Jonathon Van Maren speaks with Dr. Daniel K. Williams, author of two books published by the Oxford University Press. The first, “God’s Own Party: The Making of the Christian Right” and also, “Defenders of the Unborn: The Pro-Life Movement Before Roe v. Wade.” This week’s episode of The Van Maren Show and the second book are absolutely filled with information that everyone in the pro-life movement needs to know about.

There is a broad understanding that the pro-life movement was simply a reactionary movement to Roe v. Wade being legalized in the United States in 1973. In reality, this is not the case. History shows that some of the first pro-life laws were passed in the 1800’s in response to the discovery by doctors that life began long before “quickening,” which is when the mother could first feel the baby in the womb. These Protestant doctors stated that these human beings in the womb deserve protection under the law. It's also important to note that it wasn't until much later during the pro-life movement that abortion became associated with the right-wing beliefs.

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July 10, 2019