http://myecdysis.blogspot.com/2009/06/relationship-pregnancy-abortion-faith.html

Personally I’d probably agree that it’s “life” even in utero. I still think it’s a decision that’s ultimately up to the pregnant woman first; it’s not -individual- life before viability outside the womb at the very least, and yeah, I think the health and well-being of the mother (including psychological) comes first, and it’s not up to anyone else to make that decision for her. That also goes for women who won’t personally have an abortion, found it traumatic or abhorrent, etc.

but yeah, I’m also with Sudy in that I don’t think either “side” sufficiently addresses a lot of the fundamental underlying issues. I ID as “pro-choice” because yeah, I do think that’s a starting point. But it isn’t enough.

I’m sorry I couldn’t resist.

I respect your views on this too Natalia, but I think by any resonable scientific definition it would be considered life, not just potential life.

I came to my views on this when I was 16. A very long time ago… But still, I don’t feel like I should impose my viewpoints on others in the form of legislation.

This argument gets trotted out a lot, but I believe it – if I’m dying and need a kidney does the government have the right to force someone else to give me a kidney? I don’t think so. I think it’s the same with asking women to incubate potential life. I just don’t see it as a moral argument at all.

Because sex is not just about reproduction – it’s about bonding as well – it seems illogical to me to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term.

I know many women who regret their abortions, but it’s more to life circumstance than anything – “I really wanted it, but my [abusive jerk of a] husband said he would leave or else beat me until I miscarried.” “I really wanted it, but my mother was dying at the time and no one else was around to see her off.” I don’t think it’s a choice that most people take lightly, but I also don’t believe in nobly suffering through it if you don’t want to have it.

I also have a lot of respect for women who say “I aborted it, and I don’t regret doing it.” I don’t think these women should be pressed and prodded with questions such as “but don’t you REALLY feel bad about it underneath?”

I think we’ll just have to agree to disagree.

The child I did not choose to have, who was conceived while I was on oral contraceptives, is as much my own as the other 3. Maybe even more so, somehow. The child I aborted when I was 19, I still wonder who I was and what I was thinking when I did that. That baby was nothing more or less than an inconvenience to me at that time. Later, after the birth of my oldest, I realized that the only difference between the two was the matter of timing. That really, really threw me for a loop. It is a big part of why I see things the way I do. I do not believe my life would have been ruined if I’d had that baby. My husband maintains he would have married me and raised the child as if it were his own, and knowing his character, I believe him. I am fortunate, I know. I realize not all women with children have this luxury. That does not negate my belief that life begins at conception and should be protected as much as a life that has been born into the world. It is a testament to the character of our culture that we value the lives of our children so little.

Honestly, Natalia, I respect your opinion, and believe firmly in your right to have it. I just don’t agree with it.

Let’s say a woman in a country that doesn’t allow abortion (the Dominican Republic’s abhorrent new laws come to mind) has a baby. Was her choice to have this baby in any way meaningful as per her status as a member of society? No. The minute she got pregnant, the state made its decision for her. Even if she’s always wanted this child – she is herself treated like a child, reduced to her reproductive function because she cannot make a different choice. Such laws are demeaning not only to women who wish to end their pregnancies, they are demeaning to women who want to have kids.

That’s what forced pregnancy means to me, and I think it’s utter bollocks. I think people should want their children if they have them, and I think they should have a meaningful choice in the matter.

Personally, it means a lot to me that my parents chose to have me once they realized my mom was pregnant. No one twisted their arm or said that they had to.

It’s so transparent. Sure the priests might think they’re doing God’s work, but for the central church leadership – it’s always been an issue of demographics and socio-political status. More unwanted pregnancies? More parishioners. And if they’re unwanted, it probably means they’re poor and miserable too. Which works out great for the powers that be, because the poor and miserable don’t question leadership a whole lot.