Where do you stand on the abortion debate?

Question

This is a huge, huge debate so I guess it would be cool to hear some opinions. Why do you think it's right or wrong? You tell me and I'll tell you what I think.

Answer 1

I'd like to warn you that my opinion about abortion is based on reason, and very few people approach the abortion debate using reason. For most people, it's an emotional debate fueled by guilt. The emotions on the issue tend to run so deeply most people forget which is which. So I do apologize for any hurt feelings which result from my dealing with abortion reasonably.

I support a woman's right to have control over their reproductive capacity. Abortion does not affect citizens (a person is not a citizen until they are born) or the intrinsic assets of the nation, so there is no legislative basis for there to be any laws taking rights away from a citizen (the pregnant woman)

Furthermore, abortion is not murder. Murder is the willful taking of one human's life by another human. I've seen pictures, and the fetus might look vaguely human, but physiologically a fetus is more like a salamander than a human. I know that sounds harsh, but there's also a degree to which deep down you know that it's true.

Neurologically, the child isn't complete until it's a year old, and continues developing for about 25 years. So while it's still in the womb, it's certainly not a developed human. It's a part of our natural development for the brain to be undeveloped at birth because otherwise the head could never have fit through the opening.

I asked the question "What makes humans distinct from other animals?" I received many interesting answers: The awareness that we are different from other animals, the ability to make rational decisions, the ability to suppress our animal nature, the ability to conceptualize good and evil, large brains, the ability to create art, the ability to question one's existence, speech, self improvement, and so on. At a glance, it's fairly obvious that a fetus does not have any of these qualities. In doing further research, I came across this website which I strongly recommend: http://7e.devbio.com/article.php?id=162

A fetus has the potential of becoming human, but being human is a very special thing. It's more than just a matter of our genetic make-up. It's about the way we think. Without the way we think, we are like any other animal.

Given that most people believe in the existence of a soul, It becomes an issue to consider when a person gets a soul. If you believe that only humans have souls, then the fetus doesn't have one because it's not yet human. It has the potential to become human, but it's not there yet. If you believe that all creatures have souls, then it goes to wherever souls go. If you believe in Karma, then that life served a purpose which it was there to do and can karmically celebrate that it's life accomplished what it was destined to accomplish.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want anyone to think that I'm advocating killing babies. Babies are cute and respond well to people, kinda like puppies, and I am also opposed to killing puppies. In fact I have often been very supportive of all things child related and puppy related. But when it comes right down to it, and we consider the neural biology, certain facts become apparent. But I want to make it very clear that I am in no way advocating infanticide, which is much nicer than the bible which doesn't even mention infanticide despite the fact that it was commonly practiced at the time. In fact, until about a hundred years ago, I can't recall this ever having been much of an issue ever in the history of the world. But now, as infant mortality rates are at an all time low, and population is soaring out of control, now is the time in human evolution when people decide to stand up and say that abortion is wrong.

Christians claim to take truth from the bible, and the bible makes no reference to abortion or infanticide. In fact the closest thing to a reference is in Exodus 21:22 to the punishment if a man does violence to a pregnant woman causing her to lose the child, which is different from the punishment for murder as described in Exodus 21:12, which clearly indicates that the basis for popular religious thought for the Judeo-Christian-Muslim traditions did not intend for the killing of a fetus to be regarded as murder. But this is a religious view point, and not a secular viewpoint, so it out not have any influence over the law.

I know there is a lot in here which some people will react against, because I'm dealing with the topic frankly, openly and head on. That's not the way people usually deal with the abortion debate. They hide behind images of something cute and say, "It's a defenseless innocent human, how could you kill it." I have learned that it's generally a good idea to to be wary of people who's only rationale is guilt. I'm not hiding behind any feeling based arguments but instead dealing with the actual issues. Feelings are too easily manipulated. Just ask anyone who works in marketing. But the facts are the facts and when people get over their feelings on the issue and stop listening to people trying to retain their positions and relevance by convincing people that this is actually a reasonable issue, then maybe we could move on and deal with all the real issues which we were distracted from because of this bogus abortion debate. Like for instance, why is it that there have been major advances in everything for the past 50 years, but we're still stuck with the same corrupt politicians?

Answer 2

I think it wrong because you are ending a life. With the widespread availability of birth control there really should not be any accidents. Unplanned pregnancy happens when people are being irresponsible, and someone should not die for someone else's irresponsibility. Also, there are so many people who wait years to adopt a newborn, if someone really cant take care of the baby there are people who will pay for all of your medical care, living expenses while you are pregnant, and family counseling and legal fees for the adoption. You can pick who the parents are, and even whether you want to be a part of the childs life or not. There are so many options, why kill the baby. Even the government and insurance companies recognize it as life, they pay for fetal surgeries. To some life is so precious, if it is not the same to you then give it to someone who will celebrate it. The only instance in which an abortion should be performed is when the mothers life is at stake.

Answer 3

I'm basically pro-life. But not all abortions are created equal. I can understand why a teenager may be terrified of wasting her life, or a woman with bad heredity might not wish to bear a defective child. I would not hold it against them that they acted on fear. On the other hand, most abortions come too easily. Abortion is not birth control, nor a question of convenience. Having a child is always an inconvenience, and nobody is ever quite prepared for it. All in all, I believe it's better to prevent than remedy.

Answer 4

it is wrong, wrong, wrong. So many people in the world think it is a form of birth control or something. That my body my choice crap doesn't cut it either. It stopped being just your body the minute the baby was concieved.

I am a very pro life and christian. I used to clean up at an abortion clinic............it's horrible some of the methods used and what those poor babies go through.
You don't want to know what we found in the trash that should have never been there .............and not they were not supposed to have been putting them in there. And yes I was young and when I realized what I was working in I never went back.

The bible tells us that God knew us even before we were in our mother's womb. They are not just fetuses .......they are tiny humans.......yes even the ones made out of wed lock.

There are sooooo many many people unable to have babies who would take babies and raise them in loving homes........there is no need for abortion.

Answer 5

I think it is a woman's choice.. It great to think that if you do accidentally get pregnant that you can just give your child up for adoption and some great family will adopt him/her and they will live happily ever after. But that's not always the case, there are so many kids who are being passed from one foster home to another and when you think about it wouldn't it have been better for them if the mother would have just had an abortion?? If you can't afford to have a child, don't have one...

Answer 6

I think it depends on the situation. like if you were raped. I don't care what anyone says you are not going to want to carry that baby for 9 months!! or if your life is in danger. but other than that, you Prevent the pregnancy with birth control instead of using abortion as a birth control

Answer 7

I hate to be controversial but I think its a choice that you can never fully understand or make any kind of condemnation of until you have walked a mile in each woman's shoes.

In certain situations I think it can be the wisest option, and sweeping statements like its wrong, the end, do nothing to help women who are in an awful predicament.

Answer 8

I think it is wrong for so many reasons. One, the woman who wants to abort her baby made the CHOICE to have sex, unless she was raped. Anytime you have unprotected sex, there is a chance you can become pregnant. Two, the unborn baby's heart begins to beat not long after conception. How can a tiny human being with a beating heart not be alive? Therefore, abortion is murder.

Answer 9

its wrong for me, & it should be banned. but its not like i can stop it, so in my opinion if i do get pregnant, & im not ready i would still keep it. i rathr have my mom get mad at me than to kill ur own innocent baby. i know these babies has proly not recollection while they are still a fetus but it will have a life one day & it sucks wen that is taken away from them. totally sad. im just against abortion.

Answer 10

I defiently think that abortion is wrong. it is sorta like murder, and stops a beating heart. The kid could grow up to be like the next president or something!!