Can you be pro-life but still respect pro-choice?

Question

I know that sounds odd, but I'm curious. I understand that it's the law and I respect anyone who has to make the choice, its NOT easy, but at the same time I don't believe in abortion. OMG....am I fence sitter????

That is my rational. I'm not going to protest these poor women in thier darkest hour nor am I going to preach to them in the time of pain. But I don't agree with it either. Wow. I have never been a fence sitter in my life LOL

Answer 1

Yes, I believe you can. Much like you, I wouldn't put down the women who have had an abortion. I don't agree with abortion (especially as birth control - that one makes me angry as it shows a lack of self-respect). I normally tell people I am pro-choice because I understand that there are times that abortion is unavoidable and I have no right to judge the women (or the doctors) who do it, when it comes down to an unavoidable situation. But I wouldn't have one done (not that it could actually happen as I can't have any more kids).

I don't think that's "fence sitting" at all. It's an understanding that we can't be extreme in things like this. If we are, then we show we don't have any understanding at all for other people... nor compassion for those who may have to go through this.

Answer 2

I don't believe you're a fence sitter - you simply wouldn't do it, but that doesn't mean that others shouldn't if they feel the need to. Personally, I feel the same way - who am I to say a woman HAS to do something just because I would feel obligated to do so. I'm sure it's a difficult choice but one they felt they must make. There are so many worse alternative choices - welfare (SOOO many women have children just to get on it), poor child rearing, a life in poverty...etc. Besides, we don't know their situation - and I would NOT carry a rapist's child in my body. No woman should be forced to carry anything in their body if they don't want to - whatever the reason. There are far too many people in the world as is (9 billion).

Answer 3

YES, you can be a fence sitter. You are thinking. It's not like some pro-life people that HATE any1 pro-choice. I'm a fence sitter too: abortion is a Serious Medical thing. ABORTION IS A SERIOUS AND PERSONAL ISSUE And I believe that abortions should be done for: ectopic pregnancies, if something is SEVERELY WRONG with the child, if giving birth can KILL the mother. I believe every1 should do what they want. It's not the state's or any1s business.

P.S. Ectopic Pregnancies CAN KILL THE MOTHER IF THE FETUS WON'T GET OUT OF THE TUBE. YOU CAN'T TELL HER NOT TO ABORT BECAUSE "IT'S MURDER." SHE COULD DIE AND THAT IS DANGEROUS ADVICE. I've notice that a SMALL MINORITY OF "PRO-LIFE" Don't care about people who have been born. I'M NOT SAYING THAT ALL PRO-LIFE PEOPLE ARE LIKE THIS BUT A VERY SMALL NUMBER ARE.

Answer 4

I completely agree with you. I would rather see legal medical options, but I would never have one myself and would be severly saddened if a family member or close friend had an abortion. I believe the human body is sacred, both that of the fetus and of the mother. I don't think this is fence sitting, but simply refusing to conform to the extreme liberalism or conservatism that the media portrays. People do not fit in boxes, and nobody's opinions should conform to the dumbed down summaries that the media and extremists portray. You can always believe one thing and respect the beliefs of those that oppose you.

Answer 5

I'm not a fence sitter but here we go...

Personally, I could not have an abortion. However, I believe a woman has a choice. What ever choice she makes, she will have to live with the rest of her life.

I've seen the pain, guilt and regret on the faces of women that have made that choice...and they now live with the decisions of the past.

It is not my place to condemn or judge anyone for the decisions they make...it is between them and their Creator.

Hope that helps.

Answer 6

I guess you can. It's not always a bad thing being a fence sitter however I think that you will eventually choose one or the other. I cant usually cope with or accept that someone would choose to end their child's life without losing respect for that person I simply tolerate them. While that may sound harsh that is just who I am.

Answer 7

You are a fence sitter only because you are not in the situation where you have to make such a choice. And, while you value life, you appreciate that some circumstances can occur that would cause you to possibly make abortion a viable option. I am pro-life in MOST cases but feel it is a woman's right to determine what is best for herself and potential offspring. No one else can determine what is right in every circumstances for every person.

Answer 8

One of the problems with both sides of this complex issue is that a lot of assumptions are made. First, many pro-life people brand people who are pro-choice as anti-life, baby murderers etc. On the flip side many pro-choice people brand pro-life people as some sort of draconian tyrants out to trample on other peoples rights. To be pro-choice does not necessarily mean that one is in favour of abortion. Many women who are pro-choice have told me they think abortion is wrong and a terrible choice to make. Nevertheless, the issue for them is WHO decides - the woman herself or the Government. These women feel is should be up to a woman to make that decision and in this regard I would have to agree.

I am pro-life. My brother's girlfriend had an abortion when she was 17. My mother was devestated and very angry. I tried to explain that the choice my brother's girlfriend made was probably not an easy one; that likely she was scared of being pregnant so young; and that my brother was responsible for getting her pregnant. I didn't condone her actions, but I could understand her choice albeit an unfortunate one.

Answer 9

this is a great question. This is the way that I see it- abortion is completely wrong, and since I believe that I cannot see myself ever saying it is ok for someone else. That would be like saying, "I would never murder someone, but if someone else wants to it is ok". in the dictionary, the first definition of respect is to pay honor to someone. I would never say I hate a pro-choice person, however I cannot say that I would honor them either, in their decision. I will give an example of this on another issue, At one time a close friend of mine, confided in me that she was considering cheating on her husband and she asked me what I thought= this is what I said, "I will still love you as a friend, but I cannot condone what you are doing". Same thing with someone who believes abortion is ok. I hope this helps.

Answer 10

Frankly the term Pro-life has been hijacked by people who really mean Anti-abortion. The only people on earth who are not "Pro-Life" are sociopaths, psychopaths, and folks with a death wish. Pro-Life isn't limited to just fetuses.

Anti-Abortion people are really Anti-Choice, folks who want to decide for everyone else how they want all pregnancies to be handled.

Pro-Life would mean:
Not forcing women to have children they may not be equiped to take care of
Prenatal care for mother and child
Postnatal care mother and child
Decent pediatric care
Making sure there is clean air for healthy lungs
Making sure there is water for healthy bodies
Making sure that the places kids play weren't built on top of chemical dumps
Making sure there is good sex education so that kids hopefully will not have kids
Proper funding of schools so that children can be the best they can be
Proper Medical aid for all who need it so they can stay healthy, so that they can be able to work and support their families
Curbing crime
Preventing Wars
Tracking down those who prey on the weak and helpless
These are Pro-Life stances.