Abortion: Opposing Viewpoints (2002)

Abortion: Opposing Viewpoints is a book, in the Opposing Viewpoints series, presenting selections of contrasting viewpoints on four central questions about abortion: whether it is immoral; whether rights to it should be restricted; whether it can be justified; and whether it is safe. It was edited by Mary E. Williams.

It was published by Greenhaven Press (San Diego) in 2002 as a 224-page hardcover (ISBN 0-7377-0778-X) and paperback (ISBN 0-7377-0777-1).

Contents

Chapter

Viewpoint

Author

Notes

Why Consider Opposing Viewpoints?

Introduction

Chapter 1: Is Abortion Immoral?

1. Abortion Is Immoral

Catholic Bishops of the United States

Excerpt from Living the Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics, November 1998.

2. Abortion Is Not Immoral

John M. Swomley

Excerpt from "Analysis of the Roman Catholic Bishops' November 1998 Political Pastoral Statement 'Living the Gospel of Life: A Challenge to American Catholics," The Human Quest, March/April 1999.

3. Abortion Violates Human Rights

Carolyn C. Gargaro

Excerpt from "My Views as a Pro-Life Woman," February 5, 2000.

4. Abortion Does Not Violate Human Rights

Brian Elroy McKinley

Reprint of "Why Abortion Is Moral," 2000.

5. Abortion Is a Form of [...]

Gregg Cunningham

Excerpt from "Why Abortion Is [...]," Center for Bio-Ethical Reform, 2000.

6. Abortion Is Not a Form of [...]

Joyce Arthur

Excerpt from "Abortion Is Not a Form of [...]," The Humanist, July/August 2000.

Chapter 2: Should Abortion Rights Be Restricted?

1. Abortion Should Be Restricted

Michael W. McConnell

Reprint of "Roe v. Wade at Twenty-Five: Still Illegitimate," The Wall Street Journal, January 22, 1998.

2. Abortion Should Not Be Restricted

Don Sloan

Reprint of "Basic Issues in the Abortion Debate," Political Affairs, July 1999.

3. Late-Term Abortions Should Be Banned

John Leo

Reprint of "Partial-Sense Decision," U.S. News & World Report, July 10, 2000.

4. Late-Term Abortions Should Not Be Banned

Glenn Woiceshyn

Reprint of "Supreme Court Should Protect Right to Abortion in Current Partial-Birth Case," April 20, 2000.

5. Parental Consent Laws Are Necessary

Part I: Charles T. Canady; Part II: Eileen Roberts

Part I: Reprint of Canady's testimony before the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Constitution, May 27, 1999. Part II: Reprint of Roberts' testimony before the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Constitution, May 27, 1999.

6. Parental Consent Laws Are Harmful

Jonathan D. Klein

Excerpt from Klein's testimony before the U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Constitution, May 27, 1999.

Chapter 3: Can Abortion Be Justified?

1. Abortion Is a "Necessary Evil"

Naomi Wolf

Reprint of "Pro-Choice and Pro-Life," The New York Times, April 3, 1997.

2. The "Necessary Evil" Argument Does Not Justify Abortion

Clarke D. Forsythe

Reprint of "Abortion Is Not a 'Necessary Evil'," Christianity Today, May 24, 1999.

3. [...] Justifies Abortion

Margaret Sykes

Reprint of a "Just Tell Us What You Want," September 6, 1999.

4. [...] Does Not Justify Abortion

William Norman Grigg

Excerpt from "The 'Unwanted' Child," The New American, January 17, 2000.

5. Congenital Defects May Justify Abortion

Jenny Deam

Reprint of "Losing Daniel," Ladies' Home Journal, November 1998. Originally appeared in the St. Petersburg Times.

6. Congenital Defects Do Not Justify Abortion

Charles W. Colson

Reprint of "Why Max Deserves a Life," Christianity Today, June 16, 1997.

7. Abortion Has Led to a Decrease in Crime

Henry Morgentaler

Reprint of "Abortion and Violence," The Humanist, March/April 1999.

8. Abortion Has Not Led to a Decrease in Crime

Mona Charen

Reprint of "'Abortion Reduces Crime' Theory Has Flaws," Conservative Chronicle, September 22, 1999.

Chapter 4: Is Abortion Safe?

1. Abortion Harms Women

Leslie Carbone

Reprint of "Abortion Lies," 1998, on the Family Research Council's website.

2. Abortion Is Safe

Susan Dudley

Excerpt from "Safety of Abortion," National Abortion Federation.

3. RU-486 Is Unsafe

Wendy Wright

Reprint of "The Deceit Behind RU-486: Who's Really in Control?," Family Voice, November/December 2000.

4. RU-486 Is Safe

National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League

Excerpt from "Mifepristone and the Impact of Abortion Politics on Scientific Research."

5. Post-Abortion Emotional Problems Harm Women

Paula Vandegaer

Reprint of "After the Abortion," 2000, United States Catholic Conference.

6. Post-Abortion Emotional Problems Are Rare

Joyce Arthur

Reprint of "Psychological Aftereffects of Abortion: The Rest of the Story," The Humanist, March 13, 1997.

For Further Discussion

Organizations to Contact

Bibliography of Books

Index