A friend wrote in asking for opinions. She is having a "discussion" with her
sister that she hopes to keep civilized, regarding abortion. Her sister says
that she agrees "in theory" that abortion is wrong, but she feels
uncomfortable telling other people what to do with their bodies. She
describes her sister as generally speaking a caring and intelligent person.
They agreed they can't discuss abortion on religious terms, because they
don't want to get into an argument. I proffer an argument on plain, basic
civil rights terms and basic biology.

We have laws that tell people all the time what they can and can't do with
their bodies. That's what the FDA is for. That's why Vioxx isn't for sale
any more. People need to get a grip about their "keep your laws off my body"
chant. The law is "on" your body all the time - they apparently are
clueless.

In Massachusetts state law, it is clearly recognizes that an unborn child is
a human being from the moment of conception until birth. However, that
unborn child is not a legal person. It has, therefore, no civil or legal
rights as a person. That is the national point of view as well. That is the
only reality that any lawyer needs to know.

As for the personal point of view - we have the right to tell others what to
do or not do when it comes to the personal safety of others. We create all
kinds of laws for this purpose - it is already against the law to assault a
pregnant woman who wants to keep her child. In many states if that pregnant
woman who wants to keep her child is assaulted and that child dies, and the
woman lives, the person will be prosecuted for the assault and for a murder.
Remember that guy in California? Scott Peterson? Killed his wife Lacy on
Christmas Eve? He was prosecuted for two murders, because she was pregnant.
Because she wanted the baby.

If we recognize that from the moment of conception that what is in the
uterus (or womb, if you prefer) is an unborn human being, that it never
"turns into" a human being from something "else" - that it is never
"non-human" - it is never alien tissue - and never foreign unless it dies -
because at every moment the body works very hard to nurture and protect it.
That's because the baby is not a parasite, it's not attacking the body in
anyway.

Some states split hairs on the question of gestational stages, or viability.
That shouldn't matter. It all really boils down to "wanted" - does the
female parent of this child choose to kill the child in the womb or not? If
not, then to harm it is murder. If so, then to harm it in the womb is a
legal surgical procedure. It's insanity, but it's legal.

There - no theology at all..... there you go. Warning: theological links
below.....

Lisa

Pray the Rosary
http://users.rcn.com/lanat/rosary.doc

Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy
http://users.rcn.com/lanat/mercychaplet.doc

Spiritually adopt an unborn child
http://users.rcn.com/lanat/spirituallyadopt.doc

Post-Abortion Healing, Support & Resources
http://users.rcn.com/lanat/rachel.htm