Reasonable

We are nearing the conclusion of January, which has been set aside as Sanctity of Human Life Month - it's a great time to reflect on our Creator and the value of all life, even those yet to be born. I think of the passage in Jeremiah 1, in which God reinforces the call He has placed on the prophet's life:
4 Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:
5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations."
6 Then said I: "Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth."
7 But the Lord said to me: "Do not say, 'I am a youth,' For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak.

For years - and it seems to have become more prevalent following the overturning of Roe v. Wade - there has been a move to characterize the pro-life movement as somehow extreme because we dare to say that a baby in his or her mother's womb is a living human being.  

But, while you have politicians who believe that abortion should be available throughout the entirety of a woman's pregnancy and stand against proposed laws that would provide restrictions on abortion, that is out of step with the American people. 

And, again this year, a Marist Poll commissioned by the Knights of Columbus, indicates broad support for legal barriers to abortion.  A press release published by the Knights on the organization's website states that the study findings...

...show that 67% of Americans support placing legal limits on abortion, and that 60% support limiting abortions to at most the first three months of pregnancy. This survey, conducted by the Marist Poll and commissioned annually by the Knights of Columbus, also found that, for the second consecutive year, 83% of Americans support pregnancy resource centers, which offer support to mothers both during their pregnancy and after their baby is born. Additionally, the poll found that 62% of Americans believe healthcare professionals with religious objections to abortions should not be legally required to perform them, while 82% of respondents believe that laws can protect both the mother and her unborn child.

The website also indicates that 57% of those surveyed oppose or strongly oppose the use of tax dollars for abortion in America, and that number increases to 73% regarding using American tax dollars to fund abortions abroad.

The poll also measured attitudes toward abortion "exceptions:" in cases of rape, incest, or danger to the mothers' life.  Only 12% believed there should be no exceptions.  

Overall, according to the Knights of Columbus website, 36% of those surveyed consider themselves pro-life, with 62% viewing themselves as pro-choice.  Yet 67% of Americans - so you could say that would include a significant number of pro-choice individuals, would favor some sort of restrictions.

I think that's telling - it shows that even Americans who are not necessarily pro-life believe there should be limits.  Why is that, if abortion is such a good thing?  Well, I believe that while you have large numbers of people who make their declarations about a so-called "woman's right to choose," or "reproductive freedom." But, deep down, there is something about the process that makes even those who support these ideologies uncomfortable.  This is why pro-life politicians should not back down from identifying the full-term, no restrictions crowd as the true abortion extremists.

But, there is certainly a need for education: about the nature of the unborn child, about the nature of the abortion process itself - surgical and chemical.  And, as a society, we should increase consideration of the sanctity of a human life, regardless of the circumstances of the pregnancy.  

And, we can continue the faithful work to affirm life - to protect babies, and to care for the souls and physical needs of women who are abortion-minded, which is why pro-life ministries are so important. Because a change in heart can produce a change in attitude, as those who love God and love life minister with compassion.