As some of you know, I do not take the issue of abortion lightly; nor do I approach it as an issue that is solely religious, scientific, or political. It is much larger than that. It is an issue of the heart and of the mind. It is a "choice" that, when taken lightly, can ruin the life of the woman who makes it. I speak from personal experience and am only able to do so because I dealt with it before it cost me my life. Others are not always so fortunate.
I saw this article and thought, "oh great, more false pride over a devastating 'choice'." Then, as I read it, I realized that only one woman in the crowd of feminist voices was being honest with herself and with women who might actually read the "We Had Abortions" issue of Ms. Magazine. Thank God for women like Debbie Findling of San Francisco! From the article:
In the spirit of full disclosure, I do not advocate a total ban on abortion in the United States. I believe it is sometimes a sad but necessary procedure that should remain available (without government funding). However, I do advocate very tight restrictions and much better education on the psychological impact of abortion on the mother. Abortion, which is so lightly called "choice," is life-altering in ways that young women will not immediately understand nor recognize without help.
I once stood among pro-lifers outside of a local abortion clinic in Louisville. And sadly, I must tell you that protesting with cries of "don't kill your baby!" does no good. Young women who make this "choice" out of fear or out of a desire to continue their lives undisturbed by an inconvenient pregnancy will not respond to that emotional cry. They are fearful and self-focused.
For these young women to stop and consider what they are doing, they need to know that their psychological well-being will be jeopardized in ways they are not able to recognize, in ways that may ruin their lives and their wills to live. A woman's body knows when she's a mother and knows when she's killed the life inside her -- that is a wound to the heart and the mind that no young woman expects and very few will be equipped to deal with honestly until it's too late. One young death is a shame but two young deaths is a tragedy.
I saw this article and thought, "oh great, more false pride over a devastating 'choice'." Then, as I read it, I realized that only one woman in the crowd of feminist voices was being honest with herself and with women who might actually read the "We Had Abortions" issue of Ms. Magazine. Thank God for women like Debbie Findling of San Francisco! From the article:
She says too many of her allies in the abortion-rights movement tend to minimize, at least publicly, the psychological impact of abortion.Debbie, as one who had to deal with her own grief over "choice," I appreciate your voice of sanity and honesty. I am glad that Ms. Magazine didn't drop you from the list because you chose to be honest. Thank you for your words. I hope that young women worldwide read and understand your words because it could save their lives one day.
"It's emotionally devastating," she said in a phone interview. "I don't regret my decision but I regret having been put in the position to have to make that choice. It's something I'll live with for the rest of my life."
In the spirit of full disclosure, I do not advocate a total ban on abortion in the United States. I believe it is sometimes a sad but necessary procedure that should remain available (without government funding). However, I do advocate very tight restrictions and much better education on the psychological impact of abortion on the mother. Abortion, which is so lightly called "choice," is life-altering in ways that young women will not immediately understand nor recognize without help.
I once stood among pro-lifers outside of a local abortion clinic in Louisville. And sadly, I must tell you that protesting with cries of "don't kill your baby!" does no good. Young women who make this "choice" out of fear or out of a desire to continue their lives undisturbed by an inconvenient pregnancy will not respond to that emotional cry. They are fearful and self-focused.
For these young women to stop and consider what they are doing, they need to know that their psychological well-being will be jeopardized in ways they are not able to recognize, in ways that may ruin their lives and their wills to live. A woman's body knows when she's a mother and knows when she's killed the life inside her -- that is a wound to the heart and the mind that no young woman expects and very few will be equipped to deal with honestly until it's too late. One young death is a shame but two young deaths is a tragedy.
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