I’m pro-life, but I don’t march.

You read that correctly.

I don’t do it.

The March for Life happened this week in DC.

I stayed home.

I’m pro-life, but I don’t join in these marches. I believe they’re more harmful to the overall argument for the sanctity of human life. More on that in a moment. These marches imply that pro-life people must be both partisan Republicans as well as single-issue voters.

I believe that both are false.

Those attending this year had the added benefit of watching as President Donald Trump became the first sitting President to speak at the rally.

These rallies are a political show of force, but do very little to actually change minds about the sanctity of human life.

All Human Life Matters

I believe that statement fervently, so fervently that I’m what would be called a pro-life, anti-war, pro-immigration, anti-death penalty, and pro-gun rights individual.

Yes, unborn human life matters! But rather than preach to the choir at a rally, or demonize my enemies with hateful terms and nasty signs, I live out that reality differently. I choose to live that truth in front of those who need to see it most.

Women with unexpected pregnancies.

I want their unexpected pregnancies to end with a new human being sharing our world with us. So I donate to crisis pregnancy centers.

However, if we want to live this truth where the rubber meets the road, we can do more than donate, we can also volunteer. We can sponsor private adoptions. We can pick up the financial tab for women struggling to make ends meet during an unexpected pregnancy.

We can be the difference and encourage women to choose life.

I Get It

I get it, you want a law stating that abortion is illegal.

Such a law wouldn’t stop abortion. We would see abortion sanctuaries rise up as we have for immigrants and gun owners.

I also understand what you’re feeling inside. You’ve been programmed into believing that you will be judged because your nation has an immoral law. Such isn’t true. You will only face God’s judgment for your own sin, not for the sin of others.

Rallies like March for Life do little to incentivize politicians to take action on the issue. They NEED your pro-life vote to remain in their party’s column. This means they also NEED abortion to REMAIN an issue. If the issue is solved, they will lose chunks of money and votes.

Let’s face it, the rallies also show the politicians that sending out pro-life campaign and fundraising materials will elicit your response. They learn the language necessary to keep you on board,  handing them more money whether they do anything to end abortion.

Just My Approach

Finally, I want to say that I approach pro-life the way I do because it’s how I’m personally convicted about the issue. I’m not trying to condemn anyone else for their approach, just sharing my own.

This approach helps me keep Jesus’ command to “love your enemies” rather than demonizing those who have had or performed abortions. I choose instead to walk along side them, love them, and support them in hopes of changing their mind.

So, I beg for mercy from fellow pro-lifers.

I realize I’m not following your crowd.

But I am following Him the best I can.