DEAR HARRIETTE: I must respond to the recent column regarding the writer who was concerned about the new laws restricting abortion in places like Alabama and Georgia.
Aside from incest and rape, should the control over one's body perhaps begin before one gets pregnant? Women write and speak on this subject as though pregnancy just happens, when in fact there are numerous birth control options out there -- not to mention abstinence.
Along those same lines, once a woman is pregnant, it is no longer just her body that is affected by a decision to abort. The writer pointed out, "time and time again, we have seen Christianity used to promote violence and hate." This is absolutely true, but I would protest that such violence is based on the evil desires of mankind, and in no way represents the doctrines of Jesus. Indeed, His heart must be broken by such travesties committed in His name.
That said, does the writer -- who claims to be Christian -- not recognize the violence involved in abortions? An unborn child is either torn limb from limb in the mother's womb or burned to death in the mother's womb -- the very place the child should be safest. Does this not also break Jesus' heart?
Lastly, how can it be illegal in this country to destroy the egg of an eagle since it is known that it will become a full-fledged eagle if allowed, but legal to destroy a child in the womb -- at 6 weeks gestation, obviously a human being in the making? -- Another View
DEAR ANOTHER VIEW: Thank you for voicing your opinion, which, I know, is shared by many. This is a challenging topic, to be sure. There are no easy answers. While I absolutely do value human life and believe in using birth control as well as the practice of abstinence, I understand that the world in which we live and the stressors upon women in the sexual and reproductive arenas are significant.
I am not going to enter into the religious argument. I will leave that for you and the thousands of others who share your view. I will never begrudge someone his or her religious principles. But I also believe in the division of church and state, and I do not believe the state should get involved in religious issues.
My perspective is about safety and fairness. It is about reproductive rights. Today, men are supported without question when they want Viagra and other such drugs to increase their virility. Women are increasingly denied control over their reproductive rights. There’s something wrong with this picture.
(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)