A Mother's Day thought: "It's my choice; it's my body" ignores the fact that abortion involves two bodies.
Many signs at pro-choice rallies declare “It’s my body,” as if only one person is involved in an abortion.
“It’s my body,” assumes that no one else was involved in an abortion. But even the most diehard abortion activist should recognize that another person’s body is growing in the womb. But few will admit it
The abortion industry—yes, there is an abortion industry—insists that no restriction of any sort, even a modest one, should limit the “medical” procedure. But few admit it, else their true identity should be revealed: They believe that “My choice, my body” applies up to the moment of birth. And even after; efforts to legally protect the “object” of an abortion who happens to be born alive does not qualify for any right, even the right to life.
When legislation protecting the life of babies unintentionally born alive in an abortion in Illinois, Barack Obama, then a state lawmaker, voted against it. It was a clear, abhorrent and immoral choice by Obama and the others, mostly Democrats.
When the question of abortion comes up in a political campaign, pro-choice politicians argue that anyone who would allow abortions, even for the life of the mother, rape or incest is an extremist.
True, that’s a small segment of the pro-life community; most pro-lifers do allow for some exceptions. That’s the majority of Americans. But no reporter asks pro-choice candidates when in pregnancy they would restrict abortions, No answer is forthcoming because, in truth, the abortion industry demands no restrictions. That position, I dare say, is extreme.
It’s a sad state of affairs that missing from the debate is how extreme pro-choicers can’t admit that abortion involves two bodies. Or if they do, it’s a body that has absolutely no rights that should be balanced with the mothers. It’s not a person.
At what point does it become a person is it legitimate question for debate. At six weeks? When the the infant’s heart starts beating. At survivability? My own suggestion for a compromise was when organized brain activity starts, just as death is declared when it stops. Seems like a logical point. But even that, suggested in a Chicago Sun-Times column years ago brought an onslaught of condemnation. I was labeled a woman-hating extremist.
These thoughts came to mind as a nation celecbrates motherhood. The risks involved in conceiving and delivering another human being are indeed many. It’s an act of courage and sacrifice. It’s an act of love unlike anything else. Mothers are the greatest of people, accepting and living the responsibility of another’s life from the very beginning of life.
I fear that this might not be the case for a large number of Americans. The idea of family and fatherhood is under clear attack. Has been, somewhat successfully for years and years.
Is the elevation of motherhood as a virtue also a target? I think so. In some circles motherhood is demeaned, if not ridiculed. I saw it decades ago in a newspaper colleague, who was childless and proud of it. Fine with me; spend your life alone.
Motherhood and fatherhood are beautiful and necessary. Everyone who accepts the challenge deserves to have their “day.” And our sincerest gratitude and love.