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From: keithd@cadovax.UUCP (Keith Doyle)
Newsgroups: net.abortion
Subject: Re: Perhaps my question isn't so simple
Message-ID: <362@cadovax.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 21-Jan-85 13:47:30 EST
Article-I.D.: cadovax.362
Posted: Mon Jan 21 13:47:30 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 24-Jan-85 19:34:59 EST
References: <3264@alice.UUCP>, <662@bunker.UUCP>
Organization: Contel Cado, Torrance, CA
Lines: 28


>First, what does what substantial numbers of people believe or
>disbelieve have to with what ought to be legal?  Aren't there
>things which should be illegal because they are wrong, regardless
>of their popularity?

That may depend on your definition of 'wrong'.  In our democratic society,
I don't necessarily believe that any act is inherently 'wrong'.  'Wrong'
is in the eye of the beholder.  Murder for example, is not considered
'wrong' by many people when performed under certain circumstances, war
and capital punishment for example.  Some people also feel that murder is
not 'wrong' when enacted against certain tresspassers.  And, certain people
do not feel that murder is 'wrong' (or may not even be murder) when enacted
against certain unborn human foetus'.  Our legal system effectively defines
'wrong' as 'illegal', and 'illegal' is dependent on laws that are voted in
by 'majorities'.  This would indicate that any existing 'law' reflects the
majority view.  Majority views are subject to change, and it is the task of
groups wishing such changes to occur, to prove that their views are in the
majority through voting.  I don't believe that the pro-lifers have accomplished
this recently, (I suppose they are trying) and until they do, legally, abortion
is not 'wrong'.  Morally, abortion is only 'wrong' to those that think it
'wrong'.  If we all felt it was 'wrong', I doubt very much it would be legal.


Keith Doyle
{ucbvax,ihnp4,decvax}!trwrb!cadovax!keithd
"You'll PAY to know what you REALLY think!"