Abortion Is Not "Morally" Wrong But A Blessing

I'm probably going to make some people mad today -- maybe even some progressives and/or liberals. These days there is a war being waged on the right by those who would deny a woman the right to control her own body -- a right that men unquestioningly have. By denying women this right we are reducing them to a second-class status as citizens, and saying they are too stupid to control their own bodies and make their own decisions.

This is just wrong. Those on the right, especially the religious fundamentalists, would have us believe that abortion is morally wrong -- that it is the taking of a human life. And far too often these days too many people are buying into this argument -- even those who say they believe in a woman's right to have an abortion. Somehow, they give the moral high ground to those who would deny women their rights. They want to talk about what a difficult problem this is.

Well, let me be clear about my stance. This is not a difficult problem. Abortion is NOT morally wrong! It is NOT the taking of a human life! The well-being of a woman is much more important than the protection of a bit of protoplasm (and that's all it is)! No woman should ever be made to feel guilty for choosing to have an abortion! And no man should ever have a say in whether a woman gets an abortion -- it is her body and her choice, and whatever she chooses is the right (and moral) choice! And no level of government should have anything to say about a woman's decision to have an abortion!

I refuse to give up the moral high ground to the fundamentalists! Abortion is not a moral choice, but a psychological, physical, medical, financial, or social choice that can only be made by the woman in question. And I refuse to believe that having an abortion is in any way wrong.

I bring up this topic today because I ran across these words by the Reverend Katherine Ragsdale (pictured), dean of Cambridge University's Episcopal Divinity School. She also refuses to give up the moral high ground to the rights-deniers, and I agree with every word she says here:

Let's be very clear about this: when a woman finds herself pregnant due to violence and chooses an abortion, it is the violence that is the tragedy; the abortion is a blessing.


When a woman finds that the fetus she is carrying has anomalies incompatible with life, that it will not live and that she requires an abortion — often a late-term abortion — to protect her life, her health, or her fertility, it is the shattering of her hopes and dreams for that pregnancy that is the tragedy; the abortion is a blessing.


When a woman wants a child but can't afford one because she hasn't the education necessary for a sustainable job, or access to health care, or day care, or adequate food, it is the abysmal priorities of our nation, the lack of social supports, the absence of justice that are the tragedies; the abortion is a blessing.



And when a woman becomes pregnant within a loving, supportive, respectful relationship; has every option open to her; decides she does not wish to bear a child; and has access to a safe, affordable abortion — there is not a tragedy in sight — only blessing. The ability to enjoy God's good gift of sexuality without compromising one's education, life's work, or ability to put to use God's gifts and call is simply blessing.



These are the two things I want you, please, to remember — abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Let me hear you say it: abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done. Abortion is a blessing and our work is not done.