Here's where it's important to note that I'm not arguing by way of personal moral decree. My moral view - being not too far removed from yours - does not dictate a conclusion on the issue. Rather the freedom to determine such freely and privately is what's at stake here.
In principle, acting freely is not simply to choose a means to a given end. To act freely is to choose the end itself, for its own sake. To pass a law that facilitates that freedom is to choose to validate the end result. In this sense, freedom and morality are not only inter-related, they become the same thing.
Although this may not be clear to some in the case of abortion, all we need do is examine other laws to find this is so. Murder, rape, theft...these are all illegal due to our decision to see them as immoral. If we thought they were morally acceptable, we would have no reason to restrict individual freedom to engage in such activities.
To pass a law that deliberately encourages some individuals to formulate a specific type of morality that denies life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to another human being is unconstitutional. It denies access to the protection of the constitution, in this case, to the human being still growing in the womb. It denies access to protection, birth, life, education, marriage, a family...etc.
All the more reason to rationally examine the unique circumstance of pregnancy. Is it just and moral to demand women to accept the risks involved in pregnancy against an otherwise undisputed right to do so; against forcing motherhood (its financial burdens and responsibilities) upon a woman...again, by no more than moral decree?
First, I am surprised that you would even try to get that one past me. lol. Tell me where the judicial system would be if we toss individual responsibility for actions out the window. Pregnancy does not happen without the reality of risks, financial burdens and responsibilities being common knowledge beforehand. In regard to laws in general, we actually pass another law that states; "Ignorance of the the law is no excuse". In this case, ignorance of responsibility is no excuse.
You are also guilty of...how did you put it? "...rely highly upon emotional appeal... short on practical, rational examination."
You deliberately left out the responsibility of the father in all this and tried to bring an emotional appeal to the plight of the woman. In the majority of cases, his responsibility can, legally, be brought to bear more heavily than that of the mother if the practical, rational will is present to do so.
Because pregnancy, in relation to rights, is a juxtaposition of two competing interests, which demands thorough examination.
I fail to see how making murder-for-hire legal to solve one person's inconvenience advances our society in any direction other than downward.
I understand this appeal and the desire to project it upon those without the voice to make it. I further understand that this is just one-half of the equation.
Incorrect. Solving one half of the problem is what we have now - abortion. And in order to do so we need to end a life. What we are proposing is saving both. I call that a win-win. Consider the tax revenue generated by 60 million taxpayers who are not here since 1973 and how far that could go towards supporting the so-called plight of the poor women who are "forced into motherhood (its financial burdens and responsibilities)".
The difference is vast. The differences are the liberties at stake and how you one exclusive moral theory dictates the freedoms of another. To make a less emotional though no less equal comparison, denying constitutional freedoms cuts broader with the ISIS sword than the surgeon's knife could ever manage to achieve.
Most make the mistake of thinking that the moral pronouncements of the Bible are restrictive. This conclusion is predictable, but short sighted. The moral pronouncements of the Bible actually facilitate freedom for all.
The message of the Bible, with respect to freedom, is that none of us are free unless the Son makes us free. We are in bondage to serving ourselves continuously until we come to the point of being released from that servitude and are re-united with our Creator. It is only then that we are liberated to act morally. Liberty = morality.