When I started to think about running for governor, and began the process of asking those closest to me about the race, one of the first questions I was always asked (by those who didn’t already know) was, “What is your position on abortion?”.
“I’m pro-life” was always my immediate response. This often led to the next obvious question, “Why are you pro-life?” -- that is the purpose of this essay. You see, I’ve always been pro-life, and now, running for office, I owe the people of Illinois an answer to this very important question.
First of all, as the oldest of seven children, I saw first-hand the value of human life. And, I was raised to support pro-life views by my very loving and involved Catholic parents. That might be enough for many people to understand the source of my beliefs. But I think the citizens of Illinois deserve a better explanation. After all, if we are to persuade good citizens who were raised in homes that support abortion rights that they should adopt pro-life views, then “I was raised that way” might not be the most effective argument.
If you think about it, the abortion issue pits two powerful American ideologies against each other -– the ideology that all life is sacred versus the ideology that we should be free to live our lives according to our own choices.
I made the conscious decision that on such an issue as human life, imperfect as I may be, and not knowing every answer to every question, that I would rather err on the side of life than on the side of choice. Why should an innocent life fall victim to the poor choice of their parent(s)?
I don’t need to debate all the divisive questions that arise from the position that I’ve chosen, though I am capable of holding up my end of those arguments. I know that there are many good people who disagree.
I simply take the position that every life is sacred, and that once conceived, should have the opportunity to be brought into this world and bestow their blessings upon mankind. It is, after all, a good and improving world that they are entering. I see every human life as the opportunity to make this good world that much better. It certainly had that impact on me.
My wife Kerry and I tried for four years to bear a child. When my first child, Ellie, was born, her eyes were closed for the first ten minutes. I was holding her closely -- face-to-face. When Ellie’s eyes finally flickered open, her first view of the world was looking up directly into my eyes. That moment changed my life forever…and solidified my pro-life view: that each life is unique, precious and has a God-given purpose.
I don’t know that this provides a perfect answer to such a divisive issue. I simply know that this is where my heart and my mind leads me. That is why I am proudly pro-life.
http://www.adamforillinois.com/
I am glad to see someone running for a major office that stands by his convictions. I especially like the fact that you stated that all life was sacred from conception on. I am tired of the people who claim to be pro-life, but want exceptions for rape and incest. While rape and incest are terrible things, the child conceived from them are no less a person than any of us are. Good luck as you run for this office! God Bless!
Posted by: Darren Schortgen | October 19, 2009 at 08:36 PM