Is Abortion Morally Equivalent to Murdering Someone?

[chri'stina 190]

You pretty much have to believe that life begins at some point before birth. The earlier one believes that point is, the more restrictions on abortion one can justify based on that belief.

Given that there is no universally agreed upon definition of life or a universally agreed upon understanding of what it means to be human, it's no surprise there is so much disagreement between people on this issue. Personally, I feel the best way to approach a problem of this nature (one which lacks even the most basic consensus) is to let choice prevail, even when an exercise of choice by one offends the other.

Then the only thing I can hope is that less people make that choice. At the same time, I do feel people should make sure they are confident in what they believe about life and not just go along with status quo.

[^_^ 5,021]

I'm sorry but the PITA abortion procedures made me lol. I assume you meant adoption.

I did. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. I saw your post within the 5 minute edit window and changed it at source!

... I do feel people should make sure they are confident in what they believe about life and not just go along with status quo.

Agreed.

[Danno 1,228]

You pretty much have to believe that life begins at some point before birth. The earlier one believes that point is, the more restrictions on abortion one can justify based on that belief.

Given that there is no universally agreed upon definition of life or a universally agreed upon understanding of what it means to be human, it's no surprise there is so much disagreement between people on this issue. Personally, I feel the best way to approach a problem of this nature (one which lacks even the most basic consensus) is to let choice prevail, even when an exercise of choice by one offends the other.

Actually, this is not the first time our Nation has been faced with the question over what it means to be human enough to deserve the right to life liberty and the pursuit.

And your view on this issue was was prevalent on that one too.

[^_^ 5,021]

Actually, this is not the first time our Nation has been faced with the question over what it means to be human enough to deserve the right to life liberty and the pursuit.

And your view on this issue was was prevalent on that one too.

Insightful, as always

[Amby 490]

I had an embryology class last semester and this is a topic we discussed for a few days. There were many clashes of opinion and I think it was one of the most heated debates I saw all semester.

[^_^ 5,021]

I had an embryology class last semester and this is a topic we discussed for a few days. There were many clashes of opinion and I think it was one of the most heated debates I saw all semester.

You're lucky you didn't have any gun freaks in that class or they may have decided to water the tree of liberty

Edited February 3, 2011 by \

[The_Dude 1,142]

When someone in my state(don't know about all the others) says that they want to kill them self, anyone who hears it is obligated to alert the authorities to the situation. That would also be controlling someone's body, even though they aren't killing anyone else. What do you think about that?

I guess those of us who are against most abortions obviously don't think it should be a religious issue only. It's not like the bible says specifically "do not abort a fetus"...but it says "do not kill", which is also part of the law of the land. Since the bible refers to being formed in the womb and how precious life is, it's easy to see why "do not kill"+ "life is important even in the womb" = abortion is not good. And obviously, it's not just one religion that doesn't support it. And you don't have to be religious at all to be an opponent of abortion.

Abortion is not murder, legally speaking. So then all that is left is the religious element to your argument.

Then why do you support minimum wage laws or prostitution laws... or tattoo laws or or or.

Been fishing today Danno? I see you throwing out red herring left and right.

[^_^ 5,021]

Abortion is not murder, legally speaking.

I don't believe that is what is being discussed here. Everyone (well, almost) knows what the laws are. However, people can disagree with the laws and have beliefs of their own that run contrary to those of the Supreme Court. I see no point in shutting down debate because of a law.

After all, if that's the approach we took we'd have to stop arguing about marijuana laws and prostitution laws and every aspect of the Patriot Act. The law is the law, after all - what else is there to discuss?

[The_Dude 1,142]

I don't believe that is what is being discussed here. Everyone (well, almost) knows what the laws are. However, people can disagree with the laws and have beliefs of their own that run contrary to those of the Supreme Court. I see no point in shutting down debate because of a law.

After all, if that's the approach we took we'd have to stop arguing about marijuana laws and prostitution laws and every aspect of the Patriot Act. The law is the law, after all - what else is there to discuss?

I was addressing the point that she made, that is on topic.

[mawilson 2,133]

When someone in my state(don't know about all the others) says that they want to kill them self, anyone who hears it is obligated to alert the authorities to the situation. That would also be controlling someone's body, even though they aren't killing anyone else. What do you think about that?

I think that's wrong. If someone wants to kill himself or herself, they should

be allowed to do it.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I think you have to be pretty authoritarian to class abortion as murder. It's a nuanced issue and morality, not to mention the law is defined by context.

[slim 1,525]

The law determines that people who have committed a crime that could endanger public safety have forfeited certain rights.

So to keep this on topic - if a woman has an abortion, should she be barred from owning a gun?

what part of "murder is murder" did you not understand?

The part where nobody has really come forward and said, "this is a human and this isn't." In some places people are charged with two counts of murder when they murder a pregnant woman and in others they're not. Until there's a standard, there is no standard.

[The_Dude 1,142]

So to keep this on topic - if a woman has an abortion, should she be barred from owning a gun?

The part where nobody has really come forward and said, "this is a human and this isn't." In some places people are charged with two counts of murder when they murder a pregnant woman and in others they're not. Until there's a standard, there is no standard.

Abortion isn't a crime slim, so of course she should not be prohibited from owning a gun. Most states have provisions that allow for the murder of a pregnant woman to be charged as 2 murders, or one murder with additional circumstances added on that allow the state to pursue the death penalty.

[_Simpson_ 250]

OP(not title) - Well circumstances matter and it could be anything from first degree to manslaughter.

Edited February 3, 2011 by _Simpson_

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

OP(not title) - Well circumstances matter and it could be anything from first degree to manslaughter.

Not when abortion is legal.