It’s
really simple. If you have an opinion,
support it with evidence. Forget the
insults, name calling, indignation, fear mongering, etc., etc. Just share what you think along with some
reasons why you think it. I’ll do the
same, and then that’s when the wonders start.
You say, “I think abortion should be illegal because it involves the
killing of an unborn child.” I say, “you’re
right and killing is a horrible thing.
But, most folks accept that it is necessary and acceptable to end life
in certain occasions. I think this is
one of those occasions where sometimes the taking of a life should be
legal. I think this is the case because
that life is inside of a woman, who should have some control over what happens
in her body. I also think people have
abortions for a number of reasons, and I think the way to limit the number of
abortions that woman choose to have (which should be a goal for everyone, as no
one likes or supports abortion) is to identify those reasons and eliminate
them.” You say, “you are right that
sometimes it has to be legal to kill someone, but this should not be one of
those cases because we are talking about a blameless and defenseless life.” I respond by agreeing to your characterization
of the life at stake, but again emphasizing my views on the importance of women’s
rights in this case and the importance of thinking about what the most
effective way to limit abortions might be (namely that making abortion illegal
will not be as effective as addressing the root causes (lack of access to birth
control and sex education, poverty, victimization, etc.). And on it goes. And back and forth we go. And this thing we have going … it’s called a
dialogue. It leads to things like
compromises and solutions. It depends on
things like conclusions supported by evidence.
It depends on logic, reason, respect, listening skills, and humility. And
we need to start depending on it.
