I searched for a rights-open image tagged as “Sex Education,” and the above came up. Young folks think about sex (a lot). Men and women of all ages think about sex (a lot). Best to think over our morality and preparation and responsibilities personally, and thoroughly. ~ ed.

There’s a middle ground: left or right, Christian (and) or feminist, we all want to reduce the number of abortions.

Abortion is one of those too-conveniently-hyped political wedge issues that, no matter the rancor and righteousness on left and right, is fundamentally a personal, painful, serious decision.

Stereotypes of young, poor mothers using abortion casually, as a contraceptive, are rare. And those on the right who would graft hatred upon their deeply-held opinions are rare, thankfully, too.

There’s a middle ground: we alllll want to reduce the number of abortions.

From that point of view, sex education would seem vital. Abstinence would be brilliant for young people, only it almost never works under “pressure,” and is rarely coupled with adequate preparation (read: you don’t keep a condom in your wallet, and you aren’t on birth control, if you’ve sworn to abstinence…so when things get hot and heavy, as they tend to in teenage years, crossing the line can carry a high price).

But enough from me. Here’s eight thought-inspiring quotes from all “sides.” Whatever our view, it’s worth remaining open and curious about how best to arrive at our common goal: fewer abortions, happy families, women’s rights, healthy and well-provided-for and educated children.

~

“If men could get pregnant, abortion would be a sacrament.” ~ Florynce R. Kennedy

“The cemetery of the victims of human cruelty in our century is extended to include yet another vast cemetery, that of the unborn.” ~ Pope John Paul II

“Now, honestly: if a large group of…demonstrators blocked the entrances to St. Patrick’s Cathedral every Sunday for years, making it impossible for worshipers to get inside the church without someone escorting them through screaming crowds, wouldn’t some judge rule that those protesters could keep protesting, but behind police lines and out of the doorways?” ~ Anna Quindlen

“I’ve noticed that everybody that is for abortion has already been born.” ~ President Ronald Reagan

“Shall we who have heard the cries and seen the agony of dying women respect the law which has caused their deaths? Shall we watch in patience the murdering of 25,000 women each year in the United STates from criminal abortions? Shall we fold our hands and wait until a body of sleek and well-fed politicians get ready to abolish the cause of such slaughter?” ~ Margaret Sanger

“No woman has an abortion for fun.” ~ Joan Smith

“We really need to get over this love affair with the fetus and start worrying about children.” ~ Joycelyn Elders

“Abortions will not let you forget. You remember the children you got that you did not get.” ~ Gwendolyn Brooks

For (much) more.