tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13935904.post114372198355796156..comments2024-02-04T09:15:50.839+00:00Comments on Mars Hill: Another twist in the Abortion issuePaul Burginhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06718135185726733792noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13935904.post-1144092612592722382006-04-03T20:30:00.000+01:002006-04-03T20:30:00.000+01:00"The 'slippery slope' argument doesn't really coun..."The 'slippery slope' argument doesn't really count here. Slavery is taking away someone's basic human right and liberty whereas abortion is more invisible 'self-hurt' (look I don't want to defend abortion seeing as I believe a foetus is a potential life that should have a right to live, but the state has a legal duty to stop visible slavery whereas the rights of a foetus is a uncertain polemic issue in different people's eyes - not that I'm into relativistic morality)."<BR/>----------------<BR/>Being legalistic about abortion because you cannot see it is somewhat of a slippery argument, although I take your point about relativistic morality.<BR/>----------------<BR/>"The problem I have with banning every objectionable (such as smoking, drinking or fox-hunting) or immoral act is that I distrust the state to play the moral judge and master. History and present cases (such as theocratic states in the Middle East) has shown that such states lean toward terrible persecution and polarisation"<BR/>------------------<BR/>Well the reason I am a Social Democrat is that I have such a pessimistic view of human nature I think that too much of a free market society or too much of a natonalised state is dangerous because people cannot be trusted in both major enviroments. I also think that if something is so unpopular with the majority of people and patently harmful, then there is a strong case for making it illegal, otherwise you might just as well legalise hard drugs.Paul Burginhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06718135185726733792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13935904.post-1144065296242568152006-04-03T12:54:00.000+01:002006-04-03T12:54:00.000+01:00"I see your point but to take it to another level,..."I see your point but to take it to another level, you might as well say that slavery should not have been banned but discouraged"<BR/><BR/>The 'slippery slope' argument doesn't really count here. Slavery is taking away someone's basic human right and liberty whereas abortion is more invisible 'self-hurt' (look I don't want to defend abortion seeing as I believe a foetus is a potential life that should have a right to live, but the state has a legal duty to stop visible slavery whereas the rights of a foetus is a uncertain polemic issue in different people's eyes - not that I'm into relativistic morality).<BR/><BR/>The problem I have with banning every objectionable (such as smoking, drinking or fox-hunting) or immoral act is that I distrust the state to play the moral judge and master. History and present cases (such as theocratic states in the Middle East) has shown that such states lean toward terrible persecution and polarisation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13935904.post-1144059255470606812006-04-03T11:14:00.000+01:002006-04-03T11:14:00.000+01:00But then it goes into the debate as to at what sta...But then it goes into the debate as to at what stage of pregnancy abortions should cease.<BR/>In any case, for the sake of argument, I see your point but to take it to another level, you might as well say that slavery should not have been banned but discouraged. I would not ban abortion outright, but I would want to see some changes in the law.Paul Burginhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06718135185726733792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13935904.post-1144015377963113612006-04-02T23:02:00.000+01:002006-04-02T23:02:00.000+01:00As a non-conformist Christian, I tend to be a pro-...As a non-conformist Christian, I tend to be a pro-lifer. However, from a political libertarian viewpoint, I believe that abortions should never be banned outright, but be discouraged by governments.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13935904.post-1143737833678024562006-03-30T17:57:00.000+01:002006-03-30T17:57:00.000+01:00Hi SuzanneI am talking about exceptional circumsta...Hi Suzanne<BR/><BR/>I am talking about exceptional circumstances, such as the baby not being properly developed (which would include having no brain, and/or no skull and I know of one such case) and in this situation threatening the mothers' life. There is also the Catch 22 situation where there is the strong likelihood of either the mother or baby dying, or they both die and I am not saying 'Oh well, you must abort there!' I am simply saying that that situation needs careful thought and consideration, and yes, prayer.Paul Burginhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06718135185726733792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13935904.post-1143737459513457302006-03-30T17:50:00.001+01:002006-03-30T17:50:00.001+01:00I find it curious that you think an unborn child h...I find it curious that you think an unborn child has rights, but sometimes you would allow abortions. Isn't the unborn child an equal with a right to life equal to the mother's? Why should a baby die because of the mother's circumstances?<BR/><BR/>If you want to know what works, look at the people who are successful. In the US, bombing abortion clinics has not worked, but pressuring people does. I wouldn't recommend sending hate mail, but protesting, lobbying and speaking up has definitively helped to begin to create a pro-life climate.Suzannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15038275826830875246noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13935904.post-1143737413161759512006-03-30T17:50:00.000+01:002006-03-30T17:50:00.000+01:00I agree, although whilst I wouldn't 'support' some...I agree, although whilst I wouldn't 'support' someone having an abortion, I hope I would be there for them and accept them whatever decision they made, without making pithy or grandiose judgementsPaul Burginhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06718135185726733792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13935904.post-1143727872120691542006-03-30T15:11:00.000+01:002006-03-30T15:11:00.000+01:00I completely agree, although I speak from a pro-ch...I completely agree, although I speak from a pro-choice background. I wouldn't have an abortion myself, but would support anyone who was in the position of wanting one. Contrary to what some people believe (and some newspapers peddle) deciding to undergo such a procedure is a HUGE thing, and not at all entered into lightly. People who protest and take un-called for action against Doctors and the like are deeply un-Christian. Well, that's what I think, anyway!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com