The Gallup Poll reported Friday that 51 percent of Americans now call themselves pro-life rather than pro-choice on the issue of abortion, the first time a majority gave that answer in the 15 years that Gallup has asked the question.
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Not surprisingly, advocates on both sides of the issue were quick to respond:
"Ironically, Obama's radical abortion policies and nominees may have helped make America more pro-life," said Wendy Wright, president of the conservative advocacy group Concerned Women for America.
The president of a leading abortion-rights group, Nancy Keenan of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said the Gallup findings "do not square with the voting patterns in the last two elections cycles."
Personally, I think they are both wrong.
And I make that statement purely based on my own opinions. So have at it.
I am pro-life. That means I believe that life begins at conception. While I wish there were no abortions – it seems within our grasp that we can reduce them for sure. I am glad that the incidence of abortion in the U.S. has declined over the past decade... but have no idea why the United States still continues to lead this world in this category.
I am pro-choice. I think that women should have the right to choose. I think laws outlawing abortion make about as much sense as laws denying two loving adults the right to get married (i.e. none).
I have enough self-awareness to understand that my belief in life is based on my faith and trust in God. These beliefs stem from a personal relationship with God – and the idea that I can legislate faith is absurd.
That’s why I think both Wendy Wright and Nancy Keenan are wrong. President Obama is the first President I can think of who has said this is complex and everyone needs to start thinking not only about your views – but how your neighbor thinks about it. You can’t say there’s no moral component—there is. You can’t deny the individual rights component—it’s there too.
In other words, the President is saying "let’s have an adult conversation about this". In that context, in a world where I can be pro-life without having to take away your right to choose, the survey results make all the sense to me.