Yesterday, one of MPs suggestions was “Listen to someone that you disagree with” – so I did.
BlogHer had two excellent posts this week, first came the posting of Why I’m Pro-Life by Shannon who just sponsored the Rocks in my Dryer bloggy giveaway carnival and then came the Why I’m Pro-Choice by Maria Niles. (I gotta tell you, I did post a comment and then part of that comment was pulled out and given an AMEN by Lisa Stone who signs my BlogHer checks. DUDE!)
Generally speaking, the dialogue that took place on both threads was productive. (In my opinion, the comments in the early part of the pro-life thread took an ugly turn – but that’s my opinion, and I only share it because if you go to read the thread (and I really do encourage you to – I learned some things) I just want you to be aware that it’s not all a cake walk) There are many, many valuable stories in these threads. Women tell of first hand experience of being pro-life and then faced with the the reality that they would die if they carried their children to term. Women who have had abortions tell why they are or are not pro-life/pro-choice at this time. Women who have placed their children up for adoption tell of how that ain’t all a bed of happily ever after roses either. From both sides, again and again I read messages of how *these women are REAL and these women need our help*.
I learned. It wasn’t always an easy read, but I did it, and it was good for me.
21 Comments
Veronica
I think I probably need to go and read it too then.
However, not being brought up in a particularly religious country, nearly everyone is pro choice here. With my friends and aquaintances you have to believe that each decision is right for the woman making it.
Veronica’s last blog post..How To?¢‚Ǩ¬¶Cook Spaghetti Bolognaise with a Toddler
Veronica
I meant, with my friends and aquaintances having to make decisions like this***
Veronica’s last blog post..How To?¢‚Ǩ¬¶Cook Spaghetti Bolognaise with a Toddler
Rose Daughter
Life is never black and white, you can have an oppinion on what you think you would do in that situation. But until you are there, it’s all just words.
I’ll take a gander at it, nothing in life is ever easy.
Rose Daughter’s last blog post..Domestication
Toni
I’m going to go have a look- thanks for the heads up!
Toni’s last blog post..Thursday Thirteen #11: I Love…
Random Ramblings
I’d be interested in reading this too. Having a child so young (15 and keeping him), and having several friends who actually made the “pro-choice” decision I would be interested in finding out other people think and feel about it.
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witchypoo
Cool! Would have been even better with a bonus on those checks!
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janet
rose daughter is right on. you don’t know what you would REALLY do until you’re faced with it.
janet’s last blog post..It’s the little things that make up the big things
Kyla
I think THAT is the key. There are such varied and personal experiences that there is no way the government should be allowed to make EITHER choice for someone. It doesn’t mean I necessarily think abortion is good, or that I’d have one (I don’t know unless I live through some of those situations, though) but I do think the choice should be the woman’s and not the governments.
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Ree
Thanks for the links. It’s definitely something that I have strong feelings on.
And Dude! Way to get props!
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Kara
things to ponder….thanks
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Ewokmama
Heavy subject for a Thursday!
I have a couple of friends (one as a teenager, the other in her mid-forties) who have gone through an abortion and believe me, the decision was not an easy one for them. I think it’s wiser to focus on making health care (including mental health) more accessible (speaking from a US perspective) and coming up with better birth control options rather than debate choice.
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Ewokmama
Funny – I read your comments on Blogher after I posted here. We said essentially the same thing!
Ewokmama’s last blog post..Food Update
HRH
I love “listen to someone you disagree with”. We are so quick to have it all figured out. Too cool.
HRH’s last blog post..Book drive…
The Other Dawn
Um. This post was not about poop. *Does not compute.*
No, but seriously, this is an issue I have passionate but murky feelings on. To be politically pro-choice but personally pro-life– it’s a complicated argument to be sure.
The Other Dawn’s last blog post..The Biggest Caucus I Ever Took
MP
Thanks for the linky love..I have this list of 101 things and listening to ideas that you don’t agree with is for SURE one that takes some will power. I know I listened to intense politial discussions..really listened and kept my yap shut. Lent a Day is a great idea.
Last night we went to dinner, wine came with the dinner and I said “no thank you”..lent a day!
MP’s last blog post..Interview of Lisa
Sandy (Momisodes)
Kudos to you for being so diligent about reading real encounters and voices. You’ve inspired me to go read these.
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Blogversary
I just had a friend who was 3 months pregnant faced w/ the decision to abort because she was diagnosed with aggressive cervical cancer and needed an emergeny hysterecomy. Truly sad.
Abortion is never a black and white issue.
Blogversary’s last blog post..2 months old and still smiling
Memarie Lane
I grew up with the Pro-Life movement; my mom is active in it and volunteers with a clinic that is a sort of Pro-Life alternative to Planned Parenthood. In spite of that, I’m not sure how I feel about laws prohibiting abortion. Reading Cider House Rules, which goes into both sides of the history of the debate, planted me squarely in the middle of the issue, and I can appreciate both sides equally.
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Sarcastic Mom
It’s funny how it always seems as though you only can be EITHER pro-life or pro-choice.
I’m both.
Sarcastic Mom’s last blog post..?¢‚Ǩ?ìEver see the back of a twenty dollar bill?¢‚Ǩ¬¶ on WEED??¢‚Ǩ¬ù
Kelley
‘listen to someone you disagree with’
Well that would be my husband. And I listened. And I am still right.
(will go and read the threads….)
Kelley’s last blog post..Rule 34 and Clinkers
Maggie?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s Mind
I had read just the first one earlier in the week not realizing the the other had been posted. What I love most is that both writers were civil and that both would like to see fewer girls or women even facing the question in their own lives. As others have said, I’m on both sides, depending on whether we are talking personally or politically. Anyway, I like your advice of listening to someone we disagree with because there is so much that we can learn.
Maggie’s last blog post..Beauty in Nature / Confessional