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Charles Christopher Camosy

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Beyond the Abortion Wars: A Way Forward for a New Generation Hardcover – March 12, 2015

by Charles C. Camosy Phd (Author)

4.0 56 ratings

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Cuts through the mass confusion surrounding abortion and lays out solid common ground

The abortion debate in the United States is confused. Ratings-driven media coverage highlights extreme views and creates the illusion that we are stuck in a hopeless stalemate. In this book Charles Camosy argues that our polarized public discourse hides the fact that most Americans actually agree on the major issues at stake in abortion morality and law.

Unpacking the complexity of the abortion issue, Camosy shows that placing oneself on either side of the typical polarizations -- pro-life vs. pro-choice, liberal vs. conservative, Democrat vs. Republican -- only serves to further confuse the debate and limits our ability to have fruitful dialogue. Camosy then proposes a new public policy that he believes is consistent with the beliefs of the broad majority of Americans and supported by the best ideas and arguments about abortion from both secular and religious sources.

Print length

221 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Eerdmans
Publication date

March 12, 2015
Dimensions

6 x 0.58 x 9 inches
ISBN-10

0802871283
ISBN-13

978-0802871282
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Library Journal
"Readers interested in bioethics and public policy will find this a valuable source of information and arguments on abortion."

Ethika Politika
"Beyond the Abortion Wars really is a valuable contribution to the way forward, past 1970s binary, partisan perspectives often entrenched in political narratives that separate mothers from children, men from women, and conservatives from liberals. . . . An accessible but challenging and provocative book that everyone with an interest in abortion ought to read."

Gospel Coalition
"Wrestles not only with the morality of abortion, but also the social structures that make abortion so common."

National Catholic Reporter
"Camosy consistently, determinedly, and even with an occasional touch of delectatio morosa, challenges each and all on this issue about which we all think we know what we believe. In any field of controversy, there is a `must read' book. . . . On the issue of abortion, Camosy's book instantly becomes the must read text if one wishes to seriously engage the issue, or to be taken seriously."

Sidney Callahan
-- Hastings Center Distinguished Scholar
“This accessible work may well transform the American abortion debate. Charles Camosy gives full weight to both pro-choice feminist concerns and pro-life feminism. . . . An excellent book for everyone concerned with the questions surrounding abortion.”

David P. Gushee, author of The Sacredness of Human Life
-- Mercer University
“This book offers a deeply significant new proposal in moral theology and public policy in regard to the contested issue of abortion. Cutting through the fog of incoherence and inanity that characterizes our contemporary ‘discussion’ of abortion, Charles Camosy clarifies the key issues with his focus on the moral status and well-being of both women and prenatal children. . . . Camosy again demonstrates his utter fearlessness in addressing the most important moral issues of our time.”

Jason T. Eberl
-- Semler Endowed Chair for Medical Ethics, Marian University
“Well-argued and highly accessible. . . . Giving more than just a theoretical analysis of the complex subject of abortion, Camosy offers practical guidelines for a balanced and reasonable pro-life ethic that acknowledges where those on both sides of this perennial debate are right.”

Richard W. Garnett
-- University of Notre Dame Law School
“For too long, our arguments and policies relating to abortion have been driven and distorted by the interests of parties and partisans. In this admirably charitable book, Camosy invites us to view the issue less in individualistic or libertarian ways and more in terms of solidarity, flourishing, and community. With both humility and urgency, he proposes a way forward that aims not merely for electoral advantage but instead highlights the dignity and worth of the marginalized and the vulnerable at all stages of life.”

Rev. Wm. Michael Mulvey, STL, DD
-- Bishop of Corpus Christi
“The abortion debate has created unprecedented division among people of the same country, within families, and even within the Church. In keeping with Pope Francis’s call for open dialogue among peoples, Camosy challenges us to open doors to greater understanding of the abortion debate on multiple sides of the issue. Courageously pointing the way toward a renewed respect and love for all human life, Camosy’s proposal promises to foster greater unity and communion on a large scale.”

Karen Swallow Prior
-- author of Fierce Convictions: The Extraordinary Life of Hannah More -- Poet, Reformer, Abolitionist
“Beyond the Abortion Wars will challenge the intellectually honest on both sides of the abortion debate as well as those in the middle. With extensive research, nuanced reasoning, and humane insights, Camosy undertakes the necessary but seemingly impossible task of dismantling the current stalemate on the issue -- and then forges a way forward. This book is a game-changer.”

William Saletan, author of Bearing Right: How Conservatives Won the Abortion War
-- National Correspondent at Slate.com
“Many of us who support the right to abortion have challenged pro-lifers to put their money where their mouth is -- on equal pay, pregnancy discrimination, parental leave, health care, and child care. Camosy here does all that and more."

About the Author

Charles C. Camosy, PhD, is associate professor of theological and social ethics at Fordham University. His other books include Losing Our Dignity: How Secularized Medicine Is Undermining Fundamental Human Equality, and his published articles have appeared, among other places, in the American Journal of Bioethics, the Journal of Medicine and Philosophy, Health Progress (the official journal of the Catholic Health Association of the United States), The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, the New York Daily News, and America.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Eerdmans (March 12, 2015)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 221 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0802871283
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0802871282
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 0.58 x 9 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,811,272 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #496 in Abortion & Birth Control
- #9,439 in Philosophy of Ethics & Morality

Customer Reviews:
4.0 56 ratings

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Charles Christopher Camosy

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I grew up in the Midwest (Kenosha, WI), but I'm now a bioethicist and associate professor of theology at Fordham University in New York City.

Especially in light of our polarized national conversations, I'm interested in building conversation, dialogue, and even solidarity between groups which sometimes find it difficult to engage. In particular, I want to show the overlap between 'pro-life conservatives' and 'social justice liberals.' I also work on exchange between people who identify as secular and those who identify as religious.

At the time I update this bio, I'm the author of six books and have written regularly for papers like the New York Times, Washington Post, New York Daily News, New York Post, and more. I write the "Purple Catholicism" column for Religion News Service and serve as a contributor for Crux.

I'm active on Twitter (@ccamosy) and can be reached at ccamosy@gmail.com

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ConstantReader

Valuable and compelling

Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2015

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I read this book to discuss with a friend, against a deadline, and the first 30 pages went slowly. The topic is so discouraging and the prospect of learning anything seemed so low. At that point, I figured out how many pages per day I would have to read to be finished by the time I met my friend, and put the book down. But when I picked it up again and got to the sections on the moral status of the fetus and the options for public policy, I found the author’s points compelling and his statistics and case studies fascinating. I don’t agree with all of his conclusions, but I feel I could comfortably discuss them with people who had very different options from mine and still find common ground.

I do wish the author had given more space to psychological problems that can not only prevent women from consenting to sex but also delay recognition of pregnancy and even make a pregnancy dangerous for a woman and any children she already has – I think he dismisses psychological issues too easily. His constant disparagement of corporations is also a little too easy – most women find more support for a pregnancy in the policies of American corporations than in the policies of the American government. In fact, the importance of subsidized universal day care could have been mentioned more prominently, more often, and in more detail.

Nevertheless, this is a valuable book and makes for absorbing reading. It is important for the author’s painstaking research, excellent presentation, and open approach to the problem in a way that encourages further thought and further discussion.

9 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Challenges which need a 2022 update

Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2023

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I never quite got around to reading this one, even though I’ve found myself largely aligned with Dr. Camosy’s public thinking on approaching abortion and women’s sexual health. This is still a great introduction to developing critical thinking skills about abortion in our post-Roe world, but yah… needs an update.

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MPMc

Those with simplistic, binary views on abortion will hate this book.

Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2015

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The dominant voices on abortion think that their positions are absolute and irrefutable. One side frames the conversation in terms of 'who chooses' and concludes that women's decisions trump government intrusion. The other side chooses to frame the conversation in terms of 'what is chosen' and concludes that abortion is an intolerable injustice. The former insist that we can't legislate morality. The latter insist that we do it all the time when vulnerable humans are at risk. Sadly, the most engaged proponents of each point of view are convinced that proponents of the opposing view are grotesque and unfeeling. In walks Camosy with a powerful argument for an approach that acknowledges the claims of women and of the unborn. I suspect that the strongest proponents of the abortion stalemate will ignore this book. If that doesn't work they will attack it with vigor. Why? Because deep down they realize that the binary views they espouse do not address the complex views of the majority of Americans on abortion. Camosy's fresh approach is welcome and long overdue.

7 people found this helpful

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Claire M Gallagher

An effort to clear the fog!

Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2015

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This book is not for the feint of heart who wish to read "doctrine" about this issue, whatever "side" one espouses. If you pick up this book be prepared for thought! Dr. Camosy presents his arguments in a very readable manner but this is not light reading. His position is based on carefully reasoned arguments that have roots in solid philosophy and theology. The goal is to find common ground on which to address the issues. You may ultimately disagree with Dr. Camosy's conclusions but in doing so you will be called upon to reason and form a position based on solid arguments and not slogans and emotional appeals. This work is a courageous foray into a morass of emotional issues based on tenuous reasoning with the goal of providing an orderly platform on which to come together for deep thought and discussion. If you wish to collect "ammunition" for your political agenda look elsewhere. If you want clarity that will allow firm foundations for a rational and moral position on this issue read on!

5 people found this helpful

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Samuel Moore

The best thing this author writes is also the worst thing ...

Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2015

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The best thing this author writes is also the worst thing he writes: "The American Christian churches have a golden opportunity to put aside our idolatrous ties to Republicans and Democrats and think more critically and creatively about how the gospel relates to our new and emerging political culture." He is correct - American Christians have idolized (for the most part) - the Republican party - but that idol pales in comparison to the much larger idol - American Christians idolize Government - legislation, policy solutions etc. American Christians must put aside their idolatry of Government - the belief and worship of the State - as a source of justice, equity and freedom. The author spends one (short) paragraph on Church-based solutions; instead the book is dedicated to yet another proposed piece of legislation. When will Christians wake up and realize that small change in their local communities will amount to a truly Life-giving response to the current culture of death? The author is a believer in Big. Big solutions - yet we know that complex systems (such as our "culture") - change as the result of small changes at the margin. Jesus had 12 disciples. Instead of being a new way forward this book is a re-hash of legal solutions to a complex problem that deserves *small* incremental changes by regular ordinary local communities.

Look at the women to your left and right in church on Sunday - most likely one of them has had an abortion; what has your church done to make that *not happen* again? Change will begin when churches wake up to the fact that the greatest proportion of women who have abortions are among them - in the pews - not in the ghetto. Catholics have a slightly higher rate of abortions than women who are not religiously affiliated - I cannnot think of a better argument *against* more legislation of any kind from the pro-life "side" than the fact that our own house is not in order. When we get our house in order - societal change will occur on a grand scale. Top down is not the way to go...save your money, don't buy this book; instead donate the money to a local Crisis Pregnancy center - better yet, take the money and have lunch and a long *real* conversation with your daughter about how to proceed if she finds herself pregnant in her first year away from home, at Christian college....

18 people found this helpful

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