On the Affirmation of Life 
 
The Pro-Life movement grew rapidly because of what we were facing at that moment - R-v-W, (1970s) and the resultant "abortion on demand" movement that followed--but--the landscape we are looking at today is very different, and the conversation now includes so much more territory, so many more related issues, so much additional consideration about what it means (or might mean) to "affirm life," and to care for one another from conception to death. 
 
Some folks want the conversation to address primarily the matter of unborn babies. Some want the conversation to include "end of life issues." Others want the conversation to include how we care for those who after being born have no hope of a happy life, and yet others want to expand the conversation to capital punishment, prison reform, and refugees, along with issues of violence, war and nuclear weapons. As one poster I saw said, "It is a sin to make a nuclear weapon." Who, with even a modest use of logic, could argue with that truth? 
 
Actually . . . I am glad for the inclusions of these "LIFE" issues. The matter of being Pro-Life is truly an enormous and multi-faceted topic. It takes in a LOT of territory. 
 
I would hope and pray that all who regard themselves as occupying any segment of this conversational-trajectory of affirming human life would definitely open their hearts and minds to the multitude of discussions on these subjects -- and would -- even if they cannot accept every point along that conversational-trajectory -- embrace and engage "whatever segment" of that path that speaks to themselves most. 
 
This is not an "all or nothing" conversation. It is not "black and white." This is a dialogue that has "open-ends" for including multiple voices and many insightful perspectives. This is not watering down the conversation, it is revving it up. It is like the proverbial yeast, that once it is in the dough, energizes the entire matrix. 
 
May I suggest that we change the "all or nothing" tone of our language, and that we affirm what we can affirm, agree where we can agree, and do what we can do...rather than making enemies of those who do not share every nuance of our own personal positions/perspectives. 
 
Rather, let us rejoice that someone, at some point, agrees with some aspect of the things that intersect with our own views. This is how we make friends, allies, and progress.

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