This thread is for those taking over the thread about McCain picking Palin as VP with their discussion about the issues of abortion. Please move your discussion here so that all interested my join in clearly.
Since those of you who were discussing this issue intensely haven't joined in, I will try to get the thread started. I think the main issue is the federal government's intervention into this issue. If there was consensus on the issue or when life begins, and that consensus said at conception, then I think that the government would have a right to outlaw abortion on the basis of calling it murder. But that would also mean that even if the mother's life was in danger, i.e. they knew for sure she would die in giving birth, that still abortion would be outlawed. I find it hard to believe that this nation as a whole will ever accept that as a totality of law. But since the issue of when life begins or hasn't begin yet is not a consensus, I don't really see how those who promote freedoms of democracy can think they have the right to order what to do on the issue where the grey areas are based on their moral and religious beliefs or standards. Many religions have different perceptions about the issue. and religious freedom is one of our biggest freedoms in America. I personally believe in VERY VERY VERY limited abortion only in extreme circumstances, and even then it would be a heartbreaking decision. My problem is that for those people that don't believe like I do, I don't see how the government should tell them what to believe. The issue for me is really when life begins. Wherever life begins to me, and that is not at conception, I believe that after life has begun, abortion should only be legal then to absolutely save the life of the mother, since the child's life is dependant upon her own at that time. the child doesnt' have a separate life without the mother. Either way, it is tragic. If the Republican party is so anti-Big Government, why do they want to impose their moral and religious values on the rest of the country that doesn't share them?
