Iowa approves one of strictest abortion bills in US
The US state of Iowa has approved one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the country, banning most abortions once a foetal heartbeat is detected. Republican lawmakers, who control both chambers, passed the bill in back-to-back votes, sending it to the governor's desk to sign into law.
If [signed], the bill would ban most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. Critics argue the bill makes having an abortion illegal before most women even realise they are pregnant.
[...] If [Governor Kim] Reynolds signs the bill into law, it will likely be challenged in court for possibly violating Roe v Wade, the US Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion in 1973. [...] Some Republican lawmakers welcomed the challenge. "I would love for the United States Supreme Court to look at this bill and have this as a vehicle to overturn Roe v. Wade," Republican Senator Jake Chapman said.
Also at NPR, Reuters, the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, and The Hill:
Nineteen states adopted a total of 63 restrictions to the procedure in 2017, which is the highest number of state laws on the issue since 2013, according to the Guttmacher Institute. State legislatures have proposed 15 bills that would ban abortions after 20 weeks and 11 bills that would ban abortions if the sole reason is a genetic anomaly like Down syndrome.
Related: Ohio Bill Would Ban Abortion when a Prenatal Test is Positive for Down Syndrome
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(Score: 2) by DannyB on Thursday May 03 2018, @10:12PM (3 children)
The ending of a life that began at conception is no better nor worse than any other life ending. Including the mother's.
There are circumstances where I think abortion should be allowed. But far fewer than most people would like. I certainly don't think that the convenience of the mother is a good enough reason. Yet some people who profess to be Christian get abortions when suddenly confronted with the problem and it is now a personal crisis to them.
There is another thing that I consider. Legal or not, people always have and always will get abortions. I would rather there not be an abortion at all. But if there is one, would it be better in a medical facility or in a dark alley with a coat hanger?
I would counsel people against getting an abortion. But I cannot make the decision for them. Even if it were not legal. I cannot force them to my will. I think the question here is should I able to force people to my wishes (even if I wanted to, which I do not). Similarly, I cannot make anyone believe and become a believer. They will or they won't. I have known people who had abortions. They may regret it. Or not.
You can't legislate morality. You can only try to protect people from other people. But you cannot change what is inside. The darkness is still in there.
A law against abortion, even at the national level, won't really change that much. Any more than prohibition. Any more than making marijuana illegal. Even with harsh prison sentences.
The real battle is not in the physical realm. But it is so easy to lose sight of that.
Just some thoughts.
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(Score: 3, Insightful) by Azuma Hazuki on Friday May 04 2018, @04:16AM (2 children)
Where, pray tell, *is* the "real battle?"
Hint: an omniscient, omnipotent, *absolutely-sovereign* God does not have enemies, fight wars in heaven or otherwise, or engage in "battles." If your God is fighting, your God is not what he says he is.
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
(Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Friday May 04 2018, @04:32AM (1 child)
Not only that, but even those commanded to wage his wars were stymied by enemies with iron chariots. Guess his wrath was no match for the height of military science at the time. Thank goodness that we have tanks and drones now to destroy his enemies with.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by Azuma Hazuki on Friday May 04 2018, @07:04PM
Ah, yes, Judges 1:19 :) I always found that one hilarious. Apparently Yahweh could be stopped cold by a single M1 Abrams tank. Some God he is...
I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...