I hate the term “pro-abortion”. I recently came across it in a quote Tim used (not his own words) in his recent post and then in one of the comments. And I just want to put this out there: nobody is pro-abortion. Regardless of when you believe that life begins, nobody is advocating or encouraging abortions. I respect that differences in beliefs divide us into those that are pro-life (a term I also don’t like) and those that are pro-choice.

For me, this is an issue about choices and freedom. As a woman and mother, I can not imagine the trauma and pain a woman must experience with abortion. Both physical and mental. Judaism tells me that life begins at birth; after two pregnancies I felt life sooner.

So I’m not sure about when life begins but I can tell you this: I wholeheartedly support a woman’s right to choose. Hence the term “pro-choice”. And yet I’m all in favor of life, I’m not anti-life. So make no mistake, “pro-abortion” is an absolute misnomer.

Two notes:

1. Although I am pro-choice I too am sickened by this “abortion art” in Sherry’s post. However, when we live in a country where we celebrate freedom, inevitably there are going to be those who challenge the extent of that freedom.

2. If you would like more information on what Judaism says about this topic. please follow these links:

http://www.myjewishlearning.com/ideas_belief/bioethics/Overview_Abortion/Bioethics_Abortion_Fetus_Rosner.htm http://www.myjewishlearning.com/ideas_belief/bioethics/Bioethics_Abortion_TO_2.htm