The world has grown to be more and more divided. There are endless subjects that groups fight about on the basis of gender, race, sexuality and political beliefs. Throughout the years, there has been an increasing battle over the right for a woman to obtain an abortion. On one side of the spectrum, individuals believe a woman has a right to get an abortion if she feels she is in no shape to raise a child. On the other hand, others believe abortion is murder and should be considered a crime. Of course, there are those who are right in the middle, who believe that abortion is permitted in certain scenarios.
These opposing groups are known to be pro-life and pro-choice. Those who are pro-life believe abortion should be illegal and inaccessible, while those who are pro-choice believe individuals have a right to their bodies and should be able to choose when they have kids.
Kasey Carpenter, a first-year sociology major, believes women have the right to an abortion and that it should not be left up to the states.
“All women should have the ability to make their own decisions about their body,” Carpenter said.
Over 50 years ago, on Jan. 22, 1973, the Supreme Court ruled on Roe v. Wade, which permitted that a woman has the right to an abortion based on the right to privacy. However, the decision had its restrictions. In the first trimester of pregnancy, the woman has full control over the abortion. In the second trimester, states are able to put regulations based on the mother’s health. Finally, in the third trimester, states are able to prohibit the abortion unless it is to save the woman’s life.
On June 24, 2022, Roe v. Wade was overturned in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which ended the constitutional right to an abortion and turned it back to the states. This decision has left individuals in different states in differing situations, depending on their state laws. A common saying among pro-lifers is “Every human life matters.” Is this saying truly accurate?
Another major issue in the U.S. is the death penalty, which consists of taking a person’s life as a form of punishment. Over 55% of Americans support the death penalty, according to a study done by Gallup. Similarly, Pew Research Center has found that 36% of Americans are against abortions.
If all human life matters, then why is the death penalty still permitted? The argument has been ever-lasting and individuals have many opposing opinions on the matter. However, the core explanation goes back to one thing: Religion. Many followers of Christianity believe that the death penalty is a punishment, while abortion is an infraction on justice.
For example, R. Albert Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary states, “It’s not an eye-for-an-eye kind of thing,” Mohler said. “Retribution is not the same as a demand for justice. In Genesis 9, God speaks to Noah after the flood. When someone takes human life, they forfeit their own life.” In simpler terms, he believes the two matters are different, so they cannot be compared. Still, the end result is the same. Both acts result in death, so if one is allowed, then the other should be too.
Similarly, Carpenter agrees that supporting the death penalty but opposing abortion is conflicting.
“I think that people who believe abortion is murder, but also support the death penalty contradict their own opinion,” Carpenter said.
“Every human life matters.” If this is true, then life is life no matter the age or the circumstances. However, one’s quality of life depends on one’s upbringing. If a woman is not in the position to raise a baby, then she should not be forced to raise a child. Again, such decisions should not be decided on the basis of religion. Every individual has a different set of beliefs and morals. With that being said, everyone is entitled to what they believe, but it should not be pushed on an entire nation. More importantly, if one believes abortion is murder, then the death penalty should also be seen as murder.
