The ABC’s of Hate, Rage and Violence

Before anyone should think that this is an intellectual exercise from a college course in sociology, be assured it’s not. This article started as a discussion between friends playing a game of pool at a local pub. It wasn’t finished. Not because it was too difficult or intense, but just because something else drew attention and the conversation dissipated into the clamor of having a good time.

That said, there was a point which, if continued, things could have gotten a little sticky. After agreeing on the basic right of individuals to hold differing opinions on personal choice issues, and on agreeing that limiting the need for abortions is a common goal, the conversation turned to contraception. That’s when the worm crawled out of the apple.

What my friend said was that being Catholic meant that contraception was out, and the conversation got side tracked by issues of the Church. Fortunately, it’s also when we got distracted, and the pool game became the focus of attention. Thinking about it later, however, I started to wonder about where the conversation might have gone and why.

In the process of sorting things out I was coming to the conclusion that the United States is suffering from a malady I choose to call "Bumper Sticker Wrath." Then, while thinking about what examples I might use I came across this article from Congress.org

I believe that the problem, and need for concern, is far greater. Watching the news about the legislative fights over abortion and contraception raises serious doubts about the life expectancy of the worlds first and foremost secular democracy. If the problem was truly abortion then a major part of the solution would seem to be limiting pregnancy. But, as soon as contraception is put forward, a large percent of those against abortion are found to be also against contraception. Isn’t this the same as being against death by drowning and at the same time demanding everyone be thrown in the pool whether or not they can swim?

The outcome of outlawing contraception is well known. A cursory look at history shows us that the first thing will be that teenage pregnancy will increase greatly. At the same time the wealthy will be traveling out of state or out of the country more often, and for the less well off, an illegal abortion mill will grow faster than dandelions in April. Frightened teenage girls and some married women will die painful, lonely deaths as a result. But even knowing this, those supporting such laws are not deterred.

Obviously it is not reason but rather a heartfelt sentiment which is at the heart of the argument. As a result, appealing to logic will never be a part of reaching a common ground and resolving the dispute. Chances of that happening are extremely remote, so the wise thing to do at this point would be to simply walk away. It is the wise thing, but not the patriotic thing. So how about a little sentiment on the other side.

To allow religious sentiment to weave it’s way into the legal system is to renounce the secularism so carefully written into the Constitution. To allow the sentiment of a majority to insist that all follow the religious dictates of one religion over all others is not free secular democracy, it’s tyrannical theocracy. To be born under the law of the greatest constitution in the world and then turn away from the fight against religious tyranny is cowardly and unpatriotic.

Now back to looking through the lens of logic. Why are we having this argument anyway? Most Americans live as though contraception is acceptable and guiltless, and that abortion is repugnant but sometimes necessary. So why the fight? What are the obvious reasons it thrives even though we know through polling data that the majority of Americans have already compromised.

First it’s a pronouncement by men about the value and status of women. Remember the quip about a man holding on to his wife by keeping her barefoot and pregnant? Recent legislation in some states has made it law.

Second, it’s a pronouncement by churches more concerned about generating parishioners than about the level of hunger and disease in the world. When the Pope decried the use condoms while Africa is fighting a real war on hunger and disease all pretense of caring for the poor went out the window. There are no absolutes in our world.

Last but not least, in the United States abortion/contraception debate is a political tool used by corporations and the very wealthy to divide and conquer the working class. By strongly supporting abortion and contraception as part of their cause, they have enticed millions of people to vote against their rights to fair pay, good working conditions and a functional social safety net. And don’t forget that because of their wealth the laws they pass don’t have any effect on their lives what-so-ever.

So it is, and the battle rages on. The only question is, will either side survive with the freedoms we once had?