Pro-Life
Pro-Life is the preferred self-description for those in the USA who are of the general political opinion that abortion should not be legal.
The term was coined in the early 1960s, in the USA, and refers specifically to the the life of the unborn children seen as the subjects of abortion. Pro-Life supporters claim to believe that the unborn have a right to life and legal protection, and that pregnancy should not be terminated. Inside this opinion exists a spectrum of political nuance: some believe that abortion should be illegal in all circumstances, while some believe that it should be permitted under certain special circumstances (such as pregnancy due to incest or rape, or if the mother's life would be put in severe mortal danger should the pregnacy be allowed to continue).
The Pro-Life, also referred to as Pro-Birth and Right-to-Life, philosophy is seen as being opposed to Pro-Choice philosophies, wherein it is held that termination of pregnancy is the right of the pregnant woman. Though various religions preach against abortion, it is not just a religious issue and is generally considered to be an issue of morality and rights.
Not all supporters of the Pro-Life movement do so based on religious convictions; nevertheless, the core support for the movement comes from various Christian churches.
Some anti-abortion individuals have used terrorist tactics to further their cause. Most Pro-Life individuals, however, do not support the use of violence or terrorism to further their cause, though some have refused to condemn the violence.
It is a loaded term: it contains the connotations that people who oppose the political opinions it describes are against "life" and are in favor of "death" Both "Pro-Life" and "Pro-Choice" are examples of political framing: they are terms which purposely try to define their philosophies in the best possible light, while by definition attempting to describe their opposition in the worst possible light (being anti-life or anti-choice).
See also
