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Is Rob Buckingham Really Pro-Life?

13 November 2024 Hits:611

I admit that I write this blog with a certain amount of apprehension. I’ve only blogged about abortion three times in two decades, and on one of those occasions, I asked the question, “Are Pro-Lifers Really Pro-Life?” Let’s say that some people did not appreciate my asking that question! And so, in this blog, I’m going to make it personal: Am I (Rob Buckingham) really pro-life?

Context

The inspiration for this blog came from an online discussion last weekend. I posted in response to a meme that Christians shared about Donald Trump winning the US election. A close friend made some comments suggesting I had changed my stance on several ethical issues, including abortion.

For context, my friend is someone I’ve known for over forty years. I had the honour of leading him to faith in Jesus. We remain good friends, and it was fantastic to see him recently when I was on extended leave. His comments struck a chord with me, and I felt compelled to delve deeper into this issue.

My pro-life stance is not just a position I hold but a belief that my personal experiences and faith journey have shaped. I was surprised by his observations because I can’t recall a time when we discussed abortion, so I phoned him, and we had a lengthy and meaningful conversation about his comments. I told him I’d be writing a blog about it, and well, here we are!

My Answer

I’ll begin by answering the question and then explain what I mean and why. Is Rob Buckingham really pro-life? Yes, I am. I sincerely believe that all life is sacred, and all things exist because they have been created by divine intelligence. I trust the scriptures that inform us that once God crafted the world and all it contains, He entrusted the care of His handiwork to humans. Life is precious, and so, of course, I’m pro-life.

However, I object to the limitation of this label to the unborn. What I react to are the contradictions I see among some who claim to be pro-life, but their defence ends once the baby is born. If the baby grows up to be a criminal, do we execute them? If they turn out gay or trans, are they shunned from our churches? Sadly, yes.

Caring for unborn babies and rallying against abortion should not be the totality of what it means to be pro-life.

Some History

It pains me when important matters become politicised because they divide and detract from making headway and genuine change. Abortion, once the realm of American Democrats due to their solid Catholic base, was reluctantly adopted by Ronald Reagan as part of his platform in the mid-70s. Understand this: US Republicans embraced abortion for political gain and NOT because they particularly cared for the unborn. At the same time, the GOP opposed gun control and school busing to achieve racial integration.

I encourage you to reflect on what I’ve just stated because this is fundamental to my pro-life views. Care for the unborn should not be an “issue” that is adopted to gain votes for power—and yet it is. Opposing gun control measures is not pro-life. In 2023, over 46,000 people died in the US from gun violence. Discriminating against people because of racial background and skin colour is not pro-life.

Consistency

My pro-life posture compels me to be consistent across various ethical issues. If all life is sacred—as I believe it is—we must value all life, whoever and whatever that life may be. Being pro-life should not stop at protecting the unborn. It should extend to caring for all life, including God’s creation, animals—including those at risk of extinction, unborn babies, pregnant women, immigrants, widows and orphans, prisoners, and minorities like the LGBTIQ+ community. This inclusive approach is at the heart of my pro-life stance. Scripture tells us, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.”

It is inconsistent—and contradicts scripture—to, on the one hand, defend the lives of the unborn, and at the same time, demonise migrants, refugees, or anyone else.

Consider these words from sacred scripture: “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself…”

Straightforward?

Like many of the moral issues mentioned above, abortion is not a black-and-white matter; we simplify the complexities to the detriment of those affected.

Abortion rates in the US peaked in the late seventies and have since steadily declined, regardless of who was in power. Australia has also witnessed a decline in the number of abortions.

Interestingly, since Roe v. Wade was overturned and various bans were implemented, abortion rates have risen. 2023 stats indicate an 11% increase in abortions compared to 2020. It’s a reminder that banning something—cancel culture—is not necessarily effective. I resonate with Bill Clinton’s 1992 statement that abortion should be “safe, legal, and rare.” When it’s legal, it’s safer and occurs less frequently.

Abortion bans indiscriminately disadvantage poor, Black, and Latino women, creating desperation. We are all aware of how desperate people can act.

A Multi-Faceted Approach

Reducing abortion rates is not a simple task. It involves a multi-faceted approach that emphasises both the prevention of unintended pregnancies and support for individuals facing difficult circumstances. If we are genuinely pro-life, we will welcome these evidence-based methods and strategies that have been shown to reduce abortion rates. This comprehensive approach gives us hope and a clear path to make a difference. This approach includes:

• Comprehensive sexual education.
• Access to affordable and effective contraception and healthcare.
• Strengthen support for parenting and families, including subsidised childcare, paid parental leave, and financial assistance.
• Accessible and non-judgmental counselling services (including mental health support).
• Empowerment and equality of women (through education, job opportunities, and financial independence).
• Encourage social and cultural support for pregnant individuals who may otherwise feel pressured to terminate a pregnancy.
• Educate and involve men in family planning.
• Increase awareness and accessibility of adoption options (including simplifying and reducing the costs associated with the adoption process).
• Promote community outreach programs by collaborating with local organisations, faith-based groups, and community leaders to provide support services and resources to a broader audience.
• Address socioeconomic inequality—Economic hardship is a common reason for seeking an abortion, as is domestic violence.

As a pro-life person, I encourage these initiatives. As a pastor, I will stand with women and couples who find themselves in situations that are sometimes beyond their control, and I will lead our church to be a kind community where women who have had an abortion find grace instead of judgment.

 

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