Still on Speaking Terms

A Catholic friend responds to my Thursday post on the Unruh initiative. She takes exception to my characterization of the initiative as "the fringe rantings of deluded theocrats." My friend reminds me of our common ground, not to mention the need for neighborly discourse:

...we aren't the monsters you're making us out to be. Are there fringe pro-lifers? Most definitely, but there are fringe pro-choicers too. I'm not sure that any group of people doesn't have its fringe. I just wanted to point this out because I know that many people equate your atheism with "being a monster" in a way too. But the thing is, you're not a monster. I don't agree with you on a lot of things, but deep down inside you are looking for a way to make this world a better place. That is exactly what makes you completely the opposite of a monster - a good and moral person.

I know LOTS of pro-lifers. (In fact, I know one who helped to write the first bill!) As for the ones I know, I will testify to their non-monster-ness, and I'm sure that a good portion of the others are very similar to us in the non-monster way. I'm sorry that we're annoying, whiny, and even infuriating, (we like to think of ourselves as impassioned and persistent, not unlike you!) but we really are just trying to make the world a better place too, even if you don't agree with our outlook.

I replied gratefully to my friend and noted that I'm not eager to have this argument because both sides feel there is so much at stake -- Unruh's side, life itself; my side, the Constitution that soldiers give their lives for -- that they (we) may feel justified in throwing any mud we can to win. Says my Catholic friend:

I cringe at some of the stuff that people write in response to your blogs. I know how it feels to be the outsider who the bullies beat up on. The problem is that sometimes even we outsiders start throwing the mud. I've done it too, and I'm lucky to have two best friends who hold me accountable when I mess up. But I hate it when things get thrown at me for being pro-life, and I knew that you of all people would understand that.

Speaking as a pro-lifer, I think it is sad when the group devolves into villianizing the other side. We are all about treating people of all ages, from the beginnings of a fetus to the very last breath of a centenarian, with respect and dignity. That isn't just a belief that we have, it is our MISSION. Therefore, when we villianize those who are pro-choice (or blow up their places of employment), we are quite literally breaking the one, central theme of what being pro-life is!

I'm glad this friend and I remain on speaking terms. I want her around to remind me of the very high moral bar she sets... for all of us.