The Writing on the Belly
Wouldn't you know it? I have been looking for a certain photo published various times and can't find it anywhere on the web. In its place I offer this substitute:
(Photo: O Primeiro de Janeiro, Porto, 10 Feb 2007)
The sign reads, "I'm in charge of my belly." In the photo I was hoping to post, college-age women are marching with exposed bellies, across which are written the words, "Aqui mando eu" (Here, I'm the one in charge). The demonstrations are leading up to the referendum being held tomorrow in Portugal, in which voters are being asked to vote Yes or No on the decriminalization of abortions performed in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy at the discretion of the mother. Presently, abortions performed except for the health of the mother or on doctor's orders due to the deformity of the fetus are illegal, and by law, women who abort and those who perform such abortions are subject to imprisonment. A similar referendum in the late 90's failed to pass, but there's a good chance it will pass this time.
Both sides in the debate have made their arguments in the press, on TV, and in the streets. One of the arguments for approving the referendum is that it will keep women from seeking clandestine abortions and will therefore prevent many of the deaths and serious complications arising from them. At a woman's discretion, she would be able to go to a public health clinic or hospital during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy and without any formalities or justification request and obtain a publicly-funded abortion. One of the other arguments is the one illustrated above: "It's my body (belly) and I decide what to do with it."
In my view, that brings us to the crux of the whole issue. Medical, legal, social, and psychological arguments aside, "Aqui mando eu" expresses the essence of man's sin and rebellion against God's authority. As Christians, we should be able to write across our bellies (and every other part of our bodies and lives), "Aqui manda Deus" (Here, God is in charge).
(Photo: O Primeiro de Janeiro, Porto, 10 Feb 2007)
The sign reads, "I'm in charge of my belly." In the photo I was hoping to post, college-age women are marching with exposed bellies, across which are written the words, "Aqui mando eu" (Here, I'm the one in charge). The demonstrations are leading up to the referendum being held tomorrow in Portugal, in which voters are being asked to vote Yes or No on the decriminalization of abortions performed in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy at the discretion of the mother. Presently, abortions performed except for the health of the mother or on doctor's orders due to the deformity of the fetus are illegal, and by law, women who abort and those who perform such abortions are subject to imprisonment. A similar referendum in the late 90's failed to pass, but there's a good chance it will pass this time.
Both sides in the debate have made their arguments in the press, on TV, and in the streets. One of the arguments for approving the referendum is that it will keep women from seeking clandestine abortions and will therefore prevent many of the deaths and serious complications arising from them. At a woman's discretion, she would be able to go to a public health clinic or hospital during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy and without any formalities or justification request and obtain a publicly-funded abortion. One of the other arguments is the one illustrated above: "It's my body (belly) and I decide what to do with it."
In my view, that brings us to the crux of the whole issue. Medical, legal, social, and psychological arguments aside, "Aqui mando eu" expresses the essence of man's sin and rebellion against God's authority. As Christians, we should be able to write across our bellies (and every other part of our bodies and lives), "Aqui manda Deus" (Here, God is in charge).
posted by EP | 9:54 PM | Permalink
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