Your temple...when do we stop and draw the line?

It has been really interesting to read this thread :)

Honestly I don't know if there can ever be a truly definitive line drawn in the sand, because as someone said, we all have our own moral compass and the points on that compass will point in a different direction for all of us, based on our own opinions, values and life experiences. Speaking in very broad terms (and not just about the thread this thread was created for) We can legislate all we want against late term abortions, or abortion full stop. Heck we could even extend this discussion to euthanasia because that is about the deliberate ending of life as well. But as we all know, life doesn't present us with situations in neat little packages with the edges all nicely defined so we can put those situations into little boxes. This is why there is so much grey area concerning these laws and situations and why they are so emotive.

What my limit is about a matter, will be completely different to someone else's limit and I think that is great. That is what makes this world the diverse place that it is. We can't all think the same because there would be no point to being an individual would there? But by the same token, nor can each view be adequately catered for.

My view is that the rights of the woman must come first. While I don't necessarily agree with late term terminations, especially between the 23-24 week mark as more and more prem babies are born at this gestation and survive, I do have the common sense to understand that sometimes they are necessary and I would never prevent a woman from seeking one if that is what was needed at that point in time. That includes reasons for the mothers health and mental wellbeing and also for medical complications with the baby. For all reasons it is no less heartbreaking for those involved.

From a legislation point of view, there does need to be a line in the sand, but that line should be allowed to be moved occasionally because there will be situations present that the law cannot predict. I would hate to think that the law prevented a woman from having a late term termination, only to have her tried on a criminal charge because she took matters into her own hands and ended the pregnancy herself.

Fascinating thread. I have to admit, I didn't read too deeply into the thread this started from, due to my opinion about a woman's rights. And btw, it would be a man's rights too if they had the ability to carry a baby, but they don't so it's irrelevant.

A person's body is their own. As long as they are legally competent, then what they choose to do with it is entirely their business. I may disagree with it and that disagreement may be mild or savage, but it's still none of my business.

One of the areas about abortion I've never understood is the black and white argument about the baby's life. What about the woman's choice not to be pregnant and risk all the health aspects that come with that? Pregnancy can actually be physically and mentally dangerous and has killed. Why should anyone be forced to endure that if they don't want to? A baby cannot grow without its incubator, so by necessity it is dependent on the body and choices of its mother. If she chooses to terminate, then that may be sad, but thats entirely her right.

I also think late term abortions are sad, but they still have to be a right. If a woman would be physically or mentally incapacitated or if she didn't know early enough, then she should be able to make that choice. What's the alternative? Strap her down to birth the baby she doesn't want? Maybe cut her open to do so, leaving her with further mental and physical scars? There are also women who don't want to make that choice but do due to baby's defects. Isn't that her choice?

Another point. Whilst some may think termination is sad, why judge someone else if they don't? If all they feel is relief that the unwanted pregnancy is over and they can get on with their lives? Should I tsk that woman for being unfeeling?

I admit I think people who don't learn their lesson and it keeps repeating really need to be educated and if I heard about it happening again and again, I'd be pretty disgusted, but that's cos I'd think they were just plain stupid. Who wants to put themselves into such a situation again and again - it's surgery, with it's own inherent risks. That's not taking into account the possible psychological damage they're causing themselves. But that's my opinion and if someone does have termination after termination, for whatever reason, that's also none of my business. I know of a couple of situations where that is the case.

I don't know if that's all coherent, but that will do for now. I also can way in about how I think fetacide should be a crime, which will sound completely hypocritical, but by that, I mean someone other than the mother and a doctor she's consented to conduct a termination actually killing an unborn baby (say by another driver or by punching the pregnant woman etc).