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Some helpful ideas on how to tell family and friends you are no longer pro-abortion but pro-life

Aug 16, 2013

By Dave Andrusko

improlifeWe probably don’t write as often as we should at National Right to Life News Today about something we are ecstatic over when it happens: when someone sheds their pro-abortion garments and puts on pro-life garb.

What made me think of that was a post at Live Action News written by Kristen Hatten. She made a number of interesting points about how you can break the news that you’ve become pro-life, particularly to people with whom you previously shared a commitment to “abortion rights.” Before we quickly summarize her suggestions, I’d like to quote from an early paragraph:

“It’s difficult now to describe the feeling I had then, in the winter of 2006, but I knew in my gut that a lot of things were about to change. As a recent convert, it had never occurred to me how much belief in abortion ‘rights’ was part and parcel with the lifestyle I was leading then.”

I begin with this because it helps us remember that those on the other side may have built much of who they are around a commitment to “choice.” Why is that worth mentioning? Because breaking with that “lifestyle,” of which being pro-abortion is a component, requires courage—and a hand extended in friendship by a pro-lifer to help make that transition. Hatten makes it clear that just as she had anticipated, becoming pro-life was not well-received by those she was running with in those days.

Hatten writes,

“If you’re struggling with how to reveal your pro-life beliefs to some or all of your family, friends, and peers – or just want to be more public about your views on abortion – here are a few ideas about how to do it.”

There is nothing magical about her list, but it’s a great place to start. In each category she helpfully lists advantages and disadvantages.

1. Social media (such as Twitter and Facebook)

2. Face to face

3. Subtle and gradual (perhaps a pro-life Tee Shirt)

4. And (tongue-in-cheek) “There are other options for letting everybody know you’re cool with letting fetuses live: mass text or e-mail, skywriting, you name it.”

Hatten ends by saying there are two great advantages with any method. “[O]ne, you’ll feel a profound sense of relief once it’s over with, in no small part because you’re being true to yourself and your beliefs. Two, you’re about to make a lot of new friends. Pro-lifers are the salt of the earth, the kindest people you’ll ever meet, and the rare exceptions only prove the rule.”

Her conclusion is very, very important. Once you’ve made the plunge, “there are about a million ways to get involved. Take your talents and put them to work for life.”

 If you like, join those who are following me on Twitter at twitter.com/daveha. Please send your comments to daveandrusko@gmail.com.

Categories: Pro-Lifers