Monday, June 1, 2009

Pro Life/Pro Choice Myths and Definitions

Before I react to a carefully constructed and thoughtful comment about the murder (assassination?) of the doctor in Kansas, I want to be sure that we agree on definitions so this doesn't become an example of "what I heard you say" rather than "did you mean to say" or my definition being different from yours. I can only define my words and definitions, but at least you know where I'm coming from.

1- I believe that life begins at conception.
2- I believe that more education is needed to let women of all ages know that in the case of rape that not reporting the incident is the worst thing that can be done or not done. Immediate medical treatment before implantation makes abortion due to rape a moot point.
3- I do not believe in capital punishment, but I do believe that what are called "capital crimes" should probably be put in a category where rehabilitation is not going to work and if, per chance, it appears there has been a conversion or change of heart, if it is a true remorse it would be logical to expect that person to be willing to live a life of reparation behind bars rather than expect to be freed. He/she can best serve humanity within the system.
4- I believe that for every "extremist" on the pro life side there is an "extremist" on the pro abortion side.
5- Not being sure of which polls are referred to by the reporter from the CSM, I seem to recall that during the discussion about the Notre Dame flap polls were said to show that for the first time more than 50% of those polled were pro life, so I'd say it depends on how the question may have been phrased. At any rate it's probably "too close to call" at this time.
6- I find it interesting that the word "extremist" is not capitalized by the reporter. This tells me that one of the first things we learned in high school writing/journalism classes which was not to "generalize" is being ignored.

All this being said, I would only comment that two wrongs don't make a right. The trial of the murderer should not become a trial of the victim. I would hope that a tragedy such as this and abortion in general will not be politicized any more than it already has been.

I would be remiss if I didn't offer at least one example of a "leftist" extremist such as ELF or environmentalists who put nails in trees in an attempt to injure or kill a lumberjack or Greenpeace putting a ship in danger would be examples of violence on the other end of the spectrum.

We should all put a lot of thought and prayer into our positions on these issues as well as our politics and lifestyles as a whole. If we are not critical of particular behaviors it means that we don't care enough to be concerned and apathy can be as dangerous as violence in some cases.

Time and space has its limitations. Thanks again for a thoughtful comment.

God bless.............

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Do you really think anyone is Pro-Abortion? I think it's interesting you use that in place of Pro-choice. God Bless you for not having to make a choice, since your religion does it for you... I think we all need a lot more education on a lot more things than just this topic.. Like perhaps creationism and biology. Life doesn't begin at conception if that was true, just about every woman would burn in hell.