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What is your position on abortion.
Personally I think it is very avoidable but the same people who are against it are also against everything that would prevent it.

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ThomasLevi 6 July 2
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31 comments

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14

No one wants to have an abortion. It is a very hard choice that requires a lot of thought and heartbreak. Not many women take this difficult decision lightly.

I don't like the term "pro-abortion" but rather "pro-choice" which means the right to choose the best course of action for the mother and baby.

It doesn't always include heartbreak. If a teenager or woman had no intention of getting pregnant, and knows that it is the last thing in the world she wants or needs now or ever; and if perhaps she views the cluster of cells as just that -- a cluster of cells -- she may or may not experience any heartbreak.

I guess what I am saying is that I don't see the choice as any more valid or "okay," simply because the person was tortured by the decision. Not that you do. 🙂 But, many people, along with the media seem to always focus on how "hard" it was to make the decision and how they are just sick about it -- and with lifelong regrets and anguish. I simply don't think that is always the case.

I agree with you about using the terms -- I am not at all pro abortion. Absolutely pro choice.

I've responded with this a few times now.
PRO mean being in favor of the right to choose, not being in favor of having.
I am pro abortion because it is pro choice, I am also anti abortion because I would rather that not be a choice anyone had to make.

13

Women should have dominion over their own bodies, period. Life doesn’t start at conception, we can't allow the religious to dictate their belief that it does, in other words if the mother has made a mistake in contraception or been raped, or finds the foetus isn’t viable she must be forced against her will to carry that child for nine months. The woman has then become property of the state to be used as an incubator. This is Margaret Atwood’s vision, not in Gilead but here now in my home country Northern Ireland. Every woman should have the choice and it should be hers alone, and every child should know that their mother wanted to give birth to them that should be their birthright.

12

Posted by a man who can never have one 😟 ...

Ain’t that a fact!

I don't understand how this relates to the conversation. Doesn't the legality and accessibility of abortion affect ALL of us, regardless of sex?

I believe there are ton of men advocating for a woman's right to choose -- for many reasons -- including, but not limited to, that there may come a time in his own life where somebody he loves is seeking one.

Are they simply not allowed to talk about it? Or, they can talk about it, but not start the conversation? Please help me understand from where you are coming.

I answered the poll, but no, he's not advocating for a women's right to choose. His position is prevention. And that does not warrant a response from me. There is no conversation. He has no right to tell any woman what she can do with her body, and it's none of his business.

@CaroleKay Actually you got it 100% wrong.
Maybe you just didn't understand the question or maybe you were just making an assumption.
And that is the trouble with the conversation, no one seems to actually want to have one.

@ThomasLevi 👎👎

@CaroleKay Oh, so that's what I should have put.

10

Anybody who wishes to reduce or end abortion needs to be out on the street every single day handing out free condoms and supporting scientific research into promoting safer and more effective contraceptive measures.

The problem is, the anti-abortion movement isn't about preventing unwanted pregnancies. Not really. At its core, it's about telling people what they can and cannot do in their own bedrooms, whom they can do it with and when.

9

It's a simple argument: abortion will happen even if it were to be banned, just like it did when it was banned in the past. Far better, then, that anyone who either needs or wants an abortion is able to undergo the procedure in a medial facility where it will be performed by trained medical staff and where she can be given advice on aftercare.

Jnei Level 8 July 2, 2018
9

My favorite button in my 20s:

Keep Your Rosaries
OFF My Ovaries!

I had one with a picture of a wire coat-hanger and, underneath it, "THIS IS NOT A SURGICAL INSTRUMENT"

@Jnei
They don't use coat hangers for this anymore, do they ??

@VAL3941 That's exactly the point - while safe, legal abortion is available, women will not have to undergo abortion carried out by untrained abortionists using improvised instruments.

@Jnei
Aah ! OK ! Now I get it !

@VAL3941 I imagine that when desperate you would use anything.

@Marionville
When my ex had an abortion in the early 70's they used a catheter. Took 3 days !

8

I generally support abortion on demand with very few restrictions. Abortion should also always be free to women who are already receiving assistance to help support themselves and their families.

7

I think it is not my decision to make for anyone else, however if a person needs this procedure then it should be free at source, available to all, safe and stigma free.

7

It might that my stance on abortion is a cowardly attitude but I am a man and I haven't any right to tell a woman what to do with her body. Therefore I'm Pro Choice.

There's nothing cowardly about it talk to a few women who have had it done for various reasons you will soon change your mind

@Simon1 What would he change his mind on after talking to a few women who had abortions. Maybe he already knows women who have had abortions. Google just told me that nearly 1 in 4 will have had an abortion by the age of 20. What kills me is that there are undoubtedly "pro-lifers" who have had secret abortions.

6

In the poll, I don't think my real answer would be fairly represented: I'm 'pro choice', not 'for' abortion. As a 55-year old man who cannot have biological children of his own, I don't believe I have the right to say what someone else can or can't do with his or her body. In a country that's so boastful about its 'freedom', personal freedoms seem to be under almost constant attack. Conservatives and the Religious Right, for all of their hot air about patriotism and freedom, aren't so much about protecting your Constitutional rights as they are about trying to dictate how you are allowed to live in 'god's country'....

I could have clarified but I've had the conversation so many times about being pro-abortion.
Being pro is basically being for making it safe and readily available for those who need or desire it, not that everyone should get them, such as implied by being pro-gun.
Being pro is being for the right of someone to have it.

@ThomasLevi Thank you for the clarify

6

I have returned to repeat what I posted on another site a couple of days ago.when a similar discussion was ongoing.
I paraphrase: - If men got pregnant instead of women, there would be abortion on demand and the population would be considerably lower!

DAMN STAIGHT!
I've said the same thing many times myself.

6

Education and prevention and the number of abortions sought plummets but apparently that's against gods will.

The religious are full of contradictions. They can believe anything they like but stopping young people from having information is just another way they control their minds. Knowledge is power and therefore dangerous to their beliefs.

5

I was reading through these comments. I can't say how hard this is for some women. I only know my experience. My daughter wasn't planned. My situation sure a hell was already difficult. I thought about all my choices. I was adopted in to my family. I understood my biological mother more after this. I thought was I just being selfish for keeping her when I couldn't even take care of myself. Would it be better to never have been born in to this toxic world. I wept and wept over the thoughts in my head. Her doner is completely absorbed with himself and wants nothing to do with her. He hasn't helped me at all. I struggle every day. The only thing I know right now is my little girls beautiful smile and laugh. And that I never knew what unconditional love really was. And if I knew how hard it was going to be I probably would have still chosen this path. I'm lucky though there are so many who have it harder. So I didn't think we should ever take away someone's choice. I know I am going to change the future by teaching my daughter everything. And I will always fight for her right to choose.

When I got married I was very clear that I did not want children and if she ever got pregnant I would insist she end it. She agreed to the terms and we got married.
Well she did by means of a pin and my unwillingness to get myself fixed, and I responded as promised. But after her refusal made it to the second trimester I did a complete 180 and became devoted.
The marriage pretty much died at that point but I have a daughter that is the best thing that ever happened to me.
I don't envy anyone that choice, I know it is probably the hardest decision possible most of the time. I tried to avoid it but was thwarted in my effort but I also know nothing is 100% elective, not even getting fixed sometimes.

I'm rather surprised by some of the responses here, not sure they understood the question.

5

Keep it legal, safe & rare.
Love children. Not zygotes.

4

It's not a matter of someone's positions..it's a matter of law. Women own their own bodies!!!! why does this keep coming up from men? Leave other people alone!!!

Not sure you understood the question and saying it is a matter of law is meaningless as laws change and people are trying to change it BACK to where women DON'T have the right.
And why shouldn't a man bring up it? There is a long thread on male circumcision on a question posed by a women, go pester her about leaving people alone of what gender talks about what topic is so important to you.

@ThomasLevi The United Nations Human Rights are not going to give any anti-abortion groups a pass...I don't care what gender you are.

@MissaDixon Like Trump and his ilk give a fuck what the UNHR thinks.

And " why does this keep coming up from men? " implies you do care.

@ThomasLevi I've never seen either the Liberals or Conservatives care about Human Rights much less Life Rights. I've seen them care about their donors money but not about much of anything else.

@MissaDixon On that we can agree

4

At the very least, this is an incredibly poorly worded question. Do you really think anybody's going to be "for" abortion? Why not divide it into pro-choice vs pro-life? From what I've seen, those who are pro-choice want all the options available to the adults directly involved in the decision, while the pro-life arguements are about control over the woman's body. Period. Pro-life only extends to the fetus, not to the child, not to the mother, not to the father, and says nothing about the environment in which the child will be raised. In many cases, the same people who insist that the child be born are the same ones who judge how the child is raised, with no shortage of indictments against the mother. They don't feed, shelter or in any way aid the child, yet they would have the rest of us believe they're trying to save a life. At least with pro-choice, the woman can make a decision based on her needs and how a baby would fit into them. So, yeah, I'm pro-choice, not pro-abortion.

I agree to an extent -- but I prefer pro-choice vs. anti-choice. They are ANYTHING but pro-LIFE. They are pro-pregnancy and pro-birth. That's where their fervor ends.

@BlueWave Actually, Anti-Choice was the original response to pro-choice, but it was changed to pro-life for obvious bullshit reasons. And interesting how many "pro-life" supports are pro-capital punishment and anti gun control.

3

It is the woman’s body. End of story. Her choice. Read the stories of the women here who have had abortions. It is not an easy choice - and not like “oh I had a fine old time having sex last month, I’ll zip down to Planned Parenthood, have an abortion, and pick up the dry cleaning on the way home. “. And the number of late term abortions is very small.

I fear we will lose the right to choose once the next Supreme Court Justice is chosen. We will be back to back alley abortions and groups doing abortions secretly will pop back up ( look up the women of Jane).

Some years back, I went to the Stuhr Museum here in Nebraska. At the recreated town’s barber shop there was also a list of medical procedures performed in the late 1800s. One of those was abortion.

Various types of abortifacients were sold back then - and it was deemed ok up to the point of ‘quickening’ - generally when movement was felt.

The bottom line is it is the woman’s choice. Instead, the Christofascists that are in charge now will happily take that away.

Ohub Level 7 July 3, 2018
3

You're a man. You have never had to worry about periods or getting pregnant.

Yes, exactly...until you've walked in my shoes, you have no right to judge me, and I won't judge you. My body is MINE! Period!

I don't get your point.

This is completely irrelevant and utter nonsense
Your a woman and you don't have to worry about premature ejaculation or impotence, that is how much sense you statement makes.

Care to try again?

@ThomasLevi

Ha ha!

Premature ejaculation is hardly the same thing as being saddled with a dependent, living breathing human being. A person you had to carry for nine months. Then the excruciating pain of child birth. Then possible complications. Eventually the menopause.

Now I realise I have to block you. Just for my own sanity.

@Ellatynemouth Ok, so your opinion is that men should have no opinion on this issue. I'm pro-choice but, my opinion is invalid because I can't get pregnant. So in other words post menopausal women (and other infertile women as well) have no right to an opinion on this issue either. Correct? I think abortion rights would have a tough time even being ruled upon by the Supreme Court using that logic.

@ThomasLevi You can have an opinion, certainly, but not the right to choose for women. Impotence, premature ejaculation is not the same thing. Impotence is the same as a woman who can't orgasm...neither has to do with a fetus

Just supporting the children for 21 years or longer. other than rape it takes two to have a child.

3

My preference is not there. I am not "for" abortion as in "Hey, everybody, get one while you still can!"

However, I agree with the tweet. I believe that abortion is a valid medical procedure that every woman should have an absolute right to obtain REGARDLESS of her particular CIRCUMSTANCES. I contribute monthly a very meager sum to Planned Parenthood.

I personally would not condone abortion any later than the fetus's ability to thrive outside of the womb. However, it is the individual woman's personal and private right to choose each and every time in each and every situation.

I also believe that the hypocrisy is real. The hypocrites won't part with the very things that will significantly reduce the number of abortions (and also reduce the number of unwanted children who are all too often subjected to poverty, abuse and/or neglect) long term -- IUDs, implants, etc.

This is the MOST IMPORTANT ELECTION OF OUR LIFETIMES for this and many other reasons.

"My preference is not there"
That's the "it's complicated" choice, and it's set up to chose more than one.

And being pro is not "Go and get one". Being pro is being in favor of the right for someone to have one.

I personally would like to see free contraception, free voluntary sterilization and free abortions because lets face it, the world already has far too many unwanted babies and far too many people.
But mostly I would like the choice of abortion to be as rare and the choice of taking a loved one of life support because in some ways it's the same thing.

And yes, the election is important, I just wish once again that we had better choices.

2

It will not end abortion the wealthy will travel to where it is legal and the poor will retreat to the back allies as before.

Sad but true

2

Whatever decision a woman makes regarding her own body is her business. If a woman doesn't believe in abortion...she shouldn't have one....and she or he should have no say over anyone else. The Republican are all about restricting government except regarding a woman's body. One person's religious views on abortion should have no influence on my right to choose.

1

I'm pro-choice because I understand that outlawing abortion will lead to women seeking unsafe abortions. Comprehensive sex ed and ready access to contraceptives greatly reduce the number of abortions, and is the best way forward, I think. Trouble is that the anti-choice crowd are really about controlling women, not saving babies, regardless of their claims.

1

If you are against abortion, don't have one...

Restricting legal access to safe pregnancy termination doesn't end the practice of abortion it simply means people who choose abortion will have less access to safe ways to do so. This is not something anyone rational should want

1

I need to clarify, I guess I was tired when I posted this and when I put the choice "For" the word "Pro" was what I had in mind.
So to clarify, "For" or "Pro" is being for the right to make the choice while "Against" or "Anti" is being for not letting people have the choice.

Surprisingly to me there is some man hating here but I guess it shouldn't surprise me too much, this is the internet after all.

And to clarify my position, I am Pro-Abortion, anyone who feels they need for one should not only be able to get one but it should be immediately available and completely subsidized. I am also anti-abortion because I would like to see the need for them completely disappear but I know how realistic that is.

1

I think it would be a worthwhile trade if we gave up abortion on demand in favor of OTC. morning after medications and free readily, available contraception (of all types) for all. I don't like the idea of late term abortions unless the life AND HEALTH of the mother are at risk.

For the majority of cases that's what tends to happen late term abortions are rarely done unless it's for a life and health reason those that say otherwise have a different agenda

@Simon1 There are some who feel that only the life of the mother should be considered. They leave out the health part.

Luckily you'll never face that dilemma.

@Ellatynemouth Well, I'm married and if it was a choice between my wife being permanently injured, my vote would be for the abortion. However, I would respect and support her decision either way. If it might cost her life I would be a much more strident about her having the abortion. Still her decision though. My comment was about how many conservatives leave out the "health" part. That's a different position.

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