For over forty years I have been conflicted about the issue of abortion. I am both Pro-Life and Pro-Choice. I believe abortion is an immoral act which should be legal at least early on. I am neither Pro-Life nor Pro-Choice. I cannot agree with trying to eliminate funding for an organization that helps women get contraception and thus avoid unplanned pregnancies in the first place. Neither can I argue about when life begins or deny the humanity of a fetus as some Pro-Choice advocates have done in attacking the clever Doritos super bowl commercial.

Pro-Choice advocates do women a disservice when they try to deny that there is a moral issue to consider. This leaves women wondering how to deal with the guilt, shame, regret, and grief that often follow having an abortion. A few women may be able to use abortion for birth control, but in my practice I found that to be the exception. Most shared that it is difficult to make and live with the decision. Pro-Life activists do women a disservice when they act as though abortion is an unforgiveable sin or say that abortion is an easy way out of an unwanted pregnancy. Is it right to judge?

If making abortion illegal would prevent it, I would feel differently, but making abortion illegal does not prevent it. Some of the highest numbers of abortions in this country occurred during the depression of the 1930’s. The problem with making abortion legal is that many people equate legal with right. That is not the case either. My conflict over this issue is not resolved, but I have come to peace with it. I am Pro-Life Choice. I may not be right, but I have decided that it is more important for me to be compassionate than right.