FAQs and Comments

For those interested in knowing more about what we, Monterey Peninsula For Life, believe here are some frequently asked questions and comments we receive both from the pro-choice and pro-life perspective.

“My body, my choice.”
Women should have autonomy over our bodies: what profession to pursue, who to marry, if we want to have children. In the case of pregnancy, a child already exists. The fetus is not a member of our body but a person living inside our body.

“A fetus is not a person. No one knows when life really begins.”
Biology tells us that a human fetus is a living, genetically-unique member of our species from the point of conception. Discriminating between a human and a person is completely arbitrary and has lead to a long list of abuses. All people are deserving of basic rights and protection regardless of their level of development, gender or race.

“A fetus can’t survive on its own, therefore it doesn’t deserve rights.”
Toddlers and the infirm also can not survive on their own. If self consciousness, rationality and autonomy are the standards for the right to life, it follows that infanticide and euthanasia could become the norm. We can not construct a society of dignity and caring for all when we tolerate the degradation and termination of some.

“Isn’t access to abortion necessary to ensure the health of the mother?”
The right to maintain my quality of life is important but outweighed by another person’s right to life. The idea of “killing my neighbor because there is less chance I’ll get hurt” is reckless to say the least. In rare cases when the mother’s life is threatened by pregnancy (such as with cancer of the uterus or ectopic pregnancy), an operation by which the pre-born child dies as an indirect result is justified.

“This child will probably be miserable. Abortion is the responsible thing to do.”
Likewise, a child born into privilege may become miserable and a menace to society. A number of highly productive people have arisen from difficult beginnings (Alexander Hamilton, Oprah Winfrey, George Orwell, Ludwig von Beethoven, Maya Angelou, Benjamin Franklin, Fredrick Douglass, Eleanor Roosevelt, just to name a few.) Speculating about a person’s future is not a valid reason to end their life now.

“Women’s rights necessitate the ‘right to choose.’”
The memory that we aborted our children for the sake of our quality of life is a heavy psychological burden to bear. Freedom that comes at the expense of a defenseless victim is hardly free. At the present time, there are tens of thousands of legally qualified couples in the US ready to adopt a child.

“Isn’t terminating a pregnancy justified in the case of rape?”
Rape is a violent act which effects women in the most personal and profound way. The abortion procedure is a violent act which ends the life of a unique human being. All forms of violence against the innocent and defenseless are unjust and can not heal us from our own painful experience in the past.

“You are anti-choice because you want to control and shame women. Men have no say in the matter.”
Life in America is nothing like the novel The Handmaid’s Tale where women are chained to beds as pregnancy surrogates. Being denied the opportunity to terminate the life of our pre-born child is a far cry from being impregnating against our will. The reason we, Monterey Peninsula For Life, stand in front of the local abortion clinic is to help to women facing an unplanned pregnancy, not to control and shame.

“How many children have you adopted? You’re not pro-life. You’re just pro-birth.”
Let’s assume we are a bunch of hypocrites: would this fact change the reality of what the abortion procedure does to the pre-born child? Since your argument is ad hominem, then, if we are sincere in our offer of support for women facing an unplanned pregnancy, will you reconsider your “pro-choice” perspective? Monterey Peninsula For Life is pro-life and we are willing to prove it.

“How are you going to help women facing an unplanned pregnancy?”
We offer open adoption from a legally-qualified family, temporary shelter for women being coerced into abortion and essential baby gear such as cribs, car seats, strollers for women who faced an unsupported pregnancy but chose life. We also raise awareness about the free and confidential services available to women from the local pregnancy centers: pregnancy tests, consultation, maternity clothing, baby supplies, referrals to longer-term maternity housing, post-abortion counseling with support groups, and more.

“This (abortion) clinic also provides medical care for underserved women in our community. Why don’t you leave them alone?”
Besides abortion services, the local abortion provider also offers STD and HIV testing, birth control, manual breast exams and PAP smears. These services can be acquired for low cost or free at alternate health centers in our area which do not perform abortions. This abortion provider does not offer comprehensive women’s health care, pre or post-natal care, mammograms, endometrial biopsies, MRI or CT scans for women.

“I’m christian. God will forgive me for aborting this child.”
Salvation is enacted when a person seeks forgiveness and trusts God with his or her circumstances. In Matthew 7, Jesus said “Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” God will be with you: trust Him with your pregnancy.

You have a family of support.