Calidus wrote:Player, I will respond to your remarks soon, I have to do some things, however I never said I was forcing anyone to believe what I believe I just think that killing someone is different than using medice. God wants us to use medicine to help us, it tells us to use the things on earth for ourselves. I'm not denying that, but I am denying that using medicine is "playing God"...not true at all... these are things that we can use from the earth. God told us to subdue the earth. Killinng someone is not a type of medicine though...that's what I want to make clear. Regardless of how you feel about it, you are still kiliing a life.
First, I am not debating that point, in fact. I am saying that when there is so much honest and true disagreement among even people within the same church, not just Protestants, but many Roman Catholics, who will follow the Pope, but don't always agree, then demanding that your view, the Roman Catholics church's view or anyone else's personnal view is wrong. Your morals are not superior to mine. We are equal under law. Under the Bible.. well, we have a debate, but that is the point, it IS a debate. We are past the times when one church gets to tell everyone else how to thing. Descending back to that is a very, very slippery slope indeed.
Second, I agree that abortion is bad. The question is whether making abortion illegal is really and truly the way to prevent it. This, in turn has 2 parts. The first is that some of what are called "abortions" under law are actually surgically removed miscarriages. They are, per my understanding from local Parish Priests and the local Bishop, fully authorized by Roman Catholic law when a doctor considers it to be the best way to preserve a mother's future reproductive and general health. Though The Roman Catholic church and many others wish to deny it, the real truth IS that many, particularly first trimester abortions ARE really and truly miscarriages. That is, they are strictly to remove a child that has already died. You referred to "preserving the mother's ability to have future children. The truth is that surgical removal is often the BEST way to ensure that. This is especially true for woman such as myself who are Rh negative. If we get exposed to an Rh positive child, we develop and allergic reaction. Once you get close to the end of that third trimester, there is enough blood to possibly start that process. One still has to go in, twice. Once to draw blood, which is used to create the serum (a vaccination, in essence) and then again to get it injected. In the local hospitals, this means going first to the lab, then later that day going up to Obstetrics. On one occasion, I had to sit there by the elevator watching while 2 very pregnant women were placed right in front of me, awaiting an open delivery room. Now, I know the doctors were busy and that taking care of a living child was more urgent than injecting me, but it would have taken just 2 seconds to usher me to a room. For that matter, there was no real and true reason why I had to go up to obstetrics to get that injection. Understand that each time, it was worse because each time, I was less and less sure that I could carry a child to term. What really made me angry, and made me lay a big portion of blame on the local Roman Catholic church (and, by extention, Rome), is the response of the nurses. Every one, EVERY ONE was firmly convinced that I was there because I had a fully voluntary abortion. They did not bother to even ask. I had not had a child, was getting post-partum treatment, so I had a voluntary abortion. When I went in for the procedure, several nurses flat out, where I could hear, refused to even deal with me. One was "gracious" enough, but she could not be bothered to understand that the child was already dead. Only once, after I sat for 1/2 hour by the women ready to give birth, did I EVER get any kind of sympathy. I held it together up until I was in the room, alone. Then I could not help but cry. One nurse, only one came in. Only after I was there bawling did she bother to ask "You don't want to be here, do you". The look of shock on her face spoke volumes! Here I was facing the worst day of my life, facing the definite possibility that I would never, ever have a living child, and only one nurse could even bother to notice that I was upset. That is not from Christ. That is from a male-dominated church that cannot be bothered to truly understand women's issues, that is too blind to even see that they
don't know,
don't understand what women endure! Christ understand. The Roman Catholic Pope... Well, I am sure John Paul would have. But this new one? He cannot be bothered!
Also, even when it is not required to protect the mother, many women prefer to have the surgery either just to "get it over with more quickly" (waiting for a "natural" process can mean 2-3 days, days that you may have to stay home from work or risk having a massive bleed present itself) and, frankly.. the idea of a doctor taking the child is often more palatable than what happens in a "natural" miscarriage.. well, you figure it out, its hardly a sanitary place it winds up. The child is already dead. . The
reason this is true is because a first trimester child has no "legal standing", essentially. I don't want to pretend to be a lawyer here, but the bottom line is that no records are kept, at least in PA on whether the child removed was dead already or not. Legally, the child does not have life yet. Some records even include later term procedures that were truly intended as "last ditch" efforts to save the child's life. (not just the mother's!) Sometimes those go wrong and the child dies. Some records also include deaths that follow an amniocentisis or other, similar procedures. The first is
not even considered a real abortion by the Roman Catholic Church. Some Roman Catholics and other extremists consider the other two to be "abortions", but that is hardly a universal position, even among Roman Catholic clergy. (the last is more so, because the church does not see a reason for any such procedure).
Player, I will respond to your remarks soon,
Then you have a whole group that yes, the Roman Catholic church and many others would consider to be a true "abortion", but which many, many even conservative Christians feel is justifiable. That is when you are faced with the certainty of a "bad outcome. This includes many ectopic pregnancies. This is a pregnancy held outside the uterus. Such pregnancies almost never succeed (when they do, it is with some very particular circumstances.. I won't get into the full medical details here). Even today, even with all the medical advances this is one of the most life-threatening occurances that can happen in pregnancy. It is one reason why EMTs and such are taught to ALWAYS consider abdominal pain in a child-bearing age woman to be an emergency, even wehn the teen girl is absolutely and firmly swearing they "could not be pregnant". Think of the placement of the uterus, teh close proximity to the aorta (which, if breached can cause someone to irrecoverably bleed out in a few seconds... even if they are on the operating table, with blood ready to transfuse!). Also consider the heavy amount of blood designed to protect and feed the child, etc. AND, consider what happens when the fallopian tubes are ruptured, etc. You may feel it is "justified" that a woman should not be able to have another child, that this is somehow "God's will", but I don't and many theologians, other Christians do not.
Consider also that if the doctor waits until the pregnancy has already failed, saving the mother and her future reproductive health is often not possible. In an emergency, a doctor often just doesn't have time to worry about making nice, neat perfect cuts. He has to get in their FAST and stop the bleeding, etc. Saving the mother's life is his first responsibility. Saving her reproductive future is secondary. You may not care about that, but believe me, millions of women DO.
Then you have the whole group of people faced with children who will endure things that no one would even have considered 50 years ago, never mind 2000 years. Sure, life has sanctity, but when and what does that mean. Does someone who had no brain, but is breathing and has a beating heart (functions controlled by the brain stem, not the brain) really qualify as "human life?" Does a child born to be in pain his entire life really glorify God? I realize you answer that these children should be saved, but many Bible-reading, heartfelt Christians do not. It was not so long ago that midwives were given a bucket for "monstors" and told "not to let the child cry". I am not going to argue about why. That is a debate for you within your church. MY issue is whether you and your church has the right to claim "moral superiority" here and has enough justification in that claim to change the law. I, and many, many others say "no", but it is a "bully pulpit". When the Roman Catholic Bishop meets a Roman Catholic in his office and politely, but firmly explains that he will have no choice but to excommunicate that Congressperson unless they
vote against a law permitting abortion, unless they vote in favor of a law further proscribing the procedure, that is not something any believing Roman Catholic will (or should) take lightly! But, it is a very gross overstepping of that Bishops' role. This is NOT a theocracy. If you and others insist that is OK, then we will be returning to a time when Roman Catholics will not be voted into office except in some majority-Catholic regions. Even then, its not certain because, as I said, many Roman Catholics understand quite well the distinction between a law that they must follow and dictating that others follow those rules.
LAST, look at the truly voluntary abortions.
This does include rape and incest, but I will mostly set those aside. Again, only a few would claim that type of abortion is wrong. Under the old Testament, not just that child, but that child's progeny would be doomed for 7 generations. Death hardly seems horrible compared to that! Yes, we no longer hold such, but there are a LOT of issues biologically, medically, psycologically when you tell a woman that she has to carry this child, this child who is always part her and part ... the rapist/close male relative. Give it up for adoption? That is not a peaceful choice. The child, part of her, still exists. It thrusts the problem onto someone else, but does it erase genetic difficulties from incest? NO. Does it erase the genetic input of that rapist, who is likely not the person most people would want for a parent, even "just" a genetic parent? I don't say for sure carrying such a child is wrong. In fact, were I to have to deal with a rape (incest is just not a question, thankfully!), I would carry the child. However, I say that there is enough of a grey area, there are enough people on BOTH sides to make it clear this is not a pure moral choice. There is disagreement. That disagreement is enough to warrant keeping this out of the realm of the judiciary. You, the Roman Catholic church would have doctors performing this procedure in JAIL, for heavens sake! That is not an act from God, that is human judgement. You believe God will condemn these women and that doctor? Fine, let them face that judgement. Let them face it like you believe anyone who is not a practicing Roman Catholic will face it. I have no problem with facing God. It is humans I have issues with!
Finally, you have those who feel they cannot raise a child. I will lump them together with those who think abortion is just "another form of birth control". (and that last is important per Roman Catholic doctrine, because it does not distinguish!)
I am going to say flat out that I find almost all of those plain repugnant. In fact, I don't think you will find anyone, even abortion doctors, who really and truly think abortion is "wonderful" or the best choice. The BEST choice is to prevent those pregnancies from the beginning!
Here, too, the Roman Catholic church stance is plain idiotic. They persist in promoting "abstinance only" so-called education. The truth is that real education is the best way to reduce abortion AND unwanted pregnancies. Claims that sex education, properly conducted, actually increases the chance of kids having sex is just wrong. Furthermore, children are just plain raised under different values. It is not your place or mine to tell other parents what is right and wrong for their child. It is our job to debate, to educate. It is the schools job to educate. Contrary to the baloney put forward by the right, a good sex education does NOT teach 12 year old or 14 year olds that it is "OK to have sex". It acknowledges the sad fact that many kids get that message at home and many others just don't get any message at home and will take their "education" from the media, which certainly does glorify sex. (though most shows are doing a better job now of showing problems with teen pregnancies and even unwed pregnancies). It does 2 things. It gives kids the scientific reasons why sex should be delayed.. the fact, the true fact that no birth control is 100%. It does NOT exaggerate. Some programs mention various controversial ideas, ranging from this idea that Birth control causes irrevocable harm to a woman's future reproductive health (NOT accurate, not taken in the full context of women's health choices and options..t hat is, yes, there are cases where that has happened, but there are far, far more cases where it has helped. Anything medical has drawbacks and benefits. The key is to weigh them, not to focus on only one impact and claim that is the "whole truth"). It also does not gloss over issues like STDs. It talks about condoms, other forms of protection and absolutely mentions their limits, BUT does not ignore the fact that these things, once one has already decided to have sex, can help prevent it from becoming either a death sentance or result in a child.
The real truth is that if you want to prevent unwanted pregnancies and abortion, the most effective way is to take 2 approaches. First, to teach morality where parents will accept it. That is, churches need to do a better job of explaining WHY "rules" are what they are. God's rules all make sense. The time when simply saying "this is how it is, child..do it or else!" is enough is long past. It works for some, but not most children. Even when it seems to "work", often it is a matter of superficial obedience. That's enough in an "emergency".. a child about to run into the road doesn't need a debate, they need to be grabbed and sat down or otherwise reprimanded. HOWEVER, later, need to be told why you took that action. Do that and before long, the rule is just unnecessary. I agree that more discussion of abortion needs to happen, but in the full context of sex education. I also think that what is taught through churches is quite distinct from what is appropriate in fully public schools that don't just cater to kids raised with one set of values.
Calidus wrote:You don't know if the mother will survive or not,
Often times, a doctor very much does. Medical science has come a very, very long way and continues to advance.
Calidus wrote: but if you can save the baby you should as from a Catholic stance at least....which brings me to the point.
I am not going to argue the right or wrong of Roman Catholic doctrine with you. That is your debate, not mine. I simply say I find it abhorrant. I am not Roman Catholic and do not have to agree with you or your Bishop or the Pope. In this case, I do not.
Calidus wrote: The nun is Catholic right? So if she firmly believes otherwise then she shouldn't be Catholic, so why would she care if she is excommunicated? That is my point...and that is why I wrote that whole thing from before.
First, this is hardly a uniform position within your church. But again, that is a debate for you and your church, not me. I already reject it.
As for why I care? First because it is just a gross injustice and any caring person cares about injustice. Second, these things no longer stop just at the doors of the Roman Catholic church. When Bishops decide they have the right to lobby MY legislators and MY congressmen, then they can no longer hide behind the church. They give up the right to say "this is a matter of religious freedom". It no longer is. It is a matter of whether the Roman Catholic church has the right to dictate MY laws, and laws that every other American must follow. THAT is the clear distinction.
Calidus wrote:Player, I will respond to your remarks soon
With all respect, I am not going to debate the intricacies of Roman Catholic versus Protestant beliefs. What I stated is how Protestants, not just a few "biased individuals" as you like to claim, but the educated, highly sensitive, theological and religious community think. I understand that you don't agree. That is why we have 2 seperate churches and likely will for a very long time. We plain disagree.
I myself am not an expert. What I said IS the real truth.. the truth in what many, many Roman Catholics, real people with whom I talk and have spoken, feel AND the truth of the theological differences between Roman Catholics and Protestants. One thing the Roman Catholic church does NOT do very well is teaching about the bredth of Christian thinking. They don't because it is, to them, irrelevant. Protestants, by contrast, tend to find it very relevant. It is relevant because we are often faced with Roman Catholics who want to lecture us or change laws, etc. It is relevant because many of us, myself included will wind up marrying Roman Catholics. My church has no issue with that, not at all. And, per my supposed "bias" agains the church, I actually told my husband that I would be willing to have my child baptized a Roman Catholic, to have him attend CCD, etc. That did not mean any kind of "capitulation" in my beliefs. It means that I fully recognize Roman Catholicism to be Christian. I also fully recognize that, despite the partial reconcilliation of Vatican II, tolerance is mostly one way. The local Priest did assure my husband and I that a baptism from the Lutheran church would be accepted. That was mostly to appease my mother-in law. However, my husband has a LOT of anger toward the Roman Catholic church. How much, I did not fully realize until after I had married him or I would have insisted he resolve those issues before we married. However, the bottom line is that I am not "anti" Roman Catholic. I am against their politicizing their beliefs. I hold that stance regarding ANY church, for the reason that I believe freedom of religion is our best protection. I have nothing to fear from other people's religious beliefs or moral stances, because I am firm in my own beliefs. I am raising my sons the same way.