One Woman's Choice

The Washington Post ^ | November 15, 2005 | Maria Eftimiades

[MortMan]

The truth was, until I heard the word "abortion,'' it hadn't occurred to me that I was actually having one.

Denial isn't just a river in Egypt. This woman thinks she's having pangs of conscience now? Wait until someone, something, and/or God gets ahold of her conscience in a few years... When she's had time to rationalize away her baby's murder.

[sweetliberty]

"Raising children takes more energy than people in their 50's and 60's can muster."

That is absolute bunk. I work with people every day that are in their 50's, 60's and even 70's and raising children. A lot of them are grandparents, some are great-grandparents and some are foster parents. While it may be more challenging in some ways, most of these folks have more energy and commitment than the children's natural parents. In some cases it seems to keep them young and healthy. I myself was raised for the better part of 9 years by my great-grandmother and I wouldn't trade that part of my childhood for anything. Some of the older folks who are raising children are worth a dozen of their more youthul counterparts.

[sauropod]

I'm sure pro-lifers don't give you the right to grieve for the baby you chose not to bring into the world (another euphemism, although avoiding the word "abortion'' doesn't take any sting out of the decision to have one). Only now do I understand how entirely personal the decision to terminate a pregnancy is and how wrong it feels to bring someone else's morality into the discussion.

Self-satisfied, self-absorbed broad playing God.

[nina0113]

One other thing...these tests aren't always correct.

They sure aren't - my best friend was told that the only way some number could be so high on one of those tests was if she was carrying multiples and they ALL had spina bifida. She had one perfect little girl.

[sauropod]

The use of contraceptives is mortally sinful regardless of circumstances.

Based on what? What verse in the Bible says that?

[sauropod]

And yes, adultery is any sex outside the bonds of marriage.

No, that's promiscuity. God prohibits that also.

There is no need to distort the English language.

[Knute]

To know now that our son would be retarded, perhaps profoundly, gives us the choice of not continuing the pregnancy. We don't want a life like that for our child.

I have worked for the last ten years at a Christian residential care facility for adults with mental disabilities. EVERY one of these men & women is precious in the eyes of God and the world would be lacking the fruits of their uniqueness had their parents made this same selfish "choice" 40 or 50 years ago.
I am almost numb with sorrow at the all too prevailing mindset illustrated by the author of this article.
May God have mercy on us all!

[proud American in Canada]

This woman is an idiot.

I'm in my early forties and although there are many times the thought crosses my mind about how great it would be to have another baby, I won't get pregnant now, exactly because I don't know if my husband and I, or our marriage, are strong enough to deal with a down's syndrome baby, but I will not have an abortion.

[sauropod]

Is it right to force these happy people to a life of suffering and financial ruin because of your beliefs?

They forced themselves to that life.

[proud American in Canada]

Thank you for #23. It brought tears to my eyes. :)

[wolfcreek]

Aside from total Chastity, humans are going to have sex outside of marriage. Until they find a partner to marry and produce children with, would it not be better to use contraception? In the perfect world you speak of, no one would have sex outside of marriage. However, we know, humans are not perfect.

[Jim Noble]

And yes, adultery is any sex outside the bonds of marriage.

No, it most certainly is not.

You are talking about fornication, also bad, but not one of the Big Ten.

[madprof98]

Should have used birth control? But why!? These two really wanted a baby--but only a certain sort of baby, not the one God chose to give them. Part of their reasoning, after all, was this:

We'd say "when we go to the hospital'' or "the appointment" or "after the procedure, we can try again.''

I once met a couple like this outside an abortion clinic. To counter the signs the demonstrators carried, the guy made a sign of his own, worded something like this: "We tried for four years to have a baby, but this one has Down Syndrome! Have a little compassion!" Apparently slicing up the baby and tossing it into the trash seemed compassionate to them.

[sauropod]

That is a derivative argument and awful shaky ground to set up a prohibition. By that logic, one could ban cars because of the temptation to speed, especially for the young.

I'll ask you the same question. What Bible verse prohibits contraception?

[proud American in Canada]

especially the Down Syndrome group who were great communicators, enjoyed showing us their crafts at a moment's notice, and seemed to grateful to have a busy day ahead of them, enjoying life's simple pleasures. To be alive....and busy.

I've read similar things, that people with Down's Syndrome are happy and bring joy to others.

True happiness is living in the moment, something most of us cannot do (always worried about the past or the future).

[Jim Noble]

You just don't have the guts to pull the trigger.

No triggers.

I'm sure they'll use lethal injection.

[wolfcreek]

I too, was raised from age eleven, by my Grandparents. I guess my original point was people need to HAVE children while they're young (20's 30's) to avoid some of the heartbreaking results experienced by this couple.

[Capriole]

I once met a couple like this outside an abortion clinic. To counter the signs the demonstrators carried, the guy made a sign of his own, worded something like this: "We tried for four years to have a baby, but this one has Down Syndrome! Have a little compassion!" Apparently slicing up the baby and tossing it into the trash seemed compassionate to them.

I'd love to ask them how it's compassionate to kill somebody just because he's not as smart as they'd like.

[Katydidnt]

These word really bother me
"We don't want a life like that for our child,"

I don't want a STROLLER like that for our child
I don't want a PET like that for our child

Substitute anything and the child is still alive-when they are actually denying ANY type of life for that child.

Another example of sanitizing the killing.

[DA740]

Second that.

DA740