It's been all abortion, all the time on my google reader for two weeks now as the Catholic Church (I think) is promoting 40 Days of Talking At People About Abortion. Of course, this event isn't actually called that, but that's what it's amounting to.
For the most part, I've been ignoring it. If you've heard the prolife position once, you've heard the entire prolife position: think of the baybeez*, not the women! There's only so much of that I can take before my blood pressure does something drastic.
This, however, is the outside of enough.
But that's the thing about abortion. It is hatred, plain and simple. Every woman who has ever aborted her baby must hate what is growing inside of her in order to do this terrible deed.
Look, there's this thing in civilized society called "presumption of good faith", which the Slacktivist does a better job explaining than I ever could. Presumption of good faith is necessary for conversations, without it, you are merely shouting at people. You really should read the Slacktivist's thoughts on the subject, however, in short, presumption of good faith is not assuming that all decisions you cannot understand are made from malice and evil.
Look, it's not that hard to find out why women have abortions. There's this thing, it's called the internet. It's where you posted your arrogant screed and it includes lots of other things, too. You can find out why women have abortions in the words of the women themselves.
You do not know better than these women why they did what they did. That is the essence of your rant, that you know better than everyone, that you know how everyone feels, that you know everyone's motivations better than they do. That everyone else is a liar, only you know the truth. That is the height of arrogance, and it just isn't true.
If you're actually interested in learning something, here's why women have abortions, from I'm Not Sorry:
I had two beautiful daughters, ages 3 years old and 6 months. They were my whole life. I also had an alcoholic husband who I was desperately trying to seperate from. His increasingly frightening outbursts of rage had become too much for me. I was on the pill and we only made love once that month, but I still got pregnant. I knew there was no way I could possibly handle a pregnancy, and I knew if I told my husband, I would not be safe.
I secretly had an abortion and I know I made the right choice. It’s not a choice I ever thought I’d have to make, but I’m so grateful I had the right. I sincerely doubt that I’d still be sitting here in one piece, the blissful mother of two gorgeous girls, now 7 and 4 years old, if I had not had an abortion. I did what I had to do to protect myself and my children, and I have never once regretted it.
No hatred, just love for her daughters and a desire for safety.
My husband and I did not have the money to raise a child. Moreover, we had a few issues on our own to work out first. My husband is an alcoholic, and right as found out I was pregnant, he had decided to make the next step with his disease – to go to treatment for alcoholics and seek some help. I had wanted to get our relationship under control before bringing a child into this world.
Again, no hatred, just love.
Presumption of good faith. Get some.
*As said by Claire from Lost.
