On Abortion And Capital Punishment
Have you ever happened to be part of a conversation or only listen to one, during which someone says something that makes you feel as if that person has totally and completely read your mind? It happened to me recently. I have sort of eavesdropped on a conversation between three people (two men and a woman) who seemed to be either in law school or already lawyers. The conversation was centered around womens’ right to opt for abortion. Out of my memory I will try to quote what one of the guys said:
You know, it’s hard for me to take an official position on the issue. I personally believe it is morally wrong for a woman to have an abortion. But, the truth of the matter is that I’ve never been in the position of a 16-17 years old girl who is pregnant, the father of the child is nowhere to be found and she is incapable of financially taking care of herself, not to mention a child. Or in the position of a woman who already has a child or two (or even more) and who is already having difficulties providing for them. Honestly, it would be outright wrong for me to tell that girl/woman, because I personally believe abortion is morally wrong, you have to have that child and deal with him/her. And that is why I believe the women should be given the freedom to choose.
Bottom line is that, as I said, I personally find abortion a morally wrong thing, however, I don’t believe the Government has any right to tell a woman what she may or may not do in this matter.
To draw a parallel, capital punishment is another thing I can’t really have an official position on. I don’t think any man has the right to take the life of another human being. But then, again, I have never been in the situation of having my mother or sister raped or any member of my family killed by someone. I don’t know exactly what my position would be in that case, but chances are it would be the opposite.
There you have it folks. I feel like this guy read my mind and spoke the words for me. I feel the exact same way. My own opinion is that abortion and capital punishment are morally wrong. However, I can’t really get involved into any kind of debate on those two topics before I have some direct personal experience with any of them. Abortion is out of question (I’m a guy) and I certainly hope and pray to God that the other will never happen.
