ABORTION

The coexistence of opposite and conflicting feelings about abortion is centuries old. Most arguments against granting women the right to abortion are based on religious and moral prohibitions, defending the sanctity of human life. Opponents of abortion rely on the premise that the fetus is a human being, a person from the moment of conception. Anti-abortionist proclaim that they are pro-life, however they spend so much time establishing that the fetus is a person and therefore has a right to live that they forget about mothers rights or simply ignore her existence.

The word “murder” is often used by pro-lifers to describe abortion. Murder means deliberate and unjustified killing of another person containing intent. How can anybody see an evil intent in a woman’s decision to interrupt pregnancy if it is a result of rape or incest? A woman cannot bear the thought of having a child that would be a constant reminder of what had happened on such a day and such number of years ago. She does not want to kill a baby; she wants to interrupt the growth of an embryo so that it will not become a baby. She interrupts potential life, but potential life is just that, potential.

It is interesting to note that these same people, who place so much emphasis on protecting the fetus, seem to care so little about what happens to children after they are born.

My personal belief is that each woman should have a right to decide whether she wants to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. For reason’s of women’s right to self-determination, protection of their health, adequate care of children which are born and in order to prevent child abuse and mental disease, easy access to abortion is a must. I recently heard on TV that most abortions occur because contraception failed, because of a rape or because of a serious medical condition of the mother, which could lead to her death. In these situations abortion is often the only way that prevents the birth of an unwanted child or saves a mothers life.

Another reason why I believe that availability of choice is vital for women is that if a woman decides to have an abortion, she will do anything to end her pregnancy. This is the reality.

The reasons why women have abortions vary. It may be a case of rape, physical or psychological condition. A choice must needs to be available to prevent the birth of unwanted children, to avoid damage to the child as well as to safeguard the emotional and physical health of women. Preservation of life seems to be rather a slogan then a genuine goal of the anti-abortion forces; what they really want is control. Control over our behavior and power over women. Abortion is a tough choice and the decision should be a personal one, without interference of government or special interest groups.

God gave us freedom of choice and if He, as a God, gives all of us this freedom, what right do we have to take it away from women!

Word Count: 512