Ohio is no longer considered a swing state, as Donald Trump won it twice by a significant margin. The state has a Republican governor and a U.S. House delegation consisting of 10 Republicans and five Democrats. Despite this, Ohio recently passed an abortion-rights referendum with a majority of over 13 points. This result cannot be spun in any other way. The pro-life movement is facing a collapse in electoral support, and one possible reason could be the shift towards a more libertine Republican Party.
In the past eight years, the Republican Party has become less libertarian and more libertine, which is incompatible with a holistic pro-life worldview. While not all pro-choice individuals are inherently libertine, there is a noticeable distortion of the Republican Party’s culture due to Republican libertinism.
The difference between libertarianism and libertinism lies in the distinction between rights and desires. Libertarians value personal liberty but also recognize the limits of their own freedom. Libertarianism is rooted in a recognition of human dignity and is concerned with personal virtue and the rights of others. On the other hand, libertines are driven by their desires and prioritize fulfilling their wants. They reject coercion on a personal level but are willing to impose their desires on others.
Donald Trump exemplifies the libertine mindset, rejecting restraints and accountability for his actions. His worldview centers around doing whatever he wants. Any movement inspired by him will inherently be libertine as well. Trump’s movement disregards personal character and mocks personal restraint. It is willing to impose its will on others to achieve its objectives. This self-centered approach undermines the pro-life cause, which requires self-sacrifice.
The pro-life movement has not fully grappled with the consequences of the libertine response to the Covid pandemic. While advocating for carrying unwanted pregnancies to term, many pro-life individuals refused to adhere to minor inconveniences like mask-wearing and vaccination, despite scientific evidence supporting their efficacy. This hypocritical stance, combined with demands for state-imposed restrictions on personal liberty, resulted in a significant number of preventable deaths.
It is challenging for the pro-life movement to regain moral authority and principles in the face of growing libertinism within the Republican Party. Ballot referendums in pro-Trump states like Kansas, Montana, and Kentucky failed because of inconsistent Republican support. A holistic pro-life society requires genuine self-sacrifice and a commitment to protecting and nurturing life from conception to natural death.
The challenge for pro-life America is not merely about fundraising or better messaging. It involves reconnecting with personal virtue, modeling self-sacrifice, and demonstrating what it means to value life at all stages. The Republican Party’s current focus on individual desires hinders the pro-life movement’s success. A culture of life cannot be achieved through selfishness.