OPINION: Pro-lifeish is not pro-life

Abortion remains a horrible problem—even as we move from a Democratic presidential administration to a Republican presidential administration 

The election of Donald J. Trump to the American presidency was evidence that most people in this country do not want the radical policies of the progressive agenda.  In the last couple months, I heard some say that they were going to have to hold their nose when voting for Trump.  They found Trump’s personality and character reprehensible, but they simply would not vote for Kamala Harris and what she represented—open borders, transgenderism, men in women’s sports, an anti-Israel foreign policy, censorship, and more.  In some ways, a vote for Trump was not a vote in favor of Trump, but a vote against the leftist agenda.  The Trump election was certainly a major check on the liberal agenda.

While many hope that a Trump presidency will eliminate illegal migrants from murdering Americans, the threat of murder remains.  This is a murder, however, that is taking place not in the streets of our cities, but in the wombs of our women.

In June 2022, the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, a 1973 decision which ruled that the US Constitution protected a right to have an abortion.  Thankfully, this unspeakable blight on our society was overturned.  

Abortion is now no longer a national issue.  It is a states issue. Even so, with the increasing availability of abortion pills through the mail, every house in America, even if one lives in a state where abortion is banned, has the potential of becoming an abortion clinic.

A friend recently went online to see how easy it was to have abortion pills mailed to her in Tennessee.  Some websites did not verify her age or ask if she were even pregnant.  

In the Aug. 5 election, 10 states held abortion referendums.  Three states—Nebraska South Dakota, and Florida rejected pro-abortion measures.  Seven states, though, voted in favor of abortion rights.

In her concession speech, Kamala Harris conceded the election but stated “I do not concede the fight that fueled this campaign.”  Then in her 12-minute speech she quickly said, “I will never give up the fight for a future where…the women of America have the freedom to make decisions about their own body and not have their government telling them what to do.”  

There it was.  Front and center.  Abortion.  It will continue to be a significant emphasis, if not the priority of the left’s agenda.  Those who are pro-life must be more resolute than ever to stand strong and defend the sanctity of human life.

When it comes to life, the Republican party is now squishy on life.  This summer, it was discouraging to see a Republican platform that had taken out nearly all pro-life language.  During the campaign, Trump avoided the subject of life, leaving that matter up to the states.  I am reminded of Peter Drucker who said that the most important thing in communication is to hear what isn’t being said.  It seems to me that the Republican party can now be characterized as pro-choice.  While some of my Republican friends might say that the party is still pro-life, I would respond by saying that it is merely pro-lifeish, and pro-lifeish is not pro-life.

Now is not the time to be squishy about life.  The left is full-throated about their support for abortion.  They may couch it in terms of “reproductive rights,” but let’s be clear—it is murder.  

Statistics show that 80% of women change their mind once they see their baby and hear his or her heartbeat.  I am thankful for the work of Birth Choice which serves eight locations in West Tennessee.  During 2024, they have reached 89 women who came  to them seeking an abortion, but who changed their minds to choose life for their babies.  While Birth Choice loves and cares for all who come to them, I am thankful that they are not pro-lifeish.  They are pro-life.

One is either pro-life or not.  One cannot be “kinda” pro-life.  The rising tide of pro-abortion measures in our society shows that some in recent years who claimed to be pro-life were not as pro-life as they asserted.  In coming days, the difference will be obvious between those who are truly pro-life and those who are merely pro-lifeish.

Todd E. Brady serves as Staff Chaplain and Advanced Funeral Planner at Arrington Funeral Directors.  He and his wife, Amy have five sons.  You may write to him at tbrady@afgemail.net.