There
is an alleged inconsistency that is sometimes raised between being pro-life and
also pro-capital punishment. Here’s the question: “Is it inconsistent to be
pro-life when it comes to the issue of abortion and yet also support capital
punishment in certain situations?”
Here
are some important points to remember (see Francis Beckwith and his book Defending Life, pages 126-127, on this
topic):
First, the alleged inconsistency of
pro-life apologists who support capital punishment is often introduced as a red
herring to distract from the main issue that must be addressed. Even IF
pro-lifers were inconsistent on this point, that’s all it would prove: an
inconsistency. And what follows from that? Not much. It has nothing to do with
the one question that must be answered in the abortion debate: “What is the
unborn?” As Beckwith notes, “inconsistent people can draw good conclusions” (Defending Life, 126).
Second, remember the pro-life syllogism:
P1: It is wrong to intentionally
kill an innocent human being.
P2: Elective abortion
intentionally kills an innocent human being.
C: Therefore, elective abortion is wrong.
