Twenty years ago, it was popular for liberals to argue with their conservative, anti-abortion, brethren: “If you are truly pro-life, you must also be against state-sponsored executions. These issues are a seamless garment.”
Christ, it will be remembered, was wearing a ‘seamless garment’ at the Crucifixion, so this was, bizarrely, ascribed to the consistency that every non-liberal was expected to exhibit, as well.
Lots and lots of ink (this was before blogs and websites) was spilled to analyze this issue. It’s a wonderful example of how leftists can avoid thinking about their own flaws because of “errors” they are able to find in other people.
“After all, if you are not wearing ‘the seamless garment’, you cannot be saved, so it’s certainly not reasonable for me to try to be better.” makes about as much sense as “You cannot look good unless you’re wearing cashmere.”
The insecure, upon hearing that last sentence, will rush to buy cashmere. On hearing the former, they became less appalled by abortion. Many leftists were formerly pro-life. When the Culture of Death came to predominate, they joined it.
They only have eternity to regret that decision, but they’re fashionably dressed in the short term.
