I used to be the banner boy for the pro-life cause.
I used to say 'wrap it up or accept the consequences.' I used to ask whether one was 'pro-life or pro-death.' And I used to criticize Planned Parenthood and abortion clinics for being pregnancy insurance policies.
They'd say, "We don't support abortion, but we make it an option if there is no other." I saw this as akin to State Farm advertising, "Of course we don't want you to get in a car crash, but like a good neighbor we've got your back if you do have an accident."
To me, human life wasn't to be treated as a car wreck, something you can fix. It was simple, life began at conception, when a new zygote was formed, and tampering henceforth was the equivalent of murder. I even had my statistics: In the United States there are (so many) couples or singles waiting to adopt their first child, (so many) couples that are infertile, (so many)that have miscarriages every year. I had it all figured out, there was only one side to the abortion debate, no questions, no exceptions. I have since realized just how wrong I was.
What changed my mind? Was it realizing the exceptions of rape, incest, or circumstances when childbirth would result in fatality for the mother? Did I get a girl pregnant and decide that the time wasn't right for me to become a father?
Quite the contrary it occurred to me in an epiphany. I indeed have never been in any of those positions, and thus could not criticize or speak for those who have. As an individual, my beliefs make it impossible for me to advocate abortion among my family and those I love. But I acknowledge that it is not the place of the United States Federal Government to implement my morals.
In 1787, Thomas Paine faced the reality of democracy with the sobering remark, "He that would make his own liberty must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach himself." Though some may disagree, the fact is that the debate over abortion is a moral debate. The United States was founded on the unique principle that morals are virtuous because they are chosen, that, "Freedom is not the permission to do what we like but the power to do what we ought (Lord Acton)." And furthermore, it is recognized in the United States, as articulated by conservative thinker Dinesh D'Souza, "Compulsion cannot produce virtue: it can only produce the outward semblance of virtue." Though it would not be the first occasion that such has occurred, it would be terribly blatant hypocrisy for the United States to criticize religious regimes in the Middle East and then institute the equivalent domestically.
The same radical zealots who parade around with signs depicting third term abortions are members of the same organizations that support the limitation of the first amendment freedom of speech when it comes to artistic expression.
I'm made ill by the message that completely ignores those who have perhaps suffered miscarriage who drive innocently down the road and are reminded of their tragedy by the righteous pro-lifer and his Manson-mobile with fetuses smeared about. It's bad enough that physicians from abortion clinics are sniped at their own homes, and that women entering and exiting abortion clinics are photographed and placed on the Web sites of self-proclaimed defenders of morality who seem to have all the time in the world and nothing better to do than cast stones. And I wonder what century we're in when some states would rather pass out Scarlet A's than Trojan condoms. Wake up all you paraders of family values. Forcing people to have unwanted kids is not going to help lower the illegitimacy rate, the rate of children who are orphaned or the divorce rate.
People, people, it probably sounds like I am contradicting myself after arguing for the Right to Life for convicted killers and not for innocent unborn children, but please know that my personal beliefs are consistent, and that so is my belief in the role that the US Government should play. "Thou shalt not judge." Instead, I choose to listen to the Christian virtues of compassion, forgiveness, and understanding.
hello there & you too