It's come to my attention that I need to devote an entire blog to this very subject. What does this all mean? To start, I am going to go to wikipedia and begin with the very definition of these two movements.
Pro-life is a term representing a variety of perspectives and activist movements in bioethics. It can be used to indicate opposition to practices such as euthanasia, human cloning, research involving human embryonic stem cells, and the death penalty, but most commonly (especially in the media and popular discourse) to abortion, and support for fetal rights. The term describes the political and ethical view which maintains that fetuses and embryos are human beings, and therefore have a right to live.
Pro-choice describes the political and ethical view that a woman should have complete control over her fertility and pregnancy. This entails the guarantee of reproductive rights, which includes access to sexual education; access to safe and legal abortion, contraception, and fertility treatments; and legal protection from forced abortion. Individuals and organizations who support these positions make up the pro-choice movement.
Now that we have both of these view points in front of us let me go on to further my interpretation of the two. First of all, I don't care what you believe in. You're entitled to your opinion and whatever you do, in fact believe in. Second, I am pro-choice, I will listen to your perspective, but I am probably not ever going to convert over to pro-life.
The reason that this came up was in response to my comment about the hypocritical bride over this past weekend. She is very religious, and believes strongly in the pro-life movement. However, she was engaging in pre-marital sex, and using birth control pills. I think this is a bit contradictory, along with some other examples of her "flip flopping." Example # 2 she criticizes those that engage in drinking to get drunk. However, she's all about this very activity. Example # 3 on her bachelorette party she was in the corner smoking. However, she is uber critical of my cousin doing the very same thing. This goes back to the whole I don't care what you believe in statement above. I respect people who believe and practice what they preach, not people who are hypocritical. More often than not I see the multiple sides of an issue. I usually stick to my opinion and will practice what I preach.
What is that I stand for? The Pro-Choice movement. It is critical to me as a woman that I have this right. Furthermore, our founding fathers wanted us to keep religion and state separate. Hence, our coming to this great land of opportunity. I don't think that the state should interfere in religious matters and vice versa. I have had a difficult time finding a church in the area that I live because it is highly political. It is difficult because they mingle church and state. Maybe I am not meant to be a true blue catholic? Who knows?
A bit of food for your thought. I ask that you not leave inciteful or nasty comments because I respect your beliefs and expect the same in return.