...You see, I believe that every person has the right to choose life (Deuteronomy 30:19) without discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, status OR age.
Scientifically, it has been proven that life begins at conception - at the very initial stage "when a sperm fertilizes an oocyte and together they form a zygote." Any discrepancy is simply semantics. An article is listed on Princeton's website lists various quotes from credible sources that describe that very fact. Dr. Jerome LeJeune, genetics professor at the University of Descartes in Paris and discoverer of the Down Syndrome chromosome, states "After fertilization has taken place a new human being has come into being...This is no longer a matter of taste or opinion. Each individual has a very neat beginning, at conception." At the time of conception, all human chromosomes are present - a distinct DNA in a tiny being exists: a truly beautiful life.
Many people argue that the government should not regulate their "right" to an abortion, even if it is wrong. ...Let me ask this - should the government lift it's laws on first, second or third degree murder? I believe, scientifically and biblically, that abortion is the choice to end an innocent life. Mother Teresa said it well, "It is poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish."
It's amazing what can happen in just under four decades. Thirty-eight years ago, the historic Supreme Court case of Roe vs. Wade legalized abortion in the United States. Since then, plaintiff Norma McCorvey (Roe) has joined the pro-life movement. Since then, an estimated 46 million children have been victims of murder by dismemberment, crushing, stabbing, toxin, and/or starvation. 46 million is approximately the number of the current total population of Spain, Columbia or the Ukraine.
Many days I worry or complain about the life that I have...about work, stress, the list goes on...when, in fact, I have been BLESSED with abundant life that Christ has given me (John 10:10).
I commit to choose to live an abundant life. And I choose to support to lives of others.
That is why I am pro-choice...and, ultimately, pro-life.
Well said Christi!
ReplyDeleteYou have very clear thoughts on this matter. Having or not having an abortion is a huge choice - no matter which decision a woman ultimately makes.
ReplyDeleteI am pro-choice - whether that choice is abortion or to keep the child. My reasons (below) for my belief aren't meant to be argumentative or condemning to your beliefs; only to show another side of the topic.
I would be interested in your feedback on my comments. Dialogue (not arguments!) on tough issues is progress - to be able to stand solidly on one side of an issue or another, being well-informed and understanding both sides is necessary.
The reasons for my belief:
A woman MUST make changes to her life in order to host the embryo successfully for 9 months. The government cannot force a nutritious diet on citizens, whether pregnant or not. The government cannot ban a person from drinking or smoking inside their own home. A woman that is desperate for an abortion will find a way to foil the pregnancy, whether it be carelessness in day to day life (alcohol, drugs, diet, etc), choosing to have an illegal abortion, or otherwise. Intentionally foiling the pregnancy, the health of 2 are compromised (mother and baby), rather than allowing an abortion and saving the life and health of one of the two.
In the book Freakonomics, there was a study completed on the effects of Roe v. Wade. Approximately 20 years after the Roe v. Wade decision was made, crime drastically dropped. Its been shown that this is likely a result of children being born that are ::wanted:: and thus, provided for readily. Forcing a woman to bear a child she didn't want to have in the first place raises the likelihood of the child not being cared for properly. A child shown love is far more likely to show love themselves and far less likely to end up in prison.
There may well be other options after birth for both the child and the mother, but if the mother hasn't taken care of herself at the standard that she would have if she wanted the child, the likelihood of birth defects is drastically increased. Having birth defects means that even if the child is given up for adoption, the likelihood that it is adopted is slim. Until adoption, the child would be cared for by state services (foster care), which is not a stable life for a child. A lack of stability, the lack of love, results in the child still falling into the group with far higher chances of ending up in prison. The nearly prohibitive cost of an undergraduate education these days means that prison and crime factor in even higher in this group than in generations past, as its shown that those with higher education are less likely to commit crime.
For these reasons, while I can't completely condone the choice to have an abortion, I can't condemn it either. I think the best option to decrease the rate of abortions is to educate and provide easy access to birth control for anyone looking to use it, regardless of age or economic ability to pay for it. Birth control isn't cheap, and would definitely be a hefty cost burden to bear for the government, but it is far cheaper than health costs resulting from unwanted pregnancies (or terminating unwanted pregnancies!) and the increase in social services costs (e.g. welfare) and combating an increase in crime a few years down the road.
I stand 100% in favor of decreasing abortion rates - I simply believe the right way to do it is education and providing contraceptives rather than attempting to ban the procedure.
Thank you so much for your feedback - I appreciate your grace and carefully thought out response and questions. It is with complete agreement to your statement about the importance of dialoguing (not arguing or fighting) :-) regarding this issues that I would love to respond to your comment...I'll post something soon!
ReplyDeleteWOW. I cannot believe I haven't responded yet... quoting a favorite tv show from my childhood, "How rude!" Unfortunately, my blog has become secondary for a time - I will respond soon, though! :-)
ReplyDelete