*****************This Column is being revised*******
******I've been persuaded to change my position*******
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I believe that a person does not become a living soul until after they are born. While it is true that a fetus will react to stimuli and has a beating heart, it is not an intelligent being.
I will grant that we can use a test tube and incubation to bring an embryo to life, we have that technology. If we did that, would it be Godly? Perhaps, using extreme means to save a life is just as wrong as aborting one. We decide who should live and die, and so does God. Possibly God through us. Pro-lifers are usually pro-death penalty and pro-choice, usually anti-death penalty. Ironic, isn't it? In addition, the world would be overrun with humans if we saved every human life we could. In some places it is now, because birth is not controled. Why not adopt the children who are already orphaned?
The sanctity of a woman's body should be her own and life beared within her a privilege of a fetus and not a right. I agree that if a woman does not abort in the early stages of pregnancy, she should follow through with it, but I disagree that it is a human being before it is born. It is only a potential human being, just like sperm and and egg that have yet to unite, but at some point may. I think, unless for medical reasons, a woman should have the opportunity to decide at least through the first tri-mester.
Now, everyone can line up and shoot me. I love God, but I'm a Truist. I say what I believe to be true. I believe that God works through us all.
I believe that a person does not become a living soul until after they are born. While it is true that a fetus will react to stimuli and has a beating heart, it is not an intelligent being.
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Personally, I believe that abortion depends entirely on the CIRCUMSTANCES.
I believe that abortion for a woman who has been raped should be an open option. It was not her CHOICE to get pregnant. It was forced upon her. The child could be born into a hostile world, probably to be given up for adoption and even then - aren't there ENOUGH orphans in the world.
Then comes the circumstance of ACCIDENTAL PREGNANCY. I believe that all peopl REALIZE this possibility before engaging in sex. If so, they should be ready to FACE the consequences of their actions. If you have sex, be ready to be able to cope with accidental pregnancy. As for financial problems, the State SHOULD provide for such circumstances, what little assitance it can give.
In terms of MEDICAL PROBLEMS, the Mother should come first, obviously.
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Hi Asfand!
I have no real disagreement with any of your views.
I had planned to come back to this and revise it considerably, but never got around to it.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Andy
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"it is not an intelligent being." Neither are the mentally handicapped.
"Ironic, isn't it?" Not really. A pro-life, pro-death penalty person belives that they are saving the life of an INNOCENT person while condemning a GUILTY one.
"In addition, the world would be overrun with humans if we saved every human life we could." Are you saying it would ever be excusable to willfully allow a person to die when the means of saving him or her are within reach, just from fear of overcrowding?
"potential human being" I'd say most newborns are "potential" human beings, but I certainly wouldn't defend anyone's right to kill them. True, they do not think complexly or contribute to society--but does that mean they aren't living? Hardly.
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Hmm.
I'm a little disappointed. Mentally handicapped are intelligent, even if limited. Many are quite intelligent, though often bruised or abused. "Mental illness is a healthy response to Society." - Jack Hunt -
I don't believe in condemning an intelligent being, I believe in making him work and keeping him in prison if the crime calls for it.
I don't believe that a fetus acquires intelligence or understanding in the womb, though I do believe that is where they get the potential to become whatever person they might become. I don't claim abortion is a good thing, but I feel it is a necessary alternative. Some woman and couples are not able to care for a child.
Am I saying it would ever be excusable to willfully allow a person to die when the means of saving him or her are within reach, just from fear of overcrowding? No. I'd never say that.
I would never suggest killing infants. I also do not believe, except in extreme cases for medical reasons, that abortion should ever be performed after the first trimester.
Pro-lifers exercise their freedom of choice. I believe all women should in this issue.
Andy
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Sorry, I wasn't very clear on this; my argument is not necessarily with your point of view, but with the way you're expressing it. This is a writer's website, after all; using clear, detailed and specific language is well worth the effort! My intention was to poitn out how your words could be misunderstood, and thus, the importance of clarifying them.
Thanks for the reply!
~Bitter Irony
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A LITTLE SIMPLISTIC, ANDY
You use terms such as: "A living SOUL" Who knows what this means? You presume to DEFINE the limits and boundries of "HUMAN BEING?"
You speak of, and try to define: "An INTELLIGENT being" Exactly what does THIS mean? How can YOU attempt to define what an "INTELLIGENT" being is?
You speak of the SANCTITY of a woman's body...
Yet you dismiss the SANCTITY of life...and the SANCTITY of God!
You justify NOT saving human life...because you have decided "the world would be OVERRUN" with life!
Let me know how you would feel about this should YOUR life be in jeopardy...and someone wondered whether or not to come to YOUR aid.
These are MONUMENTAL questions and our puny brains cannot assume such DEFINITIVE conclusions. Yes men and women should have the right...the RESPONSIBLE right to choose how they operate with their own bodies...but they must also ASSUME a responsibility that acknowledges that sexual behavior's purpose and often consequence leads to procreation. It is more than just fun. And when and if this "consequence" arises, it cannot merely be dismissed, but MUST be acknowledged responsibly and treated with respect. It is NOT some triviality that can be passed to the nearest dumpster.
I get the feeling you are merely lining up on one side of a political aisle.
But you are a "religious" man? I am surprised at your rather contradictory conclusions in re this issue.
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I think both you an Andy have pulled great points in this debate. Though one must still understand what if becomming pregnant was not the intent of the intercourse sesstion. Like me, I was born because of a rip in the condom. Should we not have sex, just because this could occure? There is always a possibility of this occuring.Even birth controll only has a a 98-99% certainty.What happens if you are that one percent? Also what comes to your mind when someone is raped? Should the victim be the one to deal with the consiquences of a choice not made for her?
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Hi.
I'm glad you were born. There is a alternative that can be used after sex, if the contraceptive is known to be ineffective. There's the 'morning after pill'.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morning-after_pill
It has to be prescribed by a doctor. I definitely feel that rape victims, especially, should have this option.
Thanks for commenting.
Andy -
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yes I forgot about that pill. Though still comes up the possibility of not knowing if you where pregnent or not as well. Date rape drugs and a careful rapest can make that happen. 10 days later you will be puking your brains out thinking it is nothing.
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Yes.
I could go into much more elaboration, but this covers the basics. It is also subject to change, as I have changed in my beliefs over the years. Yes, I am religious. No, I'm not Christian.
Jesus taught that we should kill no one. We choose to kill all the time. The war in Iraq was brought on mainly by the Moral conservatives. Contradictory? What isn't?
Andy
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I won't state my opinion on this matter, but I will say that this was written well and a good argument on your side. Thanks for letting me see that side of the argument.
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Thanks Ruth.
I take it that you have a bit of a different view. Thanks for not shooting me.
Andy
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I have a different view, but I have my reasons for it. I agree that people are entitled to make their own choices when it's all about them, but a lot of people make choices to hide what they've done. I can't have children. I can get pregnant, but my body won't carry past the first trimester. Then it will consider the child to be a virus and attack it. I can never be a mother unless doctors can find a way to cure that problem. So I see each child as a blessing. I'd planned to adopt even if I did have a child of my own, but now adoption is my only choice. That's why I have a different view. To me, being able to get pregnant is a blessing, not a curse. and if it's rape, it's not the child's fault that it was conceived.
And no worries. I can't shoot my buddy for having an opinion. lol. It's a free country. You can say and think what you will as long as I'm able to have the same rights.
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you are right, but one must also understand that the child will suffer anyways being placed with a mother of lets say 13 as an example. I know they are supposed to find homes for them, but that is not always the case. My friend had to continue switching houses (She was taken from her mom and step father)usually the transfer led to some vary unsettling people. What ever the case one must understand that the gift of a living person out weights the possibility of cells forming into a fetus.
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Thanks.
That's fair. A child should be a blessing, but sometimes they aren't for many reasons. Some kids, on their own, just choose to be bad people. -
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you're right about people choosing to be bad. That's the kind that make the right to have the choice seem bad. If a person is going to get hurt or if it could kill them to have the child, then i'm all for their free choice. either way, a life will be taken and to me it's so sad, but those that just choose to end the existence of a child so their parents won't know or because they don't want it... well, they should really think about it before they do abort. For many, it takes away their ability to have kids. It did that to one of my cousins, and then another cousin got pregnant even though her tubes were tied(i'm still trying to figure that one out). So i guess to me, it depends on the situation to which one i would choose. i've left the decision to my bf if i were able to get pregnant to choose because i would choose the life of the child over my own every time. that's just the kind of person i am. but i don't want to hurt him if something happened to me and the child both.
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Yes.
Pro-Life is a choice and Pro-choicers don't insist that prolifers have to have abortions. It's the pro-lifers who try to force their will on the pro-choicers. I think if people want children and can take care of them, it is good if they have them. -
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An excellent way of phrasing it. I say that there should be a choice, but that those that are just trying to hide from their parents by doing it should be made to think a little harder. They may be throwing away the chance to have a kid in marriage or later when they do want to have one. The other alternative is just as good, if not better. The child gets to live, and the chance to have parents that do want it in adoption. That's my opinion on the topic and it's been good to have this friendly debate with the other side of the argument. Thank you for listening to my side and giving me your side as well, Andy.
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You're Welcome
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wow, andy your going to get a lot of heat from this but i totatly understand this completely this is really a deep subject. I do not envy you right now .
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Thanks Neal
At least you're not shooting at me.
Andy
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Damn
Well looks like I'll be the first one to line up... right next to you! I agree with almost everything you said here. I'm not sure if I'm a Truist, I do believe in a higher power, be it god, allah or l. ron hubbard, but I don't particularly care for the church and other 'institutions' telling me their best guess of what should and shouldn't be done.
Here is a link of a comedy bit thats funny but makes you think as he raises some valid questions about abortion -
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=MrXvDXVhqfU
Now that the election is over I think I might start a petition to Free Levi!
Great Column.
Jack -
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Thanks Jack
It's nice of you to agree, but we may both get shot
. There are a few million unhappy campers about the abortion issue and Obama.
Anyway, this was in response to a column by Frodofan on Allpoetry titled, "Life". She has a persuasive argument, but I disagreed with her. Thanks for applauding my story page. I decided to do this as a story and as a column. It is really a column, but I can access it for contests as a story.
Andy
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I see you always have trophies on the brain. lol
Well luckily for me there are more people happy about the election (more people voted for him ) than unhappy. But thats a topic for another column.
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