I was astonished (and grieved) at how so many experts on this board rallied behind the "abortionists are terrorists" mantra.

Yes, I'm pro-life. I believe abortion is the taking of an innocent life. But, of course, I wouldn't say pro-choicers are "terrorists." In fact, I don't even call them "murderers." Just as the word "terrorist" requires explanation, so does the word "murderer."

A "murder" is the taking of an innocent life *intentionally*. Murder implies intent. If I run over a child with my car accidentally, and the child dies, I am not a murderer. I had no intention of killing that child. It was a mistake on my part. Likewise, if I'm hunting, and I shoot a person thinking he was an animal, I am not a murderer - only mistaken. Yes, both situations are tragic, and yes, I would have to take responsibility for my mistakes, but I would not be a murderer. Furthermore, under law, I would not be punished as a murderer.

Most pro-choice advocates do not believe abortion is the taking of an innocent life. So, when they have (or perform) abortions, they do not have the intent to murder. Thus, in this case, like the ones I described above, abortionists aren't "murderers." They are, if pro-lifers are correct, mistaken.

This is, I think, a critical issue to understand. Instead of labelling abortionists as "murderers," we should understand that most pro-choice advocates DO value human life, and we should engage them in intellectual dialogue and challenge them compassionately to consider the strong evidence that the unborn are humans just like the rest of us. Honestly, if the average pro-choice advocate TRULY came to the realization that the child in the womb was human, then that person would most likely not go through with an abortion. There are exceptions, of course, on BOTH sides of the debate - I've encountered pro-lifers who had abortions for selfish reasons. THAT is murder. We've all read reports of pro-lifers bombing abortion clinics. THAT is murder.


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When people bring up cases of rape and incest, my response is usually in the form of a question: "Is the taking of an innocent human life ever justified?" After all, that's what makes abortion "immoral" - it's *murder*. A pro-choicer doesn't see abortion as immoral because the pro-choicer doesn't see abortion as the taking of an innocent human life. But if you see life as starting at conception, then you must ask yourself if rape or incest make the taking of an innocent human life "acceptable."


You wrote something which I think *must* be wrong. You said, "abortion must be also [in God's plan], or it would not be a possibility." Many things are a "possibility" which are not a part of God's plan. Sin is "possible," yet certainly not part of God's plan. The fact that we CAN to do something doesn't mean we that we SHOULD do it. See what I mean?


**#1. What do you tell the woman who has been brutally raped that must now carry the child of the man who raped her, bearing a reminder of that incident every day for the rest of the pregnancy, and possibly, the rest of her life?**

A woman NEVER forgets a rape. It's a terrible thing that leaves long-lasting scars. But it's wrong to see the child as nothing more than "a reminder of that incident." The baby did nothing wrong. Why punish him for what happened? And the child is not just "the child of the man who raped her." The child is HERS as well! It's wrong to devalue the life of another - especially your own child.


**#2. What do you tell the child whose mother resents it because it is the product of a rape-related pregnancy?**

"It's not the child's fault. Don't punish your child for what some bastard did to you." That's what I'd say. Again, we should NOT devalue the life of this child. The baby is so much more than just "the product of a rape related pregnancy." He's a human being, who still needs love. And a terrible, terrible situation can still be used for good. She can raise the child well. She can love him, and teach him right from wrong.

**#[3] How do you explain to a 12 year old girl who has become impregnated by her own father or brother or other male family member that she will go through the discomforts of pregnancy, magnified by having to carry the child in a still immature body?**

This girl, still a child herself, will need to be cared for and loved. I'd recommend that they take a serious look at adoption. This is a terrible situation. Hard on the family. Hard on the girl. But, if you believe abortion is murder, then is murder for the sake of preventing major discomfort to a 12-year old justified? To refer to the worn out cliche, do "two wrongs make a right"?


**#4. How would you console the incest victim when she knows she is being stared at and talked about as her belly grows and people think she was promiscuous, instead of the victim of a heinous crime?**

People will talk. People will be stupid. People are "all too human." This girl would need constant reassuring and consolation. If you want me to admit that this is a horrific situation, then I admit it. Yes, it's very, very bad. But is abortion the right answer to the problem of "people talking about her"?


**#5. What do you tell the mother that in order for that wonderful being inside her to survive, she must die and leave it without its mother's love?**

Thank you. This is the first POSITIVE reference to the child you've made. The child is a "wonderful being." he's not just the "product of a rape related pregnancy" or the "reminder of a horrible event." He's a *child*. What do I tell the mother? I tell her that it's her life that's at risk, and so she must decide. My wife told me a few times that, if she were in that situation - her life or the baby's life - she would die to save the life of the baby. "You or I would die to save the lives of the children we have now," she told me, "so I'd also die for the unborn child we have." But that's my wife. I wouldn't fault a woman who, in the extreme moment of choosing to live or die, chose to live instead of her baby. How would I be thinking in such a situation? My decision can kill me. What will I do? It's a tough spot, and a person can't be expected to think clearly in such a situation.


**#6. How would the family explain to that child that its mother died so it could be born while it is harboring that guilt?**

How do you explain to the child whose mother or father pushed him out of the way of an oncoming car only to die in his place? I'd say, "Your mother loved you very much. She gave her life to keep you alive."


**#7. What do you tell the grieving husband and father after he has lost his wife and unborn child when it could have been prevented?**

I don't understand this question. If the loss of BOTH the wife AND unborn child could have been prevented, then it's an unnecessary tragedy - maybe even medical malpractice. I don't know what you're asking.


**#8. What about the children left behind who lost their mother?**

It's harder for a child who knew the parent before (s)he died than it is for a child whose parent died before or while he was born. Children are often forced to deal with the loss of a parent. It can be difficult, but the child can still have a happy, productive life.


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I am not a supporter of the death penalty. A good argument I heard is that, if someone is executed, and evidence turns up showing that person is innocent, then the damage is done and cannot be reversed. If that person is serving a life sentence instead, there will always be a chance that, if evidence is brought up showing him to be innocent, then that person will still have a chance to live his life. If innocent life is precious, then we shouldn't take the chance (isn't that why pro-lifers are opposed to abortion?).

Of course, the big question we must answer is, "Are we justified in executing criminals?" If we are, then why? It seems to me that, in the Bible, the only time capital punishment was justified was when God himself told the government system directly to do it. And then, there had to be SOLID proof that a crime deserving death was committed. Has God told us directly to execute our criminals? It's something to think about at least.

I will defend those Christians (like my brother-in-law) who supports the death penalty yet opposes abortion. The difference between the two is that abortion is the taking of an INNOCENT life, while capital punishment is executing the GUILTY. They make the distinction between the two. While I may disagree with their conclusion concerning GUILTY life (I'm not fully convinced either way), it's not hypocritical when they are pro-life yet pro-capital punishment.

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