Two bits of "good news" in the realm of protecting innocent human life. When societies start qualifying the most basic and inherent of all human rights - the right to life -, basing this right on socially-constructed ideas of welfare or "quality of life," those societies have abandoned the basic function of government: to protect the innocent.
Too often, I think, you just don't hear, or aren't reminded that the pro-life position (if you even want to use that term) is based in science, reason and natural law. I always urge our students not to fall into the thinking that defending and advocating for the unborn is simply a matter of religious beliefs. Our position is based in the concept that fundamentally, every innocent human being should have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This isn't crazy or religious speak - this is the cornerstone of our republic. To deny any segment of our population government's protection from murder (at the hands of layman or a doctor) is a travesty; to do this to the most vulnerable and defenseless members of the society is sick.
Remember: the "pro-life" (and, once again, I bristle at politically charged labels such as this) position is not one rooted in emotion or even in religion (though it certainly is in line with Catholic religious views). I encourage our readers to develop an ability to stand up for the unborn with arguments based in reason, logic and natural law. If you're the type who would like to delve into a deeper, more intellectual defense of the pro-life position, I encourage you to take a look at this collection of articles at First Things. Knowledge, after all, is power.
