Debate is not meant to divide us. The nature of debate is not divisive. On the contrary, debate is healthy. It is how we arrive at the truth; not your truth but THE truth. Debate is a conversation.
What is divisive is instituting ridiculous travel bands on states that pass strict abortion laws or those that pass same-sex bathroom restriction laws! What is divisive is kicking people out of your restaurant because of political differences! What is divisive is forcing a baker to bake a cake for a gay couple!
What is divisive is the manner in which people on one side of a debate treat their debate partners. For example: Efforts to stifle debate through straight-up banning of speakers i.e. college campuses or dismissing those with differing opinions by refusing to answer simple questions or stooping to character assassination by disparaging and degrading those with whom you disagree, questioning their intentions with shallow, strawman arguments and name-calling. In my experience, those who end a debate in this manner know in their heart that they cannot win it and rather than be pushed to challenge their beliefs, they in essence, forfeit or surrender in order to avoid the possibility that their world view may need some deeper reflection.
The abortion debate is no different. When someone says, the abortion debate is only meant to divide us, this implies one of two things:
#1 – “You should just shut up and agree with me!” or
#2 - “I cannot win this debate on its merits, therefore, the debate must end.”
Assuming that, “the abortion debate is only meant to divide us” statement was uttered by a pro-abortion advocate, the only alternative is to agree to disagree, remain silent and allow and accept the practice of ending innocent lives to continue and, of course, everything will be hunky-dory because we will no longer be divided.
Or here are some alternatives: How about we continue the conversation? Let’s call it a “conversation” rather than a debate so we won’t be divided. So let’s continue the conversation until the pro-abortion advocates can persuade enough Americans that there is nothing wrong with the practice of ending innocent human life.
Or let’s continue the conversation until pro-abortionists answer the following questions in an intellectually honest, non-filibuster manner.
- Is murder wrong? If yes, what is your definition of murder?
- Is life worth protecting/preserving? If yes, what is your definition of life? And when does life begin?
- Are you in favor of partial birth abortion? If no, why? If yes, why?
- What article and clause in the Constitution grants women the right to an abortion?
- What article and clause in the Constitution enumerates the federal government the power to dictate abortion laws?
- Are you opposed to an overturning of Roe v. Wade? If so, why?
- Are you opposed to each state passing their own abortion laws?
- And most importantly - What about the baby?
Let’s discuss morality, not worse case scenarios of rape and incest.
Let’s discuss the baby, not the woman’s right to choose.
Let’s discuss when life begins and whether it is worthy of protection, not throwing platitudes about men trying to control women’s bodies.
Let’s discuss the constitutionality of Roe v. Wade, not make ridiculous arguments claiming that human dignity and human rights are being violated when abortions are restricted.
If the abortion debate makes you anxious or uneasy to the point that your best option is to end the debate, I don’t think it is much of a stretch to assume that you, of all people, should continue your quest for the truth about this life or death issue.
Let’s discuss the baby, not the woman’s right to choose.
Let’s discuss when life begins and whether it is worthy of protection, not throwing platitudes about men trying to control women’s bodies.
Let’s discuss the constitutionality of Roe v. Wade, not make ridiculous arguments claiming that human dignity and human rights are being violated when abortions are restricted.
If the abortion debate makes you anxious or uneasy to the point that your best option is to end the debate, I don’t think it is much of a stretch to assume that you, of all people, should continue your quest for the truth about this life or death issue.
