So my previous post was about a conversation I started with a man in NYC, who did hold some questionable opinions on the economy and wages, but the conversation went on to other issues such as abortion (addressed by this post).
The man: Okay....so what are your thoughts on abortion?
Me: Now abortion is a heavy issue to deal with because it can be taken in both respects, and although I am rather religious and my religion allows abortion in multiple cases (1)prior to when the soul is embedded within the body (before four months of gestation), (2)when it is a threat to a woman's life, (3)Rape, and (4)Fetal deformity /in the case that the newborn wouldn't have a chance to live if he or she were born, I personally don't agree with abortion because of my own thinking that although it is not a life yet (my potentially broken logic), it is a potential life and it deserves the chance to pursue happiness; that said, if I were a woman and pregnant, but not quite ready to have/care for a child, I would not abort. However, I cannot attribute my (personal/religious) beliefs to the operations and functions of this State, for the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution both call on the explicit Separation of Church and State. Women should be able to choose their course of action, for it is their life and what they've controlled. Government should not be interfering with the (everyday) lives of people, for sacrificing the very freedom our forefathers fought for us to have is not what this nation stands for. Freedom and Independence are what America was built upon and those are exactly what the policies of this nation should reflect.
The man: What are your religious views?
Me: I'm a Sunni Muslim.
The man: Isn't your group the one that has all those extremists?
(I didn't engage in that question.)
Me: And what are your religious views?
The man: I'm a Christian.
Me: I had a feeling. And you are "pro-life" as well?
The man: Of course! How could you kill a life? Abortion is still murder.
Me: And do you happen to agree with the employment of capital punishment?
The man: That has nothing to do with this.
Me: Is that a yes?
The man: It's not a yes, but I do agree with capital punishment.
Me: And is that not murder? Because last I checked, capital punishment is murder. Who are you to say, if we take your belief that abortion is murder, that one form of murder is better than another or that one form of murder is more acceptable than the other?
The man: It's not murder if it's punishment.
(I really just couldn't at that point.)
The man continued: Abortion just shouldn't be legal.
Me: Just because of your personal or religious belief? You do understand that the argument presented less of a logical sequencing on your side and more of a strong opinion, right?
The man: It's not just my opinion. Many people in the country feel the same way. And you're just one of them liberals who can't understand the conservative values of the country.
Me: First of all, I'm not quite the liberal, you can ask many of my colleagues; I'm a supporter of the 2nd Amendment and do not hold favourably to the idea of affirmative action. Secondly, the conservative values do not quite fit with the opinions you hold. Thirdly, one cannot impose his or her own morals on others. Thus this divide between beliefs and politics exists, which is a fair divide. Abortion is not something to be made illegal over a group's beliefs. I think women should be explained their options in detail, given time to think about it, and then act. Ultimately it is up to them. As I said before, freedom, independence and individual choice are what America was built upon. Those are this nation's conservative values. You hold neo-conservative values.
[And that set him quiet for a good minute until he brought up homosexuality. I thought I'd lose my voice...]
This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.
The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?
