Funny that this thread has come back to life. I guess that it is one of those issues that we never finish with.
I want to explain why I did this. When I started this thread 2 months ago, I was frustrated with the way that this issue was being discussed.
On the Anti-Abortion side, people were generalizing pro-choicers as decadent, irresponsible and corrupt sinners. On the Pro-choice side, people were generalizing anti-abortionists as narrow-minded, callous, anti-feminist fundamentalists.
Here's what I wanted to know. Is there any truth to these sterotypes? The answer is a clear and resounding NO... in my humble opinion anyway.
Only 45 of 125 people said "no abortion". While that is a significant number, it is only 36%. Only 11, said "unrestricted access". So, 69 of 125 (55%) people ticked categories in the middle and yet, if asked to identify themselves, they would likely say, "I am pro-life" or "I am pro-choice".
The categories that we use are too simple. What I have learned is that many people who are "pro-choice" have real questions and conflicts about abortion. Nobody has ever said to me, "I am pro-abortion". It is always framed as a question of choice... of health, safety and equality... as a lesser of several evils. On the other hand, I know very few people who say, "I really want to control women's bodies". I know so many anti-abortionists who are truly "pro-life". For them, preventing a human life is unreconcilable so, while it will cause great pain to the mother (and possibly the child), it is better that the child be born than have the fetus aborted... again, the lesser of two evils.
Can you make the argument that this is a feminist issue? Absolutely!!! People who deny it are usually arguing from a place of emotion, not reason. Can you truly argue that abortion does not end a human life?... I don't think so. It becomes a semantic argument at some level. Whether it is ending a human life or preventing it, abortion does stop the birth of a real human being.
I think that we need to reconceptualize the way that we frame this debate. This is not about one group of people trying to screw over another group. This isn't about "us and them".... and this is certainly not the "Good guys and the Bad guys". This is a question of minimizing the damage of an unwanted pregnancy. It is about balancing the realities of human life... both the material struggles and barriers that we (though mainly women) face, and the sanctity of life. For many of us, it is also about trying to understand what God is saying to us... about trying to live a life that S/he will approve of.
Today, I make a request of everyone on these forums. We will certainly continue this debate... no doubt we will. But, let's be constructive. Let's understand each other as compassionate and caring people who want what is right. Let us admit that this is not a "black and white" issue... that in a "perfect world", we might not advocate what we do here BUT, equally, that this is not a "perfect world" and that needs to be considered (literally, taken into account no matter what conclusion is reached). Let us be honest with eachother and let us assume the best about our brothers and sisters.
I may have spoken out of turn here. I am sure that there are people who do not share my view (ie, they think that this world is perfect or would not change their beliefs one bit if it were). I do not mean to speak for you... I simply wanted to present what I perceive to be true.
Peace to you all.
JD
P.S. I haven't read the recent posts here. This is a general response and not directed at any specific person or persons.