My Baby, My Body

[purdypiedad]

A good friend of mine recently posted on the political implications of recent abortion related court precedence from a liberal perspective. Today, I watched an episode of the remade Battlestar Galactica that also dealt with the issue. The day made me sad. It made me reflect on my own story...

I had walked away from faith, given up on God. I moved in

Comments

[java_fiend]

That is a beautiful story and I really am glad that you have come through an incredibly difficult situation stronger in your faith and your conviction than you went into it with. Not everybody has that sort of mental and emotional fortitude. I absolutely support and understand your rejection of abortion on the basis of your faith. I respect that stand 110%. I for one don't like the idea of abortion and put in a circumstance like that, I don't know that I would want to end a pregnancy... well... with whoever I was with, not for me obviously. LOL... you know what I mean. It wouldn't be my first choice. But by the same token, I don't think it's right to force others to live by my own set of morals. I don't think it's right to force others to live by the morals of another person at all. And I most certainly don't think it's the place of our government to be dictating morals to any of us. Not with their own track records. Ahem

[purdypiedad]

--And I most certainly don't think it's the place of our government to be dictating morals to any of us. Not with their own track records. Ahem.--

Generally, I agree strongly with you here. But, you and I both agree that the government has a responsibility to punish murderers and to protect people from them. Therefore, we agree that ending the life of another without their consent is morally wrong and that the government SHOULD take a stand against it.

Where we differ is the definition of life. What I believe is a new life, you believe is a woman's body. So, is the abortion issue really an issue of government dictating morals or an issue of definitions and extensions of rights?

[java_fiend]

Absolutely the government has the responsibility to punish murderers. Glad we agree there. ;-)

However... LOL...

So, is the abortion issue really an issue of government dictating morals or an issue of definitions and extensions of rights?It is dictating morals because the drive to ban abortion is fueled by the Religious Right. They're pushing Christian doctrine into legislation. To be perfectly honest... and don't tell my liberal bretheren this... I personally wouldn't have a problem if the ban was for third trimester abortions. I think that the viability of the fetus is the question and there is little doubt that in the third trimester, fetuses are viable. So if they were going to ban those late term abortions I would be a-okay with it. But that's not where it's going to stop and I think we can both be honest enough with each other to acknowledge that. The Religious Right will keep pushing until abortion is outlawed completely. And after that, they'll push to have Griswold overturned and contraception banned completely.

[purdypiedad]

The contraception thing is just weird. The typical "Christian" belief is that life begins at conception (hence the disapproval of the morning after pill), not that contraception is evil. I know there are some out there, but I don't personally know any married Christians who don't use some form of contraception when they do not wish to have babies. So, it seems to me that banning contraception in general would be shooting themselves in the foot

[i_amsherlocked]

That is a beautiful story!
::hugs::

[purdypiedad]

Thanks. :-D

[i_amsherlocked]

This is not an easy subject to debate.

[purdypiedad]

Indeed no. Frankly, I think Christians would better spend their time with less debate and more love of unwed mommies. Making people hate them will not succeed in getting more babies born. Making birth a viable option for women will.

[hkneale]

{hugs} Sorry you had to do things the hard way.

Really, I must convince you to move to Australia.

[purdypiedad]

Thanks. The cool thing is that I'd do it all over again (well, the baby having part, not the marrying a loser part).

How is Australia different in this regard?

[hkneale]

1. Free and decent maternity and neo-natal health care.
1a. Free immunizations for children.
2. $5000 (yes, five thousand dollars) baby bonus paid to you by the government.
2a. additional baby bonus (up to $500/yr) paid each year at tax time up to a certain age (I forget. I'm still eligible.)
3. Fortnightly parental payments by the government to help defray the costs of raising a child, especially if a single parent.
4. Smoother divorce laws.
5. Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) loans only come due once you bring in enough income to be able to comfortably afford to pay them off.

Unfortunately, lawyers and bureaucrats are the same no matter where you go.

[purdypiedad]

Wow. Do the middle and upper classes pay up the wazoo in taxes or is this simply a result of better allocation of government funds?

[mmerriam]

Thank for sharing this story. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for you under those circumstances.

While I don't know you personally, what interaction I've had with you here has been enough to let me know I like and respect you as a person. I'm glad you've come through to the otherside stronger.

Bless you and your daughter both. I wish the best for both of you.

[purdypiedad]

Thank you!

Truthfully, I believe that most of us have at least one life changing and horrifically difficult obstacle to overcome in life, whether self inflicted or not.

I think the two things that I hope people understand from my history is that becoming a mother was the best thing that ever happened to me, and that if the "religious right" wants young women to stop having abortions, they need to come along side of them and help them, not just condemn them.

[rabiagale]

That must've been hard for you to share. I admire your courage and I am glad that you kept your beautiful daughter under such tough circumstances. Both my children were "wanted pregnancies" and I have a strong happy marriage, but there were definitely parts of my pregnancies that were miserable (puking while brushing teeth, the Nine Month Lingering Cough, the heartburn etc.). You had it much worse, and God's grace is apparent in your story.

*many hugs to you*

[purdypiedad]

Ooh. The puking while brushing my teeth. For a while I just rinsed my mouth with Listerine. Then I realized I could actually BRUSH with the stuff too. Any use of toothpaste inevitably ended in me bowing down to the porcelain throne. Oh, the memories! I also gave up all lady-like ways. Anything to relieve that heartburn! :-D

I think it is wonderful how God can work through the example of people's faithfulness, like your own, as well as through the example of my lack thereof. In marrying a godly man and doing things God's way and in God's timing, you then have the support of a wonderful husband throughout the challenges of pregnancy and the huge blessings of his help, support, and direction in raising them. Your children are also blessed. My own story is clearly a "what not to do" scenario, but it also shows God's faithfulness in spite of my lack of it. I even see how God really is "restoring the years the locusts have taken." God is so good.

[rabiagale]

*nod* I've made plenty of mistakes even if I seem to have done things the right way from an onlooker's point-of-view. I've gotten angry and upset and frustrated with the kids, the husband, myself; I've been (and continue to be) angry and selfish and lazy at times; I've been discontented with where I'm at and wanted things to be different--through it all I've needed God's grace in spades and recieved it in barrelfuls. :D You and I may have taken different paths in our lives, but please don't think that I consider myself more righteous (I *know* I'm not). As far as I'm concerned, we've both been rescued from the same sinking ship. :D

[purdypiedad]

Oh, I never had the thought that you considered yourself more "righteous." You've always appeared very humble to me.

My point was only that God is so great His glory can be seen no matter who we are and what mistakes we have/have not made.

I certainly couldn't measure one's righteousness, but there are areas in which you are clearly very strong. You set a wonderful example, and I am grateful for you.