Birth Control/Abortion And Your Thoughts?

for me abortion is wrong as for anyone else , who am I to judge !!

I can only pass judgement on myself. I do not advocate abortion, but would reserve the right to make that decision for myself based on the circumstances. What are those circumstances, I am not able to predetermine, but I believe rape andi ncest would be situations where I would consider an abortion. Birth control? Yes, I support the use of birth control, but again, it should be a decision left to each indivdual to use birth control and what method. These are my personal belief an dnot connected to any one religion. Good luck with you discussion...........

I believe in birth control. I think it is a safe and relatively easy way to prevent unwanted pregnancy. But with that, if an accident were to occur, and a woman becomes pregnant I believe it is her choice whether to keep the child or have an abortion. There are many circumstances, for example rape, in which I think the woman may feel her only option is abortion, and if that is the case, I believe she should be allowed to go through with that without being criticized for it. Even if it wasn't rape, I believe the choice of keeping the baby, or having an abortion should be made by the woman, it is part of her freedom.

Well, as a United Methodist, I know what my church believes:

The beginning of life and the ending of life are the God-given boundaries of human existence. While individuals have always had some degree of control over when they would die, they now have the awesome power to determine when and even whether new individuals will be born.

Our belief in the sanctity of unborn human life makes us reluctant to approve abortion. But we are equally bound to respect the sacredness of the life and well-being of the mother, for whom devastating damage may result from an unacceptable pregnancy. In continuity with past Christian teaching, we recognize tragic conflicts of life with life that may justify abortion, and in such cases we support the legal option of abortion under proper medical procedures. We cannot affirm abortion as an acceptable means of birth control, and we unconditionally reject it as a means of gender selection.

We oppose the use of late-term abortion known as dilation and extraction (partial-birth abortion) and call for the end of this practice except when the physical life of the mother is in danger and no other medical procedure is available, or in the case of severe fetal anomalies incompatible with life. We call all Christians to a searching and prayerful inquiry into the sorts of conditions that may warrant abortion. We commit our Church to continue to provide nurturing ministries to those who terminate a pregnancy, to those in the midst of a crisis pregnancy, and to those who give birth. We particularly encourage the Church, the government, and social service agencies to support and facilitate the option of adoption. (See ¶ 161.K.)

Governmental laws and regulations do not provide all the guidance required by the informed Christian conscience. Therefore, a decision concerning abortion should be made only after thoughtful and prayerful consideration by the parties involved, with medical, pastoral, and other appropriate counsel.

From The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church - 2004.

It's all left to personal choice, and i don't think religion should play a role in such decisions. It all depends on what the situation is, and how it affects the woman. Freedom of choice is all that counts. There should never be any sort of judgement around this issue. Birth control is very important indeed, it helps avoid the psychological trauma (in some cases) a woman faces if she undergoes abortion. But, you can never know what's in every woman's life, and what her situation/surroundings impose. So, yes, pro-choice.

As a woman who conceived three babies, but only had one born, I am opposed to abortion. I know that losing a child - whether by choice or by nature - is a devistating event. We don't often know how devastating until years later. And the abortion clinics and counselors are long gone by then.

Sorry for the spelling goof.

It's alright, my spelling is not always the best either when writing quickly.

I do believe in using birth control. But I don't belive in abortions as a form of birth control.

I do believe in rare cases of abortion. Otherwise I am against abortions.
I do think if an abortion is going to happen, it has to happen before the fetus is forming. When it is still in the egg stage. Sorry but i don't believ in killing life. Just creating it.

I am against abortion, because it makes a child pay for an adults choice, when other options are available. Before someone tells me about rape and incest, I would have no issue with it. It was not the victims choice to lay in the bed and have unprotected sex. Further, it is such a rare occurance that a traumatized person gets pregnant, that it is almost a mute point. As for real birth control, no problem with them.

I believe in birth control and I am pro choice. I don't believe in abortion as a form of birth control though.

I believe in both. I think it depends on the situation about having an abortion. I do see in cases that it is medically necessary or in cases that deal with rape. I don't know if I could have a child without the very high risk of dieing (medical reasons), I am as safe as I can be and I can't take birth control (again medical reasons), but I don't know if I'd want to give my life being only 23 if something were to happen. Although if someone's just out tramping around, I do believe that the baby should be born and put up for adoption.

So. I do believe in both abortion and birth control.

I know, it sounds selfish after I re read it. But oh well! :)

As one who has been raped - twice in the same week by two different men - I still do not believe in abortion.

i agree with some ,, abortion is wrong any way you look at it,, if somethng done wrong to you and you are expecting,,then givethem up for adoption,, if you are teenager then give it up to someone who can really care for him/her, you are way to young,, and then tink about birth control.. I highly think that is the best to have,, kids are way to young to give birth, and folks who want to play and dont want kids should control it,, Hell we spade and nueter dogs and cats why not birthcontroll folks also,,
I not into adoption, only due to fact that if my kid is out there, I couldnt handle the thought of seeing him/her out there and not knowing,, yet I am adult, so I can say that,, I had protective sex whne as a teenager, knowing I am too young to handle kids. I di everything as my choice, no one elses..
thank for letting me express

birth control before a baby has begun...from before that very first second when the new DNA is formed from the 2 separate DNA's...then birth control is great. Prevent the baby from beginning if you can't have one, or don't want one. But if no birth control is used and a baby begins...then abortion is wrong. Allow the baby to be born and give it up for adoption.
I know the pain of miscarriage...a life is lost and cannot be replaced by another.
I met a lady whose daughter was raped and they both decided to keep it because they didn't believe in abortion...and they didn't want to give a part of themselves away. the new mother was only 12...I saw them with the baby...it was well loved by mom and grandmom.
then someone is my family had the same exp....kept the little girl...who was conceived in rape...beautiful baby. sweet life.
those are my beliefs. blessings follow life. make the birth control choice before the act, not after

Yes, you are brave to do this. I feel that it is up to the person and their individual issues. I don't feel that we can come up with a law that would cover all the situations that would make it necessary, so I guess I would have to support the law as it is now. Keeping babies from being born into a situation where they are not wanted or could be mistreated can only be considered a plus. Although drugging women who are known to have sex and don't want to conceive is a malicious act.

Marilyn M. I am sorry to hear this. Did you conceive as a result?

As a Roman Catholic my faith has strong teachings on both Birth Control and Abortion, but while the latter is somewhat straightforward to explain the former is not. Effectively speaking they are two separate issues, one is a potential offense against chastity (even married couples are called to chastity, which does not mean no sex) while the other is an offense against human life.

The basic argument is that sex is sinful when it is self centered and selfish but it is practically holy when it is an act of pure giving and pure openness. Birth control in effect puts a separation between the open possibility of procreation and the pleasurable nature of the act in essence focusing the act back on the self and not on the partner. In addition (it is often argued) that the lack of openness before conception could easily lead to a lack of openness after conception and thus could encourage an abortion mentality.

As I said, it's somewhat harder to explain. You can throw in a lot of counter examples and while chastity might prescribe abstinence in those cases it is a discipline few can manage. (One way or another we are all sinners; deal with it and put down the stone.) Likewise there are many valid cases of the principle of double effect where birth control is needed for other medical conditions.

Abortion, on the other hand, is an offense against human life. Abortion, unfortunately, happens; embryos fail to implant, and natural abortions do occur. One can use them as a convenient excuse or as in case of all tragic deaths, mourn the loss and seek a way so that one day in the future this can be prevented.

The biggest oddity is the notion of abortion when rape is considered. I call it an oddity because, on the one hand, a person is found guilty based on the actions of their parents. (I thought the days of the "bastard" were long gone.) On the other hand rape is a crime of violence against a woman. Is the solution to a crime of violence another act of violence? There needs to be a better way to address the issue of rape.

Clearly in the case of the life of the woman (when there is no alternative that can save both) abortion is a necessary lesser evil and a true case of double effect. Once again we mourn the loss and seek a way so that these situations never happen. Just as we have eliminated (for the most part) the death of women in childbirth we need to make sure that every viable pre-born and their mother can both live.

Everything else should be varying shades of gray. I think the state does have some responsibility towards every viable pre-born just as they have some responsibility for every viable post-born. What responsibility for pre-viable pre-born is subject to debate. While we should encourage all to support life at all stages, necessity dictates that in the decision between the rights of the pre-born and the rights of the woman, that there is a intersecting scale that is involved and that neither have absolute rights.

I believe when there is a medical reason abortion could be an option, as for BC...it should be widely used and pregnancies avoided.

I believe in the right of choice. Your right of choice ends after having completed the sex act. After making that ONE CHOICE; there are no more choices.

I am for birth control. I believe people must make responsible choices regarding having sex, not just doing what feels good without considering the possible consequences of their actions. Of course, it is everyone's choice whether they use birth control or not, but unless a couple knows one another very well and is trying to have a baby, for me the responsible choice would be to use birth control.
Abortion as a form of birth control? Never even occurred to me and I am against it.
Abortion is again a choice, but for me it is a last resort choice, for situations where the woman's life is in danger, for survivors of incest and rape-it should always be a choice.

Yes, folks, I did conceive after being raped twice in the same week by 2 different men. (One was my abusive husband - and at the time laws didn't recognize that a spouse could rape...even though he was 350 pounds compared to my 115. And I had the bruises and cuts to prove it. The other was a male "friend" who rescued me from the abusive situation.) I was scheduled for an abortion, but had a miscarriage. And I have mourned the loss of that child ever since - almost 30 years. My strength comes from God.

People don't realize what an impact carrying a child can have, even for a short time, on a woman.

I'm for them not as a means of birth control, but in instantaneous where the are they are beneficial and is a personal question anyway!

I absolutely agree with birth control.
I do not believe in abortion, and I support the Life Services group in my city. They provide help both financially, physically and emotionally to women who face unexpected pregnancies. That is where I put my energy. I plan to begin volunteering with them as well.

i take birth control so that i don't bring a child i cannot afford or cannot physically care for into this world. i think to do so would be irresponsible. if the birth control failed to work, would i have an abortion? i can't say. that's a tough decision to make and i don't envy anyone that has to make that decision.

I believe abortion is wrong. Under any circumstances. Taking a life is taking a life, whether that person is born or unborn and we haven't the right. I personally don't use birth control. I trust God to give me the children He sees fit. He's done well so far. ;) I wouldn't judge someone else for using bc though. For abortion... I won't judge, but I will say it's wrong just as I would say a man murdering his wife is wrong. Some things go past opinion and are just true.

I dont think there is anything wrong with Birth control. It away to keep from having to even have to think about abortion. Personally I have never taken it, but I think it is a good thing for someone who cant care for a child, need another one, or whatever reasons they may have to not have a child at that point in there life.

As for abortion, I dont believe in it at all, unless there is medical need for one. I know alot of people who have given birth to a baby born from rape. Some have choose to raise them, love and care for them no different then any other child they might have/had. I have also seen some give them to loving families that could not have one. There is to much love out there in families that cant have there own.

Abortion to me personally is no different from someone walking up and killing a newborn baby. It is a living human from the second it is concieved. If Gods will was for that baby not to live, he would make it happen naturally. It should not be a choice.

Just my personally feelings on it. I hope noone takes it personally. I do not judge others on there feelings, choices, and/or beliefes. I hope that I get the same respect. I didnt take the time to read anyones comments, because we all have our rights to our feelings on things.

"I don't believe in abortion but, I don't have to bear the child so my vote is really null and void. It's a woman's choice. I respect their decisions on it. "

I think a man has every right to weigh in. The woman gives him that right when she allows him into her body. It's their child too.

Neither issue is any of my business, unless I mate with a woman. Then it is OUR business and ours alone. And, Abortion remains her choice, regardless of what I might want or feel I need.

Simple, it is none of the business of the government. NONE, NOT ANY, ZIP, ZERO, BOTH ARE PRIVATE ISSUES, NOT PUBLIC ISSUES.

I think that this shoulds remain a woman's decision and a basic right. Moraly it weighs on me becuae of the reasons some choices are made, but intellectually I side with the individual.

I do not believe in abortion for any reason. I have talked before to my hubby if I was in danger and they told him it was me or the baby I would want him to take that chance and if it was the baby in the end then it would be. Its not the babies fault for any reason that it was conceived. Even rape I would carry the baby and if I couldn't raise it which I think I truthfully could but if I couldn't I would find them a loving family.

As far as any form of birth control that happens before a baby is conceived I am for it. I think that is way more mature then abortion and killing a child.

First, our laws are far to specific to begin with. I think, they were created so open so as to be able to deal with any situation.

Second, birth control for everyone that is not abstaining or being taught to abstain until marriage.

Third, I have personal experiences with both abortion and adoption and I believe in them both. I do not believe in abortion as a form of birth control and I do not agree with aborting the fetus late in conception either.

I guess Dan, my beliefs come from my experiences because it seems, in my life, any time I have said I would never do something, I have been throw into a situation to prove that statement. I have done what has felt right to me and I can live with that. If I can there should be no problem.

I think each person should have the right to choose for themselves and no one else. I do not believe anyone should be able to take that right away or force their beliefs onto another. This is America after all. At least it used to be.

When it comes to beliefs I have been asked if I want to be right or if I want to be happy. I choose happy! I think that might boil down to a bit of live and let live thinking!

Thanks everyone for sharing your views and insights and though I might not agree with them all, I can respect them. Thanks Dan for bringing up such a touchy topic. I am very happy to know that there can be a discussion about it without the negativity that can accompany such topics.

I couldn't support a law that outlawed all abortion, but don't support or believe in it myself. People have to live with their own decisions, and I don't think the government should make those for them. I am sad, that in this day and age, there are so many though.
I have no issues with birth control by other means, but also think it shouldn't replace good judgement by young people trying to "fit in" so to say, peer pressure, etc.
Take care.

Birth control has always been strongly desired by some. Making it illegal has never made it nonexistent, nor for all methods to go unused.

Since the objection to birth control use comes only from certain religious communities, to not allow people to use birth control would be unconstitutional.

Birth control helps prevent unwanted pregnancies and minimize overpopulation's expansionism.


Abortion has always been practiced by some. Making it illegal has never made it nonexistent, nor has it ever kept people from performing them.

Legalizing abortion means that the procedure can be had in a medically safe fashion; whereas having illegal procedures proved a track record of being too often medically hazardous.

Abortion needs to be kept legal so that the procedure can be kept safe.

Either we get the straight people to slow down or we find a new planet to put some more people. Abortion kills an unborn baby but our current overpopulation is killing everything else. We are in a DEATH WITH DEATH dance right now - no matter what. And for how long can humans live without the rest of nature. Biodiversity IS going away.

So stop breeding (yeah right - people get horny) and become vegetarians (yay) and help slow down the environmental problem that such overpopulation is causing.

That's my "big picture" view of it.

Like Marilyn, I am a United Methodist. I believe she has, in quoting the Book of Discipline, and her subsequent comments, summed up my opinion.

I always said "Abortion is ABSOLUTELY wrong!" until I got pregnant in a less-than-perfect situation and found myself considering it. I didnt go through with the procedure, but I think it is impossible to say with "absolute" certaintly just what you will or wont find yourself doing in extreme circumstances. My mom got pregnant at 15 and the guy killed himself. She didnt have an abortion but instead gave the child up for adoption. Very difficult issue.

Personally, I don't know if I could ever have an abortion. I don't think it should be used as a method of birth control, but there are times when it is the most appropriate choice for a woman. So, I am pro-choice.
The pro-choice movement in the U.S. works to promote contraceptives, which means there are less women with the abortion dilemma. On the other hand, the pro-life movement tends to fight against birth control. I've done my research, and out of all of the pro-life organizations, I only found one in this country that does not specifically say something against contraceptives, but that one organization also does not promote it.

I wrote an article relating to this topic a while back. In short, God is pro choice so regardless of how anyone feels about abortion or birth control it's a pretty serious sin to use the levers of government to make it illegal. Here's the link to the article for reference:

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977177541

Marilyn, I am terribly sorry about what happened to you and very saddened to learn you lost the baby. I, too, am a survivor of rape by two different men and also of incest by multiple perpetrators. I did not conceive, but if I had, I do not know what choice I would have made. I, myself, don't know if I could go through an abortion, but because one of the key things a girl or woman is stripped of when she is raped or sexually abused is her right to choose what happens to her body, I feel she should be given this choice if the rape or sexual abuse should result in her getting pregnant.

For me on a personal level, I don't believe in abortion as an soption for me; however, it would never occur to me in a million years to tell another woman that for her to make that choice is wrong. NEVER. Which is the greater sin (so to speak, as I am not speaking from any religious standpoint here), to terminate a pregnancy or to bring an unwatned, unloved shild into the world, knowing you can't care for them? And I am sorry, but until a man has to deal with ALL of the repercussions of being an active participant in a sexual relationship which results in conception, he has no right to tell a woman she CAN'T terminate a pregnancy. Period. Sadly, women always come across as being the bad one for choosing abortion, but what about emn who are EQUALLY responsible? In my experience, amongst people I know, the women who are forced to make that decision are women who have already been abandoned by the man involved; why should they have to bear all of the responsibility? I believe, TOTALLY, in birth control, abortion should not be used as a form of it. However, as two of my four kids can attest, it doesn't always work. My OB said, when I went in to see him with Baby #4, "Welcome to the 200 thousand women a year who get pregnant on the pill club!" He als said that statistically speaking, the success rate of the Pill hovers right at about 95%; and yes, there are other forms of birth control out there, but not every one is an option for every woman. So, until and unless we as a nation can find a way for men to be reposnsible without laying all of the burden at the womn's feet, we ought to just stop telling women what they can and can't do with their own bodies.

I cant imagine how many more unwanted or aborted babies there would be without birth control.
I personally would not have an abortion but I am a firm believer in the right of others to choose what they feel is right for them.

I don't like abortion. Having said that, I don't agree that abortion should be illegal in this country. I think that the way things are is just about right regarding the issue. Leave the decision to the woman, her doctor, and family. How did I come to this belief. I remember when abortion was illegal. Young women were hemorrhaging due to botched illegal abortions. While the decision may not agree with everyone, I think that it is personal and should remain legal, period.

Regarding birth control. There should be better availability and more comprehensive education of our young people (males and females). It should be the goal to prevent pregnancy in the first place. While abstinence has its place, it isn't appropriate for everyone. So, birth control pills should be discussed as well as condoms. Everyone should be educated. Education creates better decision making.

I have been impressed by the civility of the comments in this thread! I don't feel that my opinion on abortion is necessarily valid because I could never get pregnant.

I do know that my wife had two spontaneous abortions, (miscarriages), and that the second one, about 4 1/2 months into the pregnancy, was very traumatic for her. The first one, was probably about three weeks in, and we didn't know she was pregnant. That's a lot easier than one you've been planning for.

I feel that the law should not be involved in the decision in any matter. This should be a private matter between a woman, her physician, the father of the fetus, and her clergyman if she so chooses. This is actually the ruling in the Roe vs Wade case. Not a matter of abortion on the part of a woman but the restriction of the invasiveness of her doctor's office.

While I consider it totally wrong to have an abortion for any purpose other than the life or health of the mother, rape, or incest, I believe also, that for me to involve myself, as a member of society, in this very personal matter is equally wrong. Somewhere along the way, if one believes in God, it is time to butt out and leave it in the capable hands of God! Those who try to enforce their religious beliefs upon others are usurping the prerogatives of God!

One should keep in mind that, according to the Bible, even God did not cause a woman to carry a fetus without her express consent. When Mary conceived Jesus, God got her agreement before hand.

My opinions on this matter are not based on religion. My religion is totally against abortion for any purpose at any time. If a mothers life is in danger, it is to be left in the hands of God, and if both mother and child die as a result, then that was the will of God. I cannot accept that. In no way do I equate a month old fetus to a born, breathing and living baby!

Billy Jean King lost totally, my respect, when she chose to abort her baby because it would interfere with her career! But I didn't and don't have the right to make her moral decisions for her.

As far as birth control goes, I believe it is essential to the survival of the human race, that we limit the overpopulation of our planet and birth control beats abortion any day. However, birth control doesn't always work. We had five children and two miscarried pregnancies and with the exception of the first, each was achieved with a different form of birth control. There are many unwanted pregnancies out there but here should be no unwanted babies. Someone wants them all!

I notice Peter Swanson believes as I do that our overpopulation must be controlled. Many persons who are all gung ho about saving the planet, fail totally, to recognize the role of overpopulation in all aspects of environmental problems. This must be addressed!

First, abortion, in some form or another, has been around since the time of Cleopatra. If it is such a horrible thing, why isn't it listed with all the other things we can or cannot do in the bible? Guess they just didn't think it was that big of a deal.
Second, with the proliferation of religious vs. secular education(i.e., only type of birth control that is taught in many schools is abstinence if federal funds are used) has caused more problems rather than less. An under-educated populace is easier to control...of course that's what the theocrats and neocons want--if we're stupid, we don't ask as many questions.
Third, abortions are RARELY used as "birth control"...its used more often when birth control has failed. This is one of the lies that is told.
Fourth--not only do I believe in access to birth control, up to and including abortion, I have experience in having an abortion--I was 35, not 18, birth control failed. I've never felt horrible about my actions, no depression or any of the other lies that are told IF a woman knows her own mind and has counseling(if needed) available to her. I have also been an escort, lay-counselor(and haven't tried to talk someone into an abortion, just presented the facts), and a proud supporter of Planned Parenthood.

I believe birth control isn't used near as much as it should be, especially in the younger generation (20 somethings). Personally I don't use it because I have had two tubal pregnancies where there was internal bleeding and I almost died both times and had to have the tube and the baby removed to save my own life. I do not believe in abortion for me and losing both of these babies nearly killed me with grief. I could not ever intentionally abort a baby. IF i get pregnant again naturally it will be a miracle, otherwise next year we are planning to try in vitro and if that doesn't work we will adopt. As far as others getting abortions, I believe that it should only be allowed if the life of the mother or the baby is in danger and they will die if nothing is done. In rape cases or cases of irresponsiblity and financial hardship I believe they should have it and put it up for adoption! Abortion should not be used as birth control!!!!!!!! That is just my personal belief. I believe babies are a blessing and would LOVE to be able to have many many more naturally. I am sad that people who are able to don't appreciate it as much! Some of us out here would love to have another baby. Put it up for adoption and give it a chance to have a great life well loved by a family like mine!!!!

I believe in a woman's right to choose what is right for her. No one can place themselves in someone else's shoes and I don't think it is ever an easy decision to make to terminate a pregnancy or to have an unwanted one. In my opinion, the best course of action is safe effective birth control for everyone.

My opinion does not amount to a hill of beans. I would ask this though. Were we born with a valve on it or a plug in it? I'm thinking that's all supposed to be controlled with the brain God gave us.
Some things are un-lawful. Some things are sinful. Some things are both.
I'm glad I was born, how about you?

My belief is that every child should be a wanted child, the days when women were weighed down by constantly having babies, now through birth control families can limit the size to fit in with the lifestyle. Abortion is I think a womans right to choose, but should never be used as an alternative to birth control.

Abortion is one touchy subject.

I don't have anything philosophically against either technology. I think that both have played a strong part in the advancement of the roles women play in societies in the last 50 years.

However, I think that counseling with physicians involved, psychologists, spiritual advisers, and any respected family members or friends the patient chooses...regarding the side effects of either technology (be they ethical, moral, biochemical, brain chemical, emotional, psychological) is crucial for the patient's long term health.

it is up to both people to be responsible for birth control.

it is a woman's right to choose abortion. it is not an easy decision and should be left to each individual. who are we to say what is right for someone else. and some speak of adoption, but how many unwanted children do we have now in limbo, in and out of foster care and bad situations?

"Today, we listened to a presentation on different religious views on birth control and abortion. Now this presentation only dealt with 4 faiths (and did not encompass non-religious views) so of course only a few interpretations were presented."

Interesting, Dan. Who is "we" and where was this presentation held? At a church? In a school? I'm curious.

I think Ness stated my opinion perfectly. The only valid motivation to get pregnant is to have a baby that is wanted and that you are willing and able to care for. Until then, if you are going to engage in intercourse, then you and your partner should both use contraception. I also know that there are cases where women get pregnant and they know that it is best to terminate the pregnancy for themselves and for the future child.....and those women should have the right to do this.

Churches do not have thoughts. Religions can not decide (intelligently) to defy medicine. So, each individual should be allowed to make these decisions based on medical science and individual beliefs.

pro birth control

pro choice

It's as simple as that for me. These choices are personal and no one else's business but mine.

as being an old fashion Roman Catholic,my religon teachs it wrong for everybody i agree. even if i was not Catholic i would still agree.

You shouldn't be doing it if you have dont want kids or not willing to be open for such consequences. plain and simple.

also i think you should wait to be married before you do such a deed,its supposed to be between two people who love each other,not just some sport to do.

you asked for my opinion and not to hold back. so thats how i feel

It all depends on the individuals situation. I say, if you can bring another into this world and guarantee to care for well, fine. But any doubts in your own life should put it on hold.

I am pro choice and believe in birth control. No one should be able to tell another person what they should do with their body, unless it hurts others. Now people argue that abortion is killing a baby, but my view on that is if it can't survive outside of the womb with medical care then it is not yet a baby. I personally don't think I'd ever be able to get an abortion, but I'm also planning on not having children and adopting. There are to many kids out there without homes that I see no reason to birth my own.

I have six beautiful children, a few concieved on Birth Control (yes, seriously!), I have had 8 miscarriages. I do NOT believe that abortion is or should be used as a form of birth control. I don't think that there's any circumstance in which abortion is ever a good option... unless it's a case of the mother's life being in danger, or the baby won't survive. The problem is, it's still a baby, and still a human life... in my mind, it would still be killing an innocent. :(

You can see a baby's heartbeat on ultrasound as early as 6 weeks gestation (i"m pretty sure! it seems I've seen all of my children's heartbeats early!). How can one know there's a beating heart there, and deny that it's a human life? That's just *MY* opinion.

And I most definitely support birth control, and all forms of it!!!

It is not a yes or no question. It's a case by case question.
I don't believe in abortion for silly reason like figure control, but i do believe in it if lives are in danger or the child has no chance of a decent life. I don't mean minor disabilities, I live with them myself.

I have nothing against birth control. It's needed in this overpopulated world.

Boy what a very charged topic! I do not see any time soon that this will be solved to every one's happy conclusion. I, as a man, would never put a woman in that situation. I would never and have never forced myself on any woman that I have been in love with, will I ever. I did have a female friend in high school that was date raped by the young man that she was dating and that was extremely hard for her to deal with. His family was exremely rich and forced her to have an abortion. She spent many hours over the years in confession and therapy type sessions with her pastor trying to deal with this. I was very difficult to help her because I will never know that physical side of being pregnant.

I have a 24 year old son and after he was born I had a vasectamy; not because I didn't want more children but because my wife developed a very bad form of post partum depression and it took six years for her to be able to deal with being a mother. I didn't believe in divorce so I took care of our son with no questions asked to God or any one. It was dificult; would never even think of an abrotion, especially since we made the decision for her to become pregnant. I knew that I would never have anymore children with her so I felt that it would be better to just have permanent birth control; though we are divorced now, I didn't have any thought of divorcing her at that time. I know that a lot of woman probably wouldn't even accept or entertain my beliefs in this matter because I will know, myself, what it is like to be pregnanat and not want to be.

If any of you are in that situation - I will pray that you find the strength to make the right decision - what ever that is. Take care all.

I used to belive that an abortiion was okay, as a lot of people, in the case of a rape or if life of mother in danger, but, when I found out how abortions are performed, I decided that I can only except this if the mother's life is in danger and if the fetus will definately have brain damage and it's health is in danger.

please excuse me for some of the mispelling of some of the words in the previous post but a couple of my keys were sticking I had to wipe them off with a cloth. I accidently spilled some tea on it.

As a man, I probably can offer just an opinion. I am sure that abortion is a very, very difficult decision if an unwanted pregnancy affects you personally. Often you'll hear of the 'father' saying... "oh just go have an abortion". That's a pretty cavalier attitude. Having unprotected sex is easy... living with that decision and the many possible outcomes is a lot harder.

I'm all for birth control. I'm not in favor of abortion as a form of birth control. Life is precious. I'm here because my mother chose life. I would hate to see another life snuffed out because a baby would be inconvenient.

The psychological danger of pro-choice (abortion) is that someone (the mother) has to decide. Living with that decision is with her for a lifetime.

Years ago, I was marching in Washington, DC protesting abortion. I went to all of the rallies, carried the signs of aborted fetuses. The issue was very black and white to me at the time.

Today, I still hate abortion. I don't agree with abortion. But I do not believe it is the government's business to tell a woman what to do with her body. Not unless they are going to provide her with the physical and emotional supports needed to care for her child.

I worked for 7 years with the throw away children in our society...the children who were horribly abused and neglected....so neglected they were eating cockroaches from the floor out of sheer hunger....the children whose own mother traded them to a man for some crack cocaine...so he could have sex with them. I listened to them cry themselves to sleep every night wishing their mother loved them.

Do these children deserve to live? Absolutely. But experiencing what I did with them totally changed my view on abortion. I believe something more needs to be done to prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Before I hear from the naysayers...I am a Christian. This topic is one I struggle deep down in my soul with, and I truly believe that there is no perfect answer. In a perfect world, where mommies and daddies want and love their children....the answer would be easy. But the world we live in is far from perfect...and the children are the ones who suffer. I do believe a child is a child at conception. I believe that with all of my heart. As I said, I despise abortion. But does our government really have a right to make that choice for me? Should that choice not be a personal one between myself and God? As I said...I don't have the answers...and I may very well change my mind again. The issue is not black and white to me........

I strongly feel that both birth control and abortion should be matters of personal choice. God will sort it out.

However, if we as a society choose to legislate those choices, I feel that we owe it to our citizens to be as creative as possible when providing alternatives to unwanted pregnancies.

If we are going to legislate the punishment of women for poor judgment or contraception failure, then it would only be fair to punish the responsible man equally.

Perhaps the responsible man could be required to just donate a kidney and have their metabolism adjusted for life with hormonal supplements to approximate the effects of pregnancy and childbirth on their body.... DNA testing could be utilized to positively identify the guilty sperm donor....

If we are going to legislate the protection of the life of the unborn child, then it would only be fair to protect the life and well being of the woman and spare her the consequences of protecting that life. To do otherwise is punishment.

Perhaps there is a choice that we have not explored waiting for us just around the corner. Intra abdominal pregnancies do happen... rarely... It has been theorized that one could be supported in a man with appropriate hormonal supplementation and surgical implantation and delivery. Perhaps this would be an alternative in situations where the woman did not wish to risk her health, beauty, career, etc., to carry the child. Let the man take on the responsibility....

Just some thoughts on the issue...

Angel

Before modern birth control and safe, legal abortion, married women got pregnant over and over again with children they often couldn't care for and/or didn't want. No way, no how, would any sane person ever suggest that we go back there. Heterosexual couples need to be educated about birth control and make wise, responsible decisions with each sex act. And since we live in a less-than-ideal world where this is not always possible, abortion should always remain a legal option. "If you face an unplanned pregnancy, give your child up for option" isn't a real choice for some people. Pregnancy is physically and emotionally exhausting- not to mention expensive, given today's over-regulated, over-medicated, good-for-doctors-bad-for-women way of giving birth. A woman should never feel forced into a pregnancy, much less into parenthood. Abortion is just something slightly unfortunate that we have to tolerate, like bee stings or visits to the dentist.

People say that fetuses have rights, but they surely don't have the same rights as fully formed, functioning human beings who have names and jobs. That's like confusing an acorn with an oak tree. Fetuses have potential, but it's much more humane and compassionate to take care of the people who are already here before we go worrying about people who may be born in the future.

Abortion is wrong. I have seen more women that have mental problems because they had an abortion. This is what the abortion clinics do not tell you. If you carry a child inside you for 5 months then have an abortion . This is murder. The child is fully formed with fingernails. I have treated patients with mental problems. The trauma effects of having an abortion are not worth it.

unless you are willing to punitively legislate the acts that PRODUCED the fetus you shouldn't legislate what happens to it until it is independently viable.

I don't believe in murder but I feel it is each individuals choice.

First of all I believe in birth control. It should be free and readily available to anyone.

I believe in the morning after pill. It should also be free and available to anyone.

I believe in education beginning just before the time girls are going to be able to get pregnant and continue through high school. It should definitely include birth control and abstinence in equal doses. I also believe kids need to be shown the results of stupid behavior. There are lots of programs that teach kids how much they will give up if they should become pregnant.

I believe that men are equally responsible for pregnancy as are women and need to accept fully their culpability. No more of this sly wink and atta boy pat on the back for the boy and calling the girl a slut or worse.

I believe people are imperfect and that accidental pregnancies occur. I don't believe pregnancy, childbirth, and raising a child should be the punishment for a temporary lapse in good judgment. Children deserve to be wanted and loved. So I believe that within the first trimester abortion should be granted to anyone asking for one at a reasonable price.

I absolutely reject the idea that I know more about a person's private life than does that person and that my personal beliefs give me the right to dictate those choices for another person. I definitely believe a pregnant woman should have the support and ability to make the best decision for her at that point in her life, whether that be to terminate the pregnancy or the equally difficult choice to continue it.

I believe that my bible anyway says that only god knows what is in a person's heart, so I am more than content to let him sit in judgment of that person.

birth control _ for abortion_ don't believe in!


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I believe in medical choice, but my personal choice is that birth control should start before conception. It isn't my place to make another's decision for them, only to decide what is wrong for myself. I think government involvement in birth control can swing back on us. If it's okay to say you must have children, it will eventually be okay to tell me I can't and force abortion on our citizens. You can't justify one and not the other. So I am sort of a fence sitter I suppose. There have to be other solutions to the problem if abortion is to become less prevalent which would be a good thing. NO one ever WANTS an abortion. We need alternatives in our society and freedom to make the choice.

Pro choice!
Pro birth control!
Simple as that for me.

Thanks for the article, Dan! :)

I believe sex outside of marriage is wrong. Once married, I believe in the use of birth control until a couple is emotionally and financially ready to raise a child and give that child all of what it needs to be healthy and strong physically, emotionally, and morally. I don't believe in abortion except in extremely rare cases where the mother's life is in danger or the child is so severely defective that it wouldn't live after birth. If the child would be born so damaged that it would need total nursing care for a lifetime, then the decision about abortion would have to be made by the parents after giving much thought and prayer to the decision. I do NOT believe in abortion for the convenience of the parents or as a back up to a lack of birth control!

I support both

Who are we to judge what others do?
As long as they aren't hurting me/you, then they have the RIGHT to make the choice to do the things they do in life.
Sex outside of marriage, since the divorce rate is so high, well lets just say were not doing something right with marriage why not try something else?!?
I have my beliefs and that's all they are is mine!
Don't push your beliefs on me I wont push mine on you!

I've long held the view that you cant force your beliefs onto others so you wont find me telling anyone what to do or how to live. That being said, I've known for a long time that I wasn't really cut out to be a parent (actually, my relationship with my dad growing up led me to that conclusion), so at the ripe old age of 30 I got clipped. Tell people that and watch them stand there dumbfounded.

Abortion and birth control are not natural and are not within God's plan. I know several couples who chose sterilization, yet had another child. If God chooses you to be a parent, you're not going to stop him.
My heart breaks for rape and incest victims, especially those who conceive. Yet, this conception results in human life and none of it is the child's choice.
I have friends who have aborted their children and they can tell you to the day how old each child would be today. It is a bitter mistake, but it is a sin that can be forgiven like any other.

Scott- I'm not dumbfounded. That's a responsible decision. I've never understood the idea that we must procreate. I have, but I don't see what makes it a life purpose like teaching or preaching or something.

In our family, birth control has been an issue since my husband is Catholic. We call it a mixed marriage. LOL I chose to take steps that due to the situation couldn't include what I wanted which was a tubal. One of my children is autistic, so I couldn't afford the "down time". I've gone with a less permanent solution that I like much less and have still miscarried! I wish I could go your route.

I believe that everything happens for a reason. Since we don't know God's plan, how can we assume that to end a pregnancy in abortion is not God's plan? We, ultimately, cannot judge with any degree of certainty that it wasn't in God's hands to begin with. We can take the Bible literally, or not, and each person's interpretation is different. Each church has it's own beliefs as well. So, yes, it comes down to the individual. For me, if I can't afford to give a child the life that it deserves it is irresponsible for me to bring it into this world. Birth control is the responsible way to go. How many more people can we bring into this world before it can no longer support them? You know that time is on the horizon, right?

P.S. - Dan, hope my uncensored thoughts get you some more points ... and I hope I don't get any flames in my email box. :)

Abortion ends a life. It stops a heart. Babies are viable at earlier and earlier stages of development - and well before the cutoff for legal abortions. As for personal choice, where does it end? Is it OK for a person to kill the homeless man on the corner because he is unwanted, unloved and contributing to disease and overpopulation? Is it OK to stop feeding a quadriplegic because she can't survive on her own and is draining the economy by collecting disability? Life is life, and it is sacred. When we treat it with the throw-away attitude we seem to have in our modern culture, we ultimately devalue ourselves. We have more abuse, more rape, more murder than ever, climbing right alongside our society's callous attitudes toward the most helpless among us - the unborn.

I am neutered. I believe in spaying and neutering to help control the pet population. There are too many unwanted cats that are either euthanized or wind up sick and malnourished in some crazy cat lady's trailer home.

Ah, el gato, You strike again. lol

I am 100% against abortion no matter what the circumstance! I am also taking birth control to prevent an unwanted pregnancy at the current time.

I was raised Catholic. When I was in high school, my friend's older sister and husband got married and were excited to start a family. They were still young, and when they got pregnant they were elated. I can't remember the exact details, but they found out that there was a less than 10% chance of the baby surviving and less than 15% chance for mom. They had a very difficult time of it, but decided to get an abortion.

The worst part about the whole thing was that their local church completely alienated the family from their small-town community. It was horrible to see how their church treated them at a time when they needed it most.

This is not to say that I disagree with people standing by their religion, but that sometimes we need to just be supportive of others and let the powers that be handle it when appropriate.

i think birth control is a life saver when it comes to someone in my age and older! abortion... its a maybe... i dont know soo much about it. but unless there is another way to get the fetus or baby out...it would have to be abortion.. because what if your in highschool and u get pregnant and its to late for the E.C.. what now?unless there is some other way...(perferably non surgicaly or harmful) tell me! and i know strong religious people belive in abstinence... but what happens if you get pregnant not out of your will...? you wouldnt be able to keep the abstinence up.. idk this is a complicate topic. especialy for someone 15 :P

Now, this is what I believe. I won't sugar coat it, because you asked what my views are. I know what is politically correct. But right and wrong is not about politically correct.
I think abortion is murder. If the abortion is committed by a doctor, with a morning-after pill, an IUD or any other thing that kills a living fetus, it is wrong. Birth control, that prevents a pregnancy from ever beginning, is not wrong. It is not murder to stop someone from ever existing. Only to kill someone once they do.
Do I feel for those who have been raped and abused? You bet I do. Would I maybe want to have an abortion if it were me? Probably I would.
But I would still be a liar to say I believe anyone has a right to kill another human being. We don't.
Don't you think I would love to be able to believe in the death penalty? I might even be glad to pull the plug on a couple of people who committed especially heinous crimes. But I would still be wrong.
See, the problem with things like this is that my wishing to change good into evil and evil into good doesn't change the truth. It only changes me into a hypocrite if I say I love God and don't love each person in the world as I would myself.
Were I that unborn child, I would want to live.
I can't promise that I'll always do everything I believe in. But God is still love and every person is precious to him. I, at least, have to say that wrong is wrong.