This is hard for me to say, but I honestly think that I would not have a huge problem if my government passed a law that outlawed third trimester abortions except for the most crucial of reasons, requiring independent medical consensus.
I salute you.
Yes, sometimes it does mean yes. But I sincerely wish you (and others) could stop always using the word "child." A few undifferentiated cells attaching themselves to the uterus is not a child. (That was hyperbole...nobody knows they're pregnant at this stage, so nobody's seeking abortion, with the possible exception of the so-called abortion pill which some use as "insurance.")
I understand your position. As you know, we do have a different POV. And, of course, this will be the point of differences as we view things.
If a 21 week fetus is in the womb and can exist outside the womb, I would call it a child as my understanding and life-paradigm will factor into it. Many who support later abortions, would continue to call it a fetus. I just assume it is easier to deal with by calling it a fetus than a child.
I would assume, as medicine continues to improve its capacity, that even earlier gestation will still be viable.
Ken, have you noticed who you are ignoring here? You are ignoring the women who were raped, and what their feeling on the matter is. That so many women who have been raped, including your own examples, have chosen to carry to term, and even to bring up the child in a loving home, is wonderful, and I applaud them with all my heart. But I cannot find it within me to fault the girl or woman who cannot do that, who cannot bring herself to face 9 months of having this "unwanted intrusion" foist upon her, only to bring it forth in pain...and then have to decide what to do with it.
Are you sure you know enough to speak for them? Are you sure that their psychological pain is not just as real, and just as terrible, as any physical torture? I'm not, and in the end, I am forced to leave it to them to decide, not to me.
Of course I cannot speak for everybody. Certainly not ignoring them as we are simply discussing viewpoints. As you mentioned, no one can cause the world to conform to any position or standard.
And to clarify, I'm not trying to heap "fault" on any person. My sisters had abortions, many in our church had abortions but we certainly don't heap fault or force anyone to conform. We provide loving support when people make decisions however I may feel it was a wrong decision.
Speaking only in my view, psychological pain will be obvious whether they have a baby, never got pregnant or had an abortion because they were raped. Heaven knows that there are many people who have psychological problems for having abortions too. So no matter how you slice or dice it--pregnant, not pregnant, abortion, no abortion -- psychological pain will be present.
As I said before, when emotions run high, intelligent decisions go low (IMV). You can't tell what the future will hold. Those with psychological pain
may find healing in having the baby, as so many have... if they deem it an intrusion, let's make adoption lest costly, give the baby, and still provide psychological help.
I think if we all just love the person who is going through it, anyone can overcome.
And well and good for her, that does indeed happen. I too, although no angel, am not a bad influence on those around me. But again I point out to you, this is an imperfect world, and not all outcomes are the same...and there's nothing that you or I can do about it. Therefore, there's no reason for you or I to be part of the decision.
I wish it were that easy.
Ken, this is a nonsense question...it is not well thought out, and it is effectively meaningless. If I "would have preferred not being birthed," then I might very likely have committed suicide, which I have not. I am, in fact very content with the fact that I exist, and am grateful for my life.
But the reason that the question is nonsense is that you are asking me, an existing person, what I would think about not existing. Yet, had I been aborted, I would not exist, and there would therefore not be any me to contemplate the question, for good or ill.
Ok, maybe I said it wrong. My point, with examples, is that everyone that is born has an impact. I just don't feel qualified to say "This one is not worth his life"... ultimately I think it comes back to haunt us. Knowing how things are never stagnant, If a child is handicapped in the womb and not worth his life, then why not the 2 year old? I think that if we become calloused before birth, then we eventually become calloused after birth.
Just my reasoning...
Appreciate the dialogue and have a great day