There is no need for a vote/referendum on a human rights issue

+1 Justin , i love how Ireland can ban magic mushrooms and headshops all on their own but need to ask us all about abortion.

Barry I agree with some of your sentiment but there is plenty of anecdotal evidence to suggest that a referendum on abortion in the Republic, that included threat of suicide would not pass largely because of the grey vote. It’s for largely the same reason that no political party, especially Fine Gael, want to legislate for it.

Im pro choice but wouldn’t call people who hold different opinions God fearing loons ? They have the right to their opinion too.

Poppy , people can be anti choice if they want , im just saying the loons will be the ones out protesting , the ones that stay indoors nobody minds

I agree poppy – Personally, I find it sickening how people continue to make assumptions around this issue. There are people who have faith who are pro-choice. There are pro-life people who are so despite a lack of religious faith yet every time this issue comes up it’s swamped with both sides concentrating on faith as a reason (whether right or wrong to do so) to oppose abortion.

Faith may be central to someone’s pro-life stance but it not a reason for it. Until faith is discarded as a tool to support or undermine a discussion on this issue it just doesn’t seem like this country is ready to have that discussion.

Someone has to be a voice for an innocent child that’s about to be murdered. An unborn child is a life with potential. They have a right to life just like you and me and their mothers and fathers. Out of sight out of mind should not apply to killing an innocent BABY.

“An unborn child is a life with potential”. Yes, it is I agree. However, at what point does the unborn become a child? It’s around this that I see the main argument. Maybe I’m wrong on that but that’s where I see the main point of contention.

@Maire, any citizen of Ireland is a “potential” Taoiseach, unfortunately we’re stuck with the one we have right now.

I would argue that if you’re honestly opposed to abortion, lobbying for better sex ed/support for low income mothers is a better use of your time than protesting a clinic which will primarily be distributing contraception. But whatever.

I really would not recommend looking for it on the Journal.

That’s the thing though. It’s not lacking in vehemently held beliefs, backed up by soundbites and smug self satisfaction. I’ve asked questions of some of the more ardent proponents of both sides, and no one has anything understanding beneath the facade. Everyone is sure they’re right yet no one has thought about it or addressed any of the valid concerns of the other side. It’s always either religious fanatics or baby murderers.

It’s a good clue that someone doesn’t really have a clue if they start calling the other side “anti-life” or “anti-choice”, like that’s a clever retort. Their cutting wit reversed the common nomenclature and won the argument.

He also never met anyone who was anti-abortion who hadn’t been born. Hmmm.

Alot of people choose not to tell others until after 12 weeks, maybe thats an indication

The precious gift of God, Every human as this is the topic we are discussing now had to start off from the process of a fertilized egg in the womb that will develop into a living human being so abortion terminates this process so taking out a bunch of cells among the terms being used should be called Murder, “Would the people that are for Abortion see it as right if someone didn’t like their Children in years to come say it would be ok and had them eliminated from this earth”, This comment maybe a bit over the top but its just a thought.

What a crap! These aren’t children yet, these are a group of shaped cells.

Abortion is a termination of a situation that is either unwanted or unfortunate.
If you don’t want it fine, don’t do it, but let people choose for themselves!

Marie, what about cases of fatal abnormalities? If the unborn child is not going to survive more then a couple of hours after birth, would you force the mother to go through the stress of a full pregnancy knowing the outcome?

marie ni
are you for real ? 2012 did any tell you