Define the term or issue (ie. abortion):
- The deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, most often performed during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy.
What is the Conservative perspective on this issue? Why? Quote at least two experts in the field.
From the moment of conception the baby is a human, therefore if you kill it, it defies a commandment to god.
“We believe that all life is a gift of God, so that neither the life of the unborn child nor the mother may be lightly taken. We believe that God Himself, in Scripture, has told us what our attitude should be towards the unborn. Several times it is specifically stated that He conferred divine blessing upon unborn infants. He also provided penalties for actions which result in the death of the unborn.”
-The National Association of Evangelicals, a nonprofit organization representing US Evangelical churches, wrote the following position in its article "Abortion 1973," published on its website www.nae.net (accessed May 27, 2010)
"Killing an unborn child is inherently wrong, and therefore can never be justified regardless of circumstances. It is no more just to kill an unborn child in order to avoid hardship than it would be to kill a toddler to avoid hardship. Because the unborn child is unseen, it is easier for society to condone killing him or her, though this is morally indistinguishable from killing any child at any stage of development…”
-The Pro-Life Action League, a nonprofit pro-life organization, wrote the following position on its website, ProLifeAction.org, in a section titled "Where We Stand" (accessed May 27, 2010)
From the moment of conception the baby is a human, therefore if you kill it, it defies a commandment to god.
“We believe that all life is a gift of God, so that neither the life of the unborn child nor the mother may be lightly taken. We believe that God Himself, in Scripture, has told us what our attitude should be towards the unborn. Several times it is specifically stated that He conferred divine blessing upon unborn infants. He also provided penalties for actions which result in the death of the unborn.”
-The National Association of Evangelicals, a nonprofit organization representing US Evangelical churches, wrote the following position in its article "Abortion 1973," published on its website www.nae.net (accessed May 27, 2010)
"Killing an unborn child is inherently wrong, and therefore can never be justified regardless of circumstances. It is no more just to kill an unborn child in order to avoid hardship than it would be to kill a toddler to avoid hardship. Because the unborn child is unseen, it is easier for society to condone killing him or her, though this is morally indistinguishable from killing any child at any stage of development…”
-The Pro-Life Action League, a nonprofit pro-life organization, wrote the following position on its website, ProLifeAction.org, in a section titled "Where We Stand" (accessed May 27, 2010)
What is the Liberal perspective on this issue? Why? Quote at least two experts in the field.
It is the woman's choice/ “fundamental right” in making the decision, because it is a life-altering choice.
"We know that women have abortions for many reasons. Even if we disagree on the issue of abortion, we can agree that these are private personal decisions we all must be able to make based on our own circumstances, beliefs, and values. We should respect and support a woman and her family as they face the life-altering decision of whether to have a child. It is neither my place nor our government's place to make such an important life decision for someone else... We all care about life and about doing our best for the people we love. When we bring children into the world we want them to have the opportunity to live a good life. And we want to build a better future for our children and our grandchildren.”
-Louise Melling, JD, Director of the Center for Liberty at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), wrote the following comments in her Jan. 22, 2009 article, "Common Hopes," published by the Daily Kos
“Women are capable of making intelligent and conscientious decisions about their own lives and families. Women deserve the autonomy and dignity to act in accordance with their personal convictions, and to decide what is best for their own lives and families. Women should be trusted and respected to exercise the choices about their bodies and lives that are best for them, and not be forced by the government into personal reproductive decisions that are against their will."
-The National Abortion Federation, a nonprofit association of abortion practitioners, wrote the following position in its article "Pro-Choice and Proud," published on its website www.prochoice.org (accessed May 27, 2010)
It is the woman's choice/ “fundamental right” in making the decision, because it is a life-altering choice.
"We know that women have abortions for many reasons. Even if we disagree on the issue of abortion, we can agree that these are private personal decisions we all must be able to make based on our own circumstances, beliefs, and values. We should respect and support a woman and her family as they face the life-altering decision of whether to have a child. It is neither my place nor our government's place to make such an important life decision for someone else... We all care about life and about doing our best for the people we love. When we bring children into the world we want them to have the opportunity to live a good life. And we want to build a better future for our children and our grandchildren.”
-Louise Melling, JD, Director of the Center for Liberty at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), wrote the following comments in her Jan. 22, 2009 article, "Common Hopes," published by the Daily Kos
“Women are capable of making intelligent and conscientious decisions about their own lives and families. Women deserve the autonomy and dignity to act in accordance with their personal convictions, and to decide what is best for their own lives and families. Women should be trusted and respected to exercise the choices about their bodies and lives that are best for them, and not be forced by the government into personal reproductive decisions that are against their will."
-The National Abortion Federation, a nonprofit association of abortion practitioners, wrote the following position in its article "Pro-Choice and Proud," published on its website www.prochoice.org (accessed May 27, 2010)
What is the moderate perspective on this issue? Why? Quote at least two experts in the field.
The moderate perspective is generally the in the middle. It is quite irrational and a persons view is never quite certain."Now, either you are dealing with a living being with a soul, and it would be immoral to kill it, in which case you are justifying murder... Or you are dealing with an unconcious lump of cells that won't be able to care if they are discarded. So why "only" in cases of rape if it would inconvienance the woman? Why force this onto the would-be mother?" -kuijias
""Violence is the last refuge of the incompetant" -Isaac Asimov
The moderate perspective is generally the in the middle. It is quite irrational and a persons view is never quite certain."Now, either you are dealing with a living being with a soul, and it would be immoral to kill it, in which case you are justifying murder... Or you are dealing with an unconcious lump of cells that won't be able to care if they are discarded. So why "only" in cases of rape if it would inconvienance the woman? Why force this onto the would-be mother?" -kuijias
""Violence is the last refuge of the incompetant" -Isaac Asimov
Given your research, what is your perspective? Why? Which arguments do you find the most persuasive?
My perspective on abortion is that it is wrong unless you are not suited to be a mother, you are raped, or you are not able to support your child, etc. I believe this because you are supposed to be looking at the issue from the babies perspective and if they are not able to live a good life then why should they be brought into the world? I believe it is very wrong to kill an unborn or even 20 week fetus. Arguments have led me to this perspective because a quote said, "When we bring children into the world we want them to have the opportunity to live a good life."
My perspective on the Roe v. Wade case is that it improved the rights of American Women which also saved their lives.
My perspective on abortion is that it is wrong unless you are not suited to be a mother, you are raped, or you are not able to support your child, etc. I believe this because you are supposed to be looking at the issue from the babies perspective and if they are not able to live a good life then why should they be brought into the world? I believe it is very wrong to kill an unborn or even 20 week fetus. Arguments have led me to this perspective because a quote said, "When we bring children into the world we want them to have the opportunity to live a good life."
My perspective on the Roe v. Wade case is that it improved the rights of American Women which also saved their lives.