Reconsidering the choice to abort your child. Countering pro-choice arguments. Argument: Life doesn't necessarily begin at
conception.
Response: Maybe it does. Maybe
not.
Honestly, there is no way of absolutely determining when (or even
how) human
life begins, in all its complexity. Any argument otherwise should be taken lightly and
careful consideration given to the agenda of those making such an
unprovable claim. Science and medicine are constantly evolving on
this and the pendulum tends to swing with this just as
it does with most science. If life doesn't begin at
conception, potentially no harm, no foul. If, on the other hand, life does
begin at
conception, the consequence of abortion is horrible at any stage.
***** Argument: You can't possibly understand my
situation. I have no other choice!
Response: Of course, no-one should presume
to
understand your dilemma. There are nearly always positive
alternatives that don't involve the taking of a precious, innocent child's life (see
the various helpful resources on this site).
***** Argument: My body, my choice!
Response: Agreed. No question!
A
woman (or any person) should have exclusive control over what do do
with her own body. However, it's vitally important to acknowledge
here that there is another, entirely separate body involved in the
choice. Not one body, but two! Thus, the correct argument should be
... Our bodies, MY choice!
***** Argument: Reproductive decisions are
incredibly
personal and should be made solely between me and my doctor, privately!
Response: Agreed again. Nobody should
have
the right to interfere with or presume upon a woman's individual
reproductive choice! However, the decision here is hardly about
reproductive choice. That choice is already made; the
reproduction already made at conception. Rather, this is a
decision about what to do with the reproduction - the child - after the
fact. Whether or not to allow the child to live or to kill her.
***** Argument: The fetus feels no pain.
Response: As if this matters (were it true), it has been
scientifically proven to be false. This type of false reasoning is
an arguably thoughtless attempt to assuage the guilt and to depersonalize the child in her
mother's eyes.
***** Argument: What about rape or incest?
Response: Sadly, such tragedies do exist
and must
not be ignored. However, must the only response be to kill the other
innocent victim - the child? Again, there are better, less heartless alternatives.
***** Argument: The life or health of the mother
may be
in jeopardy.
Response: This may be the most challenging
of the
pro-abortion arguments. Indeed, who determines whose life is more
worthy of saving in such situations; that of the mother or of her
child? While there may be no easy answer to this, honest and
vigorous dialog must be had with fair and equal consideration given to
the impact on the child. Anti-abortion advocates continually express a
willingness to engage in this necessary discussion, while opponents
seem to have already made the determination.
***** Argument: Anti-abortion advocates have a
hidden
agenda, which is to criminalize abortion outright.
Response: Both sides have an agenda, no
question. Although, one might be surprised to learn that the
clear, open and predominant agenda of anti-abortion advocates is simply
to stop the casual killing of innocent children. Criminalization
is hardly the agenda, despite unsubstantiated assertions
otherwise. Nonetheless, our laws must protect all children
equally, whether born or unborn. As with all laws, legal
consideration and flexibility for extreme cases is welcomed and encouraged.
***** Argument: Without full legal human status
of the
fetus, abortion is not murder.
Response: Yet another attempt at
absolution? Does it matter? "Murder", as a legal term, varies widely accross jurisdictions and time.
Legal definition aside, the unprovoked and deliberate killing of
another human being is what it is - murder! Do we really need
legal definition to make that clear?
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