Referendum on abortion

Press, 25 May 1977, Page 20

Referendum on abortion

Sir, —- The suggestion that a referendum on abortion be held is a good one — provided that such a referendum be held at the same time as a General Election. There are many vague references in the Bible which can be interpreted to suit. I would refer G. A. Thomas (“The Press,” May 23) to Exodus 21, verses 22 and 23, which contains a direct reference to abortion. Anti-abortionists argue that this text is merely an example to demonstrate facets of law. However, to those who regard the Bible as divinely inspired there is no escape from the fact that the Exodus reference does not endow the foetus with human rights; nor does it treat abortion as a serious crime. — Yours, etc. D. W. O. JONES. May 23, 1977. Sir, — I disagree with Vera Cummings (“The Press,” May 23) who says that “if a clinic was destroying 100 kittens each week, people would be rising up in protest.” On the contrary, people would be pleased that animals which could not be adequately cared for were not existing in an impoverished environment. Similarly, it is because women are concerned about the reality their children will be born into, that they wish abortion was available as a back-up to contraceptive failure, and inevitably, to human error, (as human beings are fallible). Vera Cummings also states “women claiming equality must accept responsibility.” They do. They accept responsibility for the socio-economic conditions the child could be bom into; they accept responsibility for their own decisions. Should Christians decide for other people what they should do? It is the right of the individual to i.ake decisions according to her or his own conscience. — Yours, etc., PAT WILKINSON. May 23, 1977.