Obama's "common ground" on abortion rejected by Pro-lifers
Angela Morris/Contributing Writer and Adelle M. Banks/Religion News Service
Issue date: 5/31/09 Section: Divine Intervention
On Sunday, May 17, President Obama made an impassioned plea for "common ground" on abortion during his commencement speech at the University of Notre Dame. Almost immediately, ardent local abortion opponents said that would be impossible.
"There is no common ground," cried Peter Shinn, president of Pro-Life Unity in Northern Virginia. "Pro-life and pro-choice are completely diametrically opposed. We cannot have an open heart for killing children. There is no room for accepting that."
At Howard University's School of Divinity, Cheryl Sanders, a Christian ethics professor, sounded a bit conciliatory. It's appropriate to take a clear stand on ethical issues while still keeping an open mind, she said.
"We should approach controversial issues with open minds," Prof. Sanders said, "and be respectful of the opinions of others and their right to think, act, and speak differently."
Area pro-choice advocates contacted for their take on the "common ground" idea said they were too swamped with media calls to respond.
But Nancy Keegan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, appeared on MSNBC to address President Obama's comments on abortion.
"We should be able to agree beyond the attacks," Keegan said. "This president has called for that and America is ready for that. The American people want the solutions, not the rhetoric."
Religion News Service reported that America is indeed divided on the abortion issue, but pro-lifers seem to be winning American hearts.
A new Gallup poll shows that 51 percent of Americans now consider themselves "pro-life'' compared to 42 percent who say they are "pro-choice.'' The change from recent years, when more people called themselves "pro-choice,'' nevertheless shows a continuing polarization that may make common ground hard to find, RNS reported.
Elder Timothy Mclean, director of Partnership Services at Spirit of Faith Christian Center in Maryland, asserted that abortion is a sensitive issue that must nevertheless be addressed vigilantly.
"There is no common ground," cried Peter Shinn, president of Pro-Life Unity in Northern Virginia. "Pro-life and pro-choice are completely diametrically opposed. We cannot have an open heart for killing children. There is no room for accepting that."
At Howard University's School of Divinity, Cheryl Sanders, a Christian ethics professor, sounded a bit conciliatory. It's appropriate to take a clear stand on ethical issues while still keeping an open mind, she said.
"We should approach controversial issues with open minds," Prof. Sanders said, "and be respectful of the opinions of others and their right to think, act, and speak differently."
Area pro-choice advocates contacted for their take on the "common ground" idea said they were too swamped with media calls to respond.
But Nancy Keegan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, appeared on MSNBC to address President Obama's comments on abortion.
"We should be able to agree beyond the attacks," Keegan said. "This president has called for that and America is ready for that. The American people want the solutions, not the rhetoric."
Religion News Service reported that America is indeed divided on the abortion issue, but pro-lifers seem to be winning American hearts.
A new Gallup poll shows that 51 percent of Americans now consider themselves "pro-life'' compared to 42 percent who say they are "pro-choice.'' The change from recent years, when more people called themselves "pro-choice,'' nevertheless shows a continuing polarization that may make common ground hard to find, RNS reported.
Elder Timothy Mclean, director of Partnership Services at Spirit of Faith Christian Center in Maryland, asserted that abortion is a sensitive issue that must nevertheless be addressed vigilantly.
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