Abortion- Is It a Moral or an Immoral Choice?

The title of the first article is “Abortion is a Moral Choice” by Henry Morgentaler. This article upholds women’s rights to abortion in the belief that it reduces the number of unwanted children and also reduces the number of adult criminals that suffer from childhood neglect or parental abuse.

The title of the second article is “Abortion is Immoral” by John Paul II. This article objects abortion in the belief that it is a crime which kills an innocent human being and also against all Christian belief that abortion could be of any good regardless of circumstances.

Abortion is a pro-choice decision which allows children to be born into homes which they will be loved and cared for. Abortion also gives the right to parents to decide whether that child is wanted so that he/she will not suffer from childhood abuse or parental neglect. Abortion gives parents a choice to terminate a pregnancy if they are not financially stable to support that child at that particular time in their lives. Abortion is immoral on the basis that it kills an innocent human being. Abortion is viewed as immoral by many people because it kills a life that has done no wrong but be conceived by two people who are incapable of providing, whether it is emotional or financial, needs for that child. Abortion is a pro-choice decision and should be based upon whether that child is wanted so that he/she or parent(s) will not suffer parental abuse or neglect, medical problems, or financial instability.

An opinion stated in the belief that abortion is a moral choice, was that abortions could reduce the number of criminals who suffer from child hood neglect or parental abuse. Abortion is not a solution to reducing the number of criminals in the world that suffer from neglect or abuse. It is not okay for one to make a decision to abort a human life with the excuse such as reducing the number of criminals suffering from abuse.

Some people, in Christian belief view abortion as an “intentional murder”. The fact is that abortion does kill and innocent human being, but is it really intentional murder? There are many ways to look at abortion when viewing it in these terms. There are many instances when abortion almost necessary to save the mother’s life. There are many conditions in which it may be impossible for the mother to carry-out a healthy pregnancy. The mother may not be in good health or the mother may be carrying multiple embryos and an abortion is done to eliminate the number of babies the mother has to carry to ensure a healthy and safe pregnancy.

If abortion is an “intentional murder”, why isn’t miscarriage viewed of the same principles or similar? Both shed the embryo inside of the mother terminating the possible life of the baby. Miscarriage is done spontaneously without the mother’s intent and/or knowledge to terminate her pregnancy. Abortion is done intentionally with the mother’s intent and awareness that her pregnancy is being terminated. And who are we to say that all miscarriages are spontaneous? Every pregnant woman under a physicians care is provided with the information and knowledge of how to carry-out a healthy pregnancy. If a woman chooses not to eat healthy, consume harmful drugs and/or alcohol, keep herself dehydrated, dress in uncomfortable clothing so that her fetus does not have room to grow, or possibly a victim of physical abuse, what could possibly be the tragic ending result? Not all miscarriages are spontaneous, some are undoubtfully intentional. So who are we to say which is an act of “intentional murder” when both abortion and miscarriage both result in the termination of life.

The choice to abort can be of a benefit because it gives the mother a right to decide whether the child is wanted, capable of being loved and cared for, and financially supported. Morgentaler quotes, “Should a girl of twelve or a woman of forty-five, or any woman of that matter be forced to continue a pregnancy or be saddled with the bringing up of a child eighteen years without any regard for the consequence, without any regard for the expressed will or desire of that woman or of the couple?” Say a twelve year-old pregnant girl was a victim of rape. Should she be forced to carry-out an unwanted pregnancy so that she and her child can suffer from long-term resentment? In another scenario, let’s say the pregnant woman is a victim of mental, physical, and/or emotional abuse from the child’s father. Should we condemn her for terminating her pregnancy, or support her for choosing to save her child from suffering from the same abuse.

Have we not learned anything from donating thousands of dollars to families who are financially incapable of providing for their children? Who are we to say that abortion is wrong when we are so unwillingfully stubborn to donate one single dollar or as little as one quarter a day to help support needy families? We are