A matter of semantics
Whenever I hear the phrase “that’s just semantics,” I see red. Much of a debate’s substance IS semantics, or the quest to apply specific meanings to words. Why apply the word “just” to such an important concept?
In the context of the abortion debate, discussions of semantics are of paramount importance. Case in point: “murder” is a word I see chronically misused on the pro-life side of the issue. Whether or not you believe abortion constitutes the killing of a human person, abortion is unequivocally NOT murder.
Merriam-Webster defines murder as “the crime of unlawfully killing a person especially with malice aforethought.” While “killing a person” may be up for debate, “unlawfully” is not. When Roe v. Wade legalized abortion, abortion was made by definition not murder. True murder is not just killing; it is illegal, intentional killing. There are other terms used to define killing in other contexts, like “manslaughter” and “wrongful death.” Even if you believe abortion results in the death of a person (I don’t agree, but you have the right to that belief), calling it “murder” is just plain inaccurate.
Pro-lifers, must you abuse both the rights of women AND the English language?
October 28th, 2009 at 1:58 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Christian Prochoicer, Amanda Johnson. Amanda Johnson said: More on why abortion is not, by definition, murder: http://is.gd/4F8Dr #prochoice [...]
October 29th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Randomly stumbled across your blog because it was linked in someone’s OKcupid profile…but I can definitely relate to both the viewpoints expressed here, and the title (I’m a pretty snarky liberal myself, all things told).
Anyway, the pro-life movement (hell, even the name itself) is ALL ABOUT using words, phrases, and terms that make no sense, in an attempt to provoke an emotional response in others. And it works on me. It provokes one hell of a lot of disgust.
Every morning for the last couple months I have to drive by a minor pro-life protest. And I guess comparatively, it’s peaceful…not many people, signs aren’t the worst I’ve seen. But it still makes me seethe every morning. Who needs coffee when I pass people holding signs that say “Pray: this is an Abortion clinic,” or “Women desire Love, not Abortions.”
October 29th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Are you in Austin? That sounds a lot like the one I drive by on my way home…
October 29th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Yup! I’m talking about the one on Anderson Mill, just off 183. That the one you’re thinking of? Or are there more…I never thought I’d see something like that in Austin, it really let me down.
And don’t get me started on the Gateway Church on McNeil, just down the street. They have this thing where they post various bumperstickers, with the caption of “Why Austin doesn’t believe {bumper sticker}.”
My personal favorite was when they posted the CoExist bumper sticker. You know, the one that has the letters replaced by various religious symbols. So apparently the Gateway church things Austin doesn’t (or at least shouldn’t) believe in religions coexisting peacefully. W. T. F.
November 2nd, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Are you a professional journalist? You write very well.
November 4th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by KushielsMoon: Even if u believe abortion is the killing of a person, it is unequivocally NOT murder http://is.gd/4F8Dr #prochoice via @dubiouslygreat…