DEFINING ABORTION - A Personal Journey
Pro-abortion or anti-abortion? Information provided is not meant to be judgemental or point fingers as to who is right vs. who is wrong. The purpose of this article is to inform the reader of possible choices and alternatives available in order to help one make that all important decision to abort or not to abort. In addition, I am in hopes that this article can help stimulate one's thinking process when arriving to this life-changing decision.

Most people are aware of the pros and cons of abortion and effects it can have on the people involved when making the decision to keep the unborn child or choose abortion. So rather than present the same arguments, I'm choosing to define various words associated with abortion.

Abortion - The premature ending of a pregnancy when a fetus is expelled from the womb before it can live independently. The termination of life.

Adoption - A legal proceeding that creates a parent-child relationship between persons not related by blood. To take by choice into a relationship; especially to take voluntarily (a child or other parents) as one's own child.

Choice - The act of choosing or selecting. The power, right, or liberty to choose; option.

Conception -The act of becoming pregnant. Formation of a viable zygote by the union of the male sperm and female ovum; fertilization.

Conscience - The awareness of a moral or ethical aspect to one's conduct together with the urge to prefer right over wrong. The sense of right and wrong that governs a person's thoughts and actions.

Contraception - Intentional prevention of conception or impregnation through the use of various devices, agents, drugs, sexual practices, or surgical procedures.

Counseling - Advice or guidance, especially as solicited from a knowledgeable person.

Death - The act of dying; termination of life. Manifested by the permanent cessation of vital organic functions. A manner of dying. Put to death, to execute. Bloodshed; murder.

Decision - The passing of judgement on an issue under consideration. The act of reaching a conclusion or making up one's mind.

Eliminate - To get rid of (something or someone unwanted) or do away with; remove or reject. To annihilate, exterminate or terminate.

Freedom - The capacity to exercise choice; free will. A right or the power to engage in certain actions without control or interference. The power to act or speak or think without externally imposed restraints.

Faith - A set of principles or beliefs. A specific system of religious beliefs. Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.

God - The sole Supreme Being, Creator and ruler of all, in religions such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. A supernatural being, worshipped as personification of some force.

Guilt - Remorse or self-reproach caused by feeling that one has done something wrong. A sense of shame.

Help - To give assistance. To aid or give relief to. The act or an instance of helping. To be of service; give a helping hand.

Infanticide - The practice of killing an infant. A person who murders an infant.

Legal - One that is in accord with certain rules or laws. Lawful; established by or permitted by law.

Life - A living being, especially a person. Human existence, relationships, or activity in general. The period between birth and death or between birth and the present time. The process of living.

Moral - Concerned with or relating to the distinction between good and bad or right and wrong behavior. Based on a sense of right and wrong according to conscience. Morals rules or habits of conduct, especially of sexual conduct, with reference to standards of right and wrong.

Murder -To kill brutally or inhumanly. The unlawful killing of one human by another, especially with premeditated malice. To kill someone intentionally and unlawfully.

Partial Abortion - The termination of pregnancy without expulsion of all of the products of conception.

Purpose - The object toward which one strives or for which something exists; an aim or a goal, determination. The reason for which anything is done, created or exists.

Reason - An argument in favour of or a justification for something. The basis or motive for an action, decision, or conviction. Good judgement; sound sense.

Responsibility - A form of trustworthiness; the trait of being answerable to someone for something or being responsible for one's conduct.

Terminate - To bring to an end or halt; conclude or finish. To put to an end (a pregnancy) by inducing abortion.

Values - A principle, standard, or quality considered worthwhile or desirable. Beliefs of a person or social group in which they have an emotional investment (either for or against something).

USEFUL LINKS -

Abortion, Recovery, Hotline & Counseling Links:
   ›Abortion Recovery Counseling
   ›Exhale - Support & Respect
   ›Teen Breaks - Teen Issues
   ›National Right To Life - Support
   ›Abortion Facts & Information

Adoption Links:
   ›Birth Mothers Help
   ›Adoption Links Worldwide
   ›Medline Plus - Adoption Resources
   ›Adopt Us Kids

Maine's General Adoption Links:
   ›Maine DHHS - Programs & Services
   ›A Family for ME.

I sincerely hope the above resources and facts have provided you with useful information. If you find your circumstance necessitates this most important life-changing decision, know that you have choices and you are NOT alone. Thank you for your time and may God be with you in whatever choice you make.