If abortion is seen as a solution, we need to change society’s ethics
■ The Irish Independent has contributed many fair and balanced articles and letters to the abortion debate. John Bruton’s article in Tuesday’s edition (‘Why I would urge everyone to vote no’) is a case in point. His intervention is eloquent and courageous, because it would have been much easier for him to say nothing on this issue, rather than risk the ire of those who reserve exaggerated disrespect for those with the courage to stand against the mores of the prevailing liberal theocracy.
Lorraine Courtney (‘Snowflake debate is no good – we all need to grow up’, Irish Independent, May
17) is another well-balanced and commendable article; and I wish the whole debate could have been conducted to the hymn of her moderation and compassion.
I have tried to keep an open mind and show a willingness to be persuaded, but apart from becoming more tolerant of other points of view, I have not been persuaded abortion is anything other than the taking of an innocent human life.
One doesn’t have to be a Catholic to hold this view. If I have issues with the eating of meat and use of pesticides, why wouldn’t I, or anyone else with a modicum of human empathy, continue to find abortion a tragedy?
The problem with the issue is it is insoluble, you can’t half abort a baby. Most issues lend themselves to discourse, reason and compromise, but abortion rarely does.
A humane society keeps its vilest murderers alive at great expense. A humane society should celebrate diversity and disability. If abortion is a solution, perhaps we need to question and change the ethics and direction of a society that diminishes human life, and puts pressure on women to terminate the pregnancy of their babies.
Kevin Ryan
Buckingham Road, Richmond, UK