The other day I listened to a debate about overpopulation with Steven Mosher from the pro-life Population Research Institute and Robert Walker of the pro-abortion Population Institute.

You can watch it here. It’s about an hour long, but it’s worth listening to if you have time. Steven Mosher is a very knowledgeable and persuasive debater.

When I used to hear the word “overpopulation,” it always made me think of disappearing rainforests, endangered species, global warming, and poverty. Since I began working in pro-life, though, I’ve realized the scary implications of the overpopulation theory.

How do we stop overpopulation? We get rid of people (abortion, euthanasia). And how do we make it seem ok to get rid of people? By making some people appear less valuable than others (the preborn, the elderly and the disabled).

The heart of the issue really seems to come back to the value of human life. I’m not saying those other issues aren’t important. We need to take care of our planet and the plants and animals that live here.

But, as Steven Mosher argues, people have found innovative ways to solve these challenges, and will continue to do so – without killing other people.

Mosher summed it up very well in his response to Walker: “You see the problem as people. I see the problem as poverty.”

Abortion and euthanasia are the same way. There are better solutions to the world’s problems than killing innocent people. Our world doesn’t need more abortions, more euthanasia, or fewer people. Our world needs more people who will listen, care and treat others with the respect they deserve.