Abortion Is An Issue Like No Other

In the United States we've just elected a new president. Some voters voted against Barak Obama solely because he did not state that he was anti-abortion. But, I did vote for him, for many reasons, including his statements that although he does not want to make abortion illegal, he does want our society to work to reduce drastically women's need for abortion. That is my position too, and I'm glad to see someone in the White House who shares my own concerns and hope for co-operation between those who oppose a woman's right to choose, and those who insist she must have that right.

I often read and hear people use analogies to attempt to prove the reasonableness of their own position on the issue of abortion. But, analogies can never be used as proof, but only to illustrate some observation, or position, because nothing is ever exactly like something else, so there are no perfect analogies. And, particularly in the case of abortion, there is nothing even close to similarity. Abortion is unique and must be observed and reasoned about on its own terms. As a unique situation/issue, it must have a unique solution.

There is no way to eliminate abortion. To think so is to be ignorant or naive. As long as women can become pregnant, there will be abortion, because, whether legal and careful, clean and safe, or illegal, dirty and dangerous, it is a fact that it will happen because it will be seen as a necessary sorrow, and it will be done.

On an email discussion list today some of the subscribers have been discussing the issue. I've been reading the messages hoping for a way to share them with a wider audience, and have invited those who have thoughtfully posted their messages on the subject to come here to my blog and post them as comments. I invite you too to add your comments below.