One of the most insightful decisions made by our Founding Fathers was establishing a clear divide between church and state. As someone with religious convictions, I value that no single belief can dictate our nation’s laws and policies—including those concerning abortion.
I hold the view that life begins at conception and see embryos and fetuses as distinct human beings. I find the choice to end a life due to timing issues morally troubling. These beliefs stem from my faith, which makes the topic of abortion personally challenging for me.
However, I cannot advocate for the separation of church and state while simultaneously wishing for my religious beliefs to shape public policy. That would be hypocritical. I firmly believe that policies should be grounded in the best available data and facts, rather than individual ideologies.
Research consistently shows that the most effective ways to lower abortion rates are through quality healthcare for women, thorough reproductive education, and accessible, affordable contraception. In fact, outright bans on abortion have not been shown to reduce abortion rates. Countries where abortion is illegal often have higher rates of abortion than those where it is permitted.
In the United States, abortion rates have dropped to levels unseen since the landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. Abortion laws differ from state to state, yet the decline in rates is evident across both restrictive and non-restrictive environments. The key to this decrease lies not in the legality of abortion, but in the availability of reliable birth control. My research has shown that it is the only factor that significantly impacts abortion rates.
This raises an important question: Why aren’t more pro-life advocates advocating for improved access to birth control? Why not campaign for contraception to be free and readily available for all women? If the ultimate aim is to genuinely reduce the number of abortions, shouldn’t that be our primary focus?
One critical flaw within the pro-life movement is that many who wish to ban abortion also support measures that limit access to birth control and cut funding for educational programs that help reduce abortion rates. On the other hand, pro-choice advocates tend to push for increased access and funding for these vital services. Since education and birth control have a more substantial impact on abortion rates than prohibitive laws, it makes sense to support women’s reproductive rights, which aligns with the pro-choice movement.
My support for maintaining legal abortion goes beyond that argument. The reality of abortion is complex, and it isn’t a simple black-and-white issue. I question who has the right—be it myself or our legislators—to make sweeping judgments about the health implications of another person’s situation. I’ve witnessed families with a deep desire to have children endure immense hardships because restrictive abortion laws left them with no options. The narratives I’ve read confirm that prohibitive abortion laws often do more harm than good.
I’ve seen far too much to believe that abortion is unequivocally wrong. As a person of faith, I believe it is God—not the government—who should make that judgment. I trust that God will care for those babies, regardless of the circumstances, and our responsibility is to support the women facing tough choices.
Additionally, I am a realist. The truth is that laws restricting abortion do not prevent it. Women will seek out abortions regardless of legality. Many will travel to places where it’s permitted, turn to unregulated providers, or attempt the procedure themselves. If a woman suffers or dies from a botched underground abortion, the baby also loses its life. Banning abortion doesn’t save lives.
If you feel compelled to oppose abortion, that’s your prerogative. You can encourage women to consider other options but leave the legal system out of it. If your ultimate goal is to lower abortion rates—something I assume is the aim of anyone identifying as pro-life—then focus on supporting legislation that effectively reduces unwanted pregnancies. Advocate for affordable, accessible birth control, comprehensive sex education, and healthcare for all.
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Ultimately, the best way to achieve lower abortion rates is to prioritize access to education and contraception.