A number of candidates have brought the issue of rape and contraception to the fore. There have been many references to God's will. Admittedly, I am not u
p on biblical verses as some but I do remember something from the Old Testament, Deuteronomy 22:25-27
King James Version (KJV)
25 But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die.
26 But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbour, and slayeth him, even so is this matter:
27 For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her.
I am using the King James version as that seems to be the most commonly quoted. As to the last verse, apparently if a woman was raped in a field and no one was heard her cries for help, that woman wouldn't be subjected to punishment because if someone heard her cries then the rapist would be subjected to the punishment of death (usually by stoning). Though unstated the sin of rape isn't washed away from the rapist, I can only assume that his judgment will come by way of a higher power.
I suppose that's why I find the term legitimate rape or a child that is born out of an act of violence as God's will so perplexing when it comes out of the mouths of men.
When Akin said a woman's body can do something to stop the pregnancy from occurring in this situation, I was astounded. I personally call it the Dorothy's Wizard of Oz theory. If a woman who is being raped just closes her eyes and kicks her heels together three times. Poof! She's back home with her little dog. If we take rape out of the conversation, it almost sounds like a form of contraception. Oops! Forgot my pill or the condom broke. No worries. All I have to do is summon my super reproductive powers and stop nature in its tracks.
This goes beyond red or blue. It's about protecting our young women. I've had an experience with sexual abuse and though it happened ages ago it only takes a moment for me to go back and relive it.
Our daughters, sisters, aunts, cousins and grandmothers are at risk. Make no mistake there is nothing sexual about rape, the act is sex, the takeaway is violence. With so many girls beginning menses at young ages, we must do all we can to stand on the side of protecting them from this heinous act.
Who among us sincerely believes that if an eleven year-old is raped and becomes pregnant it's God's will? It's time to send a clear message to those who would prefer us barefoot, pregnant with no voice. I can assure you that we will exercise our vocal chords in the voting booth on November 6th. It's true that Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. However, Hell truly hath no fury when our gender is ignored and underrated.
King James Version (KJV)
25 But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die.
26 But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbour, and slayeth him, even so is this matter:
27 For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her.
I am using the King James version as that seems to be the most commonly quoted. As to the last verse, apparently if a woman was raped in a field and no one was heard her cries for help, that woman wouldn't be subjected to punishment because if someone heard her cries then the rapist would be subjected to the punishment of death (usually by stoning). Though unstated the sin of rape isn't washed away from the rapist, I can only assume that his judgment will come by way of a higher power.
I suppose that's why I find the term legitimate rape or a child that is born out of an act of violence as God's will so perplexing when it comes out of the mouths of men.
When Akin said a woman's body can do something to stop the pregnancy from occurring in this situation, I was astounded. I personally call it the Dorothy's Wizard of Oz theory. If a woman who is being raped just closes her eyes and kicks her heels together three times. Poof! She's back home with her little dog. If we take rape out of the conversation, it almost sounds like a form of contraception. Oops! Forgot my pill or the condom broke. No worries. All I have to do is summon my super reproductive powers and stop nature in its tracks.
This goes beyond red or blue. It's about protecting our young women. I've had an experience with sexual abuse and though it happened ages ago it only takes a moment for me to go back and relive it.
Our daughters, sisters, aunts, cousins and grandmothers are at risk. Make no mistake there is nothing sexual about rape, the act is sex, the takeaway is violence. With so many girls beginning menses at young ages, we must do all we can to stand on the side of protecting them from this heinous act.
Who among us sincerely believes that if an eleven year-old is raped and becomes pregnant it's God's will? It's time to send a clear message to those who would prefer us barefoot, pregnant with no voice. I can assure you that we will exercise our vocal chords in the voting booth on November 6th. It's true that Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. However, Hell truly hath no fury when our gender is ignored and underrated.
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