Recently, CCATDP’s Heather Beaudoin penned an article describing what being pro-life means to her in Do Justice. She wrote,
“I am pro-life.” I hear those words frequently, but have come to realize that people who say them often mean different things. Sometimes they mean “I am adamantly against abortion, and will focus my energy on ending this practice.” Other times they mean “I want expectant mothers to be able to choose life, so I will focus my energy on providing them with the support they need in order to choose to parent or make an adoption plan for this unborn baby.” Still other times they mean “I am against the taking of human life – whether by abortion, euthanasia, or even capital punishment.” This last statement is where I stand, though I hold respect for individuals with differing views.
I believe that life is sacred from conception to natural death. Since every person is created in the image of God, life and death should be left up to Him. It is for this reason that I have dedicated my life to working to end the death penalty.
She closed by stating,
As Christians, we all have callings on our lives – that’s one of the most beautiful things about the body of Christ. It’s important for us to seek after Him – to ask Him to break our hearts for what breaks His. If each of us works fervently in pursuing these passions, we will find ourselves furthering the Kingdom of God.
So to me, being pro-life means fighting for life at every stage. If we claim that all life has value, this must include the person on death row who has committed a terrible crime. Does God love him or her any less? We can hold people accountable for the decisions they make without taking away their lives and their ability to find out who God really is and how deeply He loves each one of them.