Is being "Pro-Life" and for the death penalty a contradiction?
By Uroborus
@Uroborus (908)
Canada
July 31, 2008 12:48pm CST
It has happened more than once to me. Getting into a discussion on abortion with someone who is "Pro-Life", and then having them tell me part way through our conversation that they are for the death penalty. Sometimes even admiting that the death penalty should be applied to the doctors who perform the abortion.
It isn't just a few people who take this point of view. It seem to be systemic. George Bush has had no problem admitting to, what seems to me, a contradictory stance. Many people who are "pro-life" also seem to be for the death penalty.
Perhaps I'm just confused by the term they give it. Am I to blame if I get confused that someone who claims to be for life, in all it's sanctity, is also for death is some circustances? Maybe another term should be used to describe what they stand for.
I don't want to get into an argument here about whether you're for or against abortion. We have the right to choose either stance. What I am specifically asking here is, how can someone take on two causes that are in contradiction to each other?
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1 response
@polgeram (83)
• United States
10 Aug 08
I have a rather unique viewpoint for this question: I used to teach middle school social studies in a Catholic school. We'd get talking about the differences between Democrats and Republicans, and when we came to pro-life and capital punishment, the kids had a very difficult time grasping this fact that Republicans are pro-life AND pro-capital punishment. They insist that pro-life means that Republicans value all life (because that's what they've been taught).
IMHO, Republicans are hypocrites. They talk out of both sides of their mouths.
However, in reality, the "real" reason why Republicans are two-faced on this issue is that they also happen to be very rule-based. They value law and order and believe that strict punishments are needed if we are to maintain an ordered society. Therefore, killing babies is wrong because babies are innocent of wrongdoing, but killing someone for committing a heinous crime is a fitting punishment and hopeful deterrent to others.
My other gripe about the abortion issue is when pro-life do-gooders call pro-choice people baby killers. What's wrong with a woman making choices about her body? Women have long been discriminated against with regards to reproductive issues. I strongly applaud the courts for standing up for women!
