A new opinion poll claims the vast majority of Canadians now support abortion rights. (Editor’s note: see ‘Poll on abortion criticized,’ page 1, for story.) No surprise really, in that billions of dollars have been spent in promoting abortion in all aspects of our culture. But just a few points.
Pro-choice advocates sometimes argue that men have no right to comment on the issue. Would they, however, change their attitude toward abortion if it were only women who opposed it? Of course not. So in other words, gender is irrelevant and they only use it to confuse the issue.
Another argument is that men are often to blame because women are frequently left pregnant and frightened by irresponsible partners. Quite so. But it is pro-life moral conservatives who are committed to marriage, chastity and the family.
Then there is the “I wouldn’t have one myself, but I won’t stop you” approach. But why wouldn’t you have an abortion? The only reason could be that it wasn’t right. Thus, it has to be wrong. And it is only wrong if the being within the womb is an unborn child, with feelings and limbs and movement.
So is it life? If not, tell me when life begins. Please, tell me. When is it acceptable to take that life? When is it acceptable for tax dollars to fund the taking of that life?
How obsessive we have become when we extend the waiting lists for crucial surgery but fight to the death for public funding of elective abortion. Yes, to the death indeed.
The reasons for embracing life are extensive. The child is unique at conception, it feels pain at an incredibly early stage. Let’s add a few more. Because of the ugly clash of ultrasound technology and traditional bias, the majority of abortion victims in the developing world are baby girls. In other words, if it’s a female, get rid of it.
Or how about this. If a pregnant woman walks into a room and lights up a cigarette, people will regard her as an uncaring monster. But if she announces that she’s having an abortion tomorrow they’ll hug her and say how hard it must be and how brave she is being.
But the best argument of all is Suzie. Who is, forgive me, absolutely gorgeous. She’s 25 years old and turns heads wherever she goes. Always did. Which is why every guy at university was, shall we say, interested in her. Jake particularly so. He was studying to be a doctor, a first class athlete, funny and clever and kind. They fell for each other.
“He was so handsome, just so much fun to be with,” says Suzie, her smile filling the room. “I’ll be frank with you. I was 19, and had had a few boyfriends. But I was, you know, I was a virgin. It all seemed so right this time, so normal. We were in love. Hey, what could be wrong with making love if you were in love?
“It was Christmas when I found out I was pregnant. I told him on Christmas Day, gave him the news as a Christmas present. This would be it, I thought, marriage, a baby, a perfect couple. But it didn’t quite turn out that way.” The smile evaporates for a moment.
“He wasn’t angry, more indifferent I suppose. He said it was a shame, but no big deal. He knew plenty of people, I could rush to the head of the line and have the abortion just after Boxing Day. I felt sick. I actually doubled over, in pain as well as shock. I begged him, pleaded with him. Then he did get angry. Told me we had so much to look forward to, and that a baby at that stage would ruin everything. I went to the clinic. Got right up to the steps. Then realized I couldn’t do it. I ran, not walked, ran away. I told Jake and he took less than a minute to say goodbye and leave. I cried. Cried a lot. But there was no turning back. That was six years ago, and five of those years have been the happiest of my life.”