Catherine Palmer, a columnist with us at Ethika Politika, the blog for the Center for Morality in Public Life, has written a masterpiece. I’m happy to share it here.
Hurling Abortion Across the Room
by Catherine Palmer
While consensus does not prove anything in its own right (how many times have our mothers told us, “What is right is not always popular; what is popular is not always right”?), I think it is at least worth learning what consensus is, especially when it comes to contemporary moral issues. The latest poll from Gallup’s annual Values and Beliefs survey, conducted May 3-6, 2010, makes American public opinion clear on at least one issue: abortion. It’s unpopular.
When asked whether they perceive abortion to be morally acceptable or morally wrong, poll takers weren’t too torn; they responded in disapproval of the procedure by a 50-38 percent margin—hardly the pro-choice majority that is often assumed to exist due to abortion’s legal status and widespread application in the U.S.
So abortion is unpopular. Most people don’t like it. Or wouldn’t choose it themselves. Or think there are better alternatives. Or all of the above. But the problem is this: while abortion is unpopular, it is not unthinkable. While it is seen as a tragedy, it is not seen as a crime. While it is grappled with considerably, tossed back and forth between one’s hands as he inspects it from multiple angles, he does not ultimately see it for what it is and hurl it across the room; he rather sets it down gently and walks away, deeming it tricky and intimidating and weighty and not wanting to examine it any longer.
But abortion has always been that way, hasn’t it? Out of sight, out of mind? If I don’t think about it unless I absolutely have to, don’t talk about it unless someone else brings it up, don’t see it because it happens behind clinic walls, and don’t hear about it because it is not a pretty topic, then maybe it will just go away. Maybe I will only have to make up my mind when a Gallup poll asks me my opinion. Perhaps I will just admit that I’m against it on this anonymous survey and then never say a word about it to others. After all, I don’t want to offend anyone. I don’t want to push my beliefs on someone else. I don’t want to make people feel uncomfortable.
Being pro-life has become private and passive. Indeed it is just that: a being, not a doing. It is something we believe and do not proclaim, think and do not effectuate. We are too fearful.
If the 50% of Americans who oppose abortion would all lift it high over their shoulders and hurl it across the room as far and as hard as they could, essentially proclaiming and effectuating their reasonable stance on the issue, then public opinion just might change public policy.
Until then, consensus really does mean nothing.
Coming Home 
Brilliant, clear and spoken bravely.
Abortion is legal in this country not because it is favorable. Our legislature and elected officials did not decide that this would be policy, nor is the legislature forcing anyone to have an abortion.
Providing safe and healthy choice to women who are dealing with realities such as unwanted pregnancy from including but not limited to rape and incest is something we have to do as a country. I understand the perceptions – she is a slut or irresponsible if she is not ready for a child then she is not ready for sex. Here is the problem with that argument, girls and women do not know about their bodies – how are girls supposed to know what a mature relationship is if Disney dictates what love is? We are not even willing to discuss these issues in schools because they should be taught at home, but if no one is at home teaching it the girls go into the world without any knowledge and any sentiment gets misunderstood as love.
bugaboo- how about addressing boys as well? It takes two to make a baby.
Abortion isn’t something that is necessary nor is it health care. It’s a rash decision based and made in fear. Herod killed all the innocents due to that same fear.
“Providing safe and healthy choice to women who are dealing with realities such as unwanted pregnancy is something we have to do as a country.”
Dear Bugaboo,
I am one of the mothers for whom you thoughtfully provided the option of a “safe & healthy choice” when I was pregnant & unmarried. Thing is, though…the abortion was not “safe” or “healthy” for my daughter who, unfortunately, is now dead.
Oh, I know, I’m sure you & the other PC People of this country will offer your condolescences for this unfortunate situation blah blah. But, bottom line, you all lied to me. There is NO SUCH THING as a ‘safe & healthy’ abortion bc, you see, someone always dies & her mom always grieves.
Bugboo: 1000 and 1 ways to justify what is killing, plain and simple. Can we see through that ? I think we do. I dont believe the polls, I see most oppose abortion and have voted that way since 1980. BUT the undemocratic abortionists have stolen elections and have stopped the will of the majority in congress and courts. Not suprised since they used the supreme court to establish abortion as a right, in flagrant violation of the right to life for all, just like slavery was initially decided wrongly by supremes. Eventually the babies will get their rights, and this will be stopped, the pro lifers dont give up, ever ! God help us before its too late, we are sorry for this, and we will keep working for life, and help all hurt by this evil of abortion. Hang in there guys ! Love converts hearts and gives peace. And lets stop the gays from harming our children by bad public example of disgusting behaviors, like disrupting church services. Are they tolerant ?