(or: Hypocrisy & Double Standards)
Hypocrisy is condemning an act in one form, when it suits you, but then supporting it in another form... when it suits you.
Hypocrisy is doing things like calling a comment stupid, but then leaving stupid comments all over the place.
Yeah, I've been a hypocrite at times in my life. We all have. I don't dispute that. It happens, and I don't hold anyone to a standard of perfection with no hypocrisy. It's the blatant, wet, sloppy hypocrisy that's spilling out all over the place with which I have a problem.
I posed a fair and reasonable question in a blog protesting abortion which was intended to make the author of the blog (and any readers, for that matter,) stop and think for a moment about double standards. It's a legitimate query, and it wasn't even a rhetorical question! Does one who adamantly opposes abortion oppose or support inflicted death in other forms?
(Sidetrack: Why does everyone react to death as if it's an awful thing, anyway?)
Apparently, I phrased my question poorly, because the point of it has been clearly missed. What do euthanasia and capital punishment have to do with abortion?? Seriously?! Ok, lemme spell it out:
Abortion is inflicting death on an unborn infant human.
Euthanasia is inflicting death on a suffering individual.
Capital punishment is inflicting death on someone perceived to be guilty - or "eye for an eye" type consequences.
In all three cases, the result is death. Now, I understand the difference between an assisted suicide in which the individual is consciously and willfully seeking his or her own death. And I understand that there is consequence to the action of crime. I am not so foolish as to equate all three practices as the same thing.
The reason I asked the question was not to dismantle an argument against abortion. It was to gauge the depth of hypocrisy and double standards within the author of the post. Here's a little story: Once upon a time, I was pro-life. Not just pro-life, but full-on adamantly anti-abortion, standing on a college campus holding giant signs with pictures of aborted fetuses with Ralph Ovadal's group in protest, preaching against any and all forms of birth control, way off the deep end pro-life! Consider me a recovered Baptist...
Back in those days, however, when I held such a convicted stance against abortion, I also held a very convicted stance against helping kill someone else and against putting anyone to death, no matter the crime, because I felt that no human is entitled to play God, to determine the beginning or end of any other human's life.
Of course, since those many years ago, my perception of "God" has changed quite a lot, as has my perception of humans. Have you ever noticed that all the problems on this earth always trace back somehow to the human population? Have you ever thought about how perfectly harmonious this planet would be in perfect accord with Nature if there were no humans on it? It's true - human beings are the worst pollution on this orb. The more infant humans we add to it, the progressively worse it gets. Who decided that the human race is more important than the planet and Nature itself? Why do unborn human beings get the preferential treatment over the rest of the life on this planet?
Don't get me wrong. I don't want to send the message that I don't value life, or even babies - born, pre-born, or unborn. I've had babies of my own and I know first-hand the glory of such life. I wouldn't say that I regret having my children, not by any means. I would, however, say to them that I am sorry for selfishly bringing their innocent souls into such a disgusting and horrible world. I suppose I don't freak out over women having abortions because I mostly believe that existing in this world is, in its own way, a fate worse than death, and innocent babies are better off getting out while they can. They should maybe even be grateful to their mothers! Mercy killing. Who can support the mercy killing of euthanasia, but not the mercy killing of abortion?
As for the hypocrisy of supporting the death penalty, doesn't killing someone for whatever reason, in this case because they've killed someone, make you just as guilty of killing someone as the person you're killing? Don't misunderstand, I'm not making a point for or against the death penalty here, I'm simply calling out the hypocrisy. Not to mention, what do you do with the innocent victims who have been falsely convicted and put to death? (Don't pretend it doesn't happen.) Are they not just as innocent as these aborted babies? How does one justify putting to death an innocent adult?
(Continued below)
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Blogs by stark_raving_sane:
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stark_raving_sane
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Jun 13 @ 3:09PM
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(Continuation)
Speaking of hypocrisy, maybe someone who opposes abortion can offer a reasonable explanation as to why they feel it's not all right to abort a baby simply because the pregnancy was unexpected/unwanted, but that it IS okay to "murder" the equally innocent baby who was conceived by rape or other undesirable circumstances? I mean, does the means of conception really determine a fetus' level of "right to life"? Or is this just as selective as euthanasia and capital punishment?
Mothers, how many of you refused the standard "Downs Syndrome test" administered during pregnancy? I didn't allow my doctor to perform those tests during any of my pregnancies, because it didn't matter to me. I was having my babies regardless of how they would be. But I wonder how many "pro-life" supporters out there wouldn't terminate pregnancies in which the baby was expected to have serious birth defects. Spina bifida anyone? I'm sure there are some who stand by the conviction strongly enough, and in a way I admire that, but at the same time, doesn't anybody realize how horribly selfish that is? Why does the pro-life argument insist that women abort out of selfishness, yet overlook its own selfishness? Hypocrisy. Double standards.
I welcome opposition. There is nothing you can argue that I haven't once stood for, myself. There is nothing new you can say that will miraculously change my point of view. I respect that you have a viewpoint which differs from mine, and if you care to contribute something rationally, logically, maturely, and respectfully, I welcome that as well. If you're stuck in such a narrow scope that all you can offer is closed-minded insults and jabs... what a shame... and please don't bring your elementary temper tantrums into my blog.
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misschoos
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Jun 13 @ 3:37PM
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Mothers, how many of you refused the standard "Downs Syndrome test" administered during pregnancy? The way they go about those tests is so wrong, I had never thought about it that way before.
Interesting views ~*~
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Redwicket
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Jun 13 @ 3:42PM
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 Excellent blog...it Most certainly encourages people to engage brain and Think.
What Does make The Human ANIMAL think that it is the Most Important one on the planet...Great question. In my mind the other species that Share their home with us are far more Noble...We sad to say are Greedy...Greedy with No Thought to the Future. Definitely in My opinion the Stupidest Animal on the third rock from the sun.
It seems to me that you Are pro-life...Pro QUALITY Life.
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RightWingRepublican
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Jun 13 @ 4:14PM
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Stark,
I never thought i'd say this girl but you're so on point here. (wish you would have blogged this sooner) 
I really want to get in depth with this but i gotta get this darn yard work done.
real quick:
maybe someone who opposes abortion can offer a reasonable explanation as to why they feel it's not all right to abort a baby simply because the pregnancy was unexpected/unwanted, but that it IS okay to "murder" the equally innocent baby who was conceived by rape or other undesirable circumstances
I want to know the answer to this! I see fellow "pro-lifers" saying it all the time. I don't understand it. I'm trying to get this straight, We oppose it because it's murder, but some people who oppose it still say if it's rape or incest than they feel it's ok. So they are saying that depending on HOW the child was conceived will determine if it's ok to kill it or not. (did i say that right?)
Kudos for a good and honest blog
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observed50
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Jun 13 @ 4:27PM
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When the anti-abortion folks first started getting themselves organized, and doing their thing to push back the clock to BEFORE Roe v Wade, I use to ponder how so many church people could be so upset about babies not here, and so little organized and upset about babies who were here? How was 'life' reduced to a heartbeat (not even breath since a fetus isn't breathing) and to so little else?
As an anti-war activist and a church member, I found it embarassing that these 'church people' were so attuned to that abstract heartbeat. I wasn't Catholic, and in it's early days, the movement was largely identified with its Catholic roots. Popes and priests, bishops and such...all white men, were so aligned to tell women what to do, while letting their brethern white males wage war, maintain poverty, maintain global inequality, affecting real children with a heartbeat and breath, a mind and a tongue that vocalized, affecting them to the level of death...and the churches response was simply ineffective prayer.
The growth of evangelicals and pentecostals in the US, with the spawning of the megachurches during the late 70s and 80s saw a growth in the anti-abortion movement of the conservative wing of Protestantism. Slowly white male Catholic leadership was supplanted by white male Protestant leadership. A few women became prominent spokespeople, and pulpit pounders, life Phyllis Schlafly and similar others...but the leaders to emerge were white males...like Falwell, Robertson, Dobson and the rest of the self-appointed spokespersons for a non-accountable, non-testable god.
Imagine...men of a self-described god, trying to control the behavior of women. And white men at that....just amazing. So...unexpected! 
The world around us a mess...inequalities and war...to be addressed best by????
Missions and prayer.
But women, their sexuality, and their bodies???
DAMN THEM!!! LEGISLATION! ZONING LAWS TO PUSH HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS OUT! PROTESTS! PICKETING! DENIAL OF SERVICE! ELECTIONEERING! THREATENING POLITICIANS WHO WEREN'T ANTI-ABORTION! THREATS AGAINST HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS! MURDER OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS!
Missions and prayer for war and inequality...all the above for a heartbeat.
Notice the rabid bunch...the ones around clinics trying to scare women away. You seldom see a face of color leading those pickets. It's white men...self-appointed warriors of their imaginary gods. Check the pics of the people who've killed and bombed the clinics? White men...rabid self-appointed warriors of their imaginary gods. All wearing their crosses...all toting their bibles...
But remember...its the Muslims we're to fear... 
Reminds me of the baby seal campaigns..."awwwwww...they're so cute."
"Yes...I like my steak rare...the rarer the better!" But..but...but???
We are a species with small hearts, small minds, and pathetic eyes. we can build our way to the moon and back...but can't figure out how to live WITH our neighbor without fences, folks in uniform, tanks and nuclear weapons.
But man...can we pray! 
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Death_Of_A_Planet
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Jun 13 @ 4:48PM
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Yeah, you showed me a picture of an aborted fetus once and all I could think of was, "Hmm. I think I want barbecued chicken for dinner." but I'm a Pro-Abortion kind of guy. Population control.
Also though, abortion seems to be one of those never-ending no resolution things.
It's been done to death...
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stark_raving_sane
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Jun 13 @ 5:37PM
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RWR-
I'm glad you "get" that part of the blog. And I realize that not every Pro-Lifer feels exactly the same way about every aspect of the platform as every other Pro-Lifer. It's like the pro-life population that does not approve of killing the abortionists and recognizes that it's those pro-lifers making all pro-lifers look just as bad. The whole "one bad apple spoils the bunch" notion, and so on and so forth...
I guess what I don't understand is the sort of double standard which supports the death penalty, is pro-war (which involves a LOT of death, including the deaths of a LOT of innocent people) and yet claims to be pro-"life", as you describe on your profile.
I ask sincerely - How does one reconcile those conflicting beliefs?
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dizzydoll
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Jun 13 @ 5:53PM
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excellent blog doll
but i still think the right fighters wont get it
and child abuse will continue
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Death_Of_A_Planet
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Jun 13 @ 6:24PM
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How does one reconcile those conflicting beliefs? They reconcile it by clinging to bibles and guns. Judgment, anger, rage and phobias. Fear. Fear of being wrong. Fear of failing. Fear of living.
And fear of death itself.
Death is a release.
They spend their entire lives in the confines of their very own prisons. Unable to see the world's wonders and beauties. Because they are locked inside a cell of this way or Hell.
I am able to appreciate their view points on abortion. Why they are for it. By "their" I mean the rational ones, the logical thinkers that have some sort of backing steeped in information. Information of either the religious or the non-religious. Moral or not. Theologically speaking or not.
Belief is belief...no matter how you slice it...or vacuum it. Sorry, couldn't resist. I love the jokey-jokes.
The problem is largely based on tolerance and judgment. They call you stupid. They call you dummy. They call your thoughts and opinions wrong, dumb and stupid.
They fail to realize that they have the freedom and the right to feel these things because of people...all colors...all classes...all religions...all political leanings.
Those people bestowed upon them a precious privilege. Freedom of speech, peaceful assembly and the ability to make choices.
They're blind to this...that the other side helped them achieve this.
By choosing to dictate, control and silence...they choose to silence themselves.
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misschoos
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Jun 13 @ 6:36PM
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Just dropping off the kudo Madame.
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RightWingRepublican
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Jun 13 @ 6:41PM
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Ok, i'm going to try this here, it's just so damn hard to explain in text.
I truly want people to know what i mean about this, being that my view is so different than most peoples.
I guess what I don't understand is the sort of double standard which supports the death penalty, is pro-war (which involves a LOT of death, including the deaths of a LOT of innocent people) and yet claims to be pro-"life", as you describe on your profile.
I support the death penalty for murders. If someone goes into a home and kills the whole family, they should be put to death. There has to be that punishment or more people would be doing it. Life in prison just doesn't seem to scare many people. Of course there's those times when innocent people have been put to death. I think the justice system in America has to be really sure, without ANY doubt before they go and execute someone. I wonder how many innocent people have died for a crime they didn't commit.
If a person murders another person and there's no question about who did it, they deserve what ever the Court gives them. personally i don't care if they are executed or put in prison for life, as long as they can't hurt anyone else. Either way is fine.
Being Pro-War and Pro-Life:
From my standpoint (and mine only). From what i see and what i have been told, there has been many many casualties of this War. Innocent people who have the war blazing in their backyards. I have a few emails talking about the innocent children that have been killed in the crossfire. I saw a story on the News a long time ago about the Military accidentally shooting a few kids during a gun battle. The News said that the kids were playing in the street and the battle broke out and the Army shot and killed these kids. I saw the story and was very upset by it. A few days later, i received an email from my best friend who's in iraq (see my blog about him, it has more info) he just happened to be emailing me about the same story, not knowing i had already seen it on TV. He was there that day. He saw one of the kids get shot. What the news left out was that 2 of the children had explosives tied around their waists and they came running out of a building where the Army was shooting at insurgents. The kids were sent to blow up the Soldiers while they were busy shooting at the insurgents. The News never mentioned that those kids had explosives. They made it sound like the Army opened fire on a bunch of children playing in the street. I only told this long long long story because the news (no matter which station) is distorting all of it. Making it seem that we're there using civilians for target practice.
Yes there are innocent people being killed every day. I can't support that aspect of it no matter who the people are. You can never be really happy knowing someone innocent lost their lives. But, the amount of innocent people who were being killed before we went to war is so much higher than it is now. The amount has declined so much with our presence there. I am pro-War because we are helping them, even if it doesn't seem that way, we are helping. Just the USA being there has saved so many lives. As long as my best friend can believe in this cause, i can too. He's right in the middle of it and has been for over 2 years now.
Being pro-Life:
babies unborn and born are the most innocent beings in this world. They are precious and they are such a miracle. I am pro-life because of their innocence.These are babies we're talking about. I feel like this world has gotten comfortable with harming innocence. be it in the War or in the womb. We can all hate each other, attack each other, kill each other, but the fact that we find it alright to hurt our children is just beyond me.
Where is the line and how long ago was it crossed? is there no limit to what we are capable of doing to other people.
I say Pro-War and Pro-Life in the same sentence but it's not as cut and dry as how it's read. If i could create a perfect world, it would consist of the war being over, the people of Iraq being safe and having the lives they deserve to have, the USA no longer concerned with terrorism and babies having the lives and respect they deserve. I want the world to be peaceful and live in a moral society, or at least a society where we aren't all being hated for our beliefs. We all suffer with that every single day. All of us.
I hope i answered your questions a little. Sorry i took up an entire page to answer them but it's very hard to explain this. I hope i did it.  if not, i can try again. i would be happy to.
I appreciate your blog and appreciate your intelligence on these issues.
See, i'm not THAT mean.
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Death_Of_A_Planet
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Jun 13 @ 7:08PM
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Yes there are innocent people being killed every day. I can't support that aspect of it no matter who the people are. You can never be really happy knowing someone innocent lost their lives. All war comes with death. Not too many have taken place without it. Death is almost a necessary evil. If you're truly "Pro-Life" you can't be "Pro-War". That means you support and value all forms of life and life in general. Life...the entity. It can't be selective. It has to be total and absolute. Supporting anything that condones or solicits or results in death just isn't Pro-Life in my book but I know, I don't support only the Republicans all of the time so that makes me wrong and "liberal", right? It is that cut and dry. Unless you're playing Risk or World of Warcraft or some other war-waging game.
And it obviously never occurred to you that these people in the Middle East that we're waging war on might not want our form of "freedom". Would you want someone from Pakistan dropping bombs on you, seizing control of your city, forcing you to wear a Burqa? I doubt it.
Last time I checked, Obama (whether he's right or wrong) was planning on shifting war efforts to Afghanistan. Aren't you contradicting yourself? I mean, you slam, bash and rip Obama every chance you get but you're truly "Pro-War" so, you support him? You with him or against him? Both perhaps? No, I suspect there are some issues you agree with the man on but don't like to admit it. Fine. So be it. Everyone is entitled to a closet.
I know, I get it...not that war.
Right?
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RightWingRepublican
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Jun 13 @ 7:11PM
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Good job
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dizzydoll
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Jun 13 @ 7:38PM
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If you're truly "Pro-Life" you can't be "Pro-War".
the right fighters will never get it, they simply ignore what they dont want to see
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stark_raving_sane
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Jun 14 @ 1:11AM
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RWR-
Okay, so… Let me get this straight:
Death Penalty – You’re saying it’s okay to kill people.
Pro-War – You’re saying it’s okay to kill people.
Pro-Life – You’re saying it’s not okay to kill certain people.
Yes there are innocent people being killed every day. I can't support that aspect of it no matter who the people are. Then how can you proclaim you are “Pro-War”??
Maybe it’s just a differing opinion, maybe it’s semantics… To me, this says that the sanctity of life is conditional – that the means can justify the end. Maybe it’s because I tend to be an “all or nothing” kind of person. When I was a pro-lifer, I was a pro-lifer all the way, none of this selective crap…
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RightWingRepublican
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Jun 14 @ 10:15AM
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I explained it in a way that anyone could understand. I regret if you didn't get it or understand. I proved my point completely and got a mediocre response.
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stark_raving_sane
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Jun 14 @ 12:03PM
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I explained it in a way that anyone could understand. I regret if you didn't get it or understand. I proved my point completely and got a mediocre response.
Yeah, well... What can I say? I'm sorry you feel that way...
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kjac
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Jun 14 @ 7:50PM
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There's a whole lot of hypocrisy here. And it's obvious too. More of the same "It's ok when we do it" attitude that is exactly why they're not in charge of anything anywhere.
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imlost2
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Jun 14 @ 10:58PM
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I'm thinking that a child no matter how it is conceived can be loved, and therefore rape isn't an excuse. If the mother cannot love it, then put it up for adoption and I'm sure there are mothers out there that can love that child. Since I believe in God, I don't think he makes mistakes, if he wishes for a mother to conceive then she shall. I don't think this World is such a terrible place, life is what you make it. If you allow someone to steal your joy, it's your fault. You make your own happiness and have only yourself to blame. Sure it's not always a bowl of cherries, but I don't regret having children and I love each and every one and I believe they are happy to be here. Life has many rewards, why can't people look for the good instead of only the bad? I don't get it sometimes. We have much to be thankful for if we just open our eyes. Take care Lost
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dizzydoll
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Jun 15 @ 1:42AM
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I explained it in a way that anyone could understand. I regret if you didn't get it or understand.
YOU my dear are the one who doesnt get it!
I proved my point completely and got a mediocre response.
perhaps it time for you to learn the hard way, remember life is full of tests... you have just invited one in.
these right fighters will never change and its due to them that the world is full of misery
excellent blog.... nothing mediocre about it
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Redwicket
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Jun 15 @ 1:55AM
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I hope that this point isn't lost but...it would be pretty hard to find Any Joy when one can't feed, clothe, Or keep a roof over the heads of one's children...
Pro-life people seem to think that most who are Forced to come to this type of decision do so easily...I don't think that it has a thing to do with being able to LOVE the child.
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Xanadath
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Jun 18 @ 11:38AM
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I applaud your blog. It's refreshing to see a line of logic spun with values rather than reactionary dogma of position.
But, isn't one person's value another's dogma?
At it's heart, I believe you hit upon the fulcrum of the life-abortion-war-murder axiom. Values. What does one value? How does a value mold a sense of ethics and morality? Where do these things lead us?
Food for thought.
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