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Blogger Shirley Moore recently wrote an excellent article on so-called 'extremism', making a correlation between pro-lifers and abolitionists.  In Moore's article, she spoke about 19th Century abolitionists, and most particularly to William Lloyd Garrison, who was the editor of the anti-slavery newspaper, The Liberator. Garrison that renewed an anti-slavery movement, which had deteriorated during the first part of the 19th Century.  The Liberator spoke out against slavery from 1829 until it was abolished at the time of the Civil War.  Moore stated, “Because he challenged the core morality of the US and because he never lost sight of the moral issues (the sanctity of life, the equality of the races, and the obligation of Christians to oppose slavery), he was hated, mocked in newspapers, and persecuted throughout his life.”

The real extremists: abortion supporters regularly attack peaceful pro-lifers

More recently, we see the example of Martin Luther King Jr., who was renowned activist and a major voice in the civil rights movement during the 20th century.  When King spoke out against the crimes against human personhood and promoted the rights of all persons, he was called an extremist and his views were thought to be controversial.  In the letter from Birmingham Jail, MLK Jr. stated, “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must demanded by the oppressed.”  He was attacked for these words, and his detractors claimed that this statement was aggressive and promoted violence.  These were ridiculous allegations, especially since as Dr King was a known advocate of peace and peaceful protests. 

Like Garrison and Martin Luther King,  pro-lifers are often called extremists and are attacked for being active and outspoken.  The pro-life movement is met with claims that its mission is too controversial and too extreme - which is nonsense, since protecting mothers and babies is not characterised by extremism but by compassion. We can see, however, that the tactics of oppression haven't changed much since Garrison's time.  

Everyone now accepts that slavery and segregation are wrong, because they defile the dignity of all persons.  But, to some, abortion - a violation of the intrinsic rights of unborn human persons  - is still acceptable, and they are quick to accuse pro-life people of extremism. When William Lloyd Garrison and Martin Luther King Jr. were verbally attacked and accused of having extreme views, these two men refused to be silent and continued to challenge America’s morality with regards to the dignity of human life. Both of these men were hated, mocked, and persecuted throughout different periods of their lives.  But, imagine if they had not given their lives to fight for the dignity of all persons.  We are now calld to do the same.

To read Shirley Moore’s article: http://www.fletcherarmstrongblog.com/are-you-an-extremist/