Can Abortion be a Blessing?

[Nic Samojluk]

I received from Pastor Barry Kimbrough a link to a speech by Rev. Dr. Katherine Hancock Ragsdale delivered at an abortion rally held in Birmingham Alabama in which she argued that abortion is in fact a blessing. I am quoting her own words followed by my personal response to her arguments and strange reasoning in defense of what Scripture considers to be plain murder. Here is what she said:

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“I said, in Birmingham Alabama, at a rally at the end of the successful clinic defense, that we do ourselves a self-destructive disservice when we talk about abortion as a tragedy.

• When a woman gets pregnant against her will and wants an abortion -- it's the violence that is the tragedy; the abortion is a blessing.

• When a woman might want to bear and raise a child but fears she can't afford to because she doesn't have access to healthcare or daycare or enough income to provide a home -- it's the lack of justice that is the tragedy; the abortion is a blessing.

• When a woman has planned and provided for a pregnancy, decorated the nursery and chosen a name, and, in the last weeks, discovers that her fetus will not live to become a baby, that it has anomalies incompatible with life, and that preserving her own life and health, and sparing the fetus suffering, require a late-term abortion -- it's the loss of her hopes and dreams that is the tragedy; the abortion is a blessing.

• And, and here's one that really gets me in trouble, when a woman simply gets pregnant unintentionally and decides this is not a good time for her to bear and care for a child -- there is no tragedy. The ability to enjoy healthy sexuality without risking a pregnancy that could derail her education or career, the development or exercise of the gifts God has given her, is a blessing. …

Abortion is a blessing -- sometimes a joyful relief; sometimes a painful choice -- but a blessing still. …

"We'll agree that abortion is a tragedy -- an evil even -- if you agree that it's sometimes the lesser of two evils and so help keep it legal." An effective short-term strategy, but potentially devastating in the long term. …

Look, the only way abortion is a tragedy or an evil is if a fertilized egg is a baby. The Roman Catholic Church teaches that (and they're entitled to) but science doesn't, most theologies don't, and common sense doesn't. Why should we believe that? Yet every time we called abortion a tragedy we reiterate the position that a zygote is a human being of equal moral standing with a woman. We create an antiabortion climate and I fear it has come back to bite us.

It is only this that makes it possible for people to be as outraged as many have been by the characterization of George Tiller as a saint and martyr. Dr. Tiller -- like most if not all people who work in clinics that provide abortions -- did difficult, demanding, and dangerous work under constant threat, harassment, and terrorism. He did it even though he could make more money doing easier, and certainly safer, work. He did it because he believed it was the right thing to do. It was his ministry. He spent and gave his life on behalf of others. That's a saint and martyr. …

We must create a climate where to deny women life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness is unthinkable. We must create a climate where abortion is not only a legal, safe, accessible, affordable option for every woman but where she can take advantage of that option without risking socially imposed guilt.

Read More: http://www.janefund.org/ragsdale.php

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[Nic Samojluk]

Here is my reaction Dr. Katherine Hancock Ragsdale’s defense of the gruesome killing of innocent unborn babies, which is usually performed by either dismemberment of the tiny bodies of unborn babies or by poisoning.

Is abortion a blessing in case of rape?

Pregnancy resulting from rape is rather rare, but it happens sometimes. Planned Parenthood, the main entity providing abortion services in the world has stated in the past that 98 percent of abortions are elective, and that only a two percent are connected with rape, incest, and malformations. This means that abortions connected with rape are probably less than one percent of all abortions performed in the world. So it is interesting that Dr. Ragsdale makes this the number one reason for defending the practice of abortion.

How can such a small percentage be rationally used to justify the killing of innocent unborn babies? And how can we call this violent response to another violent act a blessing? The woman is a victim of a violent act—her body is violated, and then she is subjected to another violent act by the abortionist wielding metal instruments, and we call this a blessing?

By requesting that the baby be killed, she becomes an accomplice to the murder of her own child, and then she has to deal with a guilty conscience for the rest of her life. How can this be a blessing? For a woman it is easier to forgive the violent act of a rapist than her own violent act against her own flesh and blood! Giving the baby for adoption is a redemptive act and can result in a blessing for everybody involved, but killing an innocent baby will never give her peace of mind!

Is abortion a blessing when the woman fears she won’t be Able to raise the child?

When a woman is faced with an unwanted pregnancy, the feeling that she won’t be able to raise her child is understandable. Nevertheless, is killing the baby the best solution to her predicament? Adoption is a much better alternative for everybody involved. Some infertile couples go to the other side of the world in order to adopt an unwanted baby at great financial expense because there are no available babies for adoption in their own country. Adoption is a redemptive act; dismembering or poisoning the unborn baby is not! How can a violent act be a blessing?

Is abortion a blessing when the unborn is the victim of malformation?

Unborn babies are sometimes deprived of life because they are not physically perfect? Can killing them be a blessing? Is abortion under these circumstances the best option? Unborn babies have been killed because of minor physical defects such as a cleft palate. If abortion is morally justified under such circumstances, then what about the children with special needs. Should society apply Hitler’s Final Solution to them? Under the German’s Nazi regime, thousands of unproductive members of society were exterminated. Was this a blessing for the German nation? If Eugenics was wrong and a curse for the German nation, how can it be a blessing for a pregnant woman?

Is abortion a blessing when the pregnancy interferes with the woman’s career?

Dr. Ragsdale believes that when a pregnancy interferes with the woman’s career, abortion becomes a blessing. Of course, she has in mind the lifestyle of the woman. How can lifestyle outweigh the right to life of the unborn? Consider the following: Jesus, the Son of God, was willing to sacrifice his lifestyle in heaven for our sake, and he did for three decades, while the woman is being asked to sacrifice merely nine months of inconvenience, and then she can give the unwanted baby for adoption. Choosing adoption instead of murder can be a blessing, but depriving an innocent baby of life will not yield similar results.

Is abortion the lesser of two evils?

Dr. Ragsdale is of the opinion that abortion is the lesser of two evils. Is she right or wrong? I would suggest that she is definitely wrong for the reasons I have already stated. There is a much better alternative for the woman faced with an unwanted pregnancy: adoption. The innocent baby is not deprived of life, and an infertile couple gets the privilege of raising the baby as their own.

Does a fertilized egg have the same moral value as the pregnant woman?

Dr. Ragsdale argues that abortion is wrong only if we can provide evidence that a fertilized egg has the same moral value as the woman’s right to life. Suppose we agree that a fertilized egg has less moral value than the worth of the pregnant woman. Would this mean that a fertilized egg has no moral value at all?

Suppose there is a fire in a hospital and a fireman has to choose between saving a three year old child and a Petri Dish containing a fertilized egg. The fireman will likely opt for saving the child from the fire. Does it follow that the fertilized egg in the Petri Dish has no value?

Most abortions are performed not when a fertilized egg is sitting in a Petri Dish, but rather when there is a beating heart and recognizable human features such as arms, legs, a torso, and a head.

Let’s not forget that by the time a woman discovers that she is pregnant, there is already a beating heart in the body of the developing baby. How can we use the fertilized egg as an argument to justify the killing of live and kicking unborn babies by the millions?

Was abortionist George Tiller a saint?

George Tiller was the most infamous killer of late term babies. His specialty was killing babies past the point of viability when a baby can survive outside the womb. If he was a saint, then perhaps Hitler and Stalin were saints as well!

Are women entitled to the pursuit of happiness?

Yes, women do have the right to happiness. Nevertheless, happiness is the by product of doing what is right. We can’t achieve true and lasting happiness by denying the right to life of other human beings.

If women have the right to be happy, it follows that their unborn babies do have the same right. How can unborn babies be happy if their little bodies are dismembered or poisoned before they have had the chance to take their first breath?

Suppose someone attempted to pull the arms and legs of Dr. Ragsdale away from her body and to crush her head with huge forceps or tried to poison her with chemicals that burn a human being to death, would she be happy? How can she justify doing to an unborn baby what is morally reprehensible doing to a born individual?

[doug yowell]

Are women entitled to the pursuit of happiness?

In this scenerio,yes,but only if she is not yet born or fully capable of carrying an unborn child to delivery.

[Nan]

Regarding terminating pregnancy for malformations...if the malformation is incompatible with life outside the womb, I have no moral problems with such a procedure. Still not a pleasant procedure to perform, but definitely the lesser of 2 evils. I am not however speaking of late terminations of pregnancy...either for or against.

[doug yowell]

Regarding terminating pregnancy for malformations...if the malformation is incompatible with life outside the womb, I have no moral problems with such a procedure. Still not a pleasant procedure to perform, but definitely the lesser of 2 evils. I am not however speaking of late terminations of pregnancy...either for or against.

What's the moral difference between aborting the unborn malfunction and aborting a malfunction that's discovered within a few days after birth?

[Nan]

The ones I am talking about would not be alive after birth.

[doug yowell]

The ones I am talking about would not be alive after birth.

Guaranteed to be stillborn?

[Stan]

More than likely not to be compatible with life. It is a tough call.

[doug yowell]

Regarding terminating pregnancy for malformations...if the malformation is incompatible with life outside the womb, I have no moral problems with such a procedure. Still not a pleasant procedure to perform, but definitely the lesser of 2 evils. I am not however speaking of late terminations of pregnancy...either for or against.

I'm not clear on exactly what this moral quandry involves.Are you ok with the hastening of what will be the unquestionable end of the baby once/after it is born?Or the hastening of it's inevitable end before it makes that journey?

[M. T. Cross]

This thread just made me snort a bit.

Not peoples posts in it - its a deeply personal issue and I am not going to even weigh in on it.

Just I looked at the board this morning and realized that here, all in one place, we have religion, politics, and abortion. The three issues everyone says you should not bother talking to people about.

We are the brave few LOL

[doug yowell]

not to be compatible with life.

I'm trying to get an understanding of what exactly this entails.If the unborn is presently living within the mother what will cause it to become incompatible with life and when will that occur? Obviously, aborting it will render it incompatible with life, unless you believe in the unconditional immortality of the human soul, but if it naturally dies within the mother then it has also become incompatible. Not sure what condition the definition refers to.

[Stan]

an example is when the brain did not develop and it is mush,,, there is a better term for that.

[doug yowell]

an example is when the brain did not develop and it is mush,,, there is a better term for that.

Anacephalic? If I continue with this discussion right now my brain will turn to mush (I know what you're thinking!!)and the rest of my day will be spent in trying to recover some sense of being a responsible adult. So tonight, while I am resting, I'll be back (unless my wife says no).

[Nan]

You are speaking of anencephaly. The central nervous system forms from a

hollow tube, and if this does not close over, proper development ceases. Mild

forms of spina bifida are one example, if the cranial portion fails to close the brain does not develop, there is nothing to coordinate breathing. There

are instances when the hearts of babies with anencephaly have been transplanted into newborns with major cardiac defects.

I write with personal as well as professional knowledge and experience.

[Nan]

And quite off the topic, as I write this the google ads feature websites

of Sydney obstetricians......however does that happen?

[Stan]

the magic of google, they check your ip, your location, the content on the page, other data they have on you, and which sites you have visited over the past 60 days. They use 200 computers and all that, as well as sending the info here is done in 1/5 of a second.

Never ever feel alone.

I do have trouble responding to messages when people ask me why this is flooded with gays ads, I personally have never seen one..

What SHOULD I tell them? :)

[M. T. Cross]

I have a 18 year old son that uses my computer.......... its amazing how many ads I get for hot young single girls on here LOLOL

[phkrause]

This thread just made me snort a bit.

Not peoples posts in it - its a deeply personal issue and I am not going to even weigh in on it.

Just I looked at the board this morning and realized that here, all in one place, we have religion, politics, and abortion. The three issues everyone says you should not bother talking to people about.

We are the brave few LOL

LOL, seems like all those that like to judge others, just love those three subjects EC. "We know all, and your opinions don't count.

[Gibs]

On the abortion issue,

Jer 1:4 ¶ Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Jer 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Think, Think, and Think Again!

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[dialoguewithus]

Hi! I'd just like to mention a few disorganized thoughts on the subject.

Scientists say that about 3/4 of all fertilized ova are naturally expelled and never implant.

Privacy is considered by many as a basic human right, which could certainly be applicable during the first trimester.

Data seems to strongly suggest that the legalization of abortion in the U.S. caused a substantial decrease in crime starting roughly 15 years later.

Many children born to "reticent" mothers end up being abused, malnourished, and so on, in some way or another. (History channel said Saddam's mother wanted to abort him.)

Opposing sex ed and access to contraception often lead to increases in abortion.

Those who oppose abortion should probably be foremost in considering adoption.

My understanding of 1 Timothy 4:10 is that all those human beings who don't receive the gift of faith during this life are included in the "all mankind" and will be reconciled and vivified at the end of the eons, when death is abolished. 1 Cor. 15:20-28. Any aborted or miscarried fetuses who were human beings (and only God knows which would qualify) will be saved eventually. http://clubadventist.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/507280/1.html

[miz3]

Here is my reaction Dr. Katherine Hancock Ragsdale’s defense of the gruesome killing of innocent unborn babies, which is usually performed by either dismemberment of the tiny bodies of unborn babies or by poisoning.

Is abortion a blessing in case of rape?

Pregnancy resulting from rape is rather rare, but it happens sometimes. Planned Parenthood, the main entity providing abortion services in the world has stated in the past that 98 percent of abortions are elective, and that only a two percent are connected with rape, incest, and malformations. This means that abortions connected with rape are probably less than one percent of all abortions performed in the world. So it is interesting that Dr. Ragsdale makes this the number one reason for defending the practice of abortion.

How can such a small percentage be rationally used to justify the killing of innocent unborn babies? And how can we call this violent response to another violent act a blessing? The woman is a victim of a violent act—her body is violated, and then she is subjected to another violent act by the abortionist wielding metal instruments, and we call this a blessing?

By requesting that the baby be killed, she becomes an accomplice to the murder of her own child, and then she has to deal with a guilty conscience for the rest of her life. How can this be a blessing? For a woman it is easier to forgive the violent act of a rapist than her own violent act against her own flesh and blood! Giving the baby for adoption is a redemptive act and can result in a blessing for everybody involved, but killing an innocent baby will never give her peace of mind!

Is abortion a blessing when the woman fears she won’t be Able to raise the child?

When a woman is faced with an unwanted pregnancy, the feeling that she won’t be able to raise her child is understandable. Nevertheless, is killing the baby the best solution to her predicament? Adoption is a much better alternative for everybody involved. Some infertile couples go to the other side of the world in order to adopt an unwanted baby at great financial expense because there are no available babies for adoption in their own country. Adoption is a redemptive act; dismembering or poisoning the unborn baby is not! How can a violent act be a blessing?

Is abortion a blessing when the unborn is the victim of malformation?

Unborn babies are sometimes deprived of life because they are not physically perfect? Can killing them be a blessing? Is abortion under these circumstances the best option? Unborn babies have been killed because of minor physical defects such as a cleft palate. If abortion is morally justified under such circumstances, then what about the children with special needs. Should society apply Hitler’s Final Solution to them? Under the German’s Nazi regime, thousands of unproductive members of society were exterminated. Was this a blessing for the German nation? If Eugenics was wrong and a curse for the German nation, how can it be a blessing for a pregnant woman?

Is abortion a blessing when the pregnancy interferes with the woman’s career?

Dr. Ragsdale believes that when a pregnancy interferes with the woman’s career, abortion becomes a blessing. Of course, she has in mind the lifestyle of the woman. How can lifestyle outweigh the right to life of the unborn? Consider the following: Jesus, the Son of God, was willing to sacrifice his lifestyle in heaven for our sake, and he did for three decades, while the woman is being asked to sacrifice merely nine months of inconvenience, and then she can give the unwanted baby for adoption. Choosing adoption instead of murder can be a blessing, but depriving an innocent baby of life will not yield similar results.

Is abortion the lesser of two evils?

Dr. Ragsdale is of the opinion that abortion is the lesser of two evils. Is she right or wrong? I would suggest that she is definitely wrong for the reasons I have already stated. There is a much better alternative for the woman faced with an unwanted pregnancy: adoption. The innocent baby is not deprived of life, and an infertile couple gets the privilege of raising the baby as their own.

Does a fertilized egg have the same moral value as the pregnant woman?

Dr. Ragsdale argues that abortion is wrong only if we can provide evidence that a fertilized egg has the same moral value as the woman’s right to life. Suppose we agree that a fertilized egg has less moral value than the worth of the pregnant woman. Would this mean that a fertilized egg has no moral value at all?

Suppose there is a fire in a hospital and a fireman has to choose between saving a three year old child and a Petri Dish containing a fertilized egg. The fireman will likely opt for saving the child from the fire. Does it follow that the fertilized egg in the Petri Dish has no value?

Most abortions are performed not when a fertilized egg is sitting in a Petri Dish, but rather when there is a beating heart and recognizable human features such as arms, legs, a torso, and a head.

Let’s not forget that by the time a woman discovers that she is pregnant, there is already a beating heart in the body of the developing baby. How can we use the fertilized egg as an argument to justify the killing of live and kicking unborn babies by the millions?

Was abortionist George Tiller a saint?

George Tiller was the most infamous killer of late term babies. His specialty was killing babies past the point of viability when a baby can survive outside the womb. If he was a saint, then perhaps Hitler and Stalin were saints as well!

Are women entitled to the pursuit of happiness?

Yes, women do have the right to happiness. Nevertheless, happiness is the by product of doing what is right. We can’t achieve true and lasting happiness by denying the right to life of other human beings.

If women have the right to be happy, it follows that their unborn babies do have the same right. How can unborn babies be happy if their little bodies are dismembered or poisoned before they have had the chance to take their first breath?

Suppose someone attempted to pull the arms and legs of Dr. Ragsdale away from her body and to crush her head with huge forceps or tried to poison her with chemicals that burn a human being to death, would she be happy? How can she justify doing to an unborn baby what is morally reprehensible doing to a born individual?

Very well done.

[doug yowell]

Scientists say that about 3/4 of all fertilized ova are naturally expelled and never implant.

...and?

[doug yowell]

Privacy is considered by many as a basic human right, which could certainly be applicable during the first trimester.

What about the 2nd and 3rd?

[doug yowell]

Data seems to strongly suggest that the legalization of abortion in the U.S. caused a substantial decrease in crime starting roughly 15 years later.

Substantially? THat would calculate to around 1978. Perhaps I missed something. By this formula,39 years later, we should be on the verge of aborting most of our police force, no?

[doug yowell]

Many children born to "reticent" mothers end up being abused, malnourished, and so on, in some way or another.

1) So the best solution is to kill the unborn child so they won't run the possibility of being mistreated later? 2)How does that reasoning justify the extermination of those children born to "reticent" mothers who might later devote their lives to what they once considered an infringement? 3)How does this reason explain why many wanted children end up being abused,malnourished, and so on?