Question and Answer
1. Can you tell us how your Christian faith influences your support for abortion rights?
My family was a Christian one. My father, a Baptist minister, was a Baptist minister who served many years in Memphis. I grew up in a Christian home. I was taught that you can make your own decisions. You are free to choose what you do. Your decisions are yours, but God has given it to you.
I saw firsthand how poor and black women were adversely affected by unintended pregnancies. I recall seeing some of these women being left with severe injuries from back-alley abortions. Some even died. Roev. Wade was the final legal decision.
We now know that both men and women can make moral decisions, even when these are complex and difficult. We must make sure that women have the freedom to choose when and how many children they want, without government interference or coercion. It is important that we ensure that women are able to have a safe, healthy pregnancy if they choose to do so, and that families can provide the financial resources necessary to support a secure child’s education.
Over the years, Roe V. Wade has seen the rights to choose change and expand. We now refer to reproductive justice, which includes complete sex education. Family planning and contraception are all important. As well as safe medical care. This is my moral code.
You talk about freedom of will. However, you said that God gave us freedom and the ability to make wrong and right choices. Why believe abortion in certain circumstances to be the right option?
Dan Maguire was a Jesuit priest who taught moral theology at Marquette University.
These choices depend on a variety of factors such as age and whether or not a woman can take care of her children. Remember that many women choose to have an abortion because of medical reasons. For example, if they are undergoing chemotherapy or are suffering from a serious illness, or if the baby is stillborn or dies. These are tough decisions. Sometimes, they require women to make moral decisions.
Abortion should be considered a serious choice. Every decision is dependent on the individual circumstances. I have always said that I was not pro-abortion but I am prochoice. This distinction is important.
2. You have spoken of the woman’s freedom to choose. What rights does the fetus enjoy?
Let me first say that the religious and pro-choice position rests on respecting human life, both existing and potential.
I am not convinced that conception is the beginning of life. I’m concerned about the implications of a woman having legal rights to her fetus. It could be a way for the women to have a fight over the fetus.
The moral questions involved in an abortion decision are more important from a religious standpoint. Recall that different religions have different views about the status and rights of the fetus. Roman Catholic doctrine sees fertilized eggs as human beings. Judaism teaches that life begins with your first breath.
What happens at the very end? What rights does a fetus have after it is viable? Does it get rights if it can survive without the mother’s help? Let me ask the question again: If a woman’s fetus and her health are good, should she be allowed to end her pregnancy before her due date?
It is assumed that a woman would terminate a viable pregnancy without reason or carelessness. This is not the case. The majority of abortions take place within the first 12 week of pregnancy. Most abortions performed in the last 12 weeks of pregnancy are done for medical or health reasons.
3. What if you were faced with such a case? What would your response be if you were this woman’s pastor
I would talk to my client in a friendly, positive, and respectful manner.
Alternatives to adoption would be an option.
Let’s shift gears for a moment. Many Americans say they support compromises, or finding a middle ground policy regarding abortion. Do you feel this desire? Would you agree with both sides to reach a middle ground policy on abortion?
I have attended many common-ground and middle ground meetings. However, I’ve never been able to walk out of any meeting with any kind of decision.
Nevertheless, I believe that everyone should agree that abortion should not be common. How can we achieve this? How do we achieve this? We provide comprehensive sex education in schools, religious congregations, and ensure that all information regarding contraception is correct and readily available. Unfortunately, Congress has yet to pass a bill funding comprehensive sexeducation. But they are willing spend a lot to fund harmful abstinence program that often rely on scare tactics as well as inaccurate information.
David Satcher, former surgeon general, proved that abstinence only programs are not effective and that it is important to provide youth with the information they need to be safe. Abstinence education will lower the abortion rate by emphasizing abstinence, and providing accurate information on contraception. This is my position. This is the way that we can collaborate to reduce abortions.
The “culture wars” have made abortion a central issue. Some view it as the most contentious moral problem in America. Why does it seem that so many Catholics, Christians of the Faith and others disagree with you
I was raised in respect for different views and so rigid views against abortion are not something that I can understand. I often say to someone who is on the opposite side of me, “I respect your views.” Your theological perspective may not be my favorite, but I respect it. But, it seems arrogant of me to assume that you must believe the same thing as I do. We should try to win one another over, it’s just that. We must respect the religious beliefs of others.
What about those who believe in the existence of life at conception? Or that it is possible to terminate a pregnancy by committing murder? They believe that this is a matter of life and death. What can you say to those who engage in such arguments?
I would assert that they are entitled to their religious views, as well as mine. I believe we have to ensure women are treated with dignity. The government has the responsibility of ensuring that women have the right to make their own reproductive decisions and have access the necessary services.
Some within the anti-abortion movement believe that legalized abortion shows the selfishness and self-centeredness in our age. This view is valid?
Abortion, although it is a very difficult and emotional decision, can be the best one a person makes when confronted by unintended pregnancies or pregnancy with serious health consequences.
You might feel selfish bringing a child into this world depending on your circumstances. It is common to hear people say that you must bring your child into this world. They support the child while it is still in the womb. They terminate the pregnancy in any other way once the child has been born. They may abort the child due to lack of healthcare, lack in education or lack of housing.
It seems selfish to bring up children and neglect their welfare. It is possible to be selfish and neglect the children you already have. We are aborting children we neglect.
