Comments on: Which Is More Moral, Having An Abortion Of A Child Who Is Congenitally Ill Or Giving Birth?

By: Zombie Hunter

Zombie Hunter — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:08:32 +0000

Have the child, abortion is terrible, and you will regret it

By: marcusco

marcusco — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:03:04 +0000

Having recently answered a question similar to this one (but far more closed minded and offensive) I will re-post my previous answer as well as new things in order to better answer your question with my opinion:
Unborn children aren’t sentient and therefore it isn’t murder. Depending upon the circumstances, it is getting rid of a child that may otherwise not survive on its own if the mother were forced to go through the pain of birthing and then caring for the child… Especially if its birth endangers the mother’s life or if the unborn fetus will suffer from a condition that will make its life nothing more than a painful and cruel story ending in an early death anyways. In this case it is simply one life for another or saving a child from enduring something akin to natural torture. The same goes for a rape victim being forced to have the bastard offspring of a criminal who may have mental defects.
It would be far more cruel and barbaric to let a child be born in a place or to a mother who couldn’t care for the child or let a child be born that would have no chance regardless of its care takers rather then stop its development before it ever has to get to that point.
Abortion saves more lives than it takes.
That is my opinion, I have never known anyone who had an abortion… But I am very well schooled in the rights of others as well as history.
The Spartans were known to throw newborn babies off of a cliff if they were deemed unfit to become full Homoioi. This seems barbaric to most modern peoples… but look at it from their point of view: The state depended on its army and the army depended on the strength of each individual soldier… If a single unfit or unhealthy baby had been given the chance to live it may have caused the death of thousands not to mention its own terrible suffering and ultimate death in the Agogae.

By: Cheshire Cat

Cheshire Cat — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:26:36 +0000

Morality depends on a moral framework. Just attending a basic ethics class gives you these:
Divine Command Theory: what is good is what you are commanded to do. If it was not commanded as good or bad, it should be ignored as if it doesn’t exist. Independent thoughts about morality is heresy. You are commanded to keep the baby regardless of the costs since killing an unborn child is prohibited.
Moral nihilism: Neitzche. Morality does not exist. Do whatever.
Moral egoism: Do what Ayn Rand tells you, which is whatever improves your lot. The child’s life is secondary to your own selfish needs, but if the child serves your purposes, then it’s ok.
Moral relativism: was never intended as a moral theory, but basically it “suggests” to do what is acceptable in your society or in-group. Again, thinking for yourself is apparently a great burden. Do what the group thinks is right or else they (at best) won’t like you or (at worst) will do worse than kill you.
Utilitarianism: Jeremy Bentham? What makes the most people happy? Or, if you consider the relevant audience to only be you and the unborn child, do what will lead to the greatest happiness measured between the two of you. How is this measured? It’s a mystery. Not really so helpful afterall.
Kantian morality of character: Kant valued each human life as a moral unit, so the unborn child must be born, even if it is to suffer and die from birth. It is not your place to play God, but to, as best possible, help to make the best life possible, even if it is a miserable excuse of a life that saps your parents into bankruptcy.
Which one of these is right? None of the above? Maybe.
Basically it’s a foul moral decision to have to make, but of all the weak answers, having the kid appears to win out usually.
The real question is this: What decision would you regret least. Most parents will choose to be optimistic and hold out hope for a miracle, even if it’s a lost cause.
It’s best to do what you can with the life that you’ve got and give meaning to what little life you have.

By: Jesikuh

Jesikuh — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:53:49 +0000

Having an abortion is more moral.
I would never put an infant through such pain. That’s just terrible. It’s just not worth the risk, and I would feel completely guilty.
Speaking of being aborted…my mom considered it when pregnant with me. My dad wanted her to get an abortion. I personally wish she had. They didn’t have the finances to raise another child, let alone care for two others. And they were still young. Still so young. I honestly think it would have been better overall for my family and their future.

By: Scott J

Scott J — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:35:41 +0000

I understand this struggle as I once told my mom she should have aborted me when she had the chance, Yet now I am thankful she didn’t as what I have gone through has caused me to be able to help many others facing the same struggle.
I am not suicidal but have been near dead many times. so for me each day is precious.
I know that as a child we don’t understand why we have to suffer things whether physical, mental, or emotional, but as an adult, I see things much different.
Each child is special and can touch others in different ways if they look beyond their own sorrow.
I think that each child should live because their is only one of them and who knows how many lives they can impact even if theirs is short.
Love is like a rose, the more its cared for the stronger it grows,
how long it lasts nobody knows,
except the Maker of the rose
Author
Scott Jones
Me
Gods Love is in what we give and who we become.
not in what we have or in bitterness and self hatred.

By: iggy rocks

iggy rocks — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 08:15:08 +0000

from an answer you gave before, firstly I just cannot imagine what its like to be so sick all your life!! good luck to you and I wish you all the best and am smiling for you!! I am not against abortion at all so I am not the right person to answer, but I am glad you asked it because i do find most people that are pro life have no clue as to why abortion may be the right thing to do!!! i hope you change a few peoples way of thinking!!! Take care!!
*EDIT* some the answers are ridiculous!!! I still cannot believe that people still dont understand….this girl does not have Tay Sachs because of KARMA you fuckin ignorant idiot! how does one deserve sickness from before they are born…I cannot believe people in this world that are so disgusting. This women has suffered so much in her life and yet you think its still ok because “GOD FORBID” you have an abortion!!!
AINGEL…I believe that these people cannot even open their mind to what you have suffered or what a child may suffer becaue they cannot think for themselves…the bibe tells them what to think!!! I would never put a child through everything that you have had to suffer..I mean no offence to you of coarse, but what kind of quality of life is this for a child!!! to let them suffer because of ones ignorance is not a good enough reason for me!!
TIBERIUS….you are a disgusting human and do not deserve the air you breath….. have you lived this womens life?? dont make such harmful comments when you obviously know so little of life

By: Stanbo

Stanbo — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:43:38 +0000

God is the giver of life and only He has the right to take that life away. We do not know the reason that child has such a disease, but who are we to question God. That child should be given the right to live and to die with dignity, rather than being ripped apart, sucked through a tube and thrown out like trash. That is not God’s plan for the life that He created.
God bless,
Stanbo

By: Smokin' Dragon

Smokin' Dragon — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:43:16 +0000

Well you know I’m pro-choice and believe in the soul at the breath of life. But this is an impossible question for me, and I believe that it is beyond the question of morality. I could not bare knowing that a child was suffering and that I had the power to prevent it. At the same time, I have to wonder whether there can ever be enough good for the child’s life that would overcome the pain and suffering, and referring purely to the child’s feelings and not my own. In the past I would have aborted, but as I’ve grown with understanding of life, I would tend to allow nature take its course. If it was something as debilitating as Tay Sachs, I suppose the decision would be easier. But even then, I would struggle greatly with it, I just don’t know. Sorry, I know my ramblings have not helped.
Edit:
Now I’m wondering whether it was my ego talking. I guess I wouldn’t know unless I was in that situation. I don’t think there can be a right or a wrong answer.

By: nunovy

nunovy — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:44:55 +0000

Forget God – He was the guy who made the defect and pain in the first place, and He already knows what is going to happen to the child… if He cared, HE would tell you what to do… but He doesn’t, does He?
Abort for the sake of minimising suffering for the mother, for the child, and for society. All of this should be taken into account.

By: Yehsub

Yehsub — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:30:22 +0000

Though INCREDIBLY heart-wrenching and EXCRUCIATINGLY tragic, it is still better to give birth than to have an abortion.
Nobody knows God’s master plan (I mention God because you posted this in Religion and Spirituality). For all we know, this unfortunate child could MOVE people to pray; move them closer to God and to accepting Jesus.
This child, whether anybody realizes it or not, might actually be instrumental in bringing others to salvation and, if this is so, it is a life well-lived and this child will be rewarded greatly in the Kingdom of God.
Aside from that, no human has the right to play God by extinguishing ANYBODY’S life; not even their own.
God will call souls back at His sole discretion.