Abstinence better than sorrow

THE Editor: I was struck by the full page paid advertisements taken out by ASPIRE in each of the three daily newspapers asking the government to review our present law on abortion. This occurred on Saturday 22 February 2003.

Full page ads in each of the dailies is quite expensive. ASPIRE does have funds at its disposal. I wonder why, at this specific time of the year (Carnival), ASPIRE is not using its funds to warn our population (yes, adult males and females as well as teen males and females and all others) about the dangers of sexual freedom which will include the usual plethora of diseases, some of which can be eventually deadly, as well as unplanned pregnancies. I firmly believe that prevention is better than the cure and what better way to reduce unplanned pregnancies and unnecessary abortions than full page ads advising our populace to take all precautions. What better way or opportunity to try and protect women from the dangerous and illegal abortions?

I guess that ASPIRE will always be focussed on the “ends” rather than the “means”. I truly wonder whether they are really interested in the poor women as they will have us believe. There is no abortion that will ever be as good as no abortion! So to all the women of our nation, do not be another statistic which ASPIRE likes to throw around. Protect yourself, especially at this time of the year. Abstinence is better than sorrow. He does not really love or care for you if he uses sex as a bargaining tool. To our men, BE MEN! Respect our women, treat them with the care and tenderness they deserve. Wouldn’t you want the same for your mother or sister or future wife or daughter? Would you want others to take advantage of you? Why try to take advantage of others?

So after all of the above, am I to be classified as naive and will I be attacked for being so? Probably. Stupid and ignorant? No doubt. Probably Christian, no wonder! Good. Speaking out to attack the means is still better than taking the leisurely path of curing the ends being advocated by ASPIRE. It’s more difficult and challenging. It requires faith and deep conviction, prayer and spiritual guidance. Besides nothing good could ever be easy. So call me what you want, I know where I stand. You proponents of ASPIRE may neither understand nor agree nor believe this, but this issue you have raised is really between God and man. What side of the line are you on? Are you ready?

B Hamel
Tunapuna