Christian Reflection and Prayer

 Why not focus on policies that reduce the demand for
abortion? For example, empowering poor and low-income
women can make a difference in overall pregnancy termination
rates, as this demographic constitutes 75% of abortions.
Increasing access to birth control reduces the rate of
unplanned pregnancies, especially among low income women.
It’s simple: if women don’t get pregnant, then they don’t get
abortions. Providing supports for single mothers is also
beneficial, as more than 80% of those obtaining abortions are
unmarried, most of whom are not living with the father. Family
supports in general can be beneficial as well, considering that
about 60% of women getting abortions already have given birth
at least once. Increasing educational access can also make a
difference, as those who have a college degree are less likely
to have an abortion while those without a high school or college
diploma are more likely. Additionally, racial inequities in all
these areas – education, income levels, and so on – lead to
higher rates of abortions among black women than any other
group and slightly higher rates among Hispanic women. …
Honestly, I wish one of our major parties – or a third party,
whether viable for winning the election or not – holistically
supported life at all stages. My choice would be easier if that
were true. It’s not, though. And I can’t accept that being pro-life
is simply being anti-abortion. That’s not pro-life. It’s not. What
is our Christian witness to those who have been born when we
insist that the lives of the unborn matter more in our votes than
their lives do?

(Shannon Dingle)