Its been awhile since I've posted so I thought I'd better. If you read this, comment so I know that I have readers. This is an old article about abortion. Comments, kudos, dittos, vicious arguments/insults appreciated. Read:
Zac Swedberg
17 January, 2005
Abortion
The argument over abortion stems from several questions.
1. “When does human life begin?
The definite answer to this question is humanly unattainable. There are three possible answers: at birth, at some point in the womb, or at conception.
Birth was a sufficient answer until recent years. Medical science and technology have made it possible to peer into the womb and examine (or destroy) an unborn baby without risk of killing the mother. That same science also makes the first answer insufficient, as we can observe the exact same attributes in unborn babies as in babies outside the womb. Birth itself seems simply to be a change in surroundings, not a reception of humanity.
Over the years, several laws have been made specifying times after which an abortion is illegal, based on an idea that humanity is attained at some point in the womb. Humanity obviously exists in the womb, as babies in the womb have been shown to display similar reactions to outside stimuli as babies after birth. They react to music and their mother'’s voice. During surgery, one unborn child hugged the doctor'’s finger. Creating a law of this sort depends on all babies developing at the same rate. They don'’t. As each child is an individual, each has an individual set of genes and a unique womb to develop in, making growth rate possibilities endless. Therefore no time can be specified that would serve as the attainment of humanity for all children.
Conception is the safest answer. Conception is the beginning of the human growth progress. It is the time when genetic uniqueness is established. Morally, conception is the best answer, as the other two answers are indefinite and leave room for mistakes. Absolute surety is a necessity in the abortion issue; after all, human lives are at stake.
2. “What control does a woman have over her body?”
The feminist movement commonly states that unrestricted abortion is one of a woman'’s reproductive rights. They argue that because a woman owns her body, she should be allowed to terminate whatever is living inside it. I will agree to this on the two following conditions:
A.) I am allowed to abuse and kill my dog because it lives in my house.
B.) I am allowed to vacuum the brains out of any future passengers in my car.
Of course, I am just kidding, but their logic is atrocious. A right allowing one to take the rights of others is not included in any rights of ownership (the right to life is established in the U.S. founding documents).
3. What is justifiable homicide in reference to abortions?”
Before making any exclusive rulings dealing with abortion, there are a few "“what if"”s that must be examined.
“ What if the child is the product of rape?:”
Republicans such as President George W. Bush and radio talk show host Sean Hannity believe that abortion is moral in cases of rape. Pregnancy through rape is an awful situation for a woman to experience, but it cannot justify abortion. The child produced by the rape should not be treated as if he is the perpetrator. His father committed the crime. No one should be punished for another'’s crime, least of all an innocent child.
What if the mother'’s life is at stake, and can only be saved by terminating her pregnancy?”:
This question is impossible to answer by anyone but the mother mentioned, as only she can really understand the decision she is forced into making. Fortunately, the situation is also extremely rare. It must be taken on a case by case basis, as an abortion in this situation could be considered self-defense.
Conclusion:
No argument can be made in favor of murder. At the same time, no significant argument can be made supporting the conclusion that human life begins at birth, or at any time in the womb. Therefore the only safe point of view for a society which claims any moral or virtue is a firm stance in opposition to abortion.
2 comments:
Thanks for commenting.
You bring up an excellent point: The real test for a belief is a situation that challenges it.
Beliefs about things like abortion, abstinence, etc. need to be formed beforehand. Otherwise a person is caught up in the emotions of the moment and looses their way. It's unfortunate that your young friend got herself into such a situation and more unfortunate that it changed her perspective.
I noticed something you said: "I am pro-choice-but MY choice is, i wouldn't do it." I wonder what that means. Is abortion right or wrong? Can a general principle like "thou shall not murder" be true for only some people?
Alexis:
1.) Anyone who attempts a "coat hanger abortion" or any other surgical procedure without a doctor is an idiot. If they are desperate to get rid of their child, they can legally and anonymously drop him off at the fire department. If the person is pressured into either keeping the child against their will or hiding the pregnancy(i.e. parental pressure or abusive relationship) the person needs to realize that they do indeed have rights and can contact the police.
2.) Our great nation was founded on the principle that "all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." No one can prove that the unborn are any less human than the rest of us, so it is, in fact, the government's place to decide if it is right or wrong.
3.)People murder even though it is illegal. Does that mean that murder should be legal? People blow stop signs all the time. Should we get rid of traffic laws?
Post a Comment