I learn today that there is to be a change in the Northern Ireland abortion laws. If there is likely to be a foetal abnormality, a woman can be granted an abortion. This is different from the rest of the UK where, to put things simply, a woman has the right to choose, regardless of the reasons. As a mere man, on the face of it, I should not have an opinion on this, should I? Well, I have.
I am no great supporter of abortion. I am no great opponent, either. I have not had the need to be part of any decision as to whether to go ahead with an abortion and I am glad about that. It is something that I don’t particularly like the idea of, but…
My own personal views are my own personal views. I suspect the Northern Irish laws are similar to those south of the border, heavily influenced by religious diktat. To sum up my view on abortion, I’ll say this: if you do not like abortion, then don’t have one.
It is fair enough for those with religious superstition to have a view that abortion flies in the face of their teachings and beliefs. Whilst I don’t respect religious views – how could I when they seem so absurd? – in a free country, I have to accept that some people have their views and live their lives according to them. So, on that basis, it is fair enough that someone who believes that abortion is against their beliefs, then they should be free not to have an abortion. No one, under any circumstances, should force someone of belief to have an abortion, simple as that.
Now if a theist disagrees with other people having an abortion, then they have a right to that opinion. That’s called freedom. But they cannot take the next step and say that, because they have faith in some celestial dictator, no one else can be free to choose. They may well feel that every sperm is sacred – in which case I assume male catholics will desist from masturbating – but quite frankly that’s their business and no one else’s. In other words, I will mind my own business about what catholics get up to in the freedom of their own homes and they will mind theirs on the morality of others.
I am certainly taking no lessons in morality from frock-wearing virgins,but what they get up to in their private lives, as long as it doesn’t interfere in the lives of others, that’s a matter for them.