The March for Life and the Meaning of Life
For the 53rd time, those who are dedicated to the proposition that all human life is sacred marched this past January 23 in order to bring that message to the world. Has the world been listening? The rate of abortion in the United States, given the convenience of abortion pills mifepristone and misoprostol, is higher than ever.
Convenience is a formidable enemy. To make our lives more convenient is the essential message of virtually all advertising. Respecting life makes Life (with a capitol L) more meaningful. But the failure to understand Life makes respecting life less likely. We are not being redundant when we repeat the word life. In the first instance, life refers to individual life that is sacred. This is why the March takes place, to celebrate life in this sense. But life also refers to the Life we face, that amorphous, indeterminate enveloping atmosphere through which we must all navigate. That Life engulfs us and carries us forward. It is largely unknown and because of that, is fearful. It is not exactly sacred, but it is there and persists in being there. How do we navigate it? It can be terrifying.
If we do not have the faith and the courage to face LIFE, how could we celebrate life? Life is, in the words of the poet, John Keats, a “vale of soul-making.” It is difficult, demanding, and uncertain. We would prefer a different kind of Life, one that is smooth, certain, clear, and above all, convenient. In accepting Life on its own terms, we must roll up our sleeves and make the best of it. Difficulties, dangers, disabilities, and death loom on the horizon. There are no convenient bromides that deal with these undesirable factors. We need wisdom and fortitude. In fact, we need a slew of moral virtues.
We need to understand that sex is not solely for amusement, that marriage requires a vow, that we should love our neighbor, that money does not buy happiness, and that moral integrity is far more valuable than a good paying job and a breezy lifestyle. Once we learn what Life is in this sense, we are well prepared to respect life in its primary sense. The sacredness of life will be easier to grasp within the larger meaning of Life. An erroneous understanding of Life prepares us for an erroneous sense of life.
“Altruism is the root of all evil,” writes Ayn Rand whose books have greatly influenced people in the modern world. It is perfectly logical that the disciples who carry out her work (known as Objectivists or Randroids) are fervently pro-abortion. One’s view of Life determines one’s view of individual human life positively or negatively.
The proper attitude toward Life is inscribed in the Declaration of Independence. It is an attitude that has yet to be realized. Convenience has repeatedly gotten in the way of honoring the right to life of everyone. But convenience is not a virtue and can be a stumbling block in the path of celebrating all life. A very high percentage of abortions is for convenience. There is hardly any other word in the dictionary that is more incompatible with Life than this word. Yet, we are in love with it, build convenience stores and thank technology for making our lives more convenient. But we know, deep down, that convenience alone does not make us happy. Convenience is more allied with lethargy. It is so terribly inconvenient to get out of bed in the morning as well as to go back to bed at night.
Life is not a five-star hotel where all perceived inconveniences are politely swept away. Life has rigorous demands and must be faced with an arsenal of virtues. Accepting the rigors of Life inaugurates a passage that is far more than convenience could ever provide. It brings character to the individual and civilization to the country. It is also the surest road to personal happiness.
