Some Comments on Abortion

Back in the 1960’s I struggled with the concept of abortion. I came to grips with it on a few levels back then. But that was before I was sexually active, before marriage, and before fatherhood. The moral discussions back then heated up and raged through the 1970’s and early 1980’s. I morphed my thinking over and over again as I attempted to understand the issue.

The problem is: abortion involves two basic elements of life. First, the moral dilemma of making a life not possible. Second, the practical issues of bringing a new life onto the planet. One is a universal concept of right and wrong, spiritual values and theological significance. It is quite complex. It is not about what I know or feel; it is about the logic of philosophy and theology. The other is a personal matter of consequences and right and wrong, and…possibility; the unknown outcomes from personal decision making.

The discussion over abortion needs to be approached from a basis of kindness. The discussants may state positions bluntly, but they are borne of deeper feeling and moral fiber than we give credit for. Too, the wavering doubt caused by not truly knowing the right and wrong causes a moral stress felt very personally. We often don’t think of these two emotional burdens when discussing this issue. All the more reason to be kind to each other as the issue is explored for clearer meaning. 

I found this piece on the Internet the other day. I’ll parse it afterward but for now read it over and think about it a bit: 

“You say you’re against abortion, but:

  ~you’re also against sex education
  ~you’re against welfare to take care of these kids
  ~you’re against free education for these kids
  ~you’re pro-death penalty when these kids don’t make it as adults
And really, how many minority drug babies have you adopted lately?”
                                                                                  Author Unknown 

This is not a kind argument to make. So take a deep breath and seek some calm.

Now, let’s look at the quotation with a bit more insight.

First, people against abortion are not automatically supporters of the other four positions. So let’s not fall for that debater’s trick. Second, the concepts contained in the citation are elements of the broader discussion which need to be dealt with. Third, not all the elements are automatically a part of the abortion argument.

So where to start? Well for one I think we need to think of consequences. What do we wish to be the ideal situation? Starting there might help us deal with a number of ideas, keep them sorted out, and yet lead us to some workable conclusions. 

Let’s try these on for size:

• Abortion is a fact of life; part of the human struggle from the beginning of time
• Abortion is a baser part of our life journey, one which we would like to avoid
• Abortion decisions are made under duress and seek a lesser complication of life
• Not all babies are wanted; although that is a cruelly blunt statement, we can soften it by saying that not all babies are wanted in all circumstances.
• Some circumstances harm the baby’s opportunities to succeed in life due to poor economic standards of living at the time, inability of parents to properly nurture the baby then or even later, or the ‘unwantedness’ of that baby at this specific time will somehow be communicated to the child over time and stunt its development
• Outcomes of sexual activity are not always planned; they are the result of moments of passion or misplaced power (abuse and rape)
• We want new life to be wanted, nurtured and valued
• We do not want abortion as a form of social engineering, or of birth control

If we can generally accept these tenets, then we will need to work for social policies that aim for what we want while avoiding that which we don’t want. Accepting what we don’t want is part and parcel of the dilemma we are attempting to manage.

Judging others is not our job. We may not agree with someone, but we still have to deal with the realities of the human condition. We have to make the best of bad situations. No sense beating up on ourselves unnecessarily. 

So where does this leave us?  Here are few things we will need to support for those people who choose not to have abortions:

• Sex education in our schools and families is a must; this will help avoid the need for abortions; but it will also raise awareness of the consequences of sex should we choose to proceed without protection; sex is a fact of life; it is beautiful and base at the same time. It is natural. We cannot deny this reality, so let us live with the consequences as best we can.
• Welfare programs must be available for children’s long-term health; they are living among us; we need to do the very best for each young life so they can grow into a proud, valuable, achieving adult
• Education should be available to each child that nurtures them into adulthood and beyond so their life is maximized for everyone’s good; this is part of being a responsible society
• Death penalty does not deter evil deeds; but it is useful to cull heinous, dangerous lives from society and should be available; the decision to apply the penalty should be restricted to only the clearest of cases and otherwise not implemented
• Adoption of unwanted children should be nurtured throughout our society to ensure human worth is constantly sought and achieved for every life

It seems to me these are the inescapable elements of the discussion. Not all are pretty. Some are downright ugly. But so is life itself.

As we go forward can we at least give each other some room to see life differently from each other and respect that difference? Can we accept our responsibilities and provide hope and support for those who live their life-decisions differently?

We are on this journey together. Let’s enjoy the experience as best we can! And value each person’s life as fully as possible.

April 18, 2012