The Ultimate Question
The yard sign stood out in the idyllic neighborhood. Its purple background and flowing script typeface helped its message resonate.
“Humans begin in the womb, so protect their rights.”
Okay, that’s a fair argument. For the folks on the political spectrum that uphold human rights above all else, the statement on this little yard sign is the equivalent of a classic “Gotcha!”
As I drove past, I also considered who the people might be that hammered that very sign into their lush green lawn.
I had created a dossier in my mind of who they were and where they landed on the political spectrum. Most likely, their home is a one-issue home, and that issue of course, is abortion.
This home appears to be much like the U.S. Catholic Church, which last week moved forward with a vote via the American Bishops to ultimately deny errant politicians the Eucharist who do not condemn abortion. (Source: The Week)
So, here we are again, the digging of heels into the earth on the one issue that has vexed our country long before Roe v. Wade.
When I step back to consider this issue, I look through the eyes of someone who was once a devout Catholic himself, but who eventually found a way out due to political and spiritual disagreements with the institution both.
These eyes also turn toward the rights of the human, and in this case the rights of the woman—the vessel—as it were in Christianspeak.
Returning to the purple yard sign, whose rights are more important? The woman or the so-called human inside of her? I believe that is the ultimate question.
It, unfortunately, will not be answered as long as legislators, and most recently, powerful religious institutions, continue to dig their heels in. Did I mention that the vast majority of U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) is male?
I’ll disclaim that I’m a man, too, and I absolutely will never decide what’s best for a woman.
Why?
Because I believe women are the only ones who should make decisions about their own bodies.
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Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash
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