On being pro-life

Over the last 100 years, a number of developments have changed society forever, such as the abolition of slavery and the expansion of women's rights. These changes have had to do with freedom and choice. But there is one thing many people believe there should still be no choice about - abortion.

Abortion needs to stop. Taking this stance is called being pro-life; however, it is also a challenging stance to take in a secular society. On the other hand, there are many rewards that come with being pro-life, including saving the lives of unborn children and having morals that have been forged through time and with beliefs.

By choosing life, one automatically places oneself in the minority. The pro-life group at my school, Assumption College School, has 11 members. In a school of over 700 students, that is very small, indeed. People are afraid to associate with such a group and be labelled "anti-abortion."

They feel as though it places them in a position where they will be called on to act against the "status quo." That is something they may not be able to handle.

There are many times in life when we are called on to be more than what we are. For me, choosing pro-life is about taking a definitive stand for what I believe is right.

Believing in yourself and standing for your beliefs is challenging. There is a vocal "pro-choice" contingent of people, as well as many others who are unwilling to rebel against something as wrong as abortion. Huge corporations and governments discourage the pro-life movement. A situation like that - a small group of people against an entire society unwilling to change - could scare anyone.

Finding strength inside oneself is one of the most important things a person can do. You draw your strength from your passionate belief that pro-life is the right choice.

Many activists get arrested. Various members of society -including media and politicians - know that abortion is a sensitive issue and are often reluctant to take a position. It can be daunting, when one is faced with situations where emotions and moral values are tested, to come out with values in hand. But coming through these situations is one of the rewards of being pro-life.

The biggest reward for me is knowing that I can rely on something when the going gets tough: my morals. Choosing pro-life, and sticking with it, is something I can place on my "accomplishments" list. Pro-life is something I can be sure about that I never have to look back on with regret. Not only does pro-life give me a belief on abortion, it reaffirms my beliefs in all areas.

It is refreshing to know that when I make a list of pros and cons about being pro-life, the pros heavily outweigh the cons. It is also rewarding to know that I am assisting in saving lives - the essence of being pro-life.

We can save lives each and every time we assist the pro-life cause in some way. Whether we hand out pamphlets or discuss the issue at elementary schools, as my pro-life group has done, we achieve a moral victory. By informing one person of our cause, even if that person doesn't entirely agree, we give her something to ponder.