6th March 2010, 12:53 PM
Much of our arguments aren't directed at you, Darunia, but rather at the anti-abortion crowd in general. We know you're not religious, but the average pro-lifer is. In my opinion, most pro-life people I've known were against abortion for the same reason as you, because it's horrible and disgusting and it involves taking the life of a potential human being. Some will often bring God into the argument, but for the most part, they oppose abortion because they care about the fetus's right to live.
That said, some of the most vocal, outspoken opponents of abortion that I've known have been female. My girlfriend, who's liberal on most issues, is pro-life. I understand perfectly why people choose to be pro-life, whether religion factors into it or not. However, many of them have this idea that pro-choicers are all evil, uncaring, sociopathic devil worshipers and that's simply not true. Like I said before, it's a complicated issue and there is no easy answer, but I feel both sides, for the most part, have good intentions, which is sometimes hard to see. The fact of the matter is that pro-choice people don't like abortion either; they just see it as a necessary right to protect women. At the same time, I don't think sexism has very much to do with why others are pro-life; I believe it has more to do with concern for the fetus and its right to live, and that fetus just so happens to be a parasite on the woman's body.
I don't expect to change anyone's stance on abortion or the rights of women vs. the rights of fetuses, but I would at least like for everyone to understand where the other side is coming from. No one here has picked his side out of hatred or indifference towards anyone. I'm split down the middle, although I admit my support of stem cell research has swayed me in favor of the right to choose, and I support stem cell research out of concern for humanity, not because I enjoy the thought of fetuses being slaughtered.
That said, some of the most vocal, outspoken opponents of abortion that I've known have been female. My girlfriend, who's liberal on most issues, is pro-life. I understand perfectly why people choose to be pro-life, whether religion factors into it or not. However, many of them have this idea that pro-choicers are all evil, uncaring, sociopathic devil worshipers and that's simply not true. Like I said before, it's a complicated issue and there is no easy answer, but I feel both sides, for the most part, have good intentions, which is sometimes hard to see. The fact of the matter is that pro-choice people don't like abortion either; they just see it as a necessary right to protect women. At the same time, I don't think sexism has very much to do with why others are pro-life; I believe it has more to do with concern for the fetus and its right to live, and that fetus just so happens to be a parasite on the woman's body.
I don't expect to change anyone's stance on abortion or the rights of women vs. the rights of fetuses, but I would at least like for everyone to understand where the other side is coming from. No one here has picked his side out of hatred or indifference towards anyone. I'm split down the middle, although I admit my support of stem cell research has swayed me in favor of the right to choose, and I support stem cell research out of concern for humanity, not because I enjoy the thought of fetuses being slaughtered.