“You’re pro-life because you’re a Christian.” “Separation between church and state because it’s my body my choice.” “Your religion doesn’t matter because it’s my decision.” These comments are common objections repeated by those who are pro-abortion. But is it true that abortion is only a Christian issue? My argument here is no. These often-used statements are common genetic fallacies used to distract one from the main issue at hand, which is the most fundamental question of the pro-life debate: What are the unborn? I believe that if we keep this main issue the main thing, we can have more productive conversations with those on the other side. It is not just a Christian matter; it is a universal matter rooted in our humanity and in what defines a human being.
When making an effective case for the pro-life cause, syllogism is key. Pro-life apologist Scott Klusendorf gives the following syllogism in his book, The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage the Culture (Second Edition), where he writes: “It is wrong to intentionally kill an innocent human being. Abortion intentionally kills an innocent human being. Therefore, abortion is morally wrong.” Notice that, in his syllogism, religion was not used to articulate this simple yet important message.
The pro-abortion arguments fall into one or more of four categories: Size. Level of Development. Environment. Degree of Dependency. These categories are also known as the acronym SLED. They basically mean, there is no difference between you, the embryo, and you, the adult; our size has no bearing on our value as humans. Just because the unborn is in the womb doesn’t make them any less valuable than a two-year-old at the park; our location doesn’t give us value as humans. Just because the unborn depend on their mother’s body, that doesn’t make them any less valuable, just like the elderly depending on a nurse to help them survive doesn't make them less valuable. Our dependency on another does not make us any less valuable as humans.
It’s important to note that nowhere was scripture used in presenting this case. Even pro-life atheists can agree with what is being presented here. From the point of conception, embryologists have recognized that the unborn are living, distinct, and whole. This is a scientific fact we can all agree on, whether you are an atheist or a Christian.
If we are to be effective at making an effective pro-life case in New Mexico, we need to keep the main issue the main thing, making sure to keep our conversations rooted in the above noted syllogism and in SLED (size, level of dependency, environment, and degree of dependency). Remember: one’s Christian faith does not negate the fact that it is wrong to intentionally kill an innocent human being. One can be an atheist, skeptic, or Christian and still recognize this fact. Abortion is a human issue in which we all, deep down inside, intuitively know is wrong. For more resources, I highly recommend Scott Klusendorf’s book, The Case for Life: Equipping Christians to Engage in Culture. You can also find Scott on his podcast called, The Case for Life.
Damara Andrade is the co-host of The Hitched Apologists podcast and is currently working towards her degrees in philosophy and Christian apologetics
