Hobson appears to miss
details about abortion
I was amazed at Art Hobson’s June 19 column (“Resisting religious extremism”). I regularly join others in a peaceful and prayerful presence in front of the Planned Parenthood abortion center in Fayetteville. We do this to witness to the pro-life alternatives available to mothers who are contemplating abortion. There are over 30 organizations in Arkansas willing to support women with free services from sonograms to housing up to and well after baby has been born or placed for adoption.
Does Hobson know up to 64 percent of women experience pressure to have an abortion? The American Psychological Task Force on Abortion and Mental Health found that feeling pressured by others to abort is a major risk factor for negative post-abortion psychological reactions. Most women felt “rushed or uncertain” before abortion, yet 67 percent received no counseling beforehand, and up to 80 percent said they were not given enough information to make an informed choice.
Mr. Hobson should hear the sobbing of the person who regrets the intentional death of their child. People lament the tragic separation of parents from child at the border; this, however, pales in comparison to the permanent separation of parents from child at the abortion center.
To define human life by the size of the human is reminiscent of the 1800’s when U.S. law defined a person by their skin color. To say human life is not a human because it’s a “just a fetus” defies logic. “Fetus” only describes the stage of development, not what IS developing. Would Mr. Hobson say, “It’s just a toddler, not a human?” I challenge Hobson to look at pictures of a dismembered child from a second or third trimester abortion and call it an expression of “women’s freedom.”
Contraception as the answer? Does Hobson not know the Guttmacher Institute January 2018 study showing 50 percent of women seeking an abortion were using contraception during the month they got pregnant? Mr. Hobson mocks encouraging abstinence in youth, but those who learn to respect the dignity of their bodies have no worries about pregnancy, abortion, STD’s or being used by others, and possess increased self-esteem.
Of course, no liberal commentary would be complete without a jab at the Catholic Church. She has been in existence for over 20 centuries with current membership of 1.2 billion people. No organization in the world feeds and clothes more of the poor, educates, serves the sick and frail elderly, welcomes refugees, houses the homeless or defends the rights of the weak and vulnerable more so than the Catholic Church. Many have spewed their ignorance against her but in a few short years no one remembers who they are – yet the church remains.
I am sorry Mr. Hobson has an aversion to God, but the words of Thomas Jefferson’s are needed today: “Almighty God, You have given us this good land for our heritage. We humbly ask You that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Your favor and glad to do Your will.”
SHEILA PURSELL
Bella Vista
Director, NWA Respect Life
What’s with the notion
of a “safe abortion?”
Art Hobson (“Resisting religious extremism,” June 19) speaks of “easy access to safe abortions,” of which he enthusiastically approves and recommends.
There is no such thing as a “safe abortion.” Someone always dies.
HAROLD B. CHILTON
Fayetteville