PREVIVOR: A person who is not diagnosed with cancer, but has survived the predisposition, or higher risk, of cancer due to a genetic mutation and/or strong family history. After being armed with this information, a previvor can make informed choices prior to a cancer diagnosis.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

My Two Cents

Growing up, I always considered myself pro-life. I always thought that abortions under any circumstances are wrong- because that's killing another human being and all human life is sacred and it's not our place to take it away. But lately, my stance has changed.

Now, do I think it's ok to kill babies? No, no I don't. I still think abortion is wrong and I'd like to think that I would never have one. But I've never been victim to a rape, never been in a life threatening situation. Here lately, there's been something that's been weighing on my mind lately. All of the women's rights that have come to the fore front of this election season  have gotten me to rethink my position.

I've always stated that my PBM was the best choice I could make because it was MY CHOICE. No one told me I couldn't have it. No one tried to dictate when I could have, how I had it, or where. No one said, "Well why don't we wait until you have cancer?" then subsequently left me to fend for myself when it came to paying medical bills, dealing with treatments, etc. I made the decision I needed to make for my healthcare. Like it, love it or hate it..it's my choice. No one has to deal with the repercussions but me.

So I started thinking...what if some over zealous politician took away my choice? How would that make me feel? 

If Roe V. Wade is overturned, then that is just the beginning. There's no telling what other choices and freedoms will be taken away. And if you don't think that's true, think about the concept of legal precedent. Legal precedent is defined as:

a. An act or instance that may be used as an example in dealing with subsequent similar instances

Judges 10, 20, 30 years from now can look at the taking away of a woman's right to chose where abortion is concerned and take away rights in other instances. And I am not willing to make that sacrifice. I know what's best for my healthcare...not some middle aged politician who has never met me and probably never will.

Another thing you may be thinking: why would I, a Catholic, be ok with being pro-choice? Isn't part of my faith the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death? 

Yes, yes it is. 

But the key words of that sentence: my faith.

One thing I love about this country is that it's made up of so many different types of people. So many different backgrounds and religions. And the beautiful part of freedom is: THAT'S OK.

Here lately, I've seen so much HATE from people where the election is concerned. If people don't believe your way, they are automatically idiots, crazy, lunatics etc. People have called the President a Muslim, in bed with terrorists, a Socialist, etc etc. People have called Governor Romney an elitist snob, out of touch with what the real American needs, a liar, etc., etc. And that's ok too. You see, in our country, you can pretty much say what you want. THAT'S why people are clamoring to get into this country. Because you have so many freedoms. 

One of the greatest of those freedoms is freedom of religion. You are free to worship anyone/thing that you please. If it suits you, to worship a rock..well by all means go ahead. People have many different faiths, and many different ways of worshiping. Or none at all. People go their whole lives with setting foot in a church. And that's ok too. 

But you see, when I start telling another person what to do based on the tenets of my faith it's really not freedom of religion. I'm telling them they HAVE to follow what I believe. And that's when you start losing the freedom to practice religion (or the lack thereof) of your choosing. And just like taking away women's health care choices sets a precedent, taking away religious freedoms set a precedent as well. Neither of those paths is a path I want to travel down. It's a slippery slope and I'd rather keep my freedoms and choices intact.

Now, to address what I'm sure a lot of my readers are thinking. "You're still killing babies! They don't ever have a chance to enjoy the freedoms and choices you're speaking of"

Well...I look at it like this. Outlawing abortion will NOT solve the problem. Do the laws against murder stop murderers? Or the laws against drugs stop drug dealers or users? And let's face it, jail is no deterrent to ANYONE anymore.

Education is key. Teach young mothers how to raise children and that they're not alone. Give them easy access to resources to help them and don't make them think they're being backed into a corner and abortion is the only way.

And THAT is my two cents worth :)




No comments:

Post a Comment