Can raped girls abort?

[Rence]

I agree you always have a choice. The Church can do nothing to make you decide one way or another. But she will be very clear which of your choices involve serious danger to your relationship with God.

You have not explained why pregnancy is a continuation of the suffering of rape. There is pain involved, but it is not the pain of rape. It is the pain of pregnacy. Two very different things. The Church also teaches that the sufferings involved in each can be redemptive and a blessing.

If I have to explain it to you, then nothing I can say will make you understand.

 

[davidv]

If I have to explain it to you, then nothing I can say will make you understand.

Since conception is a gift from God, it can not be a continuation of the suffering of rape. So you are quite right, there is nothing you can say that would make me understand how abortion can be anything but a huge affront against our loving God.

 

[hellopeople]

Am I judging them?

Eh… mebbe. Aren’t you judging us, though?

Am I judging you…probably more than I should be to be honest.

 

[hellopeople]

You have not explained why pregnancy is a continuation of the suffering of rape. There is pain involved, but it is not the pain of rape. It is the pain of pregnacy. Two very different things. The Church also teaches that the sufferings involved in each can be redemptive and a blessing.

I think this was explained by a first time poster a page or two back saying how she was raped when she was 16, did not end up being pregnant, but would have got an abortion if she did. To be honest, I don’t think a man can fully understand. I have definitely changed my opinions on the matter once someone very close to me told me their story.

 

[Rence]

I think this was explained by a first time poster a page or two back saying how she was raped when she was 16, did not end up being pregnant, but would have got an abortion if she did. To be honest, I don’t think a man can fully understand. I have definitely changed my opinions on the matter once someone very close to me told me their story.

Thank you for sharing that. I appreciate the thoughtfulness. It usually takes one’s own pain, or even worse, the pain of a loved one, to make people understand someone else’s suffering.

 

[davidv]

I think this was explained by a first time poster a page or two back saying how she was raped when she was 16, did not end up being pregnant, but would have got an abortion if she did. To be honest, I don’t think a man can fully understand. I have definitely changed my opinions on the matter once someone very close to me told me their story.

Why does one person’s opinion hold sway over the constant teaching of a 2000 year old divine institution?

A man can understanding the teachings of the the Church to know what they mean and how they should be applied.

 

[Janet1983]

Thank you for sharing that. I appreciate the thoughtfulness. It usually takes one’s own pain, or even worse, the pain of a loved one, to make people understand someone else’s suffering.

Nobody who has never been there is ever going to understand the pains that a woman goes through during and after a rape…
Still I would not consider an abortion an option. The child is not the criminal. The criminal is the rapist, the father of the child.

 

[Apryl]

Am I judging you…probably more than I should be to be honest.

Well… now what can anyone say to that? Other than, <<>>

 

[Rence]

Nobody who has never been there is ever going to understand the pains that a woman goes through during and after a rape…
Still I would not consider an abortion an option. The child is not the criminal. The criminal is the rapist, the father of the child.

I think it takes a special person to resist the innate drive to protect oneself against further harm. It’s natural to protect ones self against further insult. And I think it’s wonderful that you’re such a person. Not everyone is though. For some, a continuation of the violation would just be too much to bear. In the end, it’s up to that woman to decide. She has to do what’s best for her, and for her spiritual, emotional and mental health as well. And no one else can answer that for her. Everyone is different.

It’s easy for someone else to demand another person to bear pain and suffering that they themselves haven’t, and even, will never experience. It takes a bigger person to try and understand the woman’s side.

 

[Apryl]

I think this was explained by a first time poster a page or two back saying how she was raped when she was 16, did not end up being pregnant, but would have got an abortion if she did. To be honest, I don’t think a man can fully understand. I have definitely changed my opinions on the matter once someone very close to me told me their story.

I’m not a man.

I don’t understand.

Let’s go through it slowly

A woman was raped.

Rape is a violent sexual encounter between two people.

Got it.

She did not become pregnant.

Pregnancy is a common result from a sexual encounter, violent or otherwise.

Got it.

She didn’t have an abortion.

Now here, I’m lost. What does having an abortion have to do with a continuation of of the suffering?

Abortion, or choosing to have one, would be more of a continuation, wouldn’t it?

I mean, if I have my car stolen. Would you tell me to, in reaction to having my car stolen, to throw my cell phone away, would you? Esp not MY phone.

So, why would anyone tell me to, in reaction to being violently attacked, but someone who I may or may not know, tell me to go and have my guts ripped out in some (hopefully) sterile room with nothing to make me feel good about myself. Why would I tell any one to do something which serves ONLY to hurt them in reaction to a pain served to them from another.

I don’t get it. I’m not a man. Help me to understand your point. (I don’t expect to, but you can try)

 

[Apryl]

Nobody who has never been there is ever going to understand the pains that a woman goes through during and after a rape…
Still I would not consider an abortion an option. The child is not the criminal. The criminal is the rapist, the father of the child.

Oh Kay???

 

[rich137]

They did not choose to become pregnant, they are just innocent victims…Is it okay for a rapped girl to have an abortion?

I have always known that abortion is wrong,even before i became catholic,it is just wrong,its murder plain and simple,and God is the one who can give life and take life,only God has that right and not anybody else

in the case of rape,i would simply tell them to put the child up for adoption,because the child is innocent in all this,and reitterate what i told them

the 10 commandments is very clear YOU SHALL NOT KILL, for any reason

 

[wanner47]

Actually, the Bible doesn’t condemn judging, just judging unjustly.

Moreover, stating an objective fact about an act being wrong is not making a judgment about the person who committed the act.

 

[Doc_Keele]

Since conception is a gift from God, it can not be a continuation of the suffering of rape. So you are quite right, there is nothing you can say that would make me understand how abortion can be anything but a huge affront against our loving God.

How is conception from an act of rape a “gift”? A better gift would be not conceiving.
Why don’t we have the choice to refuse unwelcome gifts? If we don’t have that choice, how is it a gift in the generally accepted meaning of the word? It’s more like the “white elephant” that would be given to courtiers who displeased the king?

 

[Apryl]

How is conception from an act of rape a “gift”?

Who else can give the gift of life, other than God? It’s a gift.

A better gift would be not conceiving.

Just like I see the gift of life as a gift, you see not conceiving as a gift. I think I’ll leave this in the tomayto-tomahto pile.

Why don’t we have the choice to refuse unwelcome gifts?

Ahh, which takes us to the Emergency Contraception aisle. If you PREVENT the pregancy, you are refusing the unwelcomed gift. Once the gift is given to you, however…

If we don’t have that choice, how is it a gift in the generally accepted meaning of the word? It’s more like the “white elephant” that would be given to courtiers who displeased the king?

The child is totally independent of the action which created it.

Why is it that you see this child as the violater? The child didn’t violate the mother. No matter the circumstances of the conception!

 

[kage_ar]

And it’s okay that you don’t agree with me…as long as I still have a choice. Which I do.

Legally you today have a choice. God willing, the choice to abort will not remain legal for long.

Morally, by choosing to condone, approve and even suggest abortive medication and/or procedures, you have put yourself in a state of sin. I pray you discuss this with your confessor and refrain from reception of Communion until you are ready to repent and change your life.

 

[Doc_Keele]

Personally I feel that someone’s spiritual status is between them and God, and that unless advice is sought on such issues it should not be given.

 

[kage_ar]

Personally I feel that someone’s spiritual status is between them and God, and that unless advice is sought on such issues it should not be given.

But as Catholics, we are bound to fraternal correction of a brother/sister in error.

 

[Doc_Keele]

But as Catholics, we are bound to fraternal correction of a brother/sister in error.

…which does not extend to making unwarranted assumptions and suggesting courses of actions based on those assumptions, IMHO
it will be interesting to hear Rence’s thoughts on the matter

 

[hellopeople]

But as Catholics, we are bound to fraternal correction of a brother/sister in error.

The problem is that morals are not black and white. There are definite gray areas. One shouldn’t impose their morals on anyone (other than in extreme circumstances).