We live in a rights-crazed society. Even animals are afforded rights these days. Still, the unborn are not protected.

Legally, the fertilized egg of an eagle has more rights than an unborn child. And in Wisconsin, stepping on a snail can land you in jail - with a $10,000 fine. But a woman can have her baby sliced and diced, for a price, right into the ninth month of pregnancy - all within the confines of the law.

Yes, abortion is big business. And the doctors are making a killing. Since the legalization of abortion in 1973, our nation has lost an entire generation to abortion. We are beginning to see some of the effects of that diabolical decision, as universities nationwide find themselves strapped for students. How many Michaelangelos have we destroyed in the name of convenience? How many Edisons have we erased from the pages of human progress?

The birth of Jesus Christ forever altered the course of human history. Yet, if ever a woman had reason to refuse a pregnancy, it was his mother. Consider the social, financial and practical circumstances in which she found herself: unmarried, young, and 'on the road' (it was the year of the census). Her baby would be born in a barn. Still, the Bible says, "in the fullness of time, God sent his Son." (Gal 4:4) Do you suppose he made a mistake?

Feminists repeatedly cite instances of rape and incest in their defense of abortion. However, only 2% of the 1.5 million abortions committed in the US every year are procured for reasons other than mere convenience.

When I found out I was pregnant, years ago, it was not a 'convenient' time. My husband was unemployed; we had no insurance, and we had just been evicted. We didn't even have the money to move. Too proud to turn to welfare, we simply did without. No running water. No heat. Canned goods froze in the cupboard. Water in the sink (from snow I had melted) became solid overnight. I was 1,000 miles from family and didn't have a friend in town.

To further complicate matters, I tested positive for German measles. The doctor suspected (incorrectly, it turns out) 'severe deformity of the fetus.' He suggested abortion.

Naive as I was, I had never heard of such a thing. Kill the life within me? This was not some blob of tissue I could have had dissected and discarded at will, but a separate, living being. We had distinct blood types. I heard his heartbeat. He jumped when he had the hiccups; he was agitated and kicked when I ate garlic.

No, abortion was no option. Ours was a rocky marriage. After one beating that put me in bed for weeks, I almost lost the baby. My husband left shortly after the baby was born. Turns out, he had another family 'on the side.' I can't say it has been easy these past years; God intended that there be two parents. But every time I look into my boy's big brown eyes, or hear his "Mommy, I love you," I know it was right. Best thing that ever happened to me.

So what if I got a late start on my education? So what if I don't have time to socialize, with the many demands upon my time? (Single parents have twice the responsibility, and half the help.) I know I have hugs and kisses that no money can buy. No, what's convenient is not always best, or right. Easy Street is a dead end.

What if Jesus Christ had only been thinking of himself, and his 'right,' when it came time to go to the cross? Calvary was not convenient, but interrupted his career - big time. God is forgiving, and we all make mistakes. But there are choices we will have to live with for the rest of our lives. The choice I live with has a name, a smile, a birthday. And a future.

All abortion has to offer is a dead baby. What kind of 'choice' is that?


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Using the requirements for formal argument that we have established, how would you rate the argument of this piece?

- If you reckon this piece represents a sound argument, why?

- If you reckon this piece represents an unsound argument, why?

- If you reckon this piece has some sound and some unsound aspects, what are they?

Please be as specific and as technical as possible in your responses.


One extra question: 

- What pattern(s) of exposition does the author employ in this piece?