To the Editor:
    With all due respect, after reading Celia Murray’s column “I Disagree” last week, it’s clear that she completely missed the whole point of my letter. I want to clarify several things. There was no retaliation toward her on her position of a woman’s right to choose, whether she stated her position or not. It wasn’t about whether or not she supports abortion or whether she is pro-choice. It dealt with the implications that, in her opinion, the death of an abortionist was “not the act of one crazed fanatic, but the end result of the indoctrination of Scott Roeder into religious and right wing fanaticism.” She was, seemingly, in her opinion, placing the blame on Republicans and religious leaders. So many people were outraged about the death of an abortionist but did not seem concerned about the 60,000 babies he killed. And yes, I know abortion is legal, but in my opinion, it’s murder. People have different opinions about when life begins, and I believe life begins at conception. I don’t know what Ms. Murray believes or if she considers abortion murder as I do. She is entitled to her beliefs and I didn’t question them, nor do I judge her in her opinions. As to how many children I’ve taken in and raised, that’s a typical comeback from people like her, trying to put a guilt trip on people who oppose abortion. I commend Ms. Murray for the children she took in and nurtured and raised. Maybe if adoption wasn’t so expensive many people wanting a child would be able to adopt. 
    Ms. Murray encouraged me to read the opinions of Carlton W. Veazey. I did and I disagree with him on a lot of issues. He does not believe life begins at conception, I do. Many thoughtful, educated Christian people share my opinion. I encourage people who don’t consider abortion to be a religious or moral issue to read the views of Rev. Billy Graham, whose views I value higher than those of Veazey. Neither view might not change anyone’s mind but at least there will be another view for people to read. It’s simple and to the point. When Rev. Graham was asked if it mattered when God gives us a soul, he stated that “it does matter." The reason it’s so important is this: if a newborn baby (or an underdeveloped one) has no soul, then it really isn’t a human being. And if it isn’t really human, what is to prevent us from destroying it if we want, just as we might destroy an unwanted puppy? The answer is “nothing.” The same is true of a pre-born child. But the Bible says all human life is sacred and has dignity, and the reason is because God has implanted His image (i.e. a soul) within every one of us. Furthermore the Bible says He did this long before we were born -- not afterward, not at birth. There is much we don’t know about how God works in these matters -- but we must never forget that God gave life to us and only He has the right to take it away. God told Jeremiah, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart.” (Jeremiah 1:5). Rev. Graham had been an advisor and spiritual helper to the presidents since Eisenhower. He stopped due to his health in November 2008. His son, Franklin Graham, also mentioned Obama’s pro-abortion position as another problem, stating that, “It was a moral issue and they could not back down from it. But he’s our President elect and those positions that he holds are contrary to Biblical teaching. I hope that God will change his heart.” I would rather have Christian people like Rev. Billy Graham, rather than people like Carlton Veazey, to have a positive influence on my life.
    People will always have different opinions about when life begins, whether it’s at conception or when a baby draws its first breath or whether it is murder or not. When Scott Peterson killed his wife Laci, she was eight months pregnant. He was convicted of first degree murder in her death and second degree murder of their unborn child and was sent to death row for two murders. How could he have been convicted of murder if the unborn child was not a human being?
    Yes, Ms. Murray, I do support sex education and available contraception. Family planning clinics funded under Title X of the federal Public Health Service Act have helped women prevent 20 million unintended pregnancies during the last 20 years. An estimated nine million of these pregnancies would have ended in abortion. Fourteen percent of abortions performed in the U.S. are paid for with state funds. Abortion statistics show that there are approximately 46 million abortions performed in the world each year. Out of those, one percent is because of rape or incest,six percent is for potential health problems for either the mother or child, and 93 percent were for social reasons (i.e. child is unwanted or an inconvenience and 47 percent from women who have had at least one previous abortion). And you’re right Ms. Murray, a woman’s decision to end a pregnancy is between her, her doctor and her God. I never said it wasn’t. I’m glad Bristol Palin chose to give her child life and Sarah chose to give birth and raise her special needs child instead of choosing abortion to end his life. Some people may view that as selfish, to bring a handicapped child into the world or question their quality of life once they are born but that is the mother’s decision.
    Responding to Patsy Harris about my supporting an ideal that Democrats hold so dear -- “being thankful for the freedom to express” our views. Does she not think that Republicans or any other party might hold that same ideal dear? Or do the Democrats have a monopoly on that? I’m a registered Democrat but not a die hard one. I was invited to a Morgan County Democratic Party meeting last year but I did not attend. I don’t actively associate myself with any major party. I vote with my conscience and my heart, as well as doing research, as everyone should do. Lance Pailer stated it well in his letter last week when he said that he hopes that is what people do rather than voting the way campaign workers handing out T-shirts tell you to do. Thank you, Lance, I agree with you. Maybe people will remember your words at the next election.
    I’m sorry Ms. Murray felt as though I was attacking her personally, that was not my intention. She missed the whole point of my letter. I was looking for answers that I did not get.
Brenda Thompson
Rutledge
Via e-mail