I think I want to get more involved in pro-life movements. That's my recent conclusion. As I had to read up on D and C procedures, I came across way too much abortion stuff, and it really infuriated me. Now, don't get me wrong. I know there are good reasons at times for an abortion, and I don't seek to undermine that. I also am not a fan of millions of babies being born that were not wanted, and I think along with any anti-abortion involvement should come an equal involvement in preventing unwanted pregnancies. But, and here is my big but, there are too many inexcusable pregnancies, that are NOT the result of bad luck or rape or something, but simply the result of irresponsible sexual activity. And while it may be freaky to find yourself pregnant when you didn't want a baby, I don't think abortion should be the answer to irresponsible behavior. I think the most upsetting thing for me, while reading all that stuff is how easily these little fetuses are dismissed as 'valid lives'. It outrages me because I just lost a baby, and it's upsetting that there are people out there who want to declare this life I miss as invalid. Thanks guys. I'm so glad I have so many reproductive rights, even though you won't acknowledge the reality of my baby. Sweet.
Really, it's maddening to me. And it's maddening how many excuses we come up with to justify the common abortion. It irks me because I don't think that we would be ok with similar reasoning on other levels. For example, a lot of women choose abortions because they don't feel ready (financially/emotionally/time-wise) to take care of a baby. Ok. I can understand that. But, would that be a valid reason for eliminating life if we dealt with old parents? Or young children after our economic situation changed? I doubt it. Which means it all comes down to the definition of 'life'. So, here are my thoughts on 'life'. I think when there is a beating heart, and fairly distinguishable human features, you're dealing with a life. Some claim because a fetus can't live/survive on its own, it's not really a 'life'. Well, how many newborns can survive on their own? How many people on life-support can survive on their own? How many old people in rest homes can really survive on their own? There are lots of people who can't live/survive on their own. Yet, do we let everyone die who can't make it on their own? Why try to save someone who just had a horrible accident and needs serious medical intervention to live? Why help victims of natural disasters if they can't make it on their own? Hmmmm, maybe because, no matter what your religious or non-religious views are, there is this little part in our brains that tells us that the ethical thing to do is to sustain and protect life. And yet, with fetuses, instead of maybe trying to err on the side of caution, there is such a rampant willingness to ignore the possibility of life. All in the name of choice - like there wasn't a choice to be sexually active. Like there wasn't a choice to use contraceptives. Like there isn't a choice to give the child up for adoption. Like we're not robbing someone else of a choice by making our choice. Like there is no other option to deal with such a situation but abortion.
The poor logic of the 'pro-choice' movement drives me nuts. And I'm deeply upset to have my baby declared an invalid life, not worthy of protection. So, I think I'll get involved in something and try to promote some changes. I can't vote, but I can at least make my opinions heard. Here's to change!
Check out this link for starters. I really like the look of this movement.
Our little Family
A gal from Germany, a guy from California, another BYU love story, 1 bunny named Killer, 2 little girls, 3 degrees, 4 bikes, books in every corner, drawings on the wall, music and dancing, vegetable garden on the balcony, chocolate and prosciutto, pitched tents in the living rooms, cloth diapers in the bathroom, laundry piles in the bedroom, unvaccumed stair way, unironed clothes, lots of hugs, a bunch of tears, some heart ache, some fights, some disappointments, much joy, lots of traveling, nightmares and night cuddles, trips to the ER - swearing included, diarrhea disasters in public bathrooms, marathons, bike rides, prayers, faith, hope and hopefully some charity. Happiness.
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6 comments:
Go get 'em Fran. I have a good fri
end (a member of the church even) who is staunchly pro-choice. Her reasoning and logic is so flawed and distorted it drives me nuts. I can't talk about abortion with her anymore because it makes me have very bad thoughts about her.
Troy
Good for you!!! :)
I personally believe the main thing to work on n the US is education and information access about abortion and its alternatives. That's what I was involved in many, many years ago. Maybe I should get back on the horse, too.
You should Isa. I think if we sit by and do nothing, we're partially to blame, too for little babies losing their lives. At least that's how I feel right now. I think education and information are crucial to change things. However, I don't think it's enough. Nothing ever will be, I'm afraid, because no matter what, there will always be someone who will not be smart and responsible about their sexuality and who'll follow that behavior with further unwise action.
What I'd like to see is to have partial birth abortions banned forever. There is no need for them and it's about the most horrendeous thing I can think of to do to a little fetus. I'd also like to see that late term abortions aren't allowed, unless there is good reason (medical necessity like risk to the mother and similar stuff). There also needs to be legislation (and I don't care if it's double and triple Obama) to protect babies who survive abortions. Leaving them to die is hardly ethical. Then, I think we need to do far, far, far, far more in really counseling women as to what an abortion is, and what they are actually doing, and what alternatives are out there. From all I've read, an abortion is easier to get than a quality contraceptive. That's outrageous to me. And to top that off, a lot of women seem to have little understanding of what they're really doing. If you willingly want to end a life, you better be fully informed, and that's not happening. So, I'd like to see abortions being only accessible after counseling, alternatives, etc. have been thoroughly discussed and clarified. And even then I wish they weren't an option past, 4-5 weeks gestation. I don't necessarily want to criminalize abortions since I don't think it really fixes the problem. But, honestly, I think abortions are treated way too lightly.
I really like the website I found. They're not so much about making abortions illegal or anything, or pushing the religious side. Rather, it's about making women feel like they have a choice to have a child because all the support they'd need to have the child is out there. If they're worried and wanting an abortion because they want to finish college, then this site is pushing for more support for women who have kids and are students etc.
I just think this whole issue is one of the most horrible thing we're doing to women, and to society, not to mention little babies. I don't think there is a way at all that women can undergo an abortion and never feel the regret and mistake of such a choice. I don't care what the stats say, I think such a thing will haunt you forever. And from all I've read, it really does.
Something needs to change. And I shouldn't sit by the sidelines anymore.
Oh, and lastly, I think we really need to do something about teaching/promoting responsible sexual behavior. I don't think sex ed alone with an emphasis on contraceptives is the sole cure. Sexuality is far deeper than the basic 'how to'. And I think a lot of irresponsible sexual behavior is tied to sooo much more than sexuality. It often comes with broken families, unmet emotional needs, lack of clear values and morals to live by, lack of a supportive, loving environment etc.
I don't think we'll ever reverse Roe vs. Wade. But, something needs to happen.
everything you just said about counseling is what I was involved in because I really believe in the necessity of it. If people want to talk about choice, well, they need to make it an informed one. I know some years back, women who wanted an abortion in Germany had to do attend a seminar organized by they covered everything from exactly what an abortion is and does down to every possible alternative. I don't know if they still have those seminars, but I love the idea of them.
All the women I know who have had an abortion, except for one drug addict who's had 8 abortions and could not care less, have been haunted by it. And in every case, they were completely unaware of what the actual abortion procedure actually did. One acquaintance was shown the aborted fetus after the procedure.. and she has never gotten over it. I honestly think they should do it as a sort of "shock therapy" for young mothers who go in and think they can just get rid of that "inconvenient cell ball" whenever they forget to use contraceptives again. If you want to get rid of it, then you have to look at it afterwards. Makes sense to me.
I agree that late-term abortion should be forbidden, except for the reasons mentioned, but I do think that 4 or 5 weeks gestation is way too early. I never even found out I was pregnant until 8 weeks with Fe, and I would assume that's the case with most pregnancies, especially unplanned ones.
Anyway, that website really does sound like a great place to get involved. Good luck and much success to you!
Ahhh, I like that Germany does that. And yes, 4-5 weeks is pretty early, and I don't think that realistically this will ever happen. It's just a lot easier for me to stomach an abortion when I think there isn't even a heart beat yet. The heartbeat starts at about 4-5 weeks gestation, so that's why. I just wish the way a lot of babies are conceived,born, treated, aborted etc. would never happen. I wish every baby could feel loved, wanted and well taken care off. I know, it will never happen, but one can wish right? And I can try to at least make a small difference towards that goal.
Oh, and I don't know if all women know as late as you. I think it probably depends greatly on how regular your period is and if you're watching out for being pregnant or not. I knew both times a few days before my period was due, since I'm regular like clock work. :)
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