The movement can only succeed if it faces the reasons that are at least partially behind the change. Are you advocating abstinence then well into the 20s? I don't believe this is realistic. Returning to the morals of yesteryear when the environment of yesteryear is so completely changed is imo impossible. What can we do substantively to help people make changes, rather than impose punitive and unhelpful demands upon an already stressed situation?
I used ensoulment because it seems to be the issue that divides even the religious. For the non-religious, it is not an issue. In the case of slavery, it was the recognition that those of different races and colors were men and women, who felt and thought, not animals. This is far less clear in dealing with a group of cells that looks exactly like a fish embryo early on. It is potentially human, but arguably not yet. I would rather deal with the children born who are still not treated as human by parents who didn't want them or can't care for them, before increasing their numbers.
People fight government intervention in all the areas you mention, from parents who refuse inoculations for their children to conscientious objectors to people who just won't wear a seatbelt or helmet. I believe that the government does have an obligation to intervene in matters that affect the well-being of the majority. In the case of inoculations, a resurgence of polio, smallpox, could be devastating. We need a defense for our country- but ideally a volunteer one. The use of seatbelts arguably reduces the economic impact of traffic accidents.
In the case of abortion, I believe we are adding to the burden, not just of an individual, but all of society. I see nothing positive, no real solutions to the problems that will occur with the delegalization of abortion, (unless you count a victory of RW evangelical thought positive which I don't).
What are the solutions to this without finding ourselves with higher welfare rolls, families even more financially strapped, and the inevitable backroom abortion? I occasionally read the RWers and find nothing but emotional rants about babykillers and eternal damnation. This is helpful?
I am not in disagreement with you about saying enough already to many things. I guess I just don't see the same connections you do. Yet I know from reading you, that more often than not we are in agreement about many things and share a lot of similar values. It seems to be more a matter of how far we are willing to go to impose these on others. |
