Why yes, I do think about deep issues every now and then. I am not completely shallow, y’know.
I am often reluctant to talk about tough things, not because I don’t have opinions (although there are many times when I really don’t have an opinion, or feel that I don’t have enough information to make an informed decision one way or another) but because in real life I suck at thinking on my feet and defending myself, so I just end up looking like an idiot. It’s really hard for me to express myself in words, or ways people can understand. I think I secretly have the mindset of artist, but with no discernable talent for it, unfortunately, so I have no outlet for my creativity (ha!).
I also hate it when people get argumentative, defensive, aggressive, and hurtful. But then, I have really thin skin, so frequently overreact to what others feel to be normal. However, I do value meaningful discussions with people who are respectful, even if we disagree. Especially if we disagree. No one’s opinion is superior to another’s—everyone believes their opinion or viewpoint is the correct one, otherwise why would they hold it? Unfortunately, most people either tear through my thin skin together too easily (knowingly or not) or aren’t respectful at all to begin with, so having deep discussions stresses me out to no end. And I hate stress and being stressed. So I generally avoid it.
So why am I talking about it now? I don’t know the answer myself. The topic has been on my mind recently, for whatever reason. Hardly anyone reads this blog, so I feel pretty safe venting my thoughts there.
That rant aside, let’s talk about abortion.
The fundamental difference between pro-lifers and pro-choicers, as I see it and from what I have observed, is how they view the world. Pro-lifers form their views based on a larger idea, sacrificing their individual comfort (and even the comfort of others) to support the goals of the greater design. This doesn’t necessarily have to be based on religion or spirituality or sense or morality, but most of the time it is. Doing the “right thing” is essential to preserving the greater design, and the rewards will come in the next life, etc. If this involves imposing my beliefs on people who don’t share them, too bad.
Pro-choicers, on the other hand, to clumsily oversimplify, focus on the present life. There is no greater design to appease (on the issue of abortion—pro-choicers may subscribe to “greater designs” in other areas such as government, etc.), so the greatest priority is individual comfort. After all, if there is no reason to sacrifice individual comfort, why be forced to do it? It would be an extraordinarily nice thing to do, to inconvenience oneself for the sake of another, but pro-choicers see this as something that should not be forced upon anyone. I like to think that most pro-choicers are in favor of reducing the number of abortions, but the option should be available anyway.
Where do I stand? (You can probably guess by the title of the post…) I am usually reluctant to identify with one side or another due to the (usually negative) stereotypes associated with each. Narrow-minded Bible-thumpers! Baby-killers! I suppose this is the point at which this post takes a somewhat religious tone. How can it not? I am a Christian (one of the few groups I unflinchingly identify with). In one of the more conservative denominations, no less. And I am pro-choice. How can this work? Aren’t all (conservative) Christians supposed to be pro-life? Do I have the mindset of pro-lifers that I outlined above? (Yes I do.) Am I advocating baby-killing?
Absolutely not! Abortion is a horrific experience for everyone involved—after all, you are essentially ending a defenseless life (if you believe life begins at conception, as I do). Ideally, unwanted pregnancies will be avoided whenever possible, and I am in full support of responsible use of birth control (gasp! Should my license to practice Christianity be revoked?).
But this is an imperfect world, and there are plenty of reasons for unwanted pregnancies (I don’t think I need to outline them here, you can probably think of enough yourself). An unwanted pregnancy, once discovered, cannot be undone, only dealt with accordingly. I am not in favor of judging a woman for reaching this point, only of providing her unconditional love and support as she makes some of the toughest decisions in her life. And then to not pass judgment on the decision she makes. If Christian, whatever she decides is between her and God (and the baby’s father, if applicable).
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1-2.
Any woman put into the position of seriously considering abortion is not in an enviable position at all. Aborting has its consequences, as does carrying the baby to term and either giving it up for adoption or keeping it. At this point, it’s a lose-lose-lose situation.
As a Christian, don’t I believe that God commanded us not to murder? Since this is essentially what abortion is, murder? Yes, I do believe this is so. I believe that life is a precious gift from God, even if given under less-than-ideal circumstances. A gift for both the parents and the child(ren). So in rejecting God’s gift, you are also taking it away from the child who has no choice in the matter.
However, one of the most priceless and potent gifts God has given us is the power of choice. We can choose to accept His gift of salvation, or we can not. We can choose to obey and follow His commandments, or we can not. God provides the options and lays them out for us, never forcing us to choose one or the other. There are the options He’d like us to choose, certainly, but we are the ones to make the final decision, for better or for worse.
“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15.
Our autonomy is the reason why our world fell into sin. Adam and Eve chose to eat that apple. It is also the method by which we will be saved (if we so choose!). It is the reason God will have to suffer the pain of not being able to save everyone. Without it, worshipping God would not be as meaningful, since we would not have chosen to do it. He would be a dictator worshipped, not because He is loved by His subjects, but because they have no choice.
So a woman should be allowed to have the option of aborting her baby. Whether this is the “right” decision is debatable and highly dependent on the situation, but the option should be available nevertheless. In some ways, it is and always has been available, whether legal or not, since as long as there have been unwanted pregnancies, there have always been ways to induce miscarriages or abort illicitly.
But these methods are dangerous, as anyone who’s seen Spring Awakening might know. Modern abortion is just about as safe, sophisticated, and humane as you can get. To make abortions illegal would be to explicitly forbid women from partaking in this option, and they would be forced to carry the baby to term against their will, or be forced to seek out illegal methods of abortion, which would be detrimental on all fronts.
Should the option of aborting the baby be discouraged? Personally, I think so, and I’d rather babies be carried to full term whenever possible, but I know that it’s not always the “best” option.
I am not advocating that women be allowed to abort babies left and right, willy-nilly, for the thinnest of excuses. This is a serious procedure, with serious consequences, and should be given serious thought. I abhor the idea of a woman aborting a pregnancy just because it will interfere with a scheduled vacation overseas, or some other loathsome reason. As we all (should) know, “best” does not necessarily equal “easiest” or “most convenient”.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5.
As a Christian, I believe that following God’s way is the best way. I also acknowledge we live in an imperfect world, where ideals can exist but are rarely fulfilled. It’s not always the easiest thing, to go against our sinful natures and submit to God’s will.
Because of the world we live in, situations arise where we must make difficult decisions. Should I stay in an abusive marriage, or divorce my violent husband? Should I violate the Sabbath, or pass up on a wonderful opportunity to advance my career? Should I cheat on an exam, or risk failing a class? Should I lie to my boss, or risk alienating my coworkers? Sometimes the answers are easy; most of the time, they are not. Many times the “right” path is unclear, and we can only pray that God will reveal to us which path He wants us to take.
So many of the decisions we make fall short of God’s desires for our well-being. Many times we will make decisions that will hurt God. But the important thing is that we are allowed to make those decisions entirely on our own, with or without God’s help.
And that is why I am pro-choice.
