Why Can't "Personhood" be Applied to the Pregnant Woman


Forced Birthers came up with an idea they thought very clever, stop using the term "human being" to describe the embryo and replace the phrase with the word, "personhood." In Louisianna the legislature then assigned all rights available to a human being to the embryo. As is usually the case, the definition assigned the word "personhood" by the Forced Birth Community is not universally accepted. Its use is simply more smoke and mirrors. 

By deciding the fetus is not part of the woman's body, Forced Birth has ruled out the woman as an important player in a pregnancy. She is just a bit player among the really important parties, the man who impregnated her and the fetus itself. Men must decide what happens to this part of a woman's body. Whatever happens needs to be in the fetus's interests. The interests of the woman do not exist. 

Over and over Forced Birth operatives are asked to strike a deal so that both pregnant women and the Forced Birth Community get something. Give birth said Supreme Court Justice. It's not that dangerous. I know because I gave birth several times and I'm still alive.

"Personhood" just does not include pregnant women. They are not people of the highest level like men and fetuses. As has been explained here by Forced Birth commenters, "There must be reproduction for humans to continue. Women are the ones who have the babies. It's just the (bad) luck of the draw they have to face danger to their lives." Of course, women in the Forced Birth denominations have never had the chance to cast anonymous votes as the whether they support or do not support abortion rights.

Hopefully, the voices of women and men who support abortion rights will continue to be stronger and more influential in debates about this. The progress thus far has makes one optimistic though much remains to be done.


  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Maybe the "Original Sin" Should be Reassigned

Image
We can all agree most Catholic priests are fine people and not guilty of sexual abuse. What Catholics must face, however, it that their church harbors executives who are dishonest . There is an incredible story about the Argentine Bishop Zanchetta. The Pope worked with him in Argentina and they are considered friends. Around 2015 Zanchetta sent nude pictures of himself and they began circulating world wide. He also was too friendly with young seminarians and some left because of him.  Three different officials say they made formal complaints to the Vatican about Zanchetta between 2015 and 2017. Yet, in 2018, the Vatican claimed it was unaware of any complaints about Zanchetta. This might be a good time to repeat the Catholic hierarchy claims to have the sole authority handed down from Jesus to what the faith stands for. It condemns as sinners those who practice birth control, have abortions and gay sexual relationships. Handing the hierarchy this responsibility would make...
Read more

Who Suffers from a "Hardened Heart"

Image
Some years ago on this blog there was a discussion about what the Bible calls "The hardened heart." The "hardened heart" was the explanation given for why people like me cannot accept the tenets of Christianity. We are unable to believe there are floating spirits and gods or imaginary places people go when the die. Now, a prominent Christian preacher and author has given us a way to diagnose the "hardened heart." It contained some surprises.  Rev. John Piper, who spoke about the hardened heart, said we can see this in a person who lacks "ordinary tenderness and compassion." He went on to describe the characteristics of a person without the affliction of the hardened heart. A healthy person displays empathy and sympathy. Those with the hardened heart are like stone. Jesus wanted compassion for the poor. The hardened heart discussion referred to atheists only if they are sinners and then it was indirectly. Sin, Piper said, hardens one's heart a...
Read more

Young Women can see Bull$hit a Mile Away

Image
Republicans including their Forced Birth subgroup is bother by recent election results and polling. All show young women going to the left. A poll shows young women are 30% more likely to be very liberal than young men. The link advises the Forced Birth community to give young pregnant women an uplifting message. The message suggested is, "Buck up. You've got this. You can give birth and have a happy life." Another way of saying this is, "It will be OK if you miss work and/or are fired because of the birth. If you cannot make your rent payment, it's OK. Somewhere out there is another place to live. We don't know where but be optimistic."   This is an add on to the new version of the Forced Birth message, "We're for both the baby and the mother." They are not and never have been for the mother. Their message has always been to condemn women who have abortions. Now, the "thoughts and prayers" message, which costs no money, it the me...
Read more