Why are politicians using religion to define their theories on rape and abortion?
For decades Americans have been taught that in order to keep a balance of fair ethics and judgment, there should always remain a separation between church and state; but as time has gone by, there seems to be less separation and more blending. In recent years several politicians, (yes, the people you and I vote for) have grabbed the microphone to proclaim their views on abortion, rape and religion. They’ve somehow managed to put them all together and tie a big red knot on the top. No pun intended with the “big red knot”, being that a large number of Republican politicians have jumped onto this extreme “pro-life” bandwagon. Politicians are using their political platforms to express their anti-abortion stance, in regard to cases of rape and incest which has offended many American women.
Here are these rich Republican men, with wives, sisters, daughters, and mothers, telling women that rape and incest are not grounds for an abortion. Now, the problem isn’t just the issue of abortion, it is also the religious drive behind the arguments of these men. What ever happened to separation of church and state? Free Will? Whether or not you believe abortion is right or wrong, these men haven't earned the right to tell a woman what to do with her body. Who said that all women share the same views on their bodies, and who said their views were driven by religious principles? Under what pretense should this belief be legislated, and will it apply to the entire country? Whose choice is it really? Why do we call ourselves a Democratic and diverse nation if we deny women the “free-choice” of abortion -- in the cases of rape and incest? Don’t get too excited, because most of these questions can’t be answered in one breath, and some cannot be answered at all. Abortion will always be a complicated issue, and it will always reflect different point of views. Apparently, abortion in the case of rape and incest is also a complicated issue. What makes this issue so interesting is the driving force these politicians are using to support their ideas, which is religion. Many of these politicians are making it very clear that they don’t believe abortion is acceptable under any circumstance because of their own personal religious beliefs (emphasis on personal). Common sense says that a diverse country like the United States doesn’t abide by one religion. To take it a step further, some people do not even have a religion. Under what circumstances, should one’s personal religious beliefs be applied to the health and well being of those who believe otherwise? So the million dollar question here is, why would a politician think that this position on rape and abortion would stand in senate? An even better question is, why are some politicians convinced that victims of “legitimate rape” are capable of “shutting down” pregnancy? A highly offensive comment made by Todd Akin can definitely be classified as an embarrassment to the Republican Party, even causing Presidential candidate Mitt Romney to dodge comments on the statement made by Akin. “Rape survivors don’t need abortions because if it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down”says Akin, who is a congressman from Missouri. Something is clearly wrong with that statement, because basic human biology and studies of the female reproductive system show no signs of being able to “shut that whole thing down.” If victims of “legitimate rape” were able to “shut that whole thing down” there wouldn’t be any cases of rape victims who became pregnant. Who does Todd Akin think he is to try and determine what a “legitimate rape” is and how a woman’s reproductive system works? Yes, he can make a fair argument for abortion, because there are “pro-life” groups with heavy religious backing. But how in the case of rape and incest, can he apply this argument without offending women? Of course Akin would be “pro-life” having gone to a religious school when he was younger, deep rooted in Presbyterian beliefs. He can argue all he wants about abortion, but to put his own twist on basic human bodily functions to make a political point is pure ignorance. There are a large number of in-house Republicans who are “pro-life” and an even startling number of Republicans who believe in theories similar to Todd Akin. These are the people responsible for our laws. Republicans like Indiana State Treasurer Richard Mourdock, believe that “even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that is something that God intended to happen." Here we go again, interjecting God into their political viewpoints. I’m only here to play devil’s advocate, not every American believes in God, and in that event, what will be the deciding factor? It’s not fair to place religious ideologies in the middle of legal issues, especially when everyone is not religious. Take note of all the men who have opinions on rape, abortion and incest, the same men who have wives, daughters, and sisters. It is a bit startling to hear such radical ideologies (specifically about rape) coming from men who claim to be “conservative”. Some men believe abortions should only be allowed within the first 2months of pregnancy, or in extreme cases of health. Some Republicans believe no abortion is necessary even in the case of extreme health, arguing that the life of the child should be exchanged for the mother. Some believe life begins at conception and we must preserve all life under any circumstance, according to Christianity. We proclaim ourselves to be a Democratic and diverse country yet we’re entertaining absurd prepositions from people who know the least of what it is like to be pregnant as a result of rape or incest. Besides the obvious trauma that rape causes women, men are also proposing that women carry and bear the child of their attacker. Think of the psychological pain, on top of the physical pain a woman has to endure after giving birth to a child as the result of a rape. But then again, this is just food for thought. The irony, all the men, speaking loud and proud on the issues of abortion, rape, and pregnancy; how often do you come across a man who has been raped and ends up pregnant? (My point exactly) This is all just food for thought. It’s a tough issue. Not even I myself can come to a set point of view. It all depends on who you are and what you believe. There is no right or wrong answer, but there are still morals and ethics that can be used as a guideline to come to a common ground. I’d rather not share my point of view. Just keep in mind, what you believe, may not be what someone else believes, and “to each is own.” |