Abortion messaging needs to change

Anonymous
I am a Liberal Christian Woman. There are many of us out there, and we are not even rare. We just aren’t being heard or considered on the topic of abortion, so every now and then I feel the need to point out the fact that we exist. I am not asking anyone to agree with my beliefs. I am just asking that you consider the fact that the messaging on both sides does not reflect the beliefs of so many of us. It is (unbelievably!) a close election, and here’s a demographic that is untapped.

The right is telling us that abortion is always murder. Period. Some say there are exceptions, but their policies do not reflect that. Democrats say that abortion=women’s rights, women’s health. Period. Many of us are somewhere in the middle.

I honestly wish the democrats would stop talking about abortion. Anyone who is open to understanding how disastrous the GOP is for women’s rights, health, and safety has already turned. the women who are left in the GOP will never see any gray area when it comes to abortion. They see it as the baby’s right to life in all circumstances. This is a deeply rooted, religious belief, and no policy or politician will change it. As a Christian Democrat, I don’t entirely disagree with them, but only when it comes to abortion based solely on lifestyle choice. I wish we could find a way to separate abortion as a lifestyle choice from the rest of it (health of mom and baby, rape and incest, family planning, procedures like D&Cs). But we lump it all together. D’s messaging really stinks when it comes to women’s rights. They let the GOP ramble on about 3rd trimester and post-birth abortions without even attempting to shut that down. I am in the legal, safe, and rare camp. Many Christians are. The message needs to be that the decision is made by women with input from their chosen support group, which could include partner, family, doctor, clergy. Yes, women need to be told by democrats that they support them leaning on clergy instead of politicians.

In all other aspects, I agree with Democrats - BC, women’s rights, abortion due to rape, incest, or medical conditions.

So many of us are perplexed by the following Trump has among Christians. Biden has been a devout Catholic his entire life. Trump isn’t even a real Christian and in no way lives in the spirit of Jesus, to put it mildly. But many Christians see it this way - Abortion is simply worse than anything he has done. Because they believe abortion=murder, and it doesn’t get any worse than murder. It is a very black and white issue for them. But a lot of us Christians do not fall in line with this. We just need messaging that considers those of us in the middle when it comes to abortion.
Anonymous
The middle on abortion is so offensive to women. It implies that a bunch of old men who legislate things have to protect women from just getting abortions willy-nilly, because they want to fit back into their bikinis or they want their wine time and change their mind on pregnancy.

Unplanned pregnancies happen, birth control fails, partner, sabotage birth control, rape happens, the whole deal. So there needs to be legal access to abortion. When you Start talking about the middle it starts to get into that some abortions are criminal and that’s when we start getting into the land of miscarrying becomes a crime.

For women later in the pregnancies… the middle Implies that women are changing their mind willy-nilly, and not seeking an abortion because their life their future fertility is in danger or their babies Life is in danger.

Why can’t we women and medical professionals make these decisions?!?! You think you’re being rational but you sound insane and misogynistic.
Anonymous
I appreciated your point, OP, and I believe what you say.
I’m one who is pro abortion, not a Christian, and there are many of us too, but the ostracism of talking about that in America?!
I can’t even fathom the right’s stance and therefore, have a hard time even glancing in that direction to start a conversation.
I wish the dems had a better message about it as well.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:The middle on abortion is so offensive to women. It implies that a bunch of old men who legislate things have to protect women from just getting abortions willy-nilly, because they want to fit back into their bikinis or they want their wine time and change their mind on pregnancy.

Unplanned pregnancies happen, birth control fails, partner, sabotage birth control, rape happens, the whole deal. So there needs to be legal access to abortion. When you Start talking about the middle it starts to get into that some abortions are criminal and that’s when we start getting into the land of miscarrying becomes a crime.

For women later in the pregnancies… the middle Implies that women are changing their mind willy-nilly, and not seeking an abortion because their life their future fertility is in danger or their babies Life is in danger.

Why can’t we women and medical professionals make these decisions?!?! You think you’re being rational but you sound insane and misogynistic.


Medical professionals weren’t on the supreme court when they ruled on Roe vs Wade in 1973.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I appreciated your point, OP, and I believe what you say.
I’m one who is pro abortion, not a Christian, and there are many of us too, but the ostracism of talking about that in America?!
I can’t even fathom the right’s stance and therefore, have a hard time even glancing in that direction to start a conversation.
I wish the dems had a better message about it as well.


The right stance is to scare the bees out of people and make them think if they help someone with an abortion, provide abortion, care, or get an abortion they’re going to be thrown in jail for the rest of their lives. Considering most women who have abortions are mothers…it’s not child centric. It has nothing to do with protecting anyone and all about control of women.

I’m the PP who posted earlier in full disclosure and I’m just so offended and tired of this kind of rhetoric. You can’t burn the world down and then say let’s move a little to the middle and everyone will be happy.
Anonymous
I honestly wish the democrats would stop talking about abortion. Anyone who is open to understanding how disastrous the GOP is for women’s rights, health, and safety has already turned.

It would be difficult for you to be more wrong about this. The Democrats didn’t talk about abortion enough in the previous decades and that’s what led us to where we are now. And public opinion has been turning and continues to turn against the right wing’s total bans, which produce terrible health outcomes for women with problematic pregnancies and is already resulting in a shortage of doctors of all specialties in those states.

Also, anyone who thinks they have a hot take on abortion here, have you read the Roe v Wade overturned thread? Because I guarantee your great wisdom has been discussed there.
Anonymous
How about how it was for 50 years? Generally legal until viability; then after viability, subject to restrictions on a state-by-state basis.

If you believe abortion is immoral, then don't get one. But don't impose your religious beliefs on those who don't share them.
Anonymous
You said a lot of words scolding the Democrats for not being able to stop the torrent of lies issuing from the mouths and fingers of Republicans.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
I honestly wish the democrats would stop talking about abortion. Anyone who is open to understanding how disastrous the GOP is for women’s rights, health, and safety has already turned.

It would be difficult for you to be more wrong about this. The Democrats didn’t talk about abortion enough in the previous decades and that’s what led us to where we are now. And public opinion has been turning and continues to turn against the right wing’s total bans, which produce terrible health outcomes for women with problematic pregnancies and is already resulting in a shortage of doctors of all specialties in those states.

Also, anyone who thinks they have a hot take on abortion here, have you read the Roe v Wade overturned thread? Because I guarantee your great wisdom has been discussed there.

+1

OP blaming the Democrats for the lies of the Republicans is big “what was she wearing” energy.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I am a Liberal Christian Woman. There are many of us out there, and we are not even rare. We just aren’t being heard or considered on the topic of abortion, so every now and then I feel the need to point out the fact that we exist. I am not asking anyone to agree with my beliefs. I am just asking that you consider the fact that the messaging on both sides does not reflect the beliefs of so many of us. It is (unbelievably!) a close election, and here’s a demographic that is untapped.

The right is telling us that abortion is always murder. Period. Some say there are exceptions, but their policies do not reflect that. Democrats say that abortion=women’s rights, women’s health. Period. Many of us are somewhere in the middle.

I honestly wish the democrats would stop talking about abortion. Anyone who is open to understanding how disastrous the GOP is for women’s rights, health, and safety has already turned. the women who are left in the GOP will never see any gray area when it comes to abortion. They see it as the baby’s right to life in all circumstances. This is a deeply rooted, religious belief, and no policy or politician will change it. As a Christian Democrat, I don’t entirely disagree with them, but only when it comes to abortion based solely on lifestyle choice. I wish we could find a way to separate abortion as a lifestyle choice from the rest of it (health of mom and baby, rape and incest, family planning, procedures like D&Cs). But we lump it all together. D’s messaging really stinks when it comes to women’s rights. They let the GOP ramble on about 3rd trimester and post-birth abortions without even attempting to shut that down. I am in the legal, safe, and rare camp. Many Christians are. The message needs to be that the decision is made by women with input from their chosen support group, which could include partner, family, doctor, clergy. Yes, women need to be told by democrats that they support them leaning on clergy instead of politicians.

In all other aspects, I agree with Democrats - BC, women’s rights, abortion due to rape, incest, or medical conditions.

So many of us are perplexed by the following Trump has among Christians. Biden has been a devout Catholic his entire life. Trump isn’t even a real Christian and in no way lives in the spirit of Jesus, to put it mildly. But many Christians see it this way - Abortion is simply worse than anything he has done. Because they believe abortion=murder, and it doesn’t get any worse than murder. It is a very black and white issue for them. But a lot of us Christians do not fall in line with this. We just need messaging that considers those of us in the middle when it comes to abortion.



Blah blah blah. Save your Christofascist babble.

Our body. Our choice. Period.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I am a Liberal Christian Woman. There are many of us out there, and we are not even rare. We just aren’t being heard or considered on the topic of abortion, so every now and then I feel the need to point out the fact that we exist. I am not asking anyone to agree with my beliefs. I am just asking that you consider the fact that the messaging on both sides does not reflect the beliefs of so many of us. It is (unbelievably!) a close election, and here’s a demographic that is untapped.

The right is telling us that abortion is always murder. Period. Some say there are exceptions, but their policies do not reflect that. Democrats say that abortion=women’s rights, women’s health. Period. Many of us are somewhere in the middle.

I honestly wish the democrats would stop talking about abortion. Anyone who is open to understanding how disastrous the GOP is for women’s rights, health, and safety has already turned. the women who are left in the GOP will never see any gray area when it comes to abortion. They see it as the baby’s right to life in all circumstances. This is a deeply rooted, religious belief, and no policy or politician will change it. As a Christian Democrat, I don’t entirely disagree with them, but only when it comes to abortion based solely on lifestyle choice. I wish we could find a way to separate abortion as a lifestyle choice from the rest of it (health of mom and baby, rape and incest, family planning, procedures like D&Cs). But we lump it all together. D’s messaging really stinks when it comes to women’s rights. They let the GOP ramble on about 3rd trimester and post-birth abortions without even attempting to shut that down. I am in the legal, safe, and rare camp. Many Christians are. The message needs to be that the decision is made by women with input from their chosen support group, which could include partner, family, doctor, clergy. Yes, women need to be told by democrats that they support them leaning on clergy instead of politicians.

In all other aspects, I agree with Democrats - BC, women’s rights, abortion due to rape, incest, or medical conditions.

So many of us are perplexed by the following Trump has among Christians. Biden has been a devout Catholic his entire life. Trump isn’t even a real Christian and in no way lives in the spirit of Jesus, to put it mildly. But many Christians see it this way - Abortion is simply worse than anything he has done. Because they believe abortion=murder, and it doesn’t get any worse than murder. It is a very black and white issue for them. But a lot of us Christians do not fall in line with this. We just need messaging that considers those of us in the middle when it comes to abortion.



Blah blah blah. Save your Christofascist babble.

Our body. Our choice. Period.



NP: Sounds to me you're the fascist in trying to destroy someone's body without consent and without choice. Period.
Anonymous
No, you don’t get to separate “lifestyle choice” from the rest of it.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:The middle on abortion is so offensive to women. It implies that a bunch of old men who legislate things have to protect women from just getting abortions willy-nilly, because they want to fit back into their bikinis or they want their wine time and change their mind on pregnancy.

Unplanned pregnancies happen, birth control fails, partner, sabotage birth control, rape happens, the whole deal. So there needs to be legal access to abortion. When you Start talking about the middle it starts to get into that some abortions are criminal and that’s when we start getting into the land of miscarrying becomes a crime.

For women later in the pregnancies… the middle Implies that women are changing their mind willy-nilly, and not seeking an abortion because their life their future fertility is in danger or their babies Life is in danger.

Why can’t we women and medical professionals make these decisions?!?! You think you’re being rational but you sound insane and misogynistic.


Op here. Forgive me if I was unclear. I ABSOLUTELY think women should make this decision along with their support network, if they choose. That’s why I am in the legal, safe, and rare camp.

Legal - women and doctors should not need to worry about being arrested for abortion or suspected abortion.

Safe - goes along with legal. Since women are trusted to make this choice, back-alley abortions become unnecessary.

Rare - The need for abortion is minimized through many avenues - access to BC, education, counseling, promote adaption

My issue is with the messaging. I wish democrats would acknowledge that many Americans think abortion should be legal, but it is not always in line with our personal values. So it is off-putting when they oversimplify and imply that I am against women’s rights if I do not believe women should get abortions as a lifestyle choice. I am not asking for legislation to reflect my views. That would be a slippery slope. I am asking to be considered in the messaging.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
I honestly wish the democrats would stop talking about abortion. Anyone who is open to understanding how disastrous the GOP is for women’s rights, health, and safety has already turned.

It would be difficult for you to be more wrong about this. The Democrats didn’t talk about abortion enough in the previous decades and that’s what led us to where we are now. And public opinion has been turning and continues to turn against the right wing’s total bans, which produce terrible health outcomes for women with problematic pregnancies and is already resulting in a shortage of doctors of all specialties in those states.

Also, anyone who thinks they have a hot take on abortion here, have you read the Roe v Wade overturned thread? Because I guarantee your great wisdom has been discussed there.

+1

OP blaming the Democrats for the lies of the Republicans is big “what was she wearing” energy.


Op here. I am not blaming the democrats. This post was actually prompted by another post asking what democrats should do differently in their campaign. This is just what I wish they would do to improve messaging - speak to those of us who don’t see abortion as a black and white issue - like I said, untapped demographic.
Anonymous
Op here. I am saddened to see the responses from my fellow democrats. I justcrefead my post and I think I was clear.

I stated that I am not asking anyone to agree with me

I stated that I am in the legal, safe, and rare camp.

I never said that I want legislation that makes lifestyle abortions illegal.

I am simply saying that, in this campaign season, democrats could reach a whole new demographic by just acknowledging that it is not so black and white for everyone.

We are democrats and we believe everyone is entitled to religious freedom and their own values…correct? Then why do some of you attack people who express any level of Christian values?
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