Tips for Challenging Conversations About Abortion

As the election cycle starts heating up again, do you find it easier or more difficult to have conversations about important issues such as abortion?

If you find it more challenging, you’re not alone!

According to a recent study, “When asked in experiments to distribute hypothetical scholarships or cash awards, Americans are now more likely to discriminate based on political affiliation than on race. Manipulated by politicians, pundits, and special interests, too many people have collapsed into lazy prejudice.”

This article is a great place to start in understanding why we do this, and how we can break free.

It starts with valuing people over position.

When I talk with people about abortion, I always try to take it out of politics so we can have a discussion about the people impacted, not just the position.

One of my favorite things is to see someone’s face tilt inquisitively when I bring up abortion in this “people over position” format. They aren’t expecting it. No one has asked them a question like this before. And I get excited about where the conversation could go!

If we take the posture of learning from the other person and give ourselves the grace to make mistakes, it’s not nearly as scary as it sounds to initiate a different type of conversation. You can hear how Denise and I have learned to do this over the years by listening to this podcast with our friend Laura, who is pro-choice and not a follower of Christ.

If you’re inspired and want some questions to get you started, you can try these:

1. I would love to hear your view on abortion from the perspective of the people impacted, not a political position.
2. As a Christian, I really want to understand how we’ve done in addressing abortion like Jesus would. Would you be willing to tell me your honest opinion? I promise to just listen and not get offended.

I’m praying for you as you step out in faith to offer a “third way” like Jesus so often did!