What is Pro-Life?
For some Americans, the term Pro-Life conjures up a number of stereotypes: Protesters holding signs and chanting outside of clinics. Politicians who are supposedly trying to take away women’s rights. In the worst cases, Pro-Life makes people think of violence. But is Pro-Life really all those stereotypes?
The ACLJ (American Center for Law and Justice) offers several insights which answer the question, What is Pro-Life?
- Pro-Life supports science – Abortion supporters rely on outdated science to backup their claims. Since Roe v. Wade in 1973, medical science has advanced tremendously. Technology has revealed so much more than we knew before about conception and a baby’s life in the womb. 3D ultrasounds show us what no one could see in 1973, the humanity and vitality of a real human being. Pro-Life supports science and wants the world to see that life begins at conception.
- Pro-Life supports women – Many Americans have swallowed that lie that not supporting abortion is equated with being anti-women. But the truth is that being Pro-Life is to also support women in every way. Pro-Life wants to empower women to make good choices for themselves and their babies.
- Pro-Life protects all life – To be Pro-Life is to believe that all life is precious, no matter a person’s age or their stage of development. Pro-Life seeks protection for the unborn, but also seeks to meet the needs of the least in our society – widows, orphans, seniors, the disabled and anyone else in need. This belief in the sacredness of all human life causes Pro-Life people to reach out to the homeless, refugees and neighbors affected by disasters, like Hurricane Harvey.
An Innovative Idea to Bring Together Both Sides
In 2014, over 925,000 abortions were performed. Thankfully, the abortion rate that year (14.6 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15 to 44) was the lowest since 1973, the year abortion was legalized.
Abortion is a problem in the United States, but it is also a symptom of other problems. As such, it isn’t enough to merely legalize or outlaw abortion. All sides of the issue must be considered. As a Pro-Life supporter and a father of three, Rick Walker has spent a lot of time pondering the abortion issue.
One idea that Walker proposes is a modification of the Adoption Tax Credit – called the Bilateral Adoption Tax Credit (BATC). This simple, innovative approach has the potential to bring pro-life and pro-choice groups together for meaningful, positive change. Very simply, Walker proposes that a family who adopts a child in the US can share the adoption tax credit with the birth mother. Walker says:
We want a law that requires the Bilateral Adoption Tax Credit (BATC) to be shared with the mother. So, it would not be the adopting parents sharing it, it would be congress making it only a BATC, instead of the current one-sided adoption tax credit.
Fighting for Unborn Rights
As a Christian and a father, Rick Walker knows that children are a gift and a blessing to be treasured. Walker places great value on the lives of the smallest Americans, even those who have yet to be born.
In the fight for the rights of the unborn, there are no opponents, only people. Instead of fighting against the pro-choice movement, Walker believes that we should seek dialogue and commonality to preserve the rights of the unborn together. If elected he will work hard to pursue meaningful avenues to protect the most vulnerable Americans.
For more information on the innovative plan, read about the Bilateral Adoption Tax Credit.