What does it mean to be pro-choice?

Fordham University has recently come under fire from the good Catholics of the world, and specifically Cardinal Egan for honoring Justice Breyer with an award from the school.  The reason cited by the Cardinal, who is the leader of pedophiles and sex-addicts, is that Justice Breyer voted to overturn a Nebraska ban on late-term abortions because it did not take into consideration the health risks to the mother.

PART 1 – Government & Abortion

Let me get this straight here… we should not abort a baby because it is a “living thing”;let the mother die if she can deliver the baby.  Even though she is ALREADY a living, breathing, functioning human being, she doesn’t really matter.  I see… that is perfectly illogical!!!  This is not a discussion on what God/ gods think(s); it is not even a discussion on when life officially begins.  This is determination by the church/ Church on whose life is more important: the egg, embryo, fetus, or the mother.  Who is the church to decide that the baby’s potential life is more important than the mother’s existing life? Who is the church to tell any family that the life of the mother is less important than the fetus she is carrying? Who is the church, period! To delve into the beliefs of different churches would take more time than I have right now, so here’s the point: since Egan, church of pedophiles & co., doesn’t share my beliefs or those of my church’s, of the flying spaghetti monsters, then let’s just stick with what we each believe.  Egan – you don’t ever have to have an abortion if you don’t want to.  I will just do what my church tells me to do.

The conservative right, among others, propogates an illogical argument, which may be done in the name of religion or in the name of Sarah Palin.  Whatever the reason, it is incorrect for any pro-life person to accuse a pro-choice person of “being for abortion”.  McCain repeated this line several times in the debates.  He accused Obama of being “for abortion”.  Apparently, the word “pro” meaning “for” and the word “choice” meaning “right to choose” equal “for abortion”. Oh wait, I see… again, illogical! [side thought: where did these people go to school!? did they not learn math, vocabulary, or LOGIC?!?!]  Pro-choice people do not push pregnant women to have abortions; pro-choice people are not promoting abortion as a means of birth-control. They just believe in the right for every person to think for him/herself.

Pro-choice is simply the right for every person to choose what to do with your own body.  Every man and woman should be able to decide that they want to tattoo their entire body, that they want to have a vasectomy, that they want to donate a kidney, or that they want to have an abortion.  This is a personal matter, much like whom you decide to marry or vote for, that the government should not and cannot regulate.  For a party that believes in less government interference and regulation, they sure like to stick their noses into other people’s business.

PART 2 – Church & Education

A university may be founded by certain people of certain religions, and may regularly hold services in these religions.  However, a university is also a place of learning where students, faculty, and staff work with the changing social climates and curriculum improvements.  Universities are places that recognize the work of others who have made tremendous impact on our lives.  Universities are places where people learn about other people and other cultures.  The staff, faculty, and students at Fordham University are not all Catholics or Chrisitans or of any one religion.  It is a diverse institution that values thoughts and opinions of all people as to not be closed to change and advancements. If the university’s faculty or board bestows an award on an individual, who is the church to demand that it be rescinded?  Since when has a jesuit university told the Pope who he should promote to cardinal?

In Egan’s defense, Fordham University is a Jesuit university, and one can obviously understand why he thinks that he can dictate what they do.  The same concept applies to all Catholic church-goers.  A big “SURPIRSE” to all Catholic church-goers who did not know or understand that Egan actually dictates your every move.

What matters more to me in this situation is that the church, any church, should not dictate the actions of universities or the path of education.  It is through a free & unfiltered education that people are able to explore and discover innovative ideas.  Education promotes free-thinking, debates, and questions that allow people to  continuously seek answers, paths, and even religions.

The presentation of the award to Justice Breyer by Fordham University would be a great opportunity for the church, Egan, or any other person to discuss the accomplishments of Breyer.  In this discussion, one may debate Breyer’s decision on the Nebraska case, the selection of Breyer for this particular award, or the issue of abortion in general.  Whereever the discussion leads, it is understood that this is a decision made by the University faculty, who chose Breyer not just for his decision on one Supreme Court Case, but for the many choices he has made over a long career.

PART 3 – Friends

One friend cannot tell another friend that you cannot respect and be friends with Joe, the Judge because he and I do not agree.  That would be childish.  No friend of mine would make such a demand, because as my friend, you would also respect my decisions and my opinion.