The Conservative Hypocrisy on Life

I have seven kids.

And they all have the same father, and the same mother.

If I were a reality TV star, or if I were a wealthy real estate developer to the wealthy, that would make me an icon. They'd be displaying me as an example of American family values, and talking about the sanctity of life.

But the same people that worship at the shrine of Duggar have some very harsh words for families working on less than a median income. So before I continue I will answer a few questions for you: yes, I know what causes that, no we're not part of the Quiverfull movement, and I don't have a personal opinion on the Duggars.

I would be lying, though, if I said that our church homes didn't influence our choices. We were told how precious life is, and how children are a blessing. We were not told those same churches consider them a middle class blessing, and that poor families were to be shamed.

I love every one of my kids, and while there are things I would do differently, I couldn't imagine a present reality without every one in my life. They all bring unique personalities and perspectives to the table, and while I haven't been blessed with a lot of money, I've certainly been blessed with a lot of love. My children are the reason I even endure a workaday existence.

Yes, it would be nice if I made more money. But, see, I actually have a degree. One I actually was hired to use in the town where I live. The problem is, IT jobs are in very short supply here, and I stuck around after I had left my old job. And thus, the workaday existence.

But where I get extremely frustrated is when I see the same people that feel compelled to openly condemn my family and I claiming to value "life". They celebrate it as a hypothetical, but they're not so friendly with it when it's sitting right in front of them.

Oh, sure, folks have helped us at times...sometimes overwhelmingly so...but always with the disapproving "don't you know where that comes from" stare, and a belittling and condescending attitude.

This has often made me feel that the commitment to life is often conditional. It is cherished when it is convenient.

And it is that inconsistency that makes it harder and harder for me to defend the conservative church.