James, thanks for sharing your experiences. I am truly surprised and shocked at the Supreme Court ruling, if the ruling does come to pass.

When I was young, a couple of my good friends had abortions. The doctor very nonchalantly offered me one when I was pregnant for the first time. It was not the divisive issue then that it has become now.

If we cannot reach some sort of middle ground, this issue will tear our country apart.

The religious must realize they can't legislate morality, and agree to abortion within reasonable parameters, acknowledging that a woman has the right to her own bodily choices.

But progressives must stop deriding the religious for believing the fetus is a life and agree to some limitations, such as the abortion laws in countries like Denmark and Sweden.

Everyone will have to give a bit, but that doesn't seem likely. Your essay is very well articulated.