The fact that ‘pro-life Democrat’ sounds like an oxymoron is a tragic commentary on the state of our nation’s politics.

Within the two major political parties in our country, along with smaller groups and factions, you will find countless variations of personal political platforms. The fiscal is separated from the social, and people often split with the rest of their crowd over singular issues. Diversity of thought is a good thing, and while splits can be perplexing at times, it is encouraging to see such diversity in action.

Yet, Democrats have made it increasingly clear in many ways that freedom of speech and diversity of thought are to be squashed when it comes to the matter of protecting unborn life.

Over the weekend, Politico ran a piece acknowledging the ostracization of pro-life Democrats from the rest of the party. Jennifer Haberkorn, the author of the piece, explained:

Last summer, Democratic National Committee [DNC] Chairman Tom Perez publicly proclaimed that ‘every Democrat’ should support abortion rights, prompting an outcry that the party was implementing a ‘litmus test.’

This “litmus test” is not just being implemented by the DNC or on a national stage; it is being carried into state politics quite aggressively. This summer in the state of Missouri, the Democrats fought a public battle over whether or not they should welcome or allow pro-life members and candidates. Eventually, they decided pro-life Democrats could join the party after all.

“I’m so angry,” stated Alison Dreith, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri, in response. “I think it’s a slap in the face to the base voters of the party. And it’s sickening for the Missouri Democratic Party to put our lives on the line like this.”

To put lives on the line, you say? Grimly ironic.

While it is commendable that Missouri Democrats eventually came around and “allowed” diversity of thought when it comes to the protection of life among its ranks, the episode also serves as a reminder that this same battle is being waged across the country, often with very different results.

If its members continue down this dark road of defending the most gruesome desecration of life (insisting on bundling it up into the nicer package of “reproductive rights”), the Democratic Party will inevitably push away enough liberal pro-life champions that a change in the tide is bound to occur.

And to make matters even more interesting, the party may not even notice and attempt to change their ways until those same defenders of life have been welcomed elsewhere with open arms.

Photo credit: Aleteia Image Department via Flickr, CC BY 2.0