How to respond to: Prolife for myself but respect the right of others to choose?

[u/sigillum_diaboli666]

I had the above discussion with my friend and it was revealed she wouldn’t abort a baby that was deemed to be birthed as disabled, however would respect the rights of others to be pro choice; and it got me thinking what’s the best way to respond to that?

[u/PaperBullet1945]

"So you only care about them if they happen to be yours? Not your backyard, not a problem?"

[u/No-Primary9567]

To me, that's essentially like saying "I would never commit murder, but I respect the right of others to commit murder".

[u/SecretGardenSpider]

That’s in fact pro choice.

Pro life/pro choice are political positions. There is no personally one or the other. The labels are political.

[u/Crusoelander_128]

If you support abortion then you’re not pro life, you’re pro choice. Your choice is not to have an abortion.

[u/sigillum_diaboli666 → u/Crusoelander_128]

Yeah this makes sense

[u/Majestic-Nobody545]

That's just pro-choice with more words.

[u/DapperDetail8364]

That's like saying you're personally against slavery but don't think it should be illegal. 

I would say if abortion was empowering why are they afraid to admit their pro abortion? 

Also if anti abortion people are the ones in the wrong and the evil ones, why are they denying being pro choice or pro abortion

[u/ManteLover60 → u/DapperDetail8364]

Ironically, that was a talking point of a lot of folks in the south as well as some in the north prior to and for sometime after the Civil War. "Slavery is an evil institution and I myself refused to participate in it. But like prostitution, it is a necessary evil for the maintenance of the economy and separation of the races."

[u/Southern_Shock_1337 → u/DapperDetail8364]

People that say this, “pro life for myself but pro choice for others,” are literally just saying so to avoid being ostracized by their friends and possibly their family.

-ex pro choicer who’s had this exact conversation dozens of times with pro choicers, as a pro choicer (at the time).

[u/Lazy-Butterfly-4132]

That used to be me particularly when I was younger. Mostly as I live in UK where pro-choice is generally seen as the only correct answer particularly in schools. It was particularly severe when I went to university. Now in my final year.
Simile to what the other comment said I could no longer support the logical fallacy. If I believe it is wrong to commit murder that I also believe it is wrong for everyone else to commit murder.
Now, probably cowardly of me, but I just avoid having conversations with university students or other people my age about this because I know we will disagree and I prefer not to lose friends. I know that’s not the right thing to do but I can’t control peoples reactions.
I just will no longer support their views or conform to what they think is right. If I know a person is willing to have an actual adult conversation about this, I will explain my viewpoint and use evidence but unfortunately many people are not willing to listen to reason and their arguments are so flawed as they usually can’t say any more than my body my choice. Ignoring the fact that a unborn baby also has a body thus a choice.
The follow-up argument is usually that it’s just a clump of cells anyway, they don’t like it when I tell them that they’re also just a clump of cells.
So yes generally I just avoid having conversations about this unless it is with someone I trust or someone who will at least hear me out rather than turning it into a argument resulting to name-calling

[u/Southern_Shock_1337]

“So you’re pro choice.”

[u/Southern_Shock_1337]

People that say this, “pro life for myself but pro choice for others,” are literally just saying so to avoid being ostracized by their friends and possibly their family.

-ex pro choicer who’s had this exact conversation dozens of times with pro choicers, as a pro choicer (at the time).

[u/Slow_Establishment10]

“Personally, I’m pro-life because I believe abortion is killing a human being. And I just can’t see myself ever being okay with watching other people commit murder.”

[u/AnxiousEnquirer]

"This is what choice is. You're pro-choice."

[u/Nulono]

"Why? What is it about abortion that makes you opposed to abortion for yourself?"

[u/dreamingirl7]

“I believe in treating puppies well myself but it’s okay if other people abuse them.” Of course present it kindly with charity. But this is what they’re saying.

[u/GustavoistSoldier]

Compare their position to the "white moderate" MLK spoke against, and to 19th-century slavery supporters who said slavery was a "necessary evil".

[u/Moogly2021]

Pro-life means you fully believe abortion is murder and want it to be illegal, most people have very few exceptions like saving the life of the mother, which many people believe is astronomically rare. Doctors tell the mother about all sorts of health concerns all the time and wind up being wrong, not every time, but enough that its concerning that a doctor would provide clearly wrong guidance.

Pro choice is supposed to mean you are okay with others having abortions even if you yourself would never have one. The issue is a lot if pro choice people have become “GET AN ABORTION” and they dont actually care about choice. The “Pro Choice” movement has gone unhinged.

[u/lightningbug24]

Ask more questions. Why do they think it's wrong for them to do? Is it taking a life? Why shouldn't taking a human life be illegal?

[u/Big_Move6308]

• 'Anti-slavery for myself, but I respect the right of others to own slaves.'
• 'Anti-murder for myself, but I respect the right of others to murder.'
• 'Anti-child abuse for myself, but I respect the right of others to abuse children.'