Abortion: Can we agree that no one speaks for God?

Re: “I can be pro-choice and also anti-abortion” (Leonard Pitts Jr. column, 2-14).

As usual, Pitts’ essay on the subject was thoughtful and thought-provoking.

I think he is right that debate usually assumes a false dichotomy The pro-choice side usually ignores the pain and suffering of a woman (and a man) that should be part of a decision to terminate a pregnancy. The pro-life side usually seems to ignore the life of the parent(s).

It strikes me that these flaws in the argument are the result of elevating the issue to one of ultimate concern. That elevation seems to pervade all political discourse in America these days, and we seem to be oblivious to the logical fallacy.

More to the point, raising any political issue to the level of ultimate concern turns it into a matter of religious faith. Anyone who disagrees with me I would turn into a demon since I, of course, am speaking for God. How could I possibly compromise with a demon?

In this high-voltage political season, I am hoping for a little humility from each of us. Can we admit to ourselves that no one speaks for God? If we can do that we have the necessary precondition for living in a democratic republic.

This story was originally published February 16, 2016 at 12:07 PM with the headline "Abortion: Can we agree that no one speaks for God?."