In a world marked by violence and killing, it would be nice to see more heroism, writes Ronald M. Nate, Ph.D.

Idaho has many heroes, and here’s the remarkable thing about the heroes I’m writing about today: heroism begets more heroism. Unexpected and unwanted pregnancies are an opportunity for some Idaho heroes to help mothers-to-be become heroes for their babies.

Try this: do a Google search for “Idaho family pregnancy centers” and you’ll find dozens of institutions and locations ready to help women who are pregnant and are unsure of their futures.

These organizations, in whatever the circumstances, offer support to all women who are pregnant or might be pregnant. Prenatal care, postnatal care, clothes, food, supplies, equipment, housing, housing assistance, adoption services, and other forms of assistance are all available through great institutions like Stanton Wellness, Birthright Idaho, WeCareIdaho, LifeLine, Treasure Valley Path, Roman Catholic Diocese, Hope Center, and the list goes on.

Don’t buy the myth that those who support pro-life policies “don’t care about children once they’re born.” The truth is the opposite. There are many, many more pregnancy care centers ready to help and care for new moms and their babies than there are abortion centers; and religious, pro-life folks are more likely to adopt babies into their families. Nationally, the ratio is more than 3 to 1 of family care centers (helping with births and adoptions) compared to abortion centers (focused on killing babies and likely leaving the moms with years of trauma to follow).

Did you catch that? The heroes operating family (“crisis”) care centers are three times the number of abortion clinics nationally and probably even more so now that the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision allows states to outlaw abortion (as Idaho has done). There are over 2,600 family care centers in the U.S.

These family care center heroes help moms-to-be become heroes for their babies. Care is provided, needs are met, services are rendered, not just immediately but for months and years helping moms be moms, and kids be alive. Sometimes adoption is the best path, and the care centers help there too. Moms become heroes, helped by heroes. And children are saved.

Heroes Wanted

No matter how many heroes we have, one truth seems inevitable: the world always needs more heroes.

This November, you can be heroic too. Idaho faces a choice. The ballot initiative, Proposition 1, is up for a vote. The proposition is an extreme measure to make abortion legal and more frequent for women — even up to the point of birth — and minor girls, without the consent of their parents. It is a radical, extreme measure leading to more babies being killed through abortions and moms being harmed and traumatized for years to come.

Heroes are needed. Defeating Prop. 1 is only the first (but very important) step to helping moms and babies. Heroic Idahoans will defeat this proposition. Also, a heroic Idaho will make sure moms and babies all get the care they need. There will be a culture of life and thriving. Because abortion as contraception will be prohibited, there will be fewer unwanted pregnancies and fewer babies put to death. We will see the blessings coming from care and compassion for both the carers and those cared for.

To get there, maybe we need to think of the unwanted pregnancy and the mother’s predicament in a slightly different way. The mom-to-be isn’t a victim, she is a potential hero for her baby.

Let’s Make Life Be the Hero’s Act

Here’s a story written in the song, The Soldier by Harvey Andrews (1972):

The soldier moved towards the bomb his stomach like a stone
Why was this his battle, God?  Why was he alone?
He lay down on the package and he murmured one farewell
To those at home in England to those he loved so well

The song is about a young British soldier, Michael Willetts — a reluctant hero.  Michael finds himself in the middle of the war with Ireland. Stones, bottles, and petrol bombs are hurled toward the soldiers in the streets, so this soldier takes cover in a train station. He’s in the middle of a crowd of Irish fathers, mothers, and children. These families, full of hate for the British Crown, stare at the soldier in disgust. 

While he wishes he was home, he recalls his decision to join the army. It seemed so simple. With high unemployment, little work experience, and relative peace, joining the army made sense. He would earn a little money, see the world, and have experience on his resume once his tour ended. A brighter future, happier life, and some hope to earn his prosperity.

But the war broke out, he was called to service, and now he’s in the middle of it all. With a gun in his hand and Irish civilians regarding him as a murderer, the scene takes a turn. A grenade comes crashing through the window. Fathers and mothers scramble with their children for cover. With only seconds to react, the soldier knows what he must do. 

As he waits for the blast he recalls his predicament once more. He didn’t ask to be here. He didn’t expect war, didn’t want to be in this fight, and he surely didn’t want to die. But, despite it all, he realizes he is the only one who can save the families. He reluctantly — heroically — sacrifices his life for the innocents. 

Wouldn’t it be great if we could use Willetts’ example to inspire would-be heroes among us today? Reluctant heroes are sometimes the most heroic heroes.

Many young women, both married and single, find themselves in a similar predicament to the young British soldier. Unwanted pregnancies put these women as the only bulwark between life and death of innocents. Whether through questionable choices, lapses of self-control, imperfect birth control, or even horrific offenses committed against them, these women are now the only ones who can save the innocent unborn babies within them. 

They wish they could be home, or wonder why this is their battle, but the fact remains they are the only ones who can save those lives — even if there may be significant hardships. They may be worried and scared; but, they can be heroes to their babies, and we can help them rise to the occasion.

And, the good news is they need not sacrifice their lives, livelihoods, and emotional well-being to do what is heroic. The work of family care centers helps moms be heroes every day. There are many willing heroes ready to accept those innocents into their families. If only we could encourage more pregnant women to be their babies’ first heroes — reluctant or not.

The First Step is Important

Idaho needs to be heroic this November. Prop. 1 must be defeated. If we value life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, we should start by protecting life first and foremost. Prop. 1, if passed, stops the promises of a free country to babies not yet born. A culture of freedom must start with a culture of protecting life. Heroes can get the job done. Let’s be heroes today, tomorrow, and in November. Vote NO on Prop. 1, help moms and babies, and contribute to family care centers. Idaho can and should be the beacon of life and liberty for all of America.