greatest possible “seamless” convictions with regard to all “Pro-Life” issues (and I would argue and agree that such an approach to political support of any candidate involves “very high standards,” but I do live in hope!).

* Even so, I have come to realize that most candidates on the political spectrum (to the right and to left) unfortunately do not share each-and-every one of my convictions.

* As I see it, therefore it seems we can only achieve our long-term “Pro-Life” goals by having great patience in the struggle and by accepting the best electoral outcomes possible, and that are actually available to us today (and in the here and now).   

* The fact is, my “Pro-Life” values include my enthusiastic commitment to the protection, support, and promotion of the dignity of every human life, including the lives of those already living and walking among us who are marginalized, disenfranchised, discriminated against, despised, struggling with illnesses and addictions, incarcerated, and/or who are enslaved by the evils of poverty and despair.  And I wholeheartedly believe every human life matters, from “the womb to the tomb.”

* For me, it’s as simple as that! 

Furthermore . . .

There is no doubt in my mind that my Christian faith guides my understandings of the sacredness and dignity of every human life.  However, I believe these values are also simply in line with “basic human principles” and what might otherwise be called “the natural law.”  I am absolutely sure that even if I were an atheist, I would still have exactly the same “Pro-Life” values and beliefs I have, and have always had!  

I believe we unfortunately live at a time in the U.S.A. when there are virtually no politicians, and for that matter, very few citizens (Democrat, Republican or Independent) who completely share our true “Pro-Life” values of respect for, and the desire to protect the dignity all human lives, from conception to natural death. 

I believe there are times in history when people must first focus their attention and struggles (albeit and perhaps painfully—and maybe unavoidably tragically) on their long range goals and hopes for the perfect society.  This is probably one of those times.  

I believe that if in our “politics” we obsessively and aggressively focus on only one or two “Pro-Life” issues, then we run the risk of paralyzing our overall efforts to achieve the broadest range of possible “Pro-Life” victories.  In the same vein, I believe if we are inflexibly entrenched in “single issue politics,” then we expose ourselves to complete alienation from our “opponents.”  To do so would destroy any chance of working together with such people, and of promoting common interests and societal goals.  Such a negative approach to “politics” on our part would likely make us completely impotent to the possibility of effecting changes to the values and the practices in our society that threaten the dignity of every single human being, from the womb to the tomb.

I also believe those with whom we disagree must never be treated with contempt, animosity, hostility, bitterness and/or hatred (nor any other related type of disrespect).  In fact, I believe we ought to open our minds, our hearts, and our ears to the possibility that we might have something to learn about the perspectives and values our “opponents” hold dear.  Therefore, I believe we must always strive to show deference, esteem, and respect, and never any type of animus, towards our nemeses (after all “it's in giving that we receive”). 

I don't think we are required to agree completely with others (and with the values and/or political views they hold dear) in order to be able to function together and to achieve progress as members of the same civil society!  What comes to my mind here is that old adage, “we can agree to disagree” (and this DOES NOT mean to do so just in the little things, like whether or not we like cream and sugar in our coffee!).  

At this point in time, I believe we must work with and elect those politicians who at least champion the vast majority of our values, beliefs, and causes.  When we win far reaching “Pro-Life” victories today, we can then pray, work, and hope tomorrow will bring more complete and definitive changes in the hearts of minds of those who haven’t yet come to our understandings of the complete sacredness of every human life, even those in utero.  This is how I decide about how I will vote for this or that candidate when I go to my local polling place on election days.

Therefore, I believe I do so as a “Pro-Lifer” who believes in “consistent ” and “seamless” approaches to all questions regarding the value of every human life.  And as I stated above, it’s as simple as that! 

Hence:  Would I vote for a candidate who would staunchly back laws prohibiting abortion, but who at the same time would vote overwhelmingly in support of other types of legislations we clearly understand to be “anti-life?” 

Most likely, not!

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** Such “anti-life” policies and ideas might include some and/or all of the following: 

—Laws permitting state-sponsored death penalties.

—The withdrawal of public funding for health care services for the poor and the needy.

—A reduction in social security benefits for the elderly and disabled.

—The cancelation of social programs designed to help those enslaved by various types of addictions.

—Laws prohibiting the use of taxpayer money that would encourage and support “school choice” for parents.

—Opposition to fair, reasonable, and constitutionally sound “gun control” legislation.

—Increased funding for unnecessary expansion of our military and the production of weapon of mass destruction.

—Elimination of, or reduction of funding for, “welfare” programs that aid impoverished people and families with children. 

—Draconian reductions in subsidies for childcare assistance, education, energy, housing, and  utility expenses of those in great need.

—Attitudes or ways of thinking that promote hatred or prejudicial treatment against those from different ethnic backgrounds, racial communities, age groups, genders, gender identity populations, and/or from among those who have special physical, psychological, or health needs. 

—Legislation that would seek to discriminate against or even criminalize those who do not follow "traditional" understandings of marriage, consensual sexual expressions, and family structures.

—Laws that fail to protect the “religious liberties" and freedoms of expression of each citizen.

 —As well as many other policies and ideas I haven't listed here that might fail to respect and uphold the freedom, dignity, and well-being of all of our citizens . . .

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These are my thoughts about how I would vote for truly “Pro-Life” candidates, and . . . 

my friends, I assure you, I am 100% “Pro-Life!” 

Peace, Friar Timothy