In general, most people are rule followers. We drive on the correct side of the road, and we obey red lights. We may bend the rules — like “rolling stops” at intersections or going 5-10 miles per hour over the speed limit — but we are still basically following the rules. So, it is natural when confronted with a sign that says “Stop! Do Not Enter!” that we would obey or at least pause.
But what about when someone from the pro-choice side throws up one of these stop signs? Such a sign is intended to stop pro-life counterarguments from even being expressed.
“Stop!” (sharing your pro-life position). “Do Not Enter!” (this conversation).
When these stop signs pop up, we must resist the urge to stop and instead proceed and continue to share the pro-life perspective.
Here are a few popular signs and some quick responses that will help get the conversation back on track to the scientific and moral arguments that advocate for the unborn.
The “But You’re a Man” Stop Sign
The pro-life position advocates for the unborn regardless of whether the child is female or male. Women do have the gift of being able carry children, but every person on earth has been a child in the womb. Additionally, fathers are affected by abortion decisions. Dismissing the pro-life argument just because the presenter of the argument is male does not invalidate the argument.
The “Don’t Use Slavery or the Holocaust” Stop Sign
It is easy to see the connection between past injustices to the current injustice of abortion. The similarities of the scale and brutality are evident in addition to the identically flawed thinking of seeing other groups as less than human. However, this stop sign says unless you are African American or Jewish, you cannot reference these past atrocities. Whether or not you are part of a group that has experienced a past injustice, this inequality can still be recognized by anyone. And these lessons should be learned by everyone.
These stop signs are not good faith claims against pro-life arguments. Recognize them and keep moving forward to advocate for the life of the unborn.