Elisabeth Hasselbeck returns to The View to debate abortion with Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar

Elisabeth Hasselbeck has returned The view as if no time had passed, sparring with Whoopi Goldberg and Joy Behar on abortion rights on Wednesday.

Kansas voting to protect abortion rights in the state constitution was a “hot topic” — and Hasselbeck, known for her conservative voice when she co-hosted from 2003 to 2013, used the popular right-wing argument of making adoption the solution to abortion restrictions.

“I believe that our Creator values ​​life and that those lives have a God-designed plan and purpose that is not limited to the circumstances of conception or the situations into which they are born,” Hasselbeck began. “But I think there are options. There are thousands of agencies that cater to women who may not be able to care for the baby postpartum…it will come for free.”

Hasselbeck, who shares Grace, 17, and Isaiah, 12, with former NFL quarterback Tim Hasselbeck, referenced her own infertility struggles when she was a co-host, admitting, “I might not change your mind, but I will.” I hope the women out there know how to look for the nonprofits and… the agencies that will help you create a birth plan and match you with an adoptive family who may have had miscarriage after miscarriage and may be changing their minds want to take care of the baby. I don’t believe in giving women half the information out there.”

Using religion in her answer, Goldberg said, “As you know, God makes no mistakes. God made us smart enough to know when it wouldn’t work for us. That’s the beauty of giving us freedom of choice.”

“No…no,” Hasselbeck replied, finally holding up an embroidered tea towel she’d brought that read, “I’d agree with you, but then we’d both be wrong.”

For her part, Behar referred to the “117,000 children who are just waiting to be adopted. There are other kids waiting out there.”

Sara Haines chimed in and spoke about how the system often fails children in this position.

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Sunny Hostin, an anti-abortion Catholic but committed to not forcing her religious beliefs on others, asked Hasselbeck, “What if people don’t believe in their God and you make that choice for them?”

Hasselbeck asserted, “I don’t force religion,” but then said the decision should be made “according to God.”

“I think a lot of times we get ‘right’ legally,” she said. “For example, we get caught up in the law. Just because something is a right doesn’t make it right. We need to be able to have these conversations about what is really ethical and according to God. I don’t force religion, and I also think that sometimes in Christianity we need to offer more mercy.”

There were lighter moments, too, where Goldberg praised Hasselbeck, saying she had “some of the best conversations” with her of her time on the show.

“For me, it’s been great to have you as my first conservative… in terms of those kinds of conversations,” the presenter said.

Hasselbeck also urged the audience and co-hosts to try to see things from both sides, saying: “Hold your position in one hand and your friend in the other. If we can’t do that as a society, we’re teaching our kids the wrong way to talk about difficult things.”

Hasselbeck was there Celebrate 25 seasons of The view before the end of the season. A new season starts in September.

And there will be a new co-host for season 26. On Thursday, the show is expected to officially announce its new co-host and conservative voice on the show, taking over from Megan McCain, who became vacant last year. Alyssa Farah Griffin — former White House director of strategic communications and assistant to former President Trump — will reportedly take the seat alongside Goldberg, Behar, Haines and Hostin.