audiobook The Church and Abortion: A Catholic Dissent by George Dennis O'Brien in History

Review

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Kosuke NishinagaFast shipping and came in as expected1 of 2 people found the following review helpful. A Well-Written Approach to Abortion that Ultimately Conveys the Pro-Choice MessageBy Craig StephansO'Brien writes with a measured tone and generates an engaging dialogue regarding the issue of abortion. He approaches the issue as a Roman Catholic and discusses it widely in the context of the Roman Catholic church's theological and philosophical arguments regarding abortion. He wades into scriptural waters but returns to where he is more comfortable.O'Brien concedes that abortion is intrinsically evil; however; he asserts that such an act must be situated in a context and that context may be so severely devastating that it soften and debilitates the generally evil nature of abortion. O'Brien makes the most reasonable and generous dissent of the Roman Catholic pro-life position that I have read. He shows sincere respect for the church and Christian faith and for mothers and children.O'Brien is able to make his dissent based on two factors: 1. The unborn child is not a human person; it is a fetus and therefore its rights and value are subordinated completely to the person and will of the mother; and 2. The mother's situation may warrant abortion for her good. Although he writes intelligently about many issues; I don't think he makes any sort of substantial argument that the unborn child is not a human person. I also don't think he makes a substantial; cogent argument that ordinary circumstances ever justify an abortion for the sake of the mother's circumstances. The examples he uses are extraordinary: incest; nazi death camps; rape and abuse. O'Brien colors his pro-choice argument in flowery colors and sentimental frames; however; when it comes down to it he uses the same old abortion arguments: "it isn't a human;" and "what about these horrible cases."O'Brien does confront the pro-life advocates with serious issues and questions to consider and take seriously. He challenges the compassion of Christians and the Roman Catholic church especially on all life-related issues. But he comes nowhere close to showing how one can consider abortion an action that in any way whatsoever is suggested or condoned by Scripture or the Christian faith. He toys around with Scripture. He asserts that the "Author-God of the Bible story is 'pro-choice.' He attempts to redefine abortion as a choice for life--the life of the valuable person of the mother. This is the standard pro-choice position that goes from point A to point B but his takes a detour into the Bible only to quickly get back on track to make it to point B: its a tragic choice but it is an acceptable choice to abortion a baby is God is fine with it because he is a God of choice. This is nonsense.Nothing he writes gets to the heart of the matter that this life in the womb is a work of God and a gift of God to the mother and to the human family. God is at work in the womb. He has been there in Jesus Christ and consecrated it for all time. Even in the midst of evil; he can turn it to good and to life. The impossible situations given like twins in the womb as the result of incest on a young pre-teen girl must be approached with faith; compassion and love and the sternest judgment for the offender not the victim or the babies. We cannot use such an offense to make the innocent guilty.11 of 14 people found the following review helpful. A Learning ExperienceBy Frank B. NiemanDr. O'Brien brings a clear mind and a compassionate heart to the pro-choice/pro-life controversy around abortion. To the too-facile sound bites on either side; he brings the cautions of common sense and an awareness of the complexities of human living. Are you pro-choice? What would you say to a young lady who told you; `I liked my third abortion best of all!'? Are you pro-life? What would you say to your daughter of ten pregnant with your husband's twins? With conciseness and clarity; Dr. O'Brien leads the reader through realms of the problem that most on either side fail to distinguish. Simply stated; you will not be of exactly the same position in this matter when you finish reading the work as when you started. A must read!