In our own time, nothing is more deceitful than the ‘pro-life’ label assumed by militant anti-abortionists, a large proportion of whom are also in favour of the death penalty and, in the US, the free circulation of guns28 (there were more than 15,000 deaths by shooting in the US in 201729), and there is no sign of their marshalling such ardour to protest against wars, nor against pollution, which it is estimated was responsible for one death in six around the world in 2015.30 ‘Life’ does not inspire them to action except when it comes to wrecking women’s lives.
