From: darylb@sword.eng.hou.compaq.com (Daryl Biberdorf)
Subject: Re: Anti-choice vs. Pro-abortion (was Re: Houston Defending Choice Coalition needs you)
Organization: Compaq Computer Corp.
Distribution: tx
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1992 20:56:16 GMT

In article <1992Aug19.195011.13180@tamsun.tamu.edu> wrr3118@tamsun.tamu.edu (Rick Russell) writes:
>In article <1992Aug19.040828.3489@tamsun.tamu.edu> dlb5404@tamsun.tamu.edu (Daryl Biberdorf) writes:
>>In article <1992Aug19.015745.13019@tamsun.tamu.edu> wrr3118@tamsun.tamu.edu (Rick Russell) writes:
>Thanks for the info. It's good to know that some people espouse the
>pro-life position without forgetting their responsibilities.
>
>>I don't know of many (any?) pro-lifers who "accuse" pregnant women
>>of sin or ostracize them.
>
>Now this sounds wrong to me. Note that in requirement (2) above, I
>specified *unwed* pregnant women. 

I'm referring to unwed pregnant women.  Sorry I didn't make that
perfectly clear.

>While some Christians will put aside
>the stricter aspects of their religion and open their arms to unwed
>pregnant women, others (including ones I've talked to) still put a
>stigma of shame and derision upon women who become preganant out of
>wedlock. 

As a Christian, I admit that it is all too easy to become judgmental
and to deny the love that Christ gave us to others.  Mind you, I do
*not* approve of premarital or extramarital sex.  This does not mean,
however, that I am unwilling to demonstrate love and forgiveness
towards people who commit these particular sins.  Jesus forgave the
woman who was to be stoned because of adultery and instructed her to
stop sinning.  This demonstrate both love as well as disapproval of
the sin.

>Our conservative political leaders brand unwed pregancies as contrary
>to the values of the American family, implying that a family with
>unwed parents is somehow less of a family. Is it any wonder many women
>don't want to raise children in this atmosphere?

As a person raised in a broken home (that included a father who at one
time did not contact me for a year and a half as well as a stepfather
who didn't really care about me personally), I have to say that
a broken home is less than optimal.  In spite of this I still think
that aborting a child conceived out of wedlock is not the solution
to this problem.

>>A Roman Catholic parish in NW Houston (along Hwy 249) boldy proclaims
>>that they will provide for any pregnant woman who will carry her
>>child to term -- is this accusational?
>
>*Sigh* Does this include unwed women? The supposedly official position
>of the Roman Catholic Church is that non-marital sexual intercourse is
>forbidden.

I don't recall the exact wording of the sign, but it sounded pretty
inclusive of all women, wed or not.  The official position of *many*
Christian churches is that pre- and extra-marital sex are forbidden.
This doesn't mean that they condemn those who are guilty of these
sins (or of any other sins).  

>>I would highly suggest that you look deeper into the pro-life cause
>>before you universally brand us as uncaring.
>
>By 'pro-lifer', I suppose I should have specified the ones who would
>rather spend their time on the street screaming in people's faces
>rather than the ones actually trying to solve problems. It's good to
>know that some pro-lifers have decided to provide a solution, and not
>exacerbate the problem.

I've stated this before in other forums, but it amazes me how 
the pro-choice crowd characterizes pro-lifers as bunch of rabid,
women-hating kooks.  I might as well characterize all pro-choicers
as being clones of Germaine Greer and Betty Freidan. 

And you can't underestimate the needs for all forms of political
activity for a cause.  Just because I try to work at one end of
the problem (through intelligent, reasonable discussion and dissemination
of information) doesn't mean protests have no place.  It certainly
worked for the founders of NARAL 20+ years ago.  Why should pro-lifers
be denied the same privileges?
 
Daryl
--
Daryl Biberdorf                 |  Compaq Computer Corporation | standard
darylb@sword.eng.hou.compaq.com |  20555 SH 249  M/S 060701    | disclaimer
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