Abortion, should it be legal

[Djinn]

That is logical. My understanding is that its reversable, though.

Reversing a vasectomy is iffy at best. It's also prohibitively expensive when you factor in the original vasectomy, and the re-vasectomy afterwards.

Many people claim that those who would procure abortions are irresponsible or guilty of poor planning. I'm trying to illustrate that it is not the case. Condoms are not perfect. My wife's medical condition prohibits the use of hormonal contraception. And the only other "responsible" option would for one to cease having sex with one's spouse, and I don't think that anyone would suggest that.

[scottie]

I am against abortion for a few reasons, none of them religious. First, viability has been moving back... they started out with 24 weeks, but there have been babies born after 21 weeks that have survived. So, the exact viability line is a little fuzzy. Next, by vigorously defending abortion, it's use has been more and more normalized to the point where it's starting to become like birth control for some irresponsible people. I think this is a terrible development. Abortion should not be like some sort of a normal, inconsequencial thing... it should be looked at and considered very seriously... respected the same way that guns are respected. Third, I believe that abortion has become a "slippery slope", creating worse procedures like late term "Partial Birth Abortion", which is absolutely murder... but, people just let it go because Gosh, we'd hate for these parents to have to be inconvenienced by having to actually be responsible for their own choices, right?

To me viability of a fetus should have no bearing, because by that standard that could mean if you are paralyzed from the neck down and can't do anything but lay there then you could kill them off because they are worth anything and are not valuable. A fetus is alive by the time you know you are pregnant. When we found out my wife was pregnant at 6 weeks you could hear a heartbeat. heartbeat=alive. if viability is an issue this is what it could lead to:

[gabebrooks]

Reversing a vasectomy is iffy at best. It's also prohibitively expensive when you factor in the original vasectomy, and the re-vasectomy afterwards.

Many people claim that those who would procure abortions are irresponsible or guilty of poor planning. I'm trying to illustrate that it is not the case. Condoms are not perfect. My wife's medical condition prohibits the use of hormonal contraception. And the only other "responsible" option would for one to cease having sex with one's spouse, and I don't think that anyone would suggest that.

While I get your point, it doesn't make sense to sacrifice what's good for the majority for what's probably a much smaller minority. I believe on the average, the majority of those who procure abortions are in fact guilty of poor planning. It's just my impression though, I will try to dig up some sort of numbers when I get back from dinner.

[gabebrooks]

To me viability of a fetus should have no bearing, because by that standard that could mean if you are paralyzed from the neck down and can't do anything but lay there then you could kill them off because they are worth anything and are not valuable. A fetus is alive by the time you know you are pregnant. When we found out my wife was pregnant at 6 weeks you could hear a heartbeat. heartbeat=alive. if viability is an issue this is what it could lead to:

I agree with you, regarding one thing leading to another. But, I make more point more moderate because I do not feel like I have the right to just totally decide by myself what's right. I prefer to add my points, develop some sort of middle ground, and in that we should have what's most fair for the most people.

[scottie]

I agree with you, regarding one thing leading to another. But, I make more point more moderate because I do not feel like I have the right to just totally decide by myself what's right. I prefer to add my points, develop some sort of middle ground, and in that we should have what's most fair for the most people.

I agree. I believe in cases of rape, and where it's either the mother or baby.

[Djinn]

While I get your point, it doesn't make sense to sacrifice what's good for the majority for what's probably a much smaller minority. I believe on the average, the majority of those who procure abortions are in fact guilty of poor planning. It's just my impression though, I will try to dig up some sort of numbers when I get back from dinner.

But a "ban" is just that. It would deny the availability of abortions for responsible people as well. Extraordinarily few people actually use abortion as a "form of birth control." It's expensive, uncomfortable, inconvenient, and like any form of surgery, involves an element of risk.

[freecell]

I know a young lady not married and she is only 22. Already had three that I know of abortions and has two children. Her mother raises her children. I hate abortions if you ever witnessed one you may change your mind. With that said no I would not want abortions banned. No not because health risk scares of backroom Dr.s but because I believe in the case in rape, incest or the live of the mother they should have a choice.

[caffeine]

I know a young lady not married and she is only 22. Already had three that I know of abortions and has two children. Her mother raises her children.

Anecdotes are a terrible way of judging what's going on, and how common this is. These are three different counts of women who've had abortions in the US. The first is 10,683 women from 2000-2001, the second 457 women from 1997-2001 and the third 1,110 women from 2004. They're all taken from here. They're listed a percentages by how many abortions they've had:

1: 51.8%
2: 29%
3: 11.8%
4 or more: 7.3%

1: 59%
2: 24.6%
3: 9.5%
4 or more: 6.9%

1: 55.51%
2: 26.4%
3: 11.8%
4 or more: 6.4%

In all three cases most of the women sampled had had only one abortion, and most of the those who'd had more than one had only had two. Some women seem to go for regular abortions, but they are a minority.

[gabebrooks]

But a "ban" is just that. It would deny the availability of abortions for responsible people as well. Extraordinarily few people actually use abortion as a "form of birth control." It's expensive, uncomfortable, inconvenient, and like any form of surgery, involves an element of risk.

I bet you are right on that... I am sort of combining my various objections into an overall "its a bad thing" idea.

[MajikMyst]

I bet you are right on that... I am sort of combining my various objections into an overall "its a bad thing" idea.

I think everyone agrees it is a bad thing.. That isn't the issue.. The issue is, should we ban it?? Conservatives for the most part think in black or white.. There are no exceptions to anything.. Aborthion should be banned and that is it..

I can't in my own conscience condemn a woman to carrying a baby that is the product of a rape.. Or an under aged girl who is pregnant due to being molested by her step dad or something.. Abortion should be available to them should they want it.. Of course a true christian would demand that both women marry their rapists and can never divorce them.. Just as the bible says..

The biggest issue here is simply this.. Preventing the pregnancy in the first place.. Sadly most christian conservatives don't believe in birth control.. Which is why they make up the majority of abortions.. But birth control is the answer.. Prevent the pregnancies..

I don't believe that abortion should be used as a form of birth control.. But in some situations, I think it should be available.. There are medical reasons to abort, and moral reasons as I mentioned above..

It is a bad thing.. But it has is purposes.. It is also better than any alternative.. Banning it will not end abortion.. It will end safe and clean abortion.. Banning it will lead to women going to home clinics, dirty doctors, or worse finding some self abortion guide on the internet and doing it that way.. Resulting in infection, internal bleeding, damage to some internal organs, and even death of both the mother and baby.. Banning it will not save any lives.. It will wind up killing more than it is supposed to save.. Women will get their abortions.. They may just kill themselves in the process.. Oh.. And the baby...