My conversation with a pro-life friend today... [View all]
If have a very close friend who is pro-life. Since he's non-doctrinaire and somewhat level-headed, I often discuss abortion issues with him to get a real point of view, not just the standard teahadist screed. For instance, he supports abortion if the life of the mother is in jeopardy and thinks that Akin's statements are ridiculous.. For some reason, we had never discussed abortion resulting from rape or incest. A couple of hours ago, I asked him about Ryan's comment that a rape-induced pregnancy is still "life" irrespective of the method of conception.
The following is a crude transcript of the conversation:
Me: So, do you agree with Ryan's belief that the fetus should still be protected if the pregnancy resulted from rape?
Friend: That's a tough one but, no, I don't feel that the government should force a woman to have her rapist's baby.
Me: Why not?
Friend: It's difficult for me, but that child would be a daily reminder - even during gestation - of a horrific attack that the victim would have to relive over and over again.
Me: Okay, I'm glad to hear that. What about after the baby is born? Would you support euthanasia of a living child that resulted from rape?
Friend: NO!! Of course not!
Me: So, what's the difference?
Friend: Because it's a human being! The baby has been born. You can't kill a living, breathing child, no matter what the reason!! Why are you even--
Me: Don't worry, I don't support euthanizing a living human either. So you draw a distinction between an embryo and a living child.
Friend: Of course.
Me: The difference is that the baby is alive, but the embryo isn't.
Friend: Yes.
Me: So, life does NOT begin at conception.
Friend: ...
Me: ...
Friend: Wow. I have some thinking to do.
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