Mildred Smith’s (“Straight talk on America’s abortion problem,” Friday, Jan. 27) was nothing more then a letter about her religious beliefs and why she believes her religious beliefs should be forced on everyone else.

First, she says children are a gift from God. True, if you want the baby; if not, being pregnant is a nuisance at best and a nightmare at worst. Do you really think a woman who finds herself pregnant because of a rape thinks the pregnancy is a “gift from God”?

Secondly, she goes on to babble about the Sixth Commandment. If you are not a Christian, why should you care about the Sixth Commandment?

Thirdly, she gives her opinion on the Supreme Court’s decision with no facts to back up her opinion. In my opinion giving women the right to decide what happens to their bodies was the best decision the Supreme Court ever made. It gave women the ability to further their educations, get well-paying jobs, leave men who abused them, etc. Apparently Mildred Smith would keep us barefoot and pregnant and dependent on some man (or the government) to take care of us.

She goes on to babble about women being delegated by God to nurture children. Does she really think that a woman who is forced to have a baby will provide it with a loving home?

Then she goes on to state what she believes happens to women (and their husbands) after an abortion. Yes, some women regret their decision; but many other women who have an abortion are at peace with their decision and do not suffer anxiety every time they see a child. Most women who have abortions are single, so there is no husband involved.

Why should a woman have to delay or give up her higher education because of an unwanted pregnancy? Why should a woman have to take time away from her career (thus lowering her income not only at the time of the pregnancy but in the future as well) because of an unwanted pregnancy?

Usually when married couples decide to abort a pregnancy, it is because of birth defects, and the couple makes the decision jointly after countless thoughtful discussions. Why should a woman be forced to carry a baby to term who will die a few short hours after birth? Why should a family who is not emotionally equipped to deal with a retarded child be forced to have one?

If she were really serious about ending abortions, she would make sure that all women had access to affordable birth control. She would work to ensure that all rape victims were given the morning-after pill. But most of all she would respect a woman’s right to do what is best for herself and her family.

Ella Johnson

Meridian