survey<\/a> commissioned by Care Net, a pro-life nonprofit, more than four in 10 women were churchgoers when they had an abortion, and only 7% discussed their decision to end their pregnancies with someone at church.\u00a0<\/p>\nLaurie believes this means the pro-life movement needs more pastors who are willing to say that life begins at conception and not run from the topic of abortion. He noted that some spiritual leaders might want to avoid discussing abortion in their churches due to the political nature of the issue.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBut this is a moral issue and a spiritual issue,\u201d the pastor said. \u201cAnd churches are filled with imperfect people.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Regarding the Care Net survey\u2019s findings about the number of churchgoing women who have had abortions, Laurie noted that people, even Christians, can fall prey to sin. He urged churches to show love and compassion for Christian women who find themselves pregnant after they had sex outside of marriage.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to reassure her that there is forgiveness, and we don\u2019t want abortion to be compounded with that,\u201d the pastor continued. \u201cI don\u2019t believe that there are any illegitimate children. Illegitimate parents? Yes. Illegitimate children? No.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Christian leader highlighted the various ways his church helps women and families, which includes having small groups rally around pregnant women to provide support for them and their babies. The groups will help encourage the mother and offer help in the form of free diapers, clothing and babysitting services.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need each other,\u201d Laurie continued. \u201cWe\u2019re not made to do life alone. So often, people find themselves isolated, but you need community. And this is where the church can shine like a light on a hill because that\u2019s what we do best.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
As the GOP moves closer to selecting a potential nominee for the 2024 presidential election, pro-lifers will have to consider who the ideal candidate is to represent the movement on the national stage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Of the candidates in the running for the nomination, Laurie said he believes Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is a strong pro-life leader. Last year, DeSantis signed<\/a>\u00a0the\u00a0Heartbeat Protection Act<\/a>, which banned abortions after six weeks into a pregnancy. However, Laurie stated that the current political landscape appears to indicate that the GOP nominee will be former President Donald Trump.\u00a0<\/p>\n\u201cWe don\u2019t always get exactly what we want,\u201d Laurie said. \u201cBut it\u2019s a lot different than someone who is promoting abortion, even up to the final month of pregnancy. And we certainly don\u2019t want anything like that. So, of the candidates, some are stronger than others, but they\u2019re all better than those who are promoting abortion.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI could never give my vote to a candidate who supports abortion,\u201d he added.\u00a0<\/p>\n