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{sigh}....My own personal viewpoint on this topic has been in transition for quite some time.
I basically believe that abortion is murder. I think a baby is the most awesome thing there is, a special gift from god.
I have heard all the arguments about a baby not being a human until it is born, or at least to the point of viability if he or she were delivered. My own belief is that "it" is a human from the moment of conception.
While my feelings about this are very strong, and at least partially rooted in my religious beliefs, I don't believe I have the right to impose my personal values system on society as a whole. Nor do I believe that we ought to have laws that restrict a woman's right to make decisions regarding her body and her future.
I understand that there are situations that make carrying a child to full term either medically inadvisable or psychologically precarious. For some victims of rape or incest, I can see that it would be like a continuation of the abuse for her to maintain the pregnancy. Those would not be my feelings, as far as I can imagine, but I can see where some women would feel that way.
What I have the hardest time accepting is women who use abortion as an alternative method of birth control. Certainly any woman (including teenage girls) can obtain birth control in this day and age. There is also PLENTY of information available regarding the many methods of birth control that are currently available. It is blatantly irresponsible for women to get pregnant time after time and have numerous abortions, not to mention the fact that it is extremely unhealthy for them--both emotionally and physically.
It is my belief that one of the worst problems in our society today is the lack of respect and value for human life. This is evident in a number of ways:
1. The sheer number of abortions is staggering (I will get statistics in here asap).
2. We execute convicted criminals for certain crimes. (Watch for another editorial on THAT topic)
3. There is a portion of our society that believes in the so called "right" to take one's own life.
4. Every week we hear new stories about how someone was killed for their expensive athletic shoes or other status symbols, or other equally rediculous items...maybe even for pocket change.
Why do we, as a society, not value human life? Our children are growing up in a world where it is dangerous to trust ANYONE. They know that the clergy or a family member may molest them, that the police may beat them because they are the "wrong" color or nationality, and that marriages are a dime a dozen. What does our society today give to the children? As parents, it is so very difficult to provide a carefree and blissful childhood for our kids. Many of us are single parents who must work, thereby leaving our kids on their own for a good part of the day. Even in two-parent families, often both parents must work to make ends meet.
If you are a parent, I urge you to make the time to talk to your children about the value of human life. Tell them how miraculous their birth was. Let them know they are the most precious thing in your life. Remind your daughters that you would be heartbroken if your grandchild was killed in an abortion and to be very careful not to get into a situation where that might be an option. Then tell them that they DO have a choice, and that choice ought to be NOT to get pregnant before they are ready to be mothers. Tell your sons how devastating a teenage pregnancy can be for a young girl, and how they will have absolutely NO voice in making a decision about an abortion if they father a child out of wedlock.
I also urge you to speak frankly and openly with your kids about sex and all the various related matters. Make sure they know they can come to you for RELIABLE information. While it may be uncomfortable for you, it will far more difficult to deal with the possible consequences if you do not. Our children do not have the innocence a lot of us had until we were a little older. They see very mature content on television, in the print media and so many other sources. This is the information age. They are taught in school about so many scary things, it is a lot for them to digest and understand. Please don't misunderstand...I am all for educating kids about pedophiles, drugs, sexually transmitted diseases, and other things. It is just so sad that we NEED to teach them these things so early in order to try and keep them safe.
Well, that's the end of my first editorial. These are my own personal thoughts and beliefs. I respect YOUR right to have your own. I invite commentary and responses for posting here in this forum (I will make a page for your viewpoint if you wish.), or you may make comments in my guestbook. Thanks for taking the time to read this.
