09/30/2008 - Since the Supreme Court's historic 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade, the issue of a woman's right to an abortion has fostered one of the most contentious moral and political debates in America. Opponents of abortion rights argue that life begins at conception - making abortion tantamount to homicide. Abortion rights advocates, in contrast, maintain that women have a right to decide what happens to their bodies - sometimes without any restrictions.

To explore the case against abortion rights, the Pew Forum turns to the Rev. J. Daniel Mindling, a professor of moral philosophy and academic dean at Mount St. Mary's Seminary in Emmetsburg, Md. In addition to his academic duties, Mindling serves as a consultant to the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities at the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops.

A counterargument explaining the case for abortion rights is made by the Rev. Carlton W. Veazey, president of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.

Featuring: 
The Rev. J. Daniel Mindling, Professor of Moral Theology, Mount St. Mary's Seminary

Interviewer: 
David Masci, Senior Research Fellow, Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life

Read the complete Q & A Fundamental Dignity at Every Stage of Life: An Argument Against Abortion Rights Featuring the Rev. J. Daniel Mindling  on the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life Web site.