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The Abortion Issue
Problem
  • I do not understand how you can have that view.
  • I do not understand what your view is.

  Cause
  • Because "I" do not understand,
    "you" must be wrong.
     
  • Because "you" do not understand,
    "I" must be wrong.
 
Action
  • I must first understand what your view is.
  • Then, maybe I will understand how and why you have that view.
 
  
An issue which intensely divides the nation
Major Groups
Below is an attempt at understanding various aspects of the overall issue.

Prerequisite:
  • We must agree in advance:
     
    • To disagree in a civil (and preferably, friendly) manner.
    • To respect, without necessarily agreeing with, the views of others.
    • To articulate and explain our views as best we can.
    • To share our views, understanding, and reasoning with others.
       
    • To recognize that we may not get our wish that others accept our view.
    • To recognize that others may not get their wish to have us accept their view.
 
 
Participants:
  1. Pro-Life Advocates
    • This includes:
      • All those who believe it is wrong for a woman to have an abortion.
      • Many people who believe that life begins at the time of conception.
       
    • We believe life begins at the time of conception i.e., fertilization.
    • We believe the unborn child (human embryo or fetus) is entitled to full constitutional protection and the right to life.
       
    • We believe it is wrong to take a human life.Note 1
    • We oppose abortion at any time for any reason.
    • We believe no one has the right to terminate the life of a yet-to-be-born person.
    • We believe the heartbeat of a fetus is evidence of an independent, individual human life.
    • We believe the kick of a fetus is evidence of an independent, individual human life.
    • Once a woman has conceived, it is her duty and obligation to nurture, protect, and care for that life (even at the peril of her own life).
       
    • Note, however, that we measure how long a person has lived from the time of her or his birth rather than from the time of her or his conception.
     
    Note 1   Taking a human life in self-defense, in time of war, and the criminal death penalty are not discussed here.
     
  2. Super Pro-Life Advocates
    • Among others, this includes:
      • Roman Catholic Bishops (males, naturally, with no acknowledged experience with the joy of sex)
      • Roman Catholic Nuns (females, naturally, with no acknowledged experience with the joy of sex)
      • All other members (in good standing) of the Roman Catholic Church.
       
    • We respect "natural" sex between a man and a woman who are properly married to each other.
    • We oppose any restrictions on "natural" sex between a man and a woman who have been married to each other in the church.
    • We oppose any form of birth control, including family planning.
    • We encourage unlimited "natural" sex between a man and a woman who have been married to each other in the church.
    • (This excludes, of course, Catholic clergy, nuns, etc. as well as all other unmarried persons.)
       
    • We believe life begins at the time of conception i.e., fertilization.
       
    • We believe it is wrong to take a human life.Note 2
    • We oppose abortion at any time for any reason.
    • We believe no one has the right to terminate the life of a yet-to-be-born person.
    • Once a woman has conceived, it is her duty and obligation to nurture, protect, and care for that life (even at the peril of her own life).
    • We believe the heartbeat of a fetus is evidence of an independent, individual human life.
    • We believe the kick of a fetus is evidence of an independent, individual human life.
    • We believe the unborn child (human fetus or embryo) is entitled to full constitutional protection and the right to life.
       
    • Note, however, that we measure how long a person has lived from the time of her or his birth rather than from the time of her or his conception.
     
    Note 2   Taking a human life in self-defense, in time of war, and the criminal death penalty are not discussed here.
     
     
     
     
  3. Pro-Woman's Choice Advocates
    • This includes:
      • All those who believe in the right of a woman to choice to have an abortion.
       
    • We believe life does not begin until a baby is born and is functioning completely independent of its mother's body.
    • We believe a woman has the sole responsibility for decisions about how her body is used.
       
    • We believe a woman has the right to terminate any unwanted pregnancy.
    • We believe a woman who has become pregnant has the right to an abortion at any time for any reason.
       
    • We believe a woman should not be required to continue a pregnancy which threatens the woman's health.
    • We believe a woman should not be required to bare a child as a result of rape.
    • We believe a woman should not be required to bare a child against her will.
    • We believe a woman should not be required to bare a child she does not want.
    • We believe a woman should not be required to bare a child she knows will have a serious, adverse health condition.
       
    • We believe a child should not have to be born unwanted or un-cared for.
       
    • We measure how long a person has lived from the time of her or his birth.
     
     
  4. Limited Pro-Woman's Choice Advocates
    • This includes:
      • Those who believe in the right of a woman to have an abortion under certain circumstances.
       
    • We believe a woman should not be required to continue a pregnancy which threatens the woman's health.
    • We believe a woman should not be required to bare a child as a result of rape.
    • We believe a woman should not be required to bare a child she knows will have a serious, adverse health condition.
     
     
  5. Semi-Pro-Woman's Choice Advocates
    • This includes:
      • Those who believe in the right of a woman to have an abortion prior to the fetus becoming a "viable" life.
      • A majority, apparently, of U.S.Supreme Court Justices (e.g., at the time of the Roe vs. Wade ruling)
       
    • We believe life does not exist prior to the fetus becoming viable of life, i.e.,potentially able to live outside the mother's body (albeit with assistance).
       
    • Prior to this point:
      • We believe a woman has the sole responsibility for decisions about how her body is used.Note 3
      • We believe a woman has the right to terminate any unwanted pregnancy.
      • We believe a woman who has become pregnant has the right to an abortion at any time for any reason.
      • We believe a woman should not be required to continue a pregnancy which threatens the woman's health.
      • We believe a woman should not be required to bare a child as a result of rape.
      • We believe a woman should not be required to bare a child she knows will have a serious, adverse health condition.
       
    • Note, however, that we measure how long a person has lived from the time of her or his birth rather than from the time of her or his "viability of life"
     
    Note 3   The issues of prostitution and surrogates are not discussed here.
     
  6. Super Pro-Woman's Choice Advocates
    • This includes:
      • Those who believe in the right of a woman to have an abortion.
       
    • We believe life does not begin until a baby is born and is functioning completely independent of its mother's body.
    • We believe a woman has the sole responsibility for decisions about how her body is used.
    • We believe a woman has the right to terminate any unwanted pregnancy.
    • We believe a woman who has become pregnant has the right to an abortion if she so desires.
       
    • We believe a woman should not be required to continue a pregnancy which threatens the woman's health.
    • We believe a woman should not be required to bare a child as a result of rape.
    • We believe a woman should not be required to bare a child against her will.
    • We believe a woman should not be required to bare a child she does not want.
    • We believe a woman should not be required to bare a child she knows will have a serious, adverse health condition.
       
    • We believe a child should not have to be born unwanted or un-cared for.
    • We measure how long a person has lived from the time of her or his birth.
    • We believe a woman should not be required to continue a pregnancy which she knows will not be of the desired sex.
       
    • We believe it is the woman's decision alone.  (The father has no say in this matter.)
     
     
  7. Pro-Man's Choice Advocates
    • This includes:
      • Those who believe in the right of the man to have a say as to whether or not the woman should have an abortion.
       
    • We believe a woman should not be allowed to terminate a pregnancy which the man wants.
    • We believe a woman should not be allowed to terminate a pregnancy if the man is willing (or will be required) to support financially, emotionally, etc.
    • We believe a man has the right to require his wife to have sex with him and to bare his children.
     
     
  8. Super Pro-Man's Choice advocates
    • This includes:
      • Those who believe in the right of the man to say whether or not the woman should have an abortion.
       
    • We believe the man should decide whether or not to terminate a pregnancy.
    • We believe the man should decide how a woman's body is used.
    • We believe the man has the right to require his wife to have sex with him and to bare his children.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
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