Abortion question: What about pro life atheists and agnostics who want pro life laws?

Question

I'm Pro-Choice, I'm an agnostic, but I do feel life begins at the moment of Conception. I am pro-choice because its not Governments role.

But there can be a Pro-Life position that people who aren't religious have.

So, to those who say they don't like the religious for pushing their pro-life agenda, does that hold any merit any more? I don't think so, what are your views.

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Different topic, Gay Marriage, I can't name on one hand the number of Atheists and Agnostics who are against Gay Marraige, so the limit of scope to my view is limited to the Abortion issue.

Discuss please, everyone@!

Answer 1

Here I am, your friendly neighborhood pro life atheist. Without going into my whole abortion tirade, let's look at what's been discussed.
I think we've agreed that atheists do indeed have morals, and that while they are not based on the bible, they are based on human compassion, empathy, etc...
I think there are probably more "non-believers" out there that feel the way I do (even if they won't admit it because it's not PC) and there are religious people who are pro choice.. So, I don't think abortion is necessarily a religion based topic.
I think that was your question, yes?

Answer 2

Exceptions to a rule do not negate a rule. The "rule" here is that the anti-abortion (everyone is pro-life) groups are run by religion. If we had the scientific evidence to make a case either way about when life began, the issue would not be so polarized. But the more limited the government interference in most situations, the better.

Answer 3

I will never say that those who are pro life cannot have their view, I respect that they have that right even if I don't agree with it. I do mind however being called pro-abortionist when I'm pro-choice as they are not the same thing. I just believe that every individual has the right to every available option to choose from. I myself would never have an abortion but I would never tell another they didn't have that choice.

I believe that is in keeping with the spirit in which this country was created.

I don't blame anyone for trying to affect change for what they believe so long as done in a civil and socially acceptable way. We all try to do that by voting for the candidate who we best think represents our views.

Answer 4

I doubt there are many atheists who aren't pro-life. It kinda goes with the territory.

Now, I believe that abortion is often wrong, and that the abortion of a late-term fetus is the taking of a human life. But I also think it's utterly ridiculous to say that a fertilized egg or a clump of stem cells is a human being. I can give you a couple of simple thought experiments that will clearly show how silly that is, if you'd like.

I think that we should be working on coming to some kind of sensible agreement about a point during development at which the embryo or fetus has become what we define as a human being. My inclination is to suggest that the definition depend on the development of mental representations, which seems a prerequisite, at least, to being the kind of thing that has experiences, which seems to me to be a pretty good criterion for moral responsibility.

Answer 5

Let’s see...

I’m pro-choice and Pagan. But, I am not pro-abortion.

First of the government has no right to control what a woman can do with her own body. However, I would prefer to see alternatives to abortion.

I am an adoptive parent of two fantastic children which definitely colors my opinion. But, what strikes me as sort of sad is that for many, many young women who find themselves pregnant making an adoption plan is the last, and I mean last, choice. They will choose to parent the child themselves or have an abortion long before making an adoption plan. Adoption is often treated as an almost immoral choice for the birthmother to make. This is kind of sad IMO.

I’m about to get going on the foster care system in the United States so I better shut up.

Hope this makes some sense.

Pabs

Answer 6

To be "pro-life" is not necessarily a question of religion.

I live in France and I know many non-believers (women mainly) who are pro-life, not because of some kind of religious beliefs but SIMPLY because they cannot tolerate that a fetus/baby is medically killed.

It is then a question of humanness, not necessarily a question of religious belief/non-belief.

Don't see religion everywhere you look at.

By the way, there is an enormous difference between atheists and agnostics. Atheists aren't believers. Agnostics are sceptical believers.

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I can't count the billions of humans who are against gay-marriage. It is not necessarily a question of religion.

- Once more... -

Answer 7

I am also a Prochoice agnostic, who would not choose abortion if it were my choice to make.

My reasons are the same as yours: anti-abortion laws give control of medical decisions to the government, and I can't express the degree to which I think that this is a dangerous precident to set.

Although there may be agnostics who favor anti-abortion laws, I've never met one. I would venture to guess that 99% of the anti-abortion movement is driven by religious beliefs. I don't think that the 1% out there invalidates the objection that people have with the 99% regarding religion.

Answer 8

We are a nation of laws. If the Government allows pro-choice then no-one else should interfere with this. If you disagree then you should have the law changed. To murder people who are pro-choice can never be a good idea. If we come to the stage that provided that someone feels strongly enough we should bow to their wishes we will all be held hostage. If the Government sanctions homosexual marriage then that is the law unless and until the law is reversed. We cannot decide that we will pick and choose what laws we will and will not support without undermining the whole of the legal system.

Answer 9

I'm not an atheist. I do not think the government should reverse the current abortion laws. They serve their purpose very well as is.

What we should have are more effective and focused laws to educate all teenagers and young folks about parental responsibility and laws that provide 'unwanted' and abused children with decent homes and loving parents - and I'm not talking about our current institutions and systems which are as problematic as the problem itself.

Without abortions there will be more children that parents do not want - perhaps pro-lifers could lend their support and energies to these unfortunate children and stop meddling in other people's private business.

Whether or not the laws remain in place women who do not want the baby will abort them and as in the past the chance of two deaths will be much higher.

Answer 10

I'm agnostic and I'm pro-choice.. I believe that life does begin at conception.. But I'm only Pro-choice in the event of no choice.. Ie. Rape, incest.. things like that.. If some teenager f*cked his girlfriend that wasn't on BC and wants to have an abortion.. Go for it, but I won't applaud you for it.