What is "pro-life"? In the simplest form, this most likely refers to "for life". . The phrase should be for all life or simply the right to life. For without life, there is no other consideration. For the context presented on a roadside billboard, the sign proudly purports God’s desire for the right to life of unborn children. "Pro-life" does not stop with born or unborn children. The assumption, however, is incorrect and breeds many ethical questions.

Consider the "wrath of God".  If one considers the Bible as an accurate account of God's will, isn't it interesting that people think that God is "pro-life" when the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) documents numerous situations where He actually caused or encouraged death? 

·                     Vengeance (Ezekiel 25),

·                     Sacrifices and stoning (Leviticus 19,24),

·                     Crusades (Exodus 15:3),

·                     The 10 plagues (Exodus 7-11)

·                     He allowed His own Son to be executed (New Testament). 

These are only a few of the many suggestions.  As well, the Qur'an also suggests vengeance, sacrifices and a need for God's mercy (033:017).  Why the need for God's mercy if God is "pro-life"?  From these revelations, God seems not necessarily to be "pro-life" but rather more selective of life (if you consider these characterizations). 

Inherent error

The Bible and Qur'an suggest that God is forgiving, and thus, there is no need for a death penalty either if ultimate authority over life rests with God.  The Bible (Hebrew and Christian) and the Qur'an discuss how God professes love and compassion for people.  Fr. Pavone writes that the "Scripture repeatedly condemns the killing of the innocent."  If everyone was born with the Original Sin, who, then, is innocent and why are sacrifices of the innocent condoned? 

 More evil?

Perhaps the question is about crime.  Now, consider the notion that life begins at conception, and involuntary or unnatural life termination is a crime.  Which is worse abandonment or vengeance?  Abortion may be considered death by selective abandonment. In the same sense, the underlying premise of capital punishment is vengeance ("life for a life") by the afflicted person(s) through the state represented by the judge and jury.  Vengeance is a result of anger/wrath or even pride, which are some of the 7 deadly sins.  Is it more natural for the state to order unnatural death?  

Ethical Considerations of Authority

If life is precious, why is it necessary for someone to tell others to die for a cause when, and especially when, that person has not offered his/her own life or that of posterity?  That seems a bit selfish to offer your child, or those of others, instead of yourself.

 Is it that someone's life is more precious than another's or is the question of when?  It becomes a question of who is more important and from what position do they owe their status.  If life is precious, who then has authoritative judgment whether a life should continue or not?  This authority should not come lightly and should not come from those that are not willing to offer their own lives.  To give of such a precious entity, that is truly a sacrifice. What else could a person give after death since no mortal reward can be received?

If life is precious, why write of glorious death?  Does a person have the right to decide his or her own fate?  If a person has the right to live, why should that someone not have the right to decide one's own death?    People also have the right to self-defense by what ever means necessary. 

Given the religious examples aforementioned, it seems that God may have a selective mentality.  Wars have been started and fought in the name of God.  Additionally, nature is full of examples of bloodshed and violence. For example, lions hunt antelope and a dominant male lion may kill male cubs in the den. 

These basic ethical considerations need to be addressed when considering the position of "pro-life".  So again we face the definition as "for life", which such selective decisions might be interpreted to say "prefers life".  This would satisfy the above discussion, but it does not answer whom has authority and where the authority was derived.

Do pro-life people have respect for life?

Observing pro-life protesters that were protesting a local Planned Parenthood prompted a couple issues with the anti-choice argument.    These people, however, are not interested in saving lives or helping a woman through, what must be, a difficult decision in her life. Where are these same people at peace rallies? 

They are only interested in forcing their opinion on women.  Why are so many people interested in forcing other women into what they can and cannot do with their own lives?  The most fundamental liberty is the ability to determine what to do with your body. Specifically, women who have been brutalized should have the option available to them, but this is a right these people are not willing to allow.  Remember this is a decision that is not just about nine months of carrying a child but the rest of her life and the whole of the child's. 

Here is something that should be asked.  How many anti-choice people have offered to adopt a child?  If you are truly for life, then people need action that gives options to women rather than guilty lectures. If you are truly for life, then you need to defend life for all people at all stages of life. 

On religious discrimination

Jesus did not advocate discrimination or disrespect as many purport.  In fact, one of Jesus' last actions was to invite a criminal to join him in the kingdom of Heaven.  How many Christians have even visited a prison?  Even before that Jesus said, "Love" specifically, "Love one another as I have loved you" and gave this as the greatest commandment.  In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus proclaims that "blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God".  Where does the message of Jesus' hate come from?  Jesus taught compassion and nurturing not lies, disrespect, and hate.  To even suggest otherwise is disrespect of Him and why He died on the cross.  Don't avoid or hide your Christian obligations behind a veil of hatred.  To pretend that Jesus endorsed hate is just plain wrong and sinful. 

Conclusion

Either the definition is incorrect, or the statement is wrong.  Based upon the Scriptures alone, the assumption that God is pro-life is flat wrong and incorrect.  Furthermore, if one is pro-life, be actively pro-life for all lives instead of a select few. 

References:

Pavonne, Frank A., Fr. (n.d.) The Bible's Teaching Against Abortion. Catholic Online. Retrieved on August 14, 2006 from http://www.priestsforlife.org/brochures/thebible.html

Kraft, Robert A. (n.d.) The Bible, Revised Standard Version. University of Virginia. Retrieved on August 14, 2006 from http://etext.virginia.edu/rsv.browse.html

University of Southern California. (n.d) The Noble Qur'an. University of Southern California. Retrieved on August 14, 206 from http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/