×

On legislating morality

Not long ago, one of the usual letter writers wrote what appeared to be a letter against legislating morality and the imposing of one person’s moral standards on the rest of society. The writer cited that we all have choices, and no one is forcing us to participate in things that run contrary to our personal beliefs.

I would agree. If you don’t like Hollywood, don’t go to the movies. If you don’t like a certain TV show, change the channel. If you don’t like certain music, don’t listen to it. Where I parted company with him was when he said: If you don’t believe in abortion, don’t have one.

That makes as much sense as saying, if you don’t believe in the death penalty, don’t execute anyone. Each of the previous situations involves the individual, and only the individual. However, abortion involves another party, one who cannot speak on his or her own behalf. Saying that if you don’t believe in abortion, don’t have one, is as ludicrous as telling a 19th century Abolitionist if you don’t like slavery, don’t own slaves.

Back then there was a much higher moral issue at stake, greater than one’s personal opinion, just as there is with abortion. It involves an individual human being, with its own unique genetic code different from its mother. A “mass of tissue,” which some would have us believe that it is, would carry the same DNA as the woman.

I know that making abortion illegal will just drive it underground, and it will be business as usual. It won’t stop until people realize deep down in their hearts that it is cold-blooded first-degree murder. Americans need a moral epiphany that each has to experience for themselves, just as our ancestors did regarding slavery.

We can’t legislate morality.

Ken Robertson

Canton

Submitted via email

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today