No one's arguing that a woman doesn't have the right to choose what to do with her own body. Of course she does. It's just that this right - like all the other rights enjoyed by all American citizens - is bounded by the rights of others. If what I, as a woman, choose to with my body is to wave my arms wildly in the air, I am free to do so. Right up to the point where my flailing arms hit the person standing next to me - at which point I am no longer exercising my rights but infringing on his.
In this country, no one's rights extend so far as to allow them to cause injury to another person.
You may be able to legally own a gun, but you are only legally able to use it against another human being in self-defense. Your right to bear arms does not extend so far as to allow you to inflict harm on an innocent individual.
If your religion participated in ritual human sacrifice, would you be allowed to practice this? No. Your right to freedom of religion does not extend so far as to allow you to inflict harm on another.
Shouting "Fire!" in a crowded theater creates a dangerous situation for others. Your right to free speech does not extend so far as to allow you to even potentially put others in danger.
Printing lies in a newspaper is libel, and it's against the law. Your right to freedom of the press does not extend so far as to allow you to injure even the reputation of another.
Likewise, your right to choose what to do with your own body does not extend so far as to allow you to injure another person. It does not extend so far as to allow you to choose to use your hand to pick up a knife and stab somebody, nor does it extend so far as to allow you to choose to wave your arms wildly until they hit someone, intentionally or not, nor should it extend so far as to allow you to choose to destroy an innocent life, born or unborn.
Monday, February 2, 2009
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Well said! I love this argument: "If what I, as a woman, choose to with my body is to wave my arms wildly in the air, I am free to do so. Right up to the point where my flailing arms hit the person standing next to me - at which point I am no longer exercising my rights but infringing on his."
ReplyDeleteYes, a good argument. I, too, am pro-life. I found your blog through Conversion Diary. I hope to visit again.
ReplyDeleteVery well said.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that, of the two people most intimately affected by abortion, only one of them survives to voice her opinion on the right to choose. The other is dead.
Excellent post. I found you via the Mr. Linky List at Conversion Diary...I think it is great to see a logically laid out thought that works from the assumption that liberty is good. Never really thought about it this way before.
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