In Defense of Life

by Lauren Pope

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By now you’ve probably heard of the tragic bombing of an IVF clinic in California. The explosion killed the bomber and injured four staff members at the clinic. Early reports say that no embryos were harmed, but I’m sure that will take some time to fully confirm. The man who committed the crime left a lengthy video and manifesto, declaring himself a devotee of a philosophy called “Efilism.” That’s “Life” spelled backwards.

What did he believe? Well, put simply, the ideology states that none of us consented to being born, and that life necessarily includes suffering, so the most moral thing you can do for someone is to kill them. It’s pretty bleak. Now, some adherents are simply radical anti-natalists. They wouldn’t kill someone, but they think that we’d all be better off just letting the human race die out. Others who follow the most extreme version of Negative Utilitarianism believe that to truly reduce human suffering we should just nuke the entire planet from orbit and be done with the whole thing. 

Anyone who rejects this stance is (derogatorily) referred to as “pro-life” within the efilism community. Well, to that we say, “welcome to the club.” At Rehumanize, we joke that we can find common ground with anyone because, “No one has a Consistent Death Ethic.” Unfortunately, we might have found our match. 

Several months before the bombing, I interacted with an efilist on X who, frankly, just seemed hopelessly depressed. This person believed that life is full of nothing but suffering and that any reprieve is simply a trick to get you to endure more suffering. As someone who has depressive tendencies myself, I recognized the thinking errors that result in such conclusions. 

The first, I think, is utilitarianism itself. While not all utilitarians prioritize reduction of suffering, it is a common theme in their internet debates. With abortion specifically, you’ll see it in calls to abort disabled, poor, or otherwise disadvantaged fetuses. You’ll see it in calls for Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) and assisted suicide. You’ll even see it in the burgeoning movement to “destigmatize suicide.” And, of course, utilitarian Peter Singer famously believes that infanticide is morally permisable under the premise that it can reduce suffering.

The problem with this philosophy is that it is quite easy to become an accidental utilitarian. Anyone who has ever thought that their family would be “better off without me” is slipping into that thinking. We are wired, I think, to try to reduce suffering where we see it, perhaps especially if we feel that we are causing it. For people like the man who committed this bombing, it is not a huge leap to go from suicidal to homicidal. 

So what’s the answer? You must reject this line of thinking completely. The world is better with you in it. Mental illness will try to convince you otherwise. The darkness of humanity might try to convince you otherwise. But your focus must remain on the good, the true, and the beautiful.

We defend life, all life, here at Rehumanize because it has intrinsic value. We believe that every single person at that IVF clinic deserved to live a full lifespan from conception to natural death. The embryos, the employees, and yes, the bomber. Acts of deadly violence are not the answer to the darkness in this world. They merely add to it. Any ideology calling for less life should be eyed suspiciously. Death is not a solution to the problems in this world. We, the people who inhibit it, are the ones responsible for building something better, not abandoning the entire enterprise. 

For anyone struggling with the dark thoughts that can lead down this path, please know that help exists. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988) and Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741) provide immediate support. Organizations like ours also welcome those grappling with questions about life's value and purpose.

At Rehumanize, we remain committed to finding and supporting life-affirming responses to suffering. This means advocating for better mental healthcare, creating communities of belonging, and working toward a society where every person can flourish from conception to natural death. The answer to suffering isn't elimination; it's transformation. Together, we can build a world where life's intrinsic value is recognized and honored in all our policies, practices, and daily interactions.

Let us reject the darkness of efilism by becoming light-bearers, showing through our compassion and courage that life, despite its hardships, remains worth living and worth protecting. Our hearts are with the victims of this senseless violence, the injured staff members, their families, and all those affected by this trauma. No philosophy or manifesto can justify such an act.