[Magic_Mikki]

Tonight in my Ethics class we will be talking about abortion. I'm nervous because I can be a very opinionated person when it comes to things I believe in (especially when they're contraversial, and especially when it comes to children)! I personally think that abortion is wrong (with the exception of extremely rare cases), and I am the kind of person who participates a lot in class, and I fear that I will get shot down. I have armed myself with lots of information as to why I believe what I do, but I just pray that, One- I don't give in and give up my argument, and Two- I don't take it too seriously! (I already am, which is why I'm writing here!) I know, it's just a class and it's only one day, but I really feel strongly about this topic.

Does anyone have any information that I can arm myself with? For either side? I like to hear both sides. Or any words of courage? I know that this class isn't that big of a deal, but I have noticed that there are some other really opinionated people in my class, too, and I just want to be able to back myself up!

Thanks in advance!!

[LovingJesusinAZ]

For the pro-life side you can Google "Right to Life" as a good place to start. They're a national pro-life org. with chapters in each state.

Here's an interesting story my DH read the other night and left up for me to read (though I haven't, yet) http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/20.../frj_abortion/

If you're looking for the other side I'm sure Planned Parenthood would have some info on their website also

[VinniesMommy]

I am also very strongly against abortion. The very thought makes me sick. I am not a very opinionated person, until it comes to this topic. But, some people are very strong on the other side as well. I feel that if you do the "deed" then you have to take responsibilities for your actions, either keep the baby, or find a loving home for it if you can not provide for it. There are millions of people that want a baby so desperately and can't have one. There are a million and two ways to prevent pregnancy, and if you don't want a baby, you should be responsible. I understand that accidents happen, but there is that morning after pill ((which I don't really know to much about)) that you can get should there be an accident. One key thing that I have heard ((the one statement that always anchors my side)) is that at the very moment of conception, everything is predetermined already. What color eyes the baby will have, what personality the baby will have, everything. I believe it is between 3-5 weeks, the baby can feel pain as well. ((I could be wrong about that though))

I think that abortions, only on rare occasions, are acceptable. Like rape, or the such. I do NOT believe that it should be used as birth control. I once a new a person that got pregnant in high school in her senior year. She didn't want to keep the baby. I begged her to put it up for adoption, but she didn't. She didn't want to be fat for graduation. That was her main reason. I think to many people see it as a method for birth control, and that is horrible. They will be the same people who don't understand why they can't get pregnant later on in life.

However, there are the occasions that someone is forced to keep the baby, be it the father, her parents, religious beliefs, whatever, and that person is not a good mother. There are so many cases of child abuse, neglect, murder and a lot of these cases have been traced back to the mother/father resenting the child because they were forced to keep it. Would those things be prevented if they would have had an abortion? Which would be the better situation? Granted, in a perfect world, none of this would happen. But it does.

Good luck today... I know that I would be nervous too. I had an email about abortion before, if I can find it, I will PM you with it, maybe it would help?

[erinellakal]

Did you know about this??? Our priest brought it up last week in church.
http://www.fightfoca.com/
Basically is says that anyone can get an abortion with out parental consent and that Catholic/Christian hospitals will be forced to perform abortions.

[Magic_Mikki]

Thanks for the words, ladies! Nichole, I got your PM and the email is incredibly sad! Made me cry, too. And Julie, thanks for the article! It had a bunch of good facts I can use!

[Samual]

I think the main thing with issues like this is to know that what you believe is personal to you, so while you can and should put your views across, you should give any other views the same amount of respect too.

[purelegance]

i'm probably one of the few people who is pro-choice. I don't think i'd be able to do it, but i do think the option needs to be there. GL in your debate tonight michelle! i think the biggest thing is to keep it at facts & try not to get personal. (EXTREMELY difficult -- i know.)

[gonnabeamommy509]

Where's you class? Maybe I'll pop in and sing back up for you! ... good luck and keep your head!

[mcmama]

Sams advice is good. This is something about which you care, and with the information you have you will do well.

These discussions often turn into someone shouting the other side down. Let us know how it went.

[Magic_Mikki]

So in last night's class we ended up watching the movie Juno and talking about philospher Immanuel Kant and his screwed up views, and next we are going to talk about abortion. It isn't supposed to be so much of a debate, but more of a discussion. I was just trying to gather more statistical data (which you all really helped me with, thank you!) and info to support my opinions. I am totally all for hearing everyone's side and take on things. I really am! I also just wanted to be able to tell them why I think the way I do.

I used to be pro-choice, but the more I research it, the more I believe it is inhumane. But I totally understand the pro-choice side of things, and the woman's right to choose. I really do. Samual, I agree that it is (and will be) hard not to get personal, especially since there is one person in my class who let it be known that she has had a couple of abortions... It's hard not to get personal with that, you know? Even though I understand a woman's right to choose, I don't think (and never did think) that abortion should be used as a birth control.

Anywho, just by this short discussion in this thread I am wondering which side of the fence I really am on! I really would love for no abortions to ever happen again (hahahahahaha!) but I know that's not realistic, and the Ethics textbook we're reading really has some good points for Pro-Choice.

Also, for those of you who are interested, I found this link yesterday that has some GREAT information that you can browse through if you feel like it! It's a great site, even if you're Pro-Choice. Beware-- if you have a weak stomach, DON'T go through the gallery of aborted babies! It's sad and quite frankly, it's gross.
http://www.priestsforlife.org/welcome/index.htm

(By the way, I just happen to like the website and it's information. I am not a part of any of the organizations or anything! )