The State of the Pro-life Movement in the States

Two years ago, pro-lifers celebrated when Roe v. Wade was finally overturned. Since 1973, this draconian ruling of the Supreme Court had silenced debate, radicalized pro-abortionists, and stripped authority from states to govern themselves. The Dobbs decision declared that there was no constitutional right to abortion and thus returned power to the states to determine policy. 

This decision continues to spawn elation and confusion. The pro-life movement had achieved one of its most significant goals, but what would be its impact on a state-by-state basis? And what about the movement’s ultimate goal, to make abortion not only illegal, but unthinkable? 

To say we have learned a lot in the last two years is an understatement. Since Dobbs, blue states have doubled down and radicalized abortion laws, while red states have seen mixed results. Currently, 14 states have near total bans, mostly due to “trigger laws,” while nine have no restrictions at all. In state after state, ballot initiatives to limit or prohibit abortion have mostly failed. Politically, Democrats have moved from “safe, legal, and rare” to a “shout your abortion” all-in enthusiasm. And Republicans have become the party of choice, though many politicians remain staunchly pro-life. Across the parties and the nation, the biggest challenge is the now all-but-unregulated abortion pill. 

All of which means that there is a lot riding on the ballot initiatives that will be put to voters in 10 states this November. Some blue states, echoing UK laws, are even seeking to punish pro-lifers. A Colorado ballot initiative would, if passed, not only secure taxpayer funding for abortion, but also lay groundwork for future legal repercussions against pro-lifers. As the Denver Post put it: 

Initiative 89 would elevate the right to abortion to the Colorado Constitution by prohibiting the government from denying, impeding or discriminating against a person’s ability to exercise that right. The initiative would also clear the way for state-funded insurance, such as Medicaid, to cover abortion services, repealing another provision of the state constitution that prohibits the use of public funds to pay for abortion. 

That language of “prohibiting the government from denying, impeding or discriminating against a person’s ability to exercise that right” is so open-ended that a zealous prosecutor could easily drive a truck through it… right over pro-lifers’ First Amendment rights. 

On the other side of the country, Florida currently has an amendment on the ballot which would overturn its current six-week ban. According to one poll, 55% of voters said they would vote to pass it. While it’s encouraging that Governor DeSantis has been clear in his opposition, including investigating the validity of the signatures that secured the measure on the ballot (and that presidential candidate Donald Trump finally said he would vote against it), this is a state in which GOP greatly outnumber Democrats. If Amendment 4 passes, it’s a huge blow. 

While the Democratic Party is radically pro-abortion, the Republican platform is as pro-choice as the Democrats used to be. Even worse, many are just unwilling to deny others this “right.” Just last week, basketball magician Steph Curry, who’s an outspoken Christian, offered a shallow defense of a “woman’s right to choose” in his endorsement of Vice-President Harris. 

I was struck by the response of football great Benjamin Watson to Curry’s comment:  

Many people have been shocked or disappointed by Steph Curry supporting abortion as his top voting issue. I am neither. I am motivated though. If these weak talking points can convince him that life is inconsequential, how much more could he be influenced by the actual truth. We have work to do. 

Think about it. . . It’s not as if we are being overrun by imposing or convincing arguments. We have the truth about life, and we should know how to share it with others. If there’s to be a political win in November, it won’t require changing the hearts and minds of ardent supporters of abortion, though we should continue to try. Rather, we need to move the needle with people who are “personally pro-life,” but not voting that way.  

If you live in Florida, especially if you are a pastor or leader there, the team at Apologetics, Inc. have worked with pro-life educator Scott Klusendorf, to produce a set of four videos aimed at defeating Amendment 4. As Klusendorf described it: 

Each of these videos is targeted to reach Evangelicals unlikely to apply their biblical worldview politically, but who identify as more or less pro-life. The [videos] are short and can be shown at the conclusion of a worship service.   

These videos are free and available right now. Go to https://apologetics.org/prolife/. Literally, people’s lives are at stake.