Why should a state have laws against abortion?

I am opposed to abortion. I am opposed to the state legislating morality. I am opposed to the state legislating someone’s body. Therefore, while I am against abortion, I am also against anti-abortion laws, laws that prohibit abortions. Furthermore such laws are a public health risk, as they would drive women to perform illegal abortions rather that not get one. My question is, for those who are against abortion and do support such laws, why?

Some people believe that it is right to have laws based on their own morality. I can't say that it is not a perfectly valid position, I just disagree with it.

Morrow said:

My question is, for those who are against abortion and do support such laws, why?

Click to expand...

I am interested in having a humane and civil society that respects the rights of all human beings. The most vulnerable need protection. In a perfect world, they would not because it would be unimaginable to kill offspring for convenience. It is not a perfect world. We need laws that proscribe abortion for the same reason we need laws that proscribe slavery--it is against the inherent dignity of mankind and people act against their fellow man for personal gain.

I can see the points made by Thelost1 and Felicity. I don't consider a fetus to be human being or having the same rights as a human being but I can certainly see where someone would be against abortion if they felt that a fetus is fully human.

I would have to think that pro abortion/choice people have to tell theirselves over and over again that a fetus is not life because imagine how they would feel if for a minute they thought a fetus was a living being and they have advocating killing over 40,000,000 since 1972 when Roe V Wade was enacted.......

For any person who was pro abortion/choice with any compassion in their heart that would be a horrible cross to bare......Calling it tissue they can sleep better at night not having to worry about the innocent, defenseless baby in the womb being butchered...........

Morrow said:

I am opposed to abortion. I am opposed to the state legislating morality. I am opposed to the state legislating someone’s body. Therefore, while I am against abortion, I am also against anti-abortion laws, laws that prohibit abortions. Furthermore such laws are a public health risk, as they would drive women to perform illegal abortions rather that not get one. My question is, for those who are against abortion and do support such laws, why?

Click to expand...

I think you will clarify your views in your own mind by acknowledging the fact that your objection to abortion is of personal ideology, and that you wouldn't impose your personal ideology on another.

Laws regulating abortion do not inherently "legislate morality" any more than laws deregulating abortion do.

The state does impose regulation on one's body, from restricting your ability to yell "fire" in a crowded theater to lawful imprisonment; so to make a sweeping general claim that you are "opposed to the state legislating someone’s body" is to be in favor of folks yelling "fire" in a theater an against imprisonment of any kind, for any reason.

Morrow said:

Furthermore such laws are a public health risk, as they would drive women to perform illegal abortions rather that not get one.

Click to expand...

You will find that this argument will solicit PL to quote numbers showing both that the vast majority of pre 1973 illegal abortions were performed by physicians in clinical settings and that the number of "wire-hanger" abortions is so small as to become irrelevant.

Morrow said:

My question is, for those who are against abortion and do support such laws, why?

Click to expand...

Abortion is an issue to be regulated at the state level, for the state to determine what its own "compelling interests" are, not for the Federal government to dictate.

Navy Pride said:

I would have to think that pro abortion/choice people have to tell theirselves over and over again that a fetus is not life because imagine how they would feel if for a minute they thought a fetus was a living being and they have advocating killing over 40,000,000 since 1972 when Roe V Wade was enacted.......

Click to expand...

Wrong. Anyone who thinks a fetus isn't alive is deluding themselves. It's obviously alive. I can't imagine a rational person who would believe that it's not living.

But, so is a tomato plant. I feel no remorse when I pick a tomato off the vine and kill it. I likewise feel no remorse over advocating reproductive choices for women.

rivrrat said:

Wrong. Anyone who thinks a fetus isn't alive is deluding themselves. It's obviously alive. I can't imagine a rational person who would believe that it's not living.

But, so is a tomato plant. I feel no remorse when I pick a tomato off the vine and kill it. I likewise feel no remorse over advocating reproductive choices for women.

Click to expand...

So, in your mind, some humans are comparable to tomato plants?

talloulou said:

So, in your mind, some humans are comparable to tomato plants?

Click to expand...

Vegetables....

Don't they wonder why that's an offensive term when applied to human beings?:roll:

talloulou said:

So, in your mind, some humans are comparable to tomato plants?

Click to expand...

Absolutely.

The ones that are unable to live independently outside of another human body, and/or have no higher brain function and lack self-awareness.

rivrrat said:

Absolutely.

The ones that are unable to live independently outside of another human body, and/or have no higher brain function and lack self-awareness.

Click to expand...

So at which gestational week are you drawing the line with this thought process?

rivrrat said:

Wrong. Anyone who thinks a fetus isn't alive is deluding themselves. It's obviously alive. I can't imagine a rational person who would believe that it's not living.

But, so is a tomato plant. I feel no remorse when I pick a tomato off the vine and kill it. I likewise feel no remorse over advocating reproductive choices for women.

Click to expand...

And your comparing a baby in the womb to a tomato? Man/woman, you need help........