Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site oliven.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!oliveb!oliven!barb From: barb@oliven.UUCP (Barbara Jernigan) Newsgroups: net.abortion Subject: Re: Stand firm on your position. Message-ID: <389@oliven.UUCP> Date: Thu, 15-Aug-85 17:52:46 EDT Article-I.D.: oliven.389 Posted: Thu Aug 15 17:52:46 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 18-Aug-85 04:58:31 EDT References: <29057@lanl.ARPA> Distribution: net Organization: Olivetti ATC; Cupertino, Ca Lines: 95 > > It would be interesting to see where each of you ( the more > flambouyant ones ) really stand.... Well said, Steve. The issue of abortion -- Right To or Law Not To -- will NEVER, I think, be resolved. After scanning the arguments from both sides (and please excuse any redundancies -- I'm a newcomer), I begin to perceive a trend (OH, MY!!). Pro-choice or Pro-Life, we (and I mean EVERY human being, no matter HOW self-claiming in our concern for the 'general good') argue our personal position and from that position often take a stance that others should adhere to it. I do not intend to criticize this, for it is a factor of our human natures. [I.E. we REALLY, in our heart of hearts, DON'T want [IDEAL] Justice, we want the scales weighted in our favor.] But I distract myself from my point. I do not wish to argue -- although I expect argument in reply -- but, as requested by Steve's posting, I WILL take a stand. First, I am a woman, and therefore feel somewhat intimately affected by the issue of Abortion. No offense, men, although your concern over the issue is commendable -- keep it up! -- you cannot POSSIBLY have the same perspective without having the risk of pregnancy. Second, if I must be forced to state my 'politico-religio-sociologico' position, I would say I am a Moderate (>gasp!<) -- of Methodist background, although I would call my current 'religion' Theist-Humanist. To the gist of the matter: I believe, like the Pro-Lifer's, that the fetus is "alive" -- perhaps for a time a part of the woman's body, but who is ANYONE to say when the spark of individuality (some call it a soul) enters the picture? Some of you Pro-Choicers are talking about the fetus as if it were a MALIGNANT TUMOR!!! In your Heart of Hearts do you REALLY believe that? Or is it convenient for arguments' sake? [NO, I am not saying that your position is baulderdash -- before you flame, I just want you to REALLY ask yourself. THINK a bit! If your position doesn't change, so be it -- I'm not trying to argue with you, just give you an alternate perspective for a moment.] Assuming the fetus is alive (and I won't get into the issue of whether or not it's 'human' -- although I don't know what else it would be), abortion is Killing. Now I suppose you expect me to take a moral stance that, because Abortion is Killing, it should be outlawed. Life should be so simple. Laws should be so simple. But Life is not -- and the Laws certainly are not. Although I doubt, unless my own life were in danger, that I could EVER have an abortion, I WILL NOT refuse another person the right to make -- and act upon -- their own decisions in the matter. Who am I to tell YOU how to live your life? HOWEVER, I will be so presumptuous as to make THRICE FLAMED sure your decision to Abort or not to Abort is made ONLY after careful -- and, insomuch as possible, logical -- consideration of ALL the alternatives. Therefore, my position is that Abortions SHOULD remain legal; but, to have one, the individual(s) involved must go through appropriate COUNSELLING. Perhaps this stance is based on a rather skeptical view of human nature. Abortions have been around at long as women have been getting pregnant. Outlawing abortions MIGHT prevent SOME persons from using that route, but I fear more HARM than good will be done by it -- for I shudder to think of the losses from ILLEGAL abortions. If BOTH woman and fetus die in an illegal abortion, Pro-Lifers, is Justice served? I think what many of us are concerned about is that Abortion might become too CONVENIENT, that it will become a prefered means of birth control. Personally, my heart grieves for the women who would think and choose so -- but I freely admit I am a sentimentalist. The POINT of legalized abortion is Safety for the woman. It is performed in a hospital/clinic/doctor's-office by a Doctor. The POINT of legalized abortion -- at least in my admittedly fallible understanding -- is NOT specifically birth control. Indeed, I would support legislation restricting subsequent abortions. The first is nearly understandable -- although often avoidable -- but to chose abortion again and again? From my own perspective, I call this a crime -- as much against the woman as the unborn fetuses. This is also why I support pre- and post-abortion counselling -- to prevent, where possible, the abortion -- and certainly prevent any repeats. In conclusion: I believe Abortion should remain legalized, and will fight in the voters' booths to defend it. I believe, however, that 'permission' to have an abortion should also hinge on appropriate counselling, with the hope that the individual(s) will weigh all the options before deciding [I know, this is rather idealistic, but it's worth a TRY]. Finally, I believe that it should be increasingly difficult to have more than one abortion -- i.e. Abortion should NEVER EVER become an easy form of birth control -- there are OTHER reliable methods, speaking as one who has used them, thank you very much. So, here I stand. Sling your arrows if you must -- but I feel as I feel -- and after years of careful thought on the matter. I do not expect you to agree with me -- although that would be nice -- it is our diversity that makes us exciting. Ever respectfully yours, ___________________ ______________\ ___________ | ______ / . / / o .ooo. ./ /. . o@ooo0 Barb Jernigan .ooooo. .ooooo. .oooo oo..oo oo...ooo ooo..ooo \ .oo oo oooooo oooooo ooo ooo