Abortion: Problem or Symptom?
Abortion is actually a topic I don't believe I've covered in this religion-centric blog so far which is kind of surprising. I have views on abortion but, oddly enough, I usually keep them to myself. Most of the reason for this is because I'm male so the whole "keep your laws off my body" argument doesn't really apply to me. The other reason is that I endorse things like euthanasia; this should pretty much clue you in on my position on abortion, regardless of my spiritual beliefs.
I watched most of a documentary today and, as documentaries often do, it got me thinking. The film is called Lake of Fire which, as I explained to Micah, is sort of a misleading title since it does portray multiple sides of the abortion issue (not just the right-wing "fundamentalist" or "extremist" Christian point of view). The film gave me a lot to ponder which isn't surprising because abortion is a huge discussion encompassing the willpowers of various societal groups and seems to affect all demographics in some way, shape or form.
Despite all of the hype abortion gets I really don't believe it to be that hot of a topic, or at the very least not one ultimately important to modern day workings. I think the Roe v. Wade decision just gnaws at certain groups because the Supreme Court ruled against the conservative point of view. Frankly, in a Republic like ours (not a Democracy like some of the twits on the movie might lead you to believe), I believe it was the right move to make.
But all of that aside, I think there is a bigger issue going on here and not just the evocative use of the word "murder." I'll tell you right now that I don't believe abortion is "murder" in the same sense of the word that pulling the trigger of a gun like the shooter did a year ago at Virginia Tech. I will say, however, that in a very literal sense you are halting a pregnancy so there is a very reasonable point of view that you are, in fact, ending a child's life [before it begins]. Now that we've got all that out of the way, I think we're ready to move on to the aforementioned "bigger issue."
So, conservatives don't like abortion, and I get that. My problem with the entire argument is that the world does not exist in a vacuum. What I mean by that is that abortion - the decision to end a pregnancy and therefore the growing "life" contained therein - is not the only issue that we are dealing with. Of course, I could bring up the fact that anti-abortion activists have bombed clinics and harassed as well as shot-and-killed doctors, but even that is not what I am talking about.
No, the bigger issue here is that abortion is not the actual problem. I believe abortion is just a symptom of a much larger issue and, not to go all anti-sex on you but, I believe it is the complete lack of respect for sexual education and deterrence as well as the lack of alternatives to abortion prior to it coming to that. I believe abortion should be an option, sure, but I also believe that girls should know far in advance (and understand) what they are getting into before being able to consent to sex. Not only that, but I believe birth control and condoms should be encouraged much more than they are and not scoffed at or feared as they have been.
The sexual education argument is covered, though. People are already fighting for that. What I really meant about us not living in a vacuum is that you can't just "take away" abortion and have everything continue hunky dory as if nothing has changed. Before legalized abortion, women were shoving coat hangers, turkey basters, and douche bags (the latter two full of horrid chemicals and, of course, air) into their lady parts and in more cases than not actually killing themselves (which, I'm not sure if you actually notice this so I'm going to spell it out, also kills their unborn child). The reason they did this is because they were not provided with a safe and legal alternative. Barbaric and unbelievable as it seems this was quite a popular way to deal with an unwanted pregnancy (which were quite common in the 50's and early 60's in America, since Birth Control wasn't even legal yet in most states) and it was the leading cause of death for women ages 15-45.
Women need more than just a finger pointed in their direction naysaying the abortion of their unborn child. They need support far prior so that they can fathom the implications of sex and the encouragement and understanding of responsible adults who are authoritative to say, "I understand that you might have sex and if you do please use a condom." Girls need choices, now more than ever, because they aren't getting that support.
Think about it, pro-life people. Abortion or coat hanger?
Problem or symptom?
I watched most of a documentary today and, as documentaries often do, it got me thinking. The film is called Lake of Fire which, as I explained to Micah, is sort of a misleading title since it does portray multiple sides of the abortion issue (not just the right-wing "fundamentalist" or "extremist" Christian point of view). The film gave me a lot to ponder which isn't surprising because abortion is a huge discussion encompassing the willpowers of various societal groups and seems to affect all demographics in some way, shape or form.
Despite all of the hype abortion gets I really don't believe it to be that hot of a topic, or at the very least not one ultimately important to modern day workings. I think the Roe v. Wade decision just gnaws at certain groups because the Supreme Court ruled against the conservative point of view. Frankly, in a Republic like ours (not a Democracy like some of the twits on the movie might lead you to believe), I believe it was the right move to make.
But all of that aside, I think there is a bigger issue going on here and not just the evocative use of the word "murder." I'll tell you right now that I don't believe abortion is "murder" in the same sense of the word that pulling the trigger of a gun like the shooter did a year ago at Virginia Tech. I will say, however, that in a very literal sense you are halting a pregnancy so there is a very reasonable point of view that you are, in fact, ending a child's life [before it begins]. Now that we've got all that out of the way, I think we're ready to move on to the aforementioned "bigger issue."
So, conservatives don't like abortion, and I get that. My problem with the entire argument is that the world does not exist in a vacuum. What I mean by that is that abortion - the decision to end a pregnancy and therefore the growing "life" contained therein - is not the only issue that we are dealing with. Of course, I could bring up the fact that anti-abortion activists have bombed clinics and harassed as well as shot-and-killed doctors, but even that is not what I am talking about.
No, the bigger issue here is that abortion is not the actual problem. I believe abortion is just a symptom of a much larger issue and, not to go all anti-sex on you but, I believe it is the complete lack of respect for sexual education and deterrence as well as the lack of alternatives to abortion prior to it coming to that. I believe abortion should be an option, sure, but I also believe that girls should know far in advance (and understand) what they are getting into before being able to consent to sex. Not only that, but I believe birth control and condoms should be encouraged much more than they are and not scoffed at or feared as they have been.
The sexual education argument is covered, though. People are already fighting for that. What I really meant about us not living in a vacuum is that you can't just "take away" abortion and have everything continue hunky dory as if nothing has changed. Before legalized abortion, women were shoving coat hangers, turkey basters, and douche bags (the latter two full of horrid chemicals and, of course, air) into their lady parts and in more cases than not actually killing themselves (which, I'm not sure if you actually notice this so I'm going to spell it out, also kills their unborn child). The reason they did this is because they were not provided with a safe and legal alternative. Barbaric and unbelievable as it seems this was quite a popular way to deal with an unwanted pregnancy (which were quite common in the 50's and early 60's in America, since Birth Control wasn't even legal yet in most states) and it was the leading cause of death for women ages 15-45.
Women need more than just a finger pointed in their direction naysaying the abortion of their unborn child. They need support far prior so that they can fathom the implications of sex and the encouragement and understanding of responsible adults who are authoritative to say, "I understand that you might have sex and if you do please use a condom." Girls need choices, now more than ever, because they aren't getting that support.
Think about it, pro-life people. Abortion or coat hanger?
Problem or symptom?
Labels: abortion, pro-choice, pro-life
posted by Todd Newton at 19:09
3 Comments:
there is just so much that i could say to this. we discussed much of it last night.
to summarize what we talked about, legalized abortion is probably a GOOD thing. but in addition to that, I think there should be some sort of regulation on when and how (mostly when) an abortion can be performed. it's an ugly procedure at any time during the pregnancy, but after about 12-weeks, i think it's too late to "get" to make the decision to have an abortion.
i could talk for DAYS about that.
secondly, i really am opposed to using it as a form of birth control. if there's one piece of advice that my parents gave me growing up, it was this: If you're going to make an adult decision, you had best be prepared to deal with adult consequences.
it's true.
and there are both good an bad consequences (i won't get into english semantics here, but i think everyone will know what i mean)...
what is becoming more and more frustrating to me is that birth control (pills, shots, whatever) are just so DAMNED EXPENSIVE! sure, we can educate the hell out of kids on preventative measures (because, like you say, kids are "gonna do it"), but unless those measures become more available and more cost-effective, the education is nearly worthless.
i mean, it costs me/us $75 for my "preventative measures" and we're both gainfully employed...and it's STILL expensive!! why the hell can't this kind of stuff be paid for (or even partially subsidized) by our health care? why isn't it more over-the-counter?
if we look at some statistics (which i don't have the time to hunt down), i'm pretty sure that a large number of abortions performed are on women who simply CANNOT afford a child, much less birth control. where's the logic here?
so yeah. there are plenty of things that i could say and get very heated about, but those are probably the big, over-arching things....for now.
In some areas I agree but I do not in with this statement. "I'll tell you right now that I don't believe abortion is "murder" in the same sense of the word that pulling the trigger of a gun like the shooter did a year ago at Virginia Tech." Murder is murder. The mother intended to kill the child like the shooter intended to kill, either way it is murder in a different case. Now dont get me wrong, you have a valid point to argue, but I am sixteen and I as young as I am know that murder is murder, not matter who you kill or how you kill. The intention was to kill a living person, wehter or not reason for killing them differed. I thank you for your time, check out my blog http://abortion4.blogspot.com/, maybe your mind will change a little. Maybe it wont, still keep in mind what I say. Thank you. Ciara
Thanks for your comment Ciara, I appreciate your view. I will check out the blog you noted but I fear that it might end with some kind of disagreement and argument.
As to what you had to say, I feel that your view is actually inaccurately simplifying the issue. The statement "murder is murder" is very black and white in the context of your opinion but it makes absolutely no room for circumstance. By your same logic, a soldier in war "intending to kill" the enemy is also a murderer by virtue of the simplification.
I hope you'll excuse me for saying so but I think it's a little naive to view the world this way - and this goes back to my "we don't live in a vacuum" statement. It's hard to prove a solid point like the one you propose when so many real-time living examples exist to give weight to the contrary (notwithstanding that examples exist to prove your point as well). I'm sure I'll get a better idea of your views if I check out your link so hopefully there's more to it than that.
One of the things that this "Lake of Fire" documentary points out is that a lot of doctors that provide abortion service are being killed by extremists. It's hard to associate someone with a pro-life movement that is willing to assassinate to prove their point, and doubly hard to find their point of view credible at all.
Post a Comment
<< Home