This week, a woman received alot of attention because she chose to document her abortion in real time on Twitter. I won’t mention the womans name because I feel like if I do that I am giving her more of the drug (called attention) and that is not something that i want to do. However, I do think it is important enough of a subject that it does warrant a commentary on the whole idea of using social media as a vehicle to voice controversial subjects/actions; and, the impact that it has on American society.
First off, I want to say that I did not join in or comment on her Twitter stream because I don’t think that she is looking so much for conversation about her choice to abort a pregnancy, as she is looking for agreement with her right to do so, as well as some notoriety. She says that she was looking for support from her friends during the abortion.
See, the back story is that this woman has a 4 year old special needs son. She lives with the child and her boyfriend (the father of this child she is trying to abort). I wonder what he thinks…if he is as much in support of the public abortion as she is? In her twitter stream she called this child she was carrying a “thing”, a thing that didn’t have sex organs yet; in relationship to another twitter persons tweet for life.
I am trying to imagine what a man would think about his child being called a thing? What about grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins or the woman’s young son when he grows up…how do, or will, any of them feel about this abortion? Should their opinions count? How does abortion impact those who are in relationships with people who choose abortion as their path? Does it create issues between them if they are in disagreement with the choice to have an abortion?
According to the news articles that I have read, this adult woman had a first pregnancy which was allegedly life threatening to her. She was “advised” not to get pregnant again because of that first pregnancy and the high risk that she endured. So, from what I understand from the various articles on the subject…she decided that if she were to get pregnant again she would have an abortion to end it. Obviously, whatever form of birth control they were using was not effective because she became pregnant.
When she discovered that she was pregnant she allegedly tweeted that she was pregnant. She found out early that she was indeed pregnant so that allowed her to use the chemical form of abortion called RU486. Since she went this route…she has been tweeting the process. Telling of the cramping, the bleeding, and all of the other gory details. This process can take days. This process of abortion can be dangerous…but, she seems to believe that it is worth the risk.
I do not believe in abortion…and it seems to me that it is a gamble with her life either way…either from carrying the pregnancy as far as is humanly possible or, from having the abortion. I would not wish a high risk pregnancy on anyone; however, I personally would have more respect for her had she tried to carry this baby to term. Even if she did not want to raise the child…she could attempt to give it life and place the child for adoption.
Some people have been very supportive of what she is doing…others are not. After all, abortion is a very polarizing subject. People react according to their personal beliefs, experiences, and values. This woman also says that she is an athiest. From my visit to her Twitter stream I found her to be not only vocal about the abortion but also about religion and other subjects, such as foster care. She like anyone in America has a right to voice her opinion. Yet, she uses language that many would deem vulgar or filled with obsenities; hardly language that one would use to try to educate or pursuade another person towards their way of thinking on a particular subject. She allegedly says that she is astonished at the level of reaction and attention that her attempt to “educate” people about abortion has attracted.
I find that hard to believe. I don’t think that you choose to go against traditional beliefs, values, and lifestyle without expecting others to have a strong reaction to it. I happen to believe that for whatever reason, the very fact that many other people find her actions (regarding the abortion) and beliefs (religion) so wrong and offensive, gives her a sense of, her against the world… and I think in her mind, it empowers her. Especially when those who oppose her strongly, wrongly attack her personally in their objection to what she has chosen to do. Unfortunately, it seems that some people have even threatened her life…not only is that wrong…it is illegal. The authorities will be involved in those situations appropriately, I am sure.
Understand, she is going to do what she wants to do; what we in this country have legally allowed her and any other woman that chooses to; and, that is to be able to legally abort the life of her child. However, I myself do not wish to be watching her do what I myself find personally wrong. I do believe in God and I believe in spiritual consequences. She says that she doesn’t believe in God. That is probably true…because I dont think it is easy to do what she is doing and have a close relationship with God…who i believe is the author of life.
A great number of women who have abortions suffer in later years because of their decision to abort. They have emotional, physical and spiritual damage to their beings. Some do not and continue to go on and have repeat abortions according to what their conscience dictates. Legally this is allowed in the United States; it is unfortunate in my opinion.
She doesn’t appear to care about my opinion or anyone elses probably. By giving her more attention, it feeds the flames. However, in my opinion the taking of the life of her child and throwing it away is wrong. Once the child was conceived…it should have the right to be born. What if she gets pregnant again in the future? Why not pursue a permanent solution to her pregnancy potential?
What about her life…the one that potentially could be threatened should she try to carry the baby (she calls it cells)? Calling the baby a clump of cells is an attempt to deny the value of the life she carried. Well, in my opinion…once she was told that it would be life threatening, in the future, for her to become pregnant; then, if she felt that she needed to protect her life…she either should have avoided sex (not practical) or she should have sought some permanent means of birth control such as having her tubes tied, or having a partial hysterectomy… or by choosing a sexual partner who had also taken drastic means of curbing the possibility of creating a pregnancy. A combination of those choices would have ensured that she would not have become pregnant.
This whole subject opens to the door to a discussion about social media and what is acceptable, what will be allowed…what will people endorse or reject. What are the socially acceptable standards or limitations? Will we see someone comitting crimes and tweeting about it? Or posting it on Facebook, or Myspace? It is the testing of those limits that creates this drive to be the person that pushes the envelope. It creates a media sensation or a backwards sort of fame. It is horribly sad to me that in this case it was at the expense of the life of an unborn child. What are your thoughts?
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Wow. You have given us so much to think about and contemplate here. I saw her live video after you sent that link to me. Her last statement, in my opinion, sums up her situation in full: “Have a great and God-less day.”
Those who are not filled with the love of God will never ever view life as meaningful or valuable. To them, beating hearts can be disposable without second thought. Why not, right? What’s stopping them from caring?
They do not care that Scripture makes it clear that life is given by God (we cannot make our own hearts beat, after-all). There are videos online now that show a beating heart as early as 4 weeks (if not sooner). A beating heart is a living being – it’s that simple. But as you mention, it’s a legal procedure that brings billions of dollars for abortion clinics world-wide. People will fight to keep that business in place, no matter what Scripture says. Such people consider themselves above and over God’s moral and ethical codes.
For such people, I do not even discuss God or His clear view that we are “wonderfully and fearfully made.” Rather – I point out this simple fact:
***Everything Hitler did was LEGAL. Owning Blacks as slaves was once LEGAL. A man beating and raping his own wife was once LEGAL.***
Just because something is LEGAL…does not mean it’s RIGHT or JUST. The term “legal” has been (and is) used a crutch for all sorts of evil. I refuse to be one such person.
There is only one word separating a baby from being a baby in our culture. One one. “WANTED.” When the word Wanted is used, the baby is a baby. When the word Unwanted is used, the baby is now defined as a “thing.”
As far as sharing such an event on live broadcast I think it’s pretty clear – she wanted support from her “friends” because she knows, in her heart, that she NEEDED support from someone/anyone – just to feel as though what she was doing was okay. Without seeing other people applaud her, she worried that she’d feel guilty for stopping that little heart from beating.
And how very very sad for her *born* child – if he finds that video Online some day – what will he think? How will he feel? Knowing that his legacy was supposed to include a sibling? If my own son found a video like that, featuring me – his heart would break into a million pieces.
I’m with you and quite frankly, with Susan B Anthony – who stated:
“Guilty? Yes. No matter what the motive, love of ease, or a desire to save from suffering the unborn innocent, the woman is awfully guilty who commits the deed. It will burden her conscience in life, it will burden her soul in death; But oh, thrice guilty is he who drove her to the desperation which impelled her to the crime!” Susan B. Anthony – The Revolution
You make some very valid points Shara! I believe that everything that has God taken out of it becomes devalued. Every person has value and this young woman doesn’t realize it yet but she has just offended the most important person…that is God himself.
I feel for anyone who doesn’t have a relationship with him…because I don’t know how a person comprehends the true importance or value in anything. Human life is one of the greatest gifts that we have. Love is such an important part of that…it is difficult for me to understand the disconnect that happens when a woman can separate her love for one child (born) and the child who never gets the chance to live and breathe by her own hand.
When/If the day ever comes when she realizes what she had done and can see it with a compassionate heart…I can only imagine the regret/depression/fear/anger that she will experience. At that time, I hope that she recognizes God for who God is and asks for forgiveness…and means it!