My World: The importance of choice

I am Pro-Choice, not because I particularly support abortion itself, but more because I support the idea that people should be able to make that choice, as well as the ever important separation of church and state. You see, I believe the ability to choose is far more important than any actual choice that is made. Anti-abortion laws are different from other kinds of laws in how they restrict one's choices.

For example, an anti-gambling law doesn't stop you and some friends getting together in your home to play some poker with a little money in the game to spice things up. Similarly, laws against theft themselves do not actually restrict the ability to attempt the act, but laws against abortion do.

The very presence of choice gives significance to the act of that person doing what she feels is right. If one cannot possibly make what one considers to be the wrong choice, then it is hollow and has no meaning or significance whatsoever.

Such laws force the women to have the child, unless it is life-threatening to the mother, without any regard as to the quality of life such a child would receive.

If a person who could not properly care for the child, whether it be due to monetary or other factors, were to be forced to have that child, the child would likely lead a life that would likely be at the least unhappy if not miserable. And if that child should be put up for adoption, even then chances are against them both being adopted and having an ideal home life. If the abortion is entirely for convenience purposes, I admittedly cannot personally endorse it, but I still maintain that the choice should be there.

The other reason I choose to be Pro-Choice is the fact that I have yet to see a Pro-Life argument that is not based on religion in some manner. This poses a serious problem in terms of making abortion illegal. Not only is the idea of keeping religion separate from the gears of government a core idea of the founding fathers, but there are too many religions and religious beliefs in the United States to take an official stance without infringing on the rights of people to practice their beliefs. Additionally, these religious motivations tend to cause people to oversimplify or even form a dogma about the issue, preventing them from looking at it from a rational point of view.

I do not mind that they feel abortion is wrong. They may feel that way; it's their right. However, when they try to force that view on everyone, it becomes an attempt at religious oppression, no matter how well intended.

The final decision on abortion should be between a woman and her own beliefs. That's what I believe, and why I will oppose any attempt by the Pro-Life movement to make abortion illegal.