notMichaelJackson

I'd just like to know what atheists think about abortion. Theists, please do not vote in this poll.

Thanks.

Jesse

I like the original Roe vs. Wade trimester system:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_r...ghts/49315.stm

Viti

There is a whole spectrum of personal opinions between the choices offered in the poll. I am pro-choice, actively so, but would prefer to see the number of unwnated and accidental pregnancies reduced via affordable, available, effective birth control and education. I also disagree with abortion on demand in the third trimester as quoted by Jesse. A woman should know whether she wants to have a baby or not before that. If there is a medical issue then of course it should be an available option.

I also have a personal problem with people who take no responsibility for their sexuality and use abortion as a birth control method. The sister of a friend has had 4 abortions...IMO she should know what causes unwnated pregnancy by now and have told her so. This in no way changes my pro-choice stance...just sorta elaborating my reasoning.

notMichaelJackson

The vast majority of people dislike abortion, whether or not they want it legal or illegal. The question asked here is whether or not you want abortion to be legal, illegal, or legal in certain circumstances.

copernicus

NMJ, I think you'll find that atheists are not unanimous on this issue, but people who oppose abortion usually do so for religious reasons. Atheists who oppose abortion rights often claim to do so in order to defend "human potential", whatever that is. Myself, I think that humans are rather too preoccupied with converting every square inch of the surface of this planet into human flesh.

My own view is that the human mind emerges gradually at the end of pregnancy. In general, the brain has not evolved enough to feel pain, let alone to think, before the third trimester--the point at which Roe v Wade begins to confer civil liberties on the unborn. Abortion is a very emotional issue, but the ultimate issue is the quality of life for the individual. After all, we only get one life, and it doesn't mean much unless there is a reasonable opportunity for joy and happines to prevail over the pain and sadness. So there are moral justifications for allowing women the right to control their own bodies for purposes of human reproduction and for allowing people to die with dignity and minimal suffering at the end of life. Religion too often promotes immorality in its rigid denial of the individual right to control one's own life and death. It would not be so bad if religion were a matter of personal conscience, but religion, by its very nature, attempts to impose an arbitrary standard on everyone, including those who are not religious.

Liquidrage

Missing the option I would want.

Abortions should be legal in all cases up until the 3rd tri-mester (or some other cutoff point that would be debatable) and ilegal in all cases after the cut off date.

Loren Pechtel

I find the options quite inadequate.

Randi

This seems contradictory. Abortion IS birth control, and being upset with someone over the amount of abortions seems a little judgemental. Does it seem distasteful when someone else takes advantage of abortion services, but you still want to reserve the right for yourself if you need it? What kind of support is that to pro-choice?

Everclear put it best:

"God forbid you ever have to walk a mile in her shoes,
Then you'll really know what it's like to have to choose."

Nira

I am strongly against abortion in most cases, as I do think it devalues respect for human life, but I do not think it’s a good idea to make it illegal. I think we should put a lot of effort into reducing the numbers though, including teaching taking responsibility for ones actions.

I know that this might sound offensive for some that have had a good reason to have an abortion, but I think one have to say that abortions are not desired, even if it in some cases are defensible.

I don’t find an alternative to vote on, so I will not.

ybnormal

I don't usually do these little polls, but in this case I was lucky enough to be #13. This is a total no-brainer for anyone who claims to be pro-freedom, pro-privacy and pro-keep-your-damn-nose-outta-other-people's-damn-business. Anyone who thinks they have some ?god-given right to tell another human being what they can and can't do with their own damn body is IMO no better than a nosy xian fundy telling gays what the hell they can and can't do with their bodies. And for a man to actually claim such rights of judgment you can multiply the above into infinity.

Such nosy folks I suggest have had their minds queered by a movement which plans to convert eggs into full blown United States citizens, many which will never even exist as a human being because of nature itself. What folly we humans busy ourselves with, over all things which will forever remain hidden in other folk's underwear.