I would like to discuss the issue of abortion.

I am sure this has been discussed so many times but nevertheless I feel strongly such topics should not be swept under the carpet as it involves lives.

Do we believe in the sanctity of human life?
If we do, other issues like choice, lifestyle, economics etc should pale in comparison when the issue of abortion is contemplated.
In fact, there should not even be any comparison as the life of the unborn takes supreme precedence.

Official statistics put the number of murders through abortion at 80-90,000 per year in Australia. This figure does not include chemical abortions, ie the morning after pill. If we add these abortions, the figure easily swell to 150,000 if not more.
In just 10 years, 1.5m innocent unborn babies are murdered by their parents who are either careless or plain uneducated on the sanctity of life.
If these precious lives are saved, we do not need new immigrants!

1 in 3 women in Australia had at least one abortion in their life!
Are these women taking abortion as a form of birth control?
Do they realize that the only person whom their unborn babies depend on for protection is its parents? And it is precisely these parents who choose to murder them.

NO, I do not believe in burning abortion clinics.
BUT YES, I do believe very strongly that abortions should stop.
All unwanted babies for whatever reasons should be born and put up for adoption to married couples who will care for these children.

The only time I will support the termination of an unborn child is when it medically threatens the life of its mother.
That I will leave it to the medical profession to decide.

Dear Platypus,

From what I've read on the subject it seems
that the great majority of the population
supports abortion in cases of rape, incest,
or a threat to the mother's health, but
support for a mother's right to abortion
on demand fluctuates between just over and
just under half of the population.

It seems that quite a few people wonder
whether their own position on abortion is right,
regardless of whether they oppose or approve it.

Some people argue because abortion will occur
whether it is legal or not, it's better that it take
place legally and under proper medical supervision.
Others claim that the welfare expenditures and other
costs of raising thousands of unwanted and often
illegitimate children must be taken into account in
any decisions about abortion. Others have firm
personal opinions about abortion, but are unwilling
to impose their views on others who may have different
views.

This is an issue that as time goes on, the legal, ethical,
and medical complexities will not abate.
To some people, abortion is a matter of no particular
significance; to others, it is little short of mass murder.
At the root of this controversy is a basic value judgement
about the human status of the foetus. If the foetus is
considered a baby, then abortion is a form of killing. If it
is considered a mere collection of cells and tissue, then
abortion is a morally neutral surgical procedure.

For the record, thankfully I've never had to make that
difficult decision and I don't know what I would do if
I did. My husband and I wanted children so very much -
and we've been blessed with two boys. I can't even
begin to imagine the difficulty for someone with this
kind of decision - and I am happy that I've never had to
be put in a position to make it.

platypus1900

those that support murdering the unborn nearly always speak of the 1% or less cases where the child is a result of rape or the mother's health is at risk. It is a dishonest tactic used to mask the mass slaughter of innocent lives. Now the same want to trust is with their dishonest euthenasia arguements. The murdering of the unborn is a national disgrace.

Hi Platypus.

What is the significance of 1.8? Do you think there a number above which it is okay for a woman to abort her child? Also, do you think that control of a woman's fertility is her business or the government's? Then I would guess that the discussion might progress to what justification we might have in equating a bag of acorns to a forest of oaks.

Platypus,
What I do not understand is why there are so many abortions.

There are many options for contraception available these days and even the morning after pill.

While I believe women should have a right over their own bodies, that should start with contraception. I am very concerned about late term abortions as modern medicine can now save many premature born babies.

I just do not understand the need for most abortions.

Are people becoming less and less responsible for their actions?

Platypus1900 "Do we believe in the sanctity of human life?"
You obviously don't, given that you advocated to have murderers murdered by the state on another thread?

Abortion is always a difficult issue, but the fact remains that women can legally have abortions in this country, so it is not legally called 'murder'.

This will never change, because NO-ONE, least of all any males, can force a woman to go through with an unwanted pregnancy.

Her body, her choice.

No one is happy with the unacceptably high numbers of abortion, so I think that free contraception should be available for all.

Maybe we should advocate that no sex can take place unless we are actively trying for a baby?
Or maybe men should wear condoms at all times, except when trying for a baby?
Just a thought...