My Position (Part 1) Purpose Statement

Purpose

            In my job I write a lot of background papers, position papers, talking points, and analysis of issues to inform the leadership and/or recommend courses of action.  I have found, as part of that style, we always put our purpose statement up front.  It is there to help focus the information and to tell the reader the intended use of the document.  We have now evolved to follow the purpose statement, many times with a BLUF statement.  BLUF stands for bottom line, up front.  I think we do this now because no one wants to read anymore and this way they can blow off the actual words and rationale and just go to what the writer intends.  I say this to preface the next two paragraphs.  As in most of my ramblings I don’t intend this to be an academic paper filled with cross-references and supporting documentation.  These are my thoughts formed over the past 50 years.  For those keeping track, I am dismissing the first 10 as the do not really contribute to my beliefs.

            Purpose:  This paper is intended to put into solid form my position on the Pro-Life, Pro-Choice debate; it outlines my rationale for that position, and articulates my concerns with the current state.  I will attempt to synopsize the history, the decisions and the smoke screens I see on the part of advocates for both sides.

            BLUF:  I think the pro-choice movement is fundamentally flawed in its position, but once a personal choice has been made the choice is no longer part of the public debate and is an issue between the woman and God, or her conscience.  Advocates for both sides, far too often, fail to consider the consequence of their words or actions on the individual.  I don’t believe I have the right to tell someone else how they should or must live their life.

            I realize in codifying my position I open myself for criticism and perhaps ridicule.   I note this because the past several years have shown me the supposed intellectually enlightened move very quickly to name calling when they disagree with something.  (e.g. Keith Olbermann, Paul Krugman, et. al.)  As we’ve seen with the Wisconsin union issue they also move to death threats.  That seems, unfortunately, the way the left treat disagreement with their enlightened beliefs.

Philosophy of Life

            If we are to talk about life, and the opposing positions of pro-choice and pro-life I think we need to start with some basic questions.  They are questions men and women much wiser than I have written about, but they are questions that each must answer for themselves.  Why are we here?  What purpose do we serve?  When does life start?  What is its value?  Is there a morally defensible time we should end life?  Who has the right to decide? When does life end?  If we do not, or can not answer these questions, with reason, than how can we form a basis for our position on the topic?

            Each of the major religions provides us with a framework for answers.  If you are a believer then that framework and your understanding of God form what must become a core of your belief system.  If you are an atheist you have dismissed God as an option and are left to form your opinions based on something else.  You will note I say opinions, because as an atheist you have no belief, you rely only on what can be proven or what you want to.  Whichever suits your preference?

            Let me say, for the record, I do not know the best answers for most of the questions I've asked.  I know how I answer them, but I really believe they are multiple-choice questions and I am not sure I have always made the right choice.  If you do even the simplest of web searches there must be a thousand sites dealing with “philosophy of life.”  Everyone has an idea of what that is and what he or she believes, so it must be a pretty interesting topic for us.  We must, whether we want to or not, answer them as our heart and soul see fit, and we live or die with that choice.  So lets get to it!

            Why are we here?  Is it just a random chance or is it part of some grander design?  Have we been given dominion over the earth and all its creatures as Genesis indicates, or was it just a random juxtaposition of DNA and interstellar coincidence? I believe we are here because God has created us, in his image, and for his purpose.  Although most days I am not sure he knew what he was getting into when he did it.  As for dominion over all the earth we have certainly demonstrated we can influence the entire ecosphere but do we understand what our commanding influence should accomplish?  Our problems seem to stem from not having dominion over ourselves.  I think we are here to show God we are capable of growing to the beings he wanted us to be.  Not subservient slaves, but capable of walking in the light of his wisdom.  I would point out we’ve really not done a great job at the growing part, but God has shown his infinite patience with us.

            What purpose do we serve?  This is a tough question and I don’t think there is one collective answer to it.  Each must choose his or her purpose to define their lives.  Those who see no purpose lead an unfulfilled, unrewarding existence bereft of joy and honor.  They will always make petty choices and seek instant gratification.  They will tear down and destroy in an attempt to show themselves to be better than they truly believe they are.  These poor souls will destroy others rather than seek their own level.  When my life was darkest I always had my dream and a purpose to push me on.  In high school I was not wise enough to strive for success, but I never gave away my dream of flight and adventure.  It would be a lie to say I joined the Air Force to give back to the nation, but as I matured that did become a need.  I joined the Air Force as my way to gain my dream, to fly.  Even when it looked like that may not happen I never let it slip away.  Fortunately I was always able to find a way towards that dream.  I talked with my children once about the importance of pursuing their dreams.  I left those conversations with the fear neither understood why that was important.

What is the value of life?  We like to say life is precious but that is just a greeting card statement for most.  Our history has shown, at the common level, we collectively place a very low value on life and some would even go so far as to say not all lives are of equal value.  Throughout the world the weaker are trod on by the stronger.  Genocide is, unfortunately, common even in today’s world.  Women and children are abducted and sold into bondage.  Children are thrown away, caged, abused, tortured, raped, and killed every day.  Men and woman who are inconvenienced by someone or something rage against whatever it is, somethings going so far as to kill the offender.  Yet at the same time, some of the worst of the worst will value their life as priceless.  We see in the Arab world a sense of how little they value life in sending women, children and others into suicide events to kill those whose lives they place even lower in the value chain.   We engage in almost non-stop war and conflict to dominate some piece of territory or population.  Is that wrong or an unfortunate by-product of being human?

Industry calculates the values of human life when they design products that may place it at risk, insurance companies place monetary value on it, and each of us make decisions on its value every day.  We choose to take risks, we attempt dangerous things, and we elect officials who will send our military into dangerous places.

The real question is then, what is the value of life to you?  Can you be against war and genocide and be for abortion?  Can you argue that it is wrong for car companies to design cars with defects and say once a fetus is created a woman has the right to kill it?  But wait, I am getting ahead of myself.  (to be continued)