Why Abortion Must Remain Legal

Actually, I would think as an atheist, and presumably a materialist, though if I am wrong feel free to correct me, I would argue you should be more pro life. As most atheists deny souls, it would seem giving that fetus a chance at life would be more important to atheists, as they have neither heaven nor reincarnation to give the fetus a chance at existence. I know most atheists don't think this way, but that does not make much sense to me. Unless they adopt a "survival of the fittest, it can't defend itself" attitude, it would seem humanitarian concerns would argue for giving every potential human a chance at life.

And, your second point, the Roe V. Wade one, I would argue that by eliminating any democratic process, that decision caused more political upheaval than it solved, and made this a much more contentious issue. Were it returned to individual states, some would doubtless keep it legal, some would not. That would allow anyone who needed an abortion to receive one, in the appropriate state, while also allowing the question to be decided democratically and locally.

I also think you overstate the number of deaths due to "back alley" abortions, and severely understate the deaths now through complications, even with legitimate medical professionals. In addition, I do think, despite your claims, that when illegal, and socially disapproved, abortions were less frequent. More the disapproval than the law, as drug laws show us, but one helps feed into the other, or did in the past. (Today, it seems being illegal often makes something more popular not less...)

Sorry, afraid in trying to keep this brief, I may have actually made it a bit disjointed. So perhaps I will return and clarify later, after I think of a better brief response.