If we want to defend the dignity of human life, we need to show dignity. Patricia Heaton, star on 'Everybody Loves Raymond' and 'The Middle,' demonstrates how.

Patricia Heaton, star of television hit “Everybody Loves Raymond” and “The Middle,” is throwing her celebrity behind a wonderful cause: life. She will be presenting at The OneLife LA rally in Los Angeles on January 21. The event will celebrate the preciousness and dignity of life “from conception to natural death.”

Heaton is a proud and vocal supporter of life, and speaks openly about her beliefs. In today’s Hollywood, the willingness to confront established views on abortion is bravery akin to David facing Goliath. Meryl Streep has nothing on Heaton. Taking to twitter to promote her appearance, Heaton had the opportunity to point out how illogical and illiberal abortion advocacy can be.

Surprising to me when pro-choicers are saddened by choices https://t.co/zsq1ZSNESu— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) January 12, 2017

I’m unclear how offering non-violent solutions for mother and child are saddening. https://t.co/W3BrMUDXo8— Patricia Heaton (@PatriciaHeaton) January 12, 2017

To Defend the Dignity of Human Life, Behave With Dignity

What’s refreshing about Heaton’s admonition is the gentleness of her language. I don’t think anyone would be shocked to find out the Twitter community isn’t very nice to those with whom it disagrees. This is equally true for public figures who are frequently the standard bearers of vulgar retorts.

So to see a celebrity handle confrontation with grace and humility serves as a much-needed reminder: if we are going to be promoters of the dignity of human life, we need to behave with dignity.

This concept—that we are to treat those whom we disagree with respect—is echoed throughout the movement. On the upcoming March For Life website, organizers of have given attendees a reminder as to how attendees should behave:

We Need to Offer Better, Life-Affirming Choices



To Heaton’s other point, about the incongruence of being pro-choice while opposing choices, there does seem to be a marked and constant disconnect among abortion advocates. I, too, am confounded that “choice” in the 21st century is solely synonymous with abortion. The very definition itself asserts two or more options must be present in order to be a choice.

What pro-choice advocates like Heaton’s twitter detractors should really be saddened by is how the industrial abortion complex has hijacked the women’s movement. They have fostered a hostile environment for women who want to support those who choose to have a child.

And Heaton is absolutely right: how is a non-violent solution to women who are struggling, and frightened by an unwanted pregnancy, saddening? These are women who need to know they have options. They need encouragement that doesn’t leave them wounded and hurting. As Heaton said in her interview with LifeNews, women deserve better than the “no apologies, no regret” mantra of abortion advocates. Most women consider pregnancy to be more than a collection of cells, or goo. A supporter of Heaton’s wrote a tweet that confirms unequivocally a fetus isn’t goo.

@PatriciaHeaton As someone who survived an abortion & was adopted, keep doin’ what you are doing. Much appreciation & support from me.— Athina Morehouse (@AthinaMorehouse) January 12, 2017

Women Want Choices Beyond Abortion

Women are smart, and they know an abortion isn’t the same as having a mole removed. Pregnancy is one of the most incredibly intimate and complex events in a woman’s life. Pro-life advocates like Heaton understand that women struggle with the decision of whether or not to keep the child of an unwanted pregnancy. She wants them to know they have actual choices.

“I find it impossible to subscribe to a philosophy that believes that the destruction of human life is a legitimate solution to a problem that is mostly social, economic and psychological … In reality, most women ‘choose’ abortion because they believe they have no other choice.”

The attractive quality of abortion is that it seems like a quick fix to a big problem. Heaton addresses the lie of abortion, and the hope of life by saying, “When a woman finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, the world offers her the reality of isolation and we must offer the truth of community, hope and love.”

Speaking for the unborn in Hollywood—an environment that literally eats you alive if you don’t conform—is truly remarkable. My hope is that women will hear Heaton’s message of encouragement, see her bravery, and feel empowered—empowered to make the difficult choice to honor her own life, and the life of her unborn child.