Is comparing abortion to the Holocaust offensive?

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Yes, you should refrain from comparing abortion with the Holocaust.

Alex
 
I was reading comments to this article:
jillstanek.com/2011/05/sorry-baby-obama-administration-to-force-pro-life-hospitals-medical-professionals-to-dispense-hormonal-contraceptives-perform-ivf/

and someone said that Jews find it very offensive if you compare abortion to the holocaust. I certainly do not think it is offensive though. Should I refrain from comparing abortion to the Holocaust if I ever talk about abortion with anyone?
It probably depends upon the person as to whether or not they would consider such a comparison offensive.

Personally, I think there are valid comparisons that can be made, but those comparisons only work for those who genuinely believe that abortion is the wholesale slaughter of 1/3 of our generation. If one doesn’t believe that, then I can see being extremely offended by the comparison.

That said, I would urge restraint at using that analogy. Comparing the cause we fight for to the Jews during the Holocaust and our enemies to Nazis/Hitler is used far too often in debating contentious issues. That somewhat precludes using the analogy effectively even in situations where it might be apt.

Perhaps some of the offense also stems from using the incredible suffering of the Jewish people as what basically amounts to a rhetorical ploy for emotional impact. I know many people do not intend to use the comparison in that way, but it can come off that way.

I really cannot think of any situation where it would be truly necessary to use such analogies to make the case for the pro-life position. My approach tends to be to avoid – if at all possible – using arguments that will cause offense and close a person’s heart and mind to hearing what you are saying. Since comparisons to the Holocaust are not necessary to demonstrate the evil of abortion, I try to avoid them.
 
Yes, you should refrain from comparing abortion with the Holocaust.
I really cannot think of any situation where it would be truly necessary to use such analogies to make the case for the pro-life position. …Since comparisons to the Holocaust are not necessary to demonstrate the evil of abortion, I try to avoid them.
I agree. Even “infanticide” and/or “murder” are questionable descriptors of what abortion is. Manslaughter is probably the most accurate - but it does not have nearly the emotional impact - and hence is never used. “Murder” presupposes premeditation, which is an accurate enough description…but by definition it also presupposes that the one committing the act recognizes the victim as a “human being”, which many people who have abortions do not. But because there are some cases wherein a person accepts that they are killing a human being, murder and infanticide are accurate descriptors overall - IMO.

But certainly “holocaust” is inappropriate. Holocaust certainly infers a hatred of an innocent victim from the attacker, which pro-abortion people do not possess. Their’s is a position of ignorance, not hatred.

Steve
 
In university, one of our more zealous pro-life demonstrators referred to the Holocaust etc.

The answer back was, “You should know, the Catholic Church supported Nazism!”

Alex
 
In university, one of our more zealous pro-life demonstrators referred to the Holocaust etc.

The answer back was, “You should know, the Catholic Church supported Nazism!”

Alex
I would say that the answer back is quite inaccurate, but that’s definitely the type of response we invite upon ourselves when we use the analogy. Better to steer clear.
 
I never use the holocaust argument. I am a Pro-life activist but my arguments are based on: personal testimonies (Silent No More Awareness is a great source), science, studies, showing how ‘my body my choice’ and such translates into ‘I’m on my own to get out of that mess’.
 
I was reading comments to this article:
jillstanek.com/2011/05/sorry-baby-obama-administration-to-force-pro-life-hospitals-medical-professionals-to-dispense-hormonal-contraceptives-perform-ivf/

and someone said that Jews find it very offensive if you compare abortion to the holocaust. I certainly do not think it is offensive though. Should I refrain from comparing abortion to the Holocaust if I ever talk about abortion with anyone?
Comparing it to the holocaust is just another mass deflection of personal accountability in a long long series of deflections. Abortion is Sophie’s Choice, and the fact it’s been going on since Biblical times in uncounted numbers speaks of civilizations pernicious illness pointed at womankind.

The difference between 200BC, 1800’s, prohibiting abortion in 1876, and now is that presently the numbers are honestly counted and under the radar pregnancies are less frequent. If the truth is ugly and you prefer lying to yourselves that’s nothing more than nationalized self indulgence. More negation of responsibility. Those unwilling to take a hard look at what a pregnant woman sees when her eyes lift off that pregnancy stick and survey the landscape are too weak minded to solve anything and only end up contributing to the problem. Through her eyes the land of plenty is a barren wasteland. For her socio- economic policy, the structure of civilization, is not compatible with life itself. Anyone who dares speak of it is treated as an ingrate.

There’s a 17yr old pregnant immigrant who died of heat exhaustion working 9hrs in sweltering heat with no water or rest. Where is the outrage from RTL? Where is the outrage from Christians? This is ‘free market’ capitalism deregulation. This is humanity serving the machine and not the machine serving humanity. It’s happening on so many levels no one even notices it’s there. The more women point at it, the more deaf men become believing she’s trying to steal his manhood. While everyone obsesses about feminists as the bane of their existence, they cannot see why feminism became necessary. While everyone obsesses over planned parenthood, they utterly ignore why it’s a viable choice. If I as a woman have had to expend so much energy body blocking the knife all too many RTL’rs plunge in the back of motherhood, it speaks volumes about manhood, it’s own willful abandonment, and it’s unhealthy orientation toward womankind.

The last thing men consider is what their words mean once they land in a womans ear. I had hope for a while that Pope John Paul II might find the way to communicate that to you all, but alas, the lesson appears to be lost on the majority of Catholics and the Vatican itself. When the knife I wrest downward to mitigate harm is in the hands of a Christian, faith no more in the religion & mankind becomes womankinds bitter conclusion. Rwanda is not new. It’s typical and only presented itself in a concentrated theater for dramatic effect. Rwanda is global, defies measurement across space and time, and at it’s core are the thorns in a mans heart. Abortion is about mankind and his unwillingness to serve a higher calling. He’s worshiping himself at the expense of all things worthy of defense, including his own highest capacity for nobility. How many have a vested interest believing I’m a man hater for saying so? That’s part of the illness that only feeds itself infinitely.
 
Comparing it to the holocaust is just another mass deflection of personal accountability in a long long series of deflections. Abortion is Sophie’s Choice, and the fact it’s been going on since Biblical times in uncounted numbers speaks of civilizations pernicious illness pointed at womankind.

The difference between 200BC, 1800’s, prohibiting abortion in 1876, and now is that presently the numbers are honestly counted and under the radar pregnancies are less frequent. If the truth is ugly and you prefer lying to yourselves that’s nothing more than nationalized self indulgence. More negation of responsibility. Those unwilling to take a hard look at what a pregnant woman sees when her eyes lift off that pregnancy stick and survey the landscape are too weak minded to solve anything and only end up contributing to the problem. Through her eyes the land of plenty is a barren wasteland. For her socio- economic policy, the structure of civilization, is not compatible with life itself. Anyone who dares speak of it is treated as an ingrate.

There’s a 17yr old pregnant immigrant who died of heat exhaustion working 9hrs in sweltering heat with no water or rest. Where is the outrage from RTL? Where is the outrage from Christians? This is ‘free market’ capitalism deregulation. This is humanity serving the machine and not the machine serving humanity. It’s happening on so many levels no one even notices it’s there. The more women point at it, the more deaf men become believing she’s trying to steal his manhood. While everyone obsesses about feminists as the bane of their existence, they cannot see why feminism became necessary. While everyone obsesses over planned parenthood, they utterly ignore why it’s a viable choice. If I as a woman have had to expend so much energy body blocking the knife all too many RTL’rs plunge in the back of motherhood, it speaks volumes about manhood, it’s own willful abandonment, and it’s unhealthy orientation toward womankind.

The last thing men consider is what their words mean once they land in a womans ear. I had hope for a while that Pope John Paul II might find the way to communicate that to you all, but alas, the lesson appears to be lost on the majority of Catholics and the Vatican itself. When the knife I wrest downward to mitigate harm is in the hands of a Christian, faith no more in the religion & mankind becomes womankinds bitter conclusion. Rwanda is not new. It’s typical and only presented itself in a concentrated theater for dramatic effect. Rwanda is global, defies measurement across space and time, and at it’s core are the thorns in a mans heart. Abortion is about mankind and his unwillingness to serve a higher calling. He’s worshiping himself at the expense of all things worthy of defense, including his own highest capacity for nobility. How many have a vested interest believing I’m a man hater for saying so? That’s part of the illness that only feeds itself infinitely.
I’m sorry I’m just an individual poster here but I don’t understand what you are trying to say. What is the “viable choice”? abortion? are you pro or against abortion? is your answer to the OP yes or no? Thanks for clarifying.
 
I never use the holocaust argument. I am a Pro-life activist but my arguments are based on: personal testimonies (Silent No More Awareness is a great source), science, studies, showing how ‘my body my choice’ and such translates into ‘I’m on my own to get out of that mess’.
But she is on her own and has been since recorded history. Where are her parents? Where are her friends? Where did all the men in her life go? Why is what’s calling itself ‘civilization’ on it’s best day issuing out an alms bowl for pregnant women? Why are all too many of you feeding into this religious, social & political policy concept that pregnancy ought to be a punishment if the men in her life fall down, then act shocked when young women view abortions as paying the fine in a courtroom?

Listen to yourselves, and for crying out loud, quit talking like a defective male! They can’t take a word out of your mouth seriously when you speak that way. Your life is far too sheltered and your attitude far too smug.
 
The analogue is only offensive to Nazis who perpetrated the Holocaust and those who perpetrate abortion (I am sure that pro-life victims of the Holocaust find no offense when the analogue is properly handled).

Giving offense does not tend to correct the issue, however. That is better handled by kindness.
 
But she is on her own and has been since recorded history. Where are her parents? Where are her friends? Where did all the men in her life go? Why is what’s calling itself ‘civilization’ on it’s best day issuing out an alms bowl for pregnant women? Why are all too many of you feeding into this religious, social & political policy concept that pregnancy ought to be a punishment if the men in her life fall down, then act shocked when young women view abortions as paying the fine in a courtroom?

Listen to yourselves, and for crying out loud, quit talking like a defective male! They can’t take a word out of your mouth seriously when you speak that way. Your life is far too sheltered and your attitude far too smug.
Friend, if the woman bears her child to term and raises him herself, the law requires the man responsible to financially support her and the child. It even does so by forcibly docking his wages, when necessary.

Modern society certainly does not leave her alone.
 
“Murder” presupposes premeditation, which is an accurate enough description…but by definition it also presupposes that the one committing the act recognizes the victim as a “human being”,
I have never understood murder as requiring the one committing the act to recognize the victim as a human being. It is society that must make that recognition to lay a charge of murder.
 
Should I refrain from comparing abortion to the Holocaust if I ever talk about abortion with anyone?
Is it offensive? Yes, probably to some people.
The more relevant questions however, are whether it is accurate, and whether it is effective.
 
But she is on her own and has been since recorded history. Where are her parents? Where are her friends? Where did all the men in her life go? Why is what’s calling itself ‘civilization’ on it’s best day issuing out an alms bowl for pregnant women? Why are all too many of you feeding into this religious, social & political policy concept that pregnancy ought to be a punishment if the men in her life fall down, then act shocked when young women view abortions as paying the fine in a courtroom?

Listen to yourselves, and for crying out loud, quit talking like a defective male! They can’t take a word out of your mouth seriously when you speak that way. Your life is far too sheltered and your attitude far too smug.
??? OK, maybe it is the language barrier (I’m French), my lack of education (dropped out of College early after an unwanted abortion) or my preggo brains (I’m 5 months pregnant) but I really don’t get what you are trying to say. Could you please try to synthesize your thoughts and use simple words? I don’t like to remain in the dark when other people are communicating some ideas. Thanks!
 
The analogue is only offensive to Nazis who perpetrated the Holocaust and those who perpetrate abortion (I am sure that pro-life victims of the Holocaust find no offense when the analogue is properly handled).
Deflection & willful deafness.
Giving offense does not tend to correct the issue, however. That is better handled by kindness.
While on surface what you’re saying is true, you cannot ‘help’ anyone you have utter contempt for, hence the decades long failure of RTL. The entire movement is reduced to one monotonous tantrum of passive aggression at best. Overt aggression at worst. Not the way to cultivate the courage it takes to say yes to life. The more smarmy arguments & psychological torments pile up, the more she knows it’s pointless to give any of you the time of day. RTL is disingenuous. You’ve done this to yourselves. You must own it if you are to effectively lead by positive example.

How is privatizing the accolades, socializing the blame, and tacking a halo on your heads with a stapler working out for you? Abstinence training has immense potential to cultivate esteem of both genders and encourage personal accountability, and yet, once it’s in the hands of old covenant Saduccees legislation, becomes a brickbat. RTL has willfully neglected the meaningful work contributing to solutions & squandered it’s energy tearing down women. Catholic Charities provides tangible results and they’re practically expected to apologize to the rest of you. What greater illustration of dysfunction could there be?
 
Deflection & willful deafness.

While on surface what you’re saying is true, you cannot ‘help’ anyone you have utter contempt for, hence the decades long failure of RTL. The entire movement is reduced to one monotonous tantrum of passive aggression at best. Overt aggression at worst. Not the way to cultivate the courage it takes to say yes to life. The more smarmy arguments & psychological torments pile up, the more she knows it’s pointless to give any of you the time of day. RTL is disingenuous. You’ve done this to yourselves. You must own it if you are to effectively lead by positive example.

How is privatizing the accolades, socializing the blame, and tacking a halo on your heads with a stapler working out for you? Abstinence training has immense potential to cultivate esteem of both genders and encourage personal accountability, and yet, once it’s in the hands of old covenant Saduccees legislation, becomes a brickbat. RTL has willfully neglected the meaningful work contributing to solutions & squandered it’s energy tearing down women. Catholic Charities provides tangible results and they’re practically expected to apologize to the rest of you. What greater illustration of dysfunction could there be?
Deflection and willful deafness.

You would have done better to ask for expansion and clarification.

EDIT: I have no doubt that promoters of abortion honestly believe they provide a legitimate option. They are misguided, of course. Newer Pro-Life activities are much more into remedying the problem, giving support rather than laying accusations.
 
I see know comparison between an individual having an abortion, who does not view it as murder as the Catholic Church, and one individual setting up the mechanism for the intentional, wholesale murder of millions of people.

Using “abortion = Holocast” argument is a very efficient way to discredit one’s cause.
 
The Holocaust was a genocide.

Abortion is not a genocide.

So the comparison doesn’t really work.
 
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