Pro-life Christian: A Definition

 

I read something today that was patently absurd: “I’m a pro-life Christian, and I’m voting for Biden.”

I think Inigo Montoya probably said it best. “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”

I offer no commentary on whether or not the writer was actually a Christian, since there are plenty of self-described Christians who routinely vote for Democrats. Joe Biden himself claims to be a Christian, though which of Christ’s teachings he follows I’ve never heard articulated. What I take exception with is the notion of calling themselves pro-life. Presumably by associating with that term, they believe abortion is on par with the greatest evil in history and should be totally eradicated without delay. Yet by voting Democrats into office they affirm the opposite since the two notions are diametrically opposed.

Democrats support abortion on demand. That means they oppose any restrictions on it and fight laws limiting it, even laws intended to protect women and children from forced abortions at the hands of their abusers, destroying the evidence of rape, forced prostitution, and sex trafficking. In 2017, Center for Medical Progress journalist David Daleiden caught Planned Parenthood officials on hidden camera illegally selling harvested baby parts. In response, Kamela Harris, then-Attorney General of California, prosecuted the whistle-blowing journalists rather than the perpetrators of the crimes they exposed.

Behold, pro-life Christian intending to vote Democrat: This is who you’re voting for. Like I said…absurd.

On abortion, there is no question. If we vote for a pro-life candidate we stand a chance of saving babies in the womb. If we vote for pro-choice candidates, we affirm the belief that killing children is acceptable and 600,000 a year will continue to die. There is no middle ground.

If that makes you uncomfortable, it is intended to. God takes sides and so should we.

Another self-described Christian voting for Biden told me that he’s not a “single-issue voter.” That’s fair; there are plenty of other issues, and even though abortion is more important than the rest I can respect a mind that wants to look at the voting decision from various angles. Let’s list a few additional issues that should inform our vote:

Which candidate is willing to denounce arsonists as they burn down entire city blocks?

Which candidate believes that churches provide essential services?

Which candidate thinks that police officers deserve our respect and gratitude and is willing to bolster their mission of public safety by increasing rather than defunding their budgets?

Which candidate understands history and America’s role in it, and is willing to stand up to ignorant mobs and their attempts to destroy monuments, scrub history books of perspectives they disagree with, and silence anyone who opposes them?

Which candidate wants to destroy the nuclear family, and embrace LGBT activism, child sexuality, and pedophilia?

Which candidate has spent $135 million dollars fighting sex-trafficking with weekly results?

I could go on, but at this point, the contrast between the evil work of vicious hands and the quiet opposition of sober minds is so stark that no argument will dislodge individuals steeped in the darkness. They listen to the imperfect words of an imperfect man and disregard the reality before their eyes. They stand in solidarity with those diametrically opposed to the values they once held and make alliances with monsters.

Do we care more about what is said, or what is done? Look around you and see what has been done. Who broke the windows and looted the store? Who torched the city you love? Who told you that you can’t visit your loved one in the hospital or invite your son over for Easter dinner? Who murdered those police officers in cold blood and torched their squad cars? Who arrested pastors for opening their church’s doors? Who strangled that 30-year small business out of existence? Who arrested the people for sitting on the beach, or for not wearing a mask at their son’s football game?

What do you see?

I’ll tell you what I see: I see an opportunity to put right what the enemy has placed asunder. I see the land of the free and the home of the brave, a people endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights – life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. I see a nation on the brink of a cataclysmic drop into an abyss of debauchery and death.

But I also see a light that shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it. I see a remnant of the faithful biding their time in prayer and fasting. I see brave warriors bending a knee to the One who holds all the cards ready to stand up and claim the land He will provide.

I see justice for the marginalized, restoration for the hurt, and victory for those who held firm amongst the storms that test men’s faith.

Again, look around and ask yourself what you see. If you call yourself pro-life you should see a choice in this election and the right choice should be clear. If you’re still confused about who to vote for, then you don’t understand what the term pro-life means. It’s not hyperbole to say that lives hang in the balance. The other side knows it and is hell-bent on you not figuring that out until it’s too late.

In fact, they’re counting on it.

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  1. Dotorimuk Coolidge
    Dotorimuk
    @Dotorimuk

    Home run, Vince. Wave to the crowd on your way ‘round the bases.

    • #1
  2. Saint Augustine Member
    Saint Augustine
    @SaintAugustine

    Vince Guerra: Another self-described Christian voting for Biden told me that he’s not a “single-issue voter.” That’s fair; there are plenty of other issues, and even though abortion is more important than the rest I can respect a mind that wants to look at the voting decision from various angles. Let’s list a few additional issues that should inform our vote:

    . . .

    Yep.

    And economic liberty and growth and jobs instead of economic ruination with many lives lost if it saves just one life from coronavirus–according to some a priori theory about the efficacy of lockdowns, empirical facts about their efficacy be danged.

    Or economic liberty and growth and jobs instead of economic ruination in sacrifice to the planet.

    Etc.

    They like to tell us they aren’t single-issue voters.

    As if we had to choose. Those are both good reasons for voting for Trump.

    You’re not pro-life till you care about the poor, they say. I agree: Don’t vote Democrat.

    • #2
  3. E. Kent Golding Moderator
    E. Kent Golding
    @EKentGolding

    The problem with ricochet is we are the choir.  It’s the wooly headed masses outside of Ricochet that need to read posts like this.

    • #3
  4. Vance Richards Inactive
    Vance Richards
    @VanceRichards

    Vince Guerra: Another self-described Christian voting for Biden told me that he’s not a “single-issue voter.” That’s fair; there are plenty of other issues, and even though abortion is more important than the rest I can respect a mind that wants to look at the voting decision from various angles.

    When your single-isues is a life and death one, that should carry more weight than say, tax policy. Pro-life Democrat kind of strikes me like a Pro-Jew Nazi.

    • #4
  5. Phil Turmel Inactive
    Phil Turmel
    @PhilTurmel

    Democrats are the Party of Death.  Also the Party of Slavery, the Party of Racism, the Party of Perversion, the Party of Tyranny, and the Party of “Charity” with other people’s money.  I can’t identify any part of Christ’s message that aligns with the Democratic Party.

    • #5
  6. Henry Castaigne Member
    Henry Castaigne
    @HenryCastaigne

    But Trump is icky. 

    • #6
  7. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    I think that the speaker was not saying was “Because I am a Pro-Life Christian, I am voting for Biden.”  I think that what the speaker was saying is “Even though I am a Pro-Life Christian, I am voting for Biden.”

    • #7
  8. Marjorie Reynolds Coolidge
    Marjorie Reynolds
    @MarjorieReynolds

    It’s another example of meaning and language being systematically destroyed. What that person didn’t say was, I’m anti abortion and I’m going to vote for Biden. 
    This was a noticeable tactic in the Irish abortion referendum 2 years ago. ‘I’m pro life but….’  Another memorable one was ‘Nobody is anti life’ as one abortion supporting former friend thundered at me on Facebook. 

    • #8
  9. Bryan G. Stephens, Trump Avenger Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens, Trump Avenger
    @BryanGStephens

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    I think that the speaker was not saying was “Because I am a Pro-Life Christian, I am voting for Biden.” I think that what the speaker was saying is “Even though I am a Pro-Life Christian, I am voting for Biden.”

    Right.

    They are betraying their values to vote Biden.

    Personally, I think the problem is they don’t believe what the Democrats say. They are quite clear on what they want to do. They win the White House and control of the Senate, then they will pack the courts, change the federal judiciary, endorse the interstate voting compact, and add two states with four democrat senators. And they will give the vote to non citizens. Republicans will never again be in control.

     

    • #9
  10. JamesSalerno Inactive
    JamesSalerno
    @JamesSalerno

    The Democrats of 2020 are truly nihilistic. You cannot support anything they have done in the past four years and call yourself a Christian.

    • #10
  11. Vance Richards Inactive
    Vance Richards
    @VanceRichards

    Vince Guerra: If we vote for pro-choice candidates, we affirm the belief that killing children is acceptable and 600,000 a year will continue to die. There is no middle ground.

    If you perform abortions, you have the blood of every child you killed on your hands. If you vote for a Democrat president or Senator you have the blood of every child aborted in America on your hands. When you stand before the throne of judgement, will there be millions of tiny voices rightfully testifying against you?

    • #11
  12. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    You should see the editorial page of my local Catholic diocesan newspaper. Let’s just say the mask is off. There are those that submit to Christ’s teachings through his Church and those that don’t, but still call themselves “Catholic.” 

    Biden is Bad on Everything, but he’s being allowed to sell his destructive anti-life, anti-God positions as “Catholic.” Our bishops have some ‘splainin to do. 

    • #12
  13. Vance Richards Inactive
    Vance Richards
    @VanceRichards

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):
    Biden is Bad on Everything

    Yeah, but other than that . . .

    • #13
  14. Vince Guerra Inactive
    Vince Guerra
    @VinceGuerra

    Vance Richards (View Comment):

    Vince Guerra: If we vote for pro-choice candidates, we affirm the belief that killing children is acceptable and 600,000 a year will continue to die. There is no middle ground.

    If you perform abortions, you have the blood of every child you killed on your hands. If you vote for a Democrat president or Senator you have the blood of every child aborted in America on your hands. When you stand before the throne of judgement, will there be millions of tiny voices rightfully testifying against you?

    I don’t claim to know what God will do with those who stand before Him. Your salvation is secure by your confession of faith in Christ, not faith+good works.  The beauty of the gospel is that your sins were paid for on the cross, even your bonehead decisions to vote for Biden…or Clinton. My concern is not with their standing before God, but their willingness to divorce their beliefs from their actions.

    • #14
  15. Maguffin Inactive
    Maguffin
    @Maguffin

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    I think that the speaker was not saying was “Because I am a Pro-Life Christian, I am voting for Biden.” I think that what the speaker was saying is “Even though I am a Pro-Life Christian, I am voting for Biden.”

    Gary, I respect the hell out of your continued advocacy in the face of the apathetic, disappointed, angry, etc. responses you receive.  But might this be a bit of projection on your part?  “Even though I am conservative, I am voting for Biden.”

    Hope we can both be on the same side of future struggles.  You know, when you come back to us like a prodigal son. :)

    • #15
  16. Aaron Miller Inactive
    Aaron Miller
    @AaronMiller

    I left a comment in response to Bishop Barron’s commentary on politics today, objecting to his claim that Catholic social teaching is reflected in some ways by the Left and some ways by the Right. His primary mistake, like that of so many, is to take Democrats at their word. Furthermore, he confuses government with care, rather than an impediment to free will and charity. 

    For example, Democrat policies do not embody concern for the poor. They have prolonged and exacerbated poverty for generations. They have burdened the poor especially with taxes and regulations. They have wrecked family norms in poor neighborhoods. They have incited the poor to envy and hate. They have endangered the poor with lawless tolerance of violence and vandalism. 

    The Democrat party is in the grip of evil, however admirable the vaguest intentions of Democrat voters.

    • #16
  17. Gary Robbins Member
    Gary Robbins
    @GaryRobbins

    Maguffin (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    I think that the speaker was not saying was “Because I am a Pro-Life Christian, I am voting for Biden.” I think that what the speaker was saying is “Even though I am a Pro-Life Christian, I am voting for Biden.”

    Gary, I respect the hell out of your continued advocacy in the face of the apathetic, disappointed, angry, etc. responses you receive. But might this be a bit of projection on your part? “Even though I am conservative, I am voting for Biden.”

    Hope we can both be on the same side of future struggles. You know, when you come back to us like a prodigal son. :)

    I just got this from Republican Voters Against Trump:

    Here are a few of our new billboard designs featuring Florida Republicans voting for Joe Biden this fall:

    Just like our billboards in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Arizona, these billboards will be powerful for persuading Republican voters to vote for Joe Biden because they feature real community members just like those voters. 

    • #17
  18. JamesSalerno Inactive
    JamesSalerno
    @JamesSalerno

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Maguffin (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    I think that the speaker was not saying was “Because I am a Pro-Life Christian, I am voting for Biden.” I think that what the speaker was saying is “Even though I am a Pro-Life Christian, I am voting for Biden.”

    Gary, I respect the hell out of your continued advocacy in the face of the apathetic, disappointed, angry, etc. responses you receive. But might this be a bit of projection on your part? “Even though I am conservative, I am voting for Biden.”

    Hope we can both be on the same side of future struggles. You know, when you come back to us like a prodigal son. :)

    I just got this from Republican Voters Against Trump:

    Here are a few of our new billboard designs featuring Florida Republicans voting for Joe Biden this fall:

    Just like our billboards in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Arizona, these billboards will be powerful for persuading Republican voters to vote for Joe Biden because they feature real community members just like those voters.

    How are these “powerful” persuasion tools? There’s no attempt at persuasion here, just a bunch of randoms saying what they’re doing. I don’t see a single mention of any policy Joe Biden supports that would persuade a Christian or veteran to vote for him.

    • #18
  19. Aaron Miller Inactive
    Aaron Miller
    @AaronMiller

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):
    I just got this from Republican Voters Against Trump:

    Biden waited 3 months just to condemn the rampant violence and vandalism throughout Democrat strongholds, then pretended Antifa doesn’t exist and BLM isn’t a problem. You are voting for a tribal villain.

    • #19
  20. Bryan G. Stephens, Trump Avenger Thatcher
    Bryan G. Stephens, Trump Avenger
    @BryanGStephens

    Aaron Miller (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):
    I just got this from Republican Voters Against Trump:

    Biden waited 3 months just to condemn the rampant violence and vandalism throughout Democrat strongholds, them pretended Antifa doesn’t exist and BLM isn’t a problem. You are voting for a tribal villain.

    who wants to murder newborns if they are not wanted.

    Come on, man.

    • #20
  21. Jessi Bridges Member
    Jessi Bridges
    @JessiBridges

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    I think that the speaker was not saying was “Because I am a Pro-Life Christian, I am voting for Biden.” I think that what the speaker was saying is “Even though I am a Pro-Life Christian, I am voting for Biden.”

    Unfortunately I’ve seen many attempting to make the case that they are voting Biden precisely because they are prolife, but it is because they have redefined what it means to be prolife. Christian podcaster Jamie Golden recently posted that she was voting for Biden because “he’s my choice to best represent a consistent ethic of life.” For them, prolife includes universal healthcare, childcare, and college, open borders, gun control, and liberal climate change policies. This area inside of Evangelicalism is a mess right now.

    • #21
  22. Vince Guerra Inactive
    Vince Guerra
    @VinceGuerra

    Jessi Bridges (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    I think that the speaker was not saying was “Because I am a Pro-Life Christian, I am voting for Biden.” I think that what the speaker was saying is “Even though I am a Pro-Life Christian, I am voting for Biden.”

    Unfortunately I’ve seen many attempting to make the case that they are voting Biden precisely because they are prolife, but it is because they have redefined what it means to be prolife. Christian podcaster Jamie Golden recently posted that she was voting for Biden because “he’s my choice to best represent a consistent ethic of life.” For them, prolife includes universal healthcare, childcare, and college, open borders, gun control, and liberal climate change policies. This area inside of Evangelicalism is a mess right now.

    Exactly why I wrote the post. I’ve been seeing this kind of rot for months now. 

    • #22
  23. Maguffin Inactive
    Maguffin
    @Maguffin

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    Maguffin (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    I think that the speaker was not saying was “Because I am a Pro-Life Christian, I am voting for Biden.” I think that what the speaker was saying is “Even though I am a Pro-Life Christian, I am voting for Biden.”

    Gary, I respect the hell out of your continued advocacy in the face of the apathetic, disappointed, angry, etc. responses you receive. But might this be a bit of projection on your part? “Even though I am conservative, I am voting for Biden.”

    Hope we can both be on the same side of future struggles. You know, when you come back to us like a prodigal son. :)

    I just got this from Republican Voters Against Trump:

    Here are a few of our new billboard designs featuring Florida Republicans voting for Joe Biden this fall:

    Just like our billboards in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Arizona, these billboards will be powerful for persuading Republican voters to vote for Joe Biden because they feature real community members just like those voters.

    Well, the ads for Barbara Bollier (D for Senate) here are full of Republicans (she used to be one I think before switching to Democrats when she realized it was easier to make it past the primary there – I’m guessing, but just because I’m cynical doesn’t mean it isn’t true).  One I really enjoy is someone who says they are a Trump support but they are voting for Bollier as well.  Now THAT doesn’t make any sense to me.

    I know there are Republicans who will vote for Biden.  You will it seems.  Doesn’t make it right or sensible.  And the ads just means they have the money to spend on ads. Strange men lying on billboards distributing votes is no basis for a system of government. I am unpersuaded.

    • #23
  24. Saint Augustine Member
    Saint Augustine
    @SaintAugustine

    Jessi Bridges (View Comment):
    For them, prolife includes universal healthcare, childcare, and college, open borders, gun control, and liberal climate change policies.

    Yeah, here’s one Baptist philosopher who thinks it includes legalizing health insurance again, respecting women who care for their own kids, a lower national debt, protecting borders because countries protect the lives of citizens efficiently, arming the innocent to project themselves, and economic growth as the first step to environmental responsibility.

    • #24
  25. Saint Augustine Member
    Saint Augustine
    @SaintAugustine

    Vince Guerra (View Comment):

    Jessi Bridges (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    I think that the speaker was not saying was “Because I am a Pro-Life Christian, I am voting for Biden.” I think that what the speaker was saying is “Even though I am a Pro-Life Christian, I am voting for Biden.”

    Unfortunately I’ve seen many attempting to make the case that they are voting Biden precisely because they are prolife, but it is because they have redefined what it means to be prolife. Christian podcaster Jamie Golden recently posted that she was voting for Biden because “he’s my choice to best represent a consistent ethic of life.” For them, prolife includes universal healthcare, childcare, and college, open borders, gun control, and liberal climate change policies. This area inside of Evangelicalism is a mess right now.

    Exactly why I wrote the post. I’ve been seeing this kind of rot for months now.

    I worry more when it’s the Christians who believe the Bible is the Word of G-d. The mainstream Episcopal and PCUSA churches don’t much bother me by taking one more step on the road to heck.

    • #25
  26. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Jessi Bridges (View Comment):

    Gary Robbins (View Comment):

    I think that the speaker was not saying was “Because I am a Pro-Life Christian, I am voting for Biden.” I think that what the speaker was saying is “Even though I am a Pro-Life Christian, I am voting for Biden.”

    Unfortunately I’ve seen many attempting to make the case that they are voting Biden precisely because they are prolife, but it is because they have redefined what it means to be prolife. Christian podcaster Jamie Golden recently posted that she was voting for Biden because “he’s my choice to best represent a consistent ethic of life.” For them, prolife includes universal healthcare, childcare, and college, open borders, gun control, and liberal climate change policies. This area inside of Evangelicalism is a mess right now.

    This is more pro-lifestyle.

    • #26
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