There are several reasons I'm against this type of legislation. One is a very personal reason. I was raped when I was 17. He did not use a condom and I was not on birth control at the time. It was a harrowing experience, but what I feared even more were the potential consequences. Being a teenage mom would've been bad enough, considering my very religious family, but to be carrying the baby of a rapist? Unbearable. I would not have been able to stand the accusing looks of strangers and church members alike who didn't know (or believe) what happened and assumed I was just another "loose" girl. It would have been a financial burden on my parents for me to have the baby (even if I did give it up for adoption there's still the cost of prenatal care). Every kick and movement and bout of morning sickness would have reminded me of the attack. I would have hated that baby as much as I hated that man. Even though I felt like abortion was wrong morally, I began making preparation for it. I thank God that my rape did not result in pregnancy, but if it had I would have gone through with terminating it.
So yeah, touching story and all, but what's the point?
MS 26 would in effect make abortion illegal because it would be considered murder. It has complete disregard for a woman's situation, whether she is the victim of rape or incest, or if the pregnancy could be fatal to the mother. This proposed amendment is an attempt to legislate morality. The problem with this is that morality is an individual matter. Whether or not to expand a family is an individual matter. MS 26 would take away the individual rights of a woman when it comes to her own body.
Your beliefs on whether abortion is right or wrong should only affect your decisions. Don't let lawmakers push their selective morals onto you.
I honestly cannot support abortion because of my moral responsibility. I am saddened by the idea that with that kind of choice, someone has to die. I basically believe that life begins at conception, which is at the heart of the debate. However, I falter at the idea of pressing my ideas on others. With all that said, I feel it is my responsibility to at least not support abortion through my taxes. Otherwise I'd be a hypocrite, right?
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I cannot believe that the ectopic pregnancies should not even be a debate. That is death with no way out. I suppose "those in charge of our morality" have to draw a line somewhere, though. Right??
It always amazes me that many pro-lifers believe that those of us who don't think we should be making moral choices for others are "supporting abortion." I'm supporting the idea that a competent adult had the right to decide what happens to her body and that she must deal with whatever God she believes in for herself.
ReplyDeleteAs far as taxes, there are plenty of things that I don't agree with my tax dollars being spent on. Wars based on the greed of our "leaders" (massive amounts of death there), the incarceration and sometimes death of innocent people, police being able to gun down and kill unarmed men and still receive their tax-funded paycheck... Yeah it would be nice if we could pay taxes a la cart but that isn't an option. Sometimes we pay for things we don't agree with to avoid Uncle Sam's retribution.
To your last line, I think that is what bothers me the most. Politicians are not "in charge of our morality." as many scandals that come out about politicians, how could anyone see them as a moral standard? When they start caring more about the well being of those they supposedly represent and start worrying more about education, healthcare, creating jobs, and making the justice system truly fair for everyone than they care about what I do with my body, then (MAYBE then) I may be able to see them as having some morals. But even then, each person is responsible for their own morality.
I meant, as a Catholic, those in the church who decide what is moral or not as a community of faith. With that said, I am in charge of my own morals and decisions, even though I'm aware that sometimes those decisions are not always the right ones according to my own standards.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about what happened to you. Although I do think rules should change a bit to maybe prevent multiple abortions for those who are irresponsible, I don't think someone should force a victim to have a child. It's absolutely ridiculous to even think that. God forbid, if The Mrs. got raped, I'm supposed to raise her rapist child? Even if she puts it up for adoption, it's our responsibility to go through child birth and do all of that? I don't think so. I'll also vote "no."
ReplyDeleteI think it's something that many people don't think about because it is an unpleasant thing to imagine. No one wants to think about that awful "what if." that's why legislation that is so rigid is a mistake. Limitation for those who abuse the practice is something I could possibly get behind, but then the question becomes how do you set the limit, what are the exceptions, etc.
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