RSS
Home
Abortion article leads to interesting comments; and my response
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
At the bottom of my articles, one will likely see a comment by Robbie.
I am always appreciative that she reads them -- and apparently very closely -- as her comments are usually very well-thought, and frankly, LONG! I look forward to the day when she agrees with me, but knowing her politics, I am pretty sure it will be a cold day in you-know-where before that happens.
Her latest comments dealt with my "open letter to Pastor Newman." (www.examiner.com/x-948-Miami-Law--Politics-Examiner~y2008m11d13-An-open-letter-to-Pastor-Newman) After reading them (there were two) I felt the need to respond.
First, I know how important the abortion issue is to her and respect her view completely. As a strong believer in pro-choice however, (like Obama, I don’t believe anyone is "pro-abortion"), I disagree whole-heartedly. I could go on for hours explaining why, but I will keep this as short as I can.
I'll accept as true that "only" 39 women died from illegal abortions in 1972. That sounds like very little, but imagine being the mother of one of those women, so desperate that a rusty wire hanger in some back-alley apartment seemed like a blessing and a preferable alternative to giving birth to an unwanted child. Suddenly, 39 isn't such a small number anymore.
I’d rather keep the number of illegal abortion deaths at zero and so, I also support the Freedom of Choice Act, strongly believing that I am in the mainstream. Robbie is way off-base on the effect such a law would have, and wonder if she read the bill, or just a partisan review of the horrors the world will suffer as a result of its passing.
I think she didn’t read the bill.
For example her concern about "partial birth" abortions is misplaced. Such abortions – which are sometimes medically necessary, such as when a once-viable fetus dies naturally in the womb – only occur AFTER 21 weeks or so. Since viability is medically considered to be at 22 - 24 weeks, and the Act only grants abortion as an absolute right prior to viability, a woman would have about a week to use that "Get-A-Partial-Birth-Abortion-Free" card.
Despite my research, I also couldn’t find any explanation as to how Catholic hospitals would be forced to perform abortions. I’ll assume they won’t be, and I would disagree with any law that forces a PRIVATE hospital to do ANYTHING other than emergency services.
Most of the other things appear to be correct, however, I believe mainstream America DOES want the right to make, or NOT make, that decision.
Nonetheless, YOU believe abortion is murder and take every opportunity to say so. I get that. I do not begrudge you the right to argue and complain and vote for someone who agrees with you in the hope that the law changes. However, after discussing my views, the fact is that my article was not about the pro's or con's of abortion.
I was trying to make three points:
(1) It is somewhat inappropriate for the Church to endorse one candidate or the other;
(2) It is a mistake to make abortion, important an issue as it may be, as the only issue worth considering; and
(3) It is disgusting for a priest to imply that someone will suffer eternal damnation if they don't apologize for voting for Obama (and they should definitely vote for the other guy in 4 years.)
Pastor Newman used his pulpit -- in the true sense of the word -- to make that very same implication. He never should have.
As you noted in your comment, a more "official" response chastised Pastor Newman and announced that his writing was not an accurate reflection of the Roman Catholic Church's position. I was happy to see that statement.
As a Catholic (more spiritual, really) I recognize that Christ and his Church have done a ton of good things. I also recognize that the conduct of those who run/ran the Church is primary proof that no MAN is perfect. My diatribe on the most negative aspects of 2000 years of history was not meant as an attack on the Church, but to point out how easily an argument can be made about "intrinsic evil" and how Pastor Newman should really stick to religion.
Remember, in discussing my "diatribe," I said, "I recognize that it was a different world, with different rules, and there are some things that I simply accept and I hope that lessons have been learned."
Again, I acknowledge that the Church has done a lot of god things. Unfortunately, like man, it is not a perfect entity. I suspect the Church has learned from its mistakes and won’t make them again. I hope Pastor Newman follows suit and leave the politics to Caesar.
As for Robbie, I hope she keeps reading. Her comments, along with the opposing views of Melissa and Trixie, make me proud to be an Examiner. If nothing else, I have a mini-marketplace of ideas in my columns and frankly, I learn a lot from what is said there.
For example, from David I learned that I have "difficulty understand(ing) or respect(ing) rules and regulations within established institutions."
No wait.
I did know that!
Related Articles:
Comments
