Whether one is a doctor, bartender, hospital administrator, home improvement contractor, garbage collector or prostitute is meaningless since even a 10-year-old (or younger depending on intelligence level) is capable of having more common sense than any of the aforementioned when it comes to understanding that a biological woman carrying a fellow human being she is developing at any given stage is indeed a fellow human being as well.
And it matters not to the targeted developing human being whether or not their existence began via rape or incest. Granted, it’s not a pleasant scenario for the victim of rape or incest to be put in the predicament of carrying to term, however, even that 10-year-old can see the hypocrisy of one being an advocate against abortion except in the case of rape or incest. Yet, the rape and incest exception pales in comparison to the barbaric and shameless inhuman position of taking a human life at any stage, even a second before full-term birth.
But unfortunately, as with most contested issues, politics and religion always drive the debate rather than fundamental common sense when attempting to deal with the fundamental commonsense issue of whether or not a developing human being is in fact a human being, and from that elementary starting point going from there.
Frank Gabl
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Jeff,
I agree with abortion laws that include exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother. Once that is agreed to, abortion is not such a complex issue. The prime motivation for women and men wanting to keep abortion available is sexual freedom. It becomes a horrendous form of birth control. Even without considering biblical authority, good people have a sense of the sanctity of human life. We establish laws that prohibit murder. And women express concern over any substance or procedure that could adversely affect “my baby.” Anyone denying the personhood of the baby in the womb is ignoring a fundamental truth.
By the way, if you think the Bible lacks a position on abortion, consider Psalm 139:13; Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:41-44; Psalm 51:5; Genesis 25:22-23; Exodus 21:22-25; Romans 2:14-15; Psalm 82:3-4; and numerous texts outlawing murder. So collectively there is a theological doctrine prohibiting abortion.
As I mentioned sometime in the past, secular humanists referred to humanism as a religion in Humanist Manifesto II. In your mind you can deny God’s existence, but He exists eternally.
Your reference to a majority of society taking a position on a moral issue should be considered in the light of history. We along with other cultures in the past condoned things like slavery and segregation. We eventually changed, admitting that we had been burying the truth.
Dr. Blau,
Does it occur to you that millions of women oppose abortion? Stop trying to make this an issue of men controlling women. Your reference to the Taliban lacks relevance. Would you rather live in a Judeo-Christian country or in one run by the Taliban? Would you have been comfortable being a doctor in the days of Hippocrates? His oath prohibits abortion.
Having finished my rant, give me a call sometime. I did not know you were also a physician. It would be nice to talk about more pleasant stuff.
Warren Anderson
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Warre
As usual, your personal religious convictions are distorting the issues. And as an educated and sophisticated man, you must realize that not all your fellow citizens share these views; certainly most do not share your belief that abortion is tantamount to murder. The majority of your fellow Americans realize -- even if you do not -- the complex reality of this issue. You know; rape, incest, the mother's well-being, etc. Not even mainstream religions, like Judaism, would agree with you.
A few more thoughts. Yes, we all agree that murder is wrong. But, no, we do not all collectively agree on what constitutes such a crime -- including and specifically when it comes to abortion.
You claim that secular humanism is a "religion." A secular, humanistic view on life is, by definition, not religious in nature. And, yes, it correctly measures humankind (as opposed to unproveable notions of the supernatural) as the ultimate arbiter of the human condition.
Your prophet Isaiah, in his summation of good vs. evil, certainly has my approval; and likely that of most thinking people. As a general concept it is undoubtedly correct. But, again, within the narrow confines of your abortion thesis, it is relevant only to those who think as you. the Bible itself says precious little, if anything, about abortion. Your go-to source of all things moral instead is replete with genocide, misogyny, murder and duplicity. Apparently, abortion was such a common practice as to not warrant a top ten rating in the evilness sweepstakes.
You claim we are lost without some "transcendent source" of knowledge. Assuming that source to be your holy Bible, I direct your attention to the previous paragraph. There is no one "transcendent" source of knowledge, or of good vs. evil. There is only us, doing the best we can under very trying circumstances. Anything else is pointless speculation.
Jeff Laadt
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Tony,
Good to hear from you. Americans have collectively said that murder is wrong. This includes people from a multitude of religions, as well as atheists and agnostics. When a pregnant woman is killed, the murderer is charged with two homicides! It is not just a crime against the woman's BODY; is also against the baby's BODY. Freedom has its limits.
A physician can use religion as one additional tool in caring for people. For example, the Bible speaks against anger, anxiety, addictions, envy, and murderous thoughts. These are all harmful to one's health. It also lays out a healthy attitude toward work.
There is a religion called secular humanism, where humans are the measure of all things. This reflects the book of Judges. Its summation is, "Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." This fits well with the quote from Isaiah.
Best,
Warren Anderson
We are lost without a transcendent source of knowledge. Consider the mess we are in as a country. In spite of our supposed advanced status as a society, we cannot come up with solutions. We have turned our backs on God, inviting his judgement upon us for our moral decay.
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Warren, thank you for your opinion regarding every woman and man in America. I have included men because they are also involved in decision making regarding abortion.
It seems to me that you rely on your religion when expressing opinion concerning other peoples
bodies. But then you are a doctor wanting the best for everyone.
However, your reference to Isaiah is not appropriate when discussing abortion.
Warren, here in America the people preferred to make specific personal decisions without persons in government violating their FREEDOM. As a medical doctor you know that government and professional restraint govern decisions in the real world. But they shy away when intruding on
the FREEDOM we enjoy in America. May it continue!
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Dr. Anderson thinks that his religious views should apply to all women.
This retired physician (me) thinks that women are equal to men and that includes having whatever medical procedures that they want and their physicians agree to do.
The Taliban agree with Dr. Anderson.
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