Thread: Abortion: split from stem cell research

Originally Posted by billyjeff2

If you're pro-life and believe that human life begins at the moment of conception; and that abortion is literally the murder of a human being, then would you support and want to see the death penalty applied to any woman who has an abortion, and well as all the medical personnel involved in the procedure? And would any laypersons who counseled the woman to have an abortion and lent any type of assistance in facilitating its performance (for example, driving the woman to the abortion clinic knowing the abortion will be performed) be subject to, if not murder charges, lesser charges such as manslaughter or aiding in the commission of a crime?
If your answer is "no", why not, if abortion is literally the murder of a human being?

Your argument is flawed, as it assumes that the death penalty should be applied.

If it is murder, then yes, murder charges should be applied. That doesn't necessitate that the death penalty be applied though.

Originally Posted by Seraphim

Your argument is flawed, as it assumes that the death penalty should be applied.

If it is murder, then yes, murder charges should be applied. That doesn't necessitate that the death penalty be applied though.

I agree with your point. Murder does not always implicate the death penalty. However, whether the punishment be death or life in prison, my point remains--if abortion is truly the murder of another human being, then how does the pro life movement avoid the logical conclusion that the mother and those involved in the performance of an abortion of murderers, no different than if they had conspired to kill any other innocent human being?

Originally Posted by billyjeff2

if abortion is truly the murder of another human being

How can it be proved that it is murder if every party involved claims ignorance of the individual humanity of the unborn that was aborted?

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

How can it be proved that it is murder if every party involved claims ignorance of the individual humanity of the unborn that was aborted?

this is the essential point. it's life, and it's horrific to kill it on the theory it might not be human, but that doesn't mean the nuances aren't captured in how you view the act of abortion.

I must say that upon personal experience of seeing the heartbeat of my first child via ultrasound at only 6 weeks of gestation absolutely blew me away!

Originally Posted by billyjeff2

I agree with your point. Murder does not always implicate the death penalty. However, whether the punishment be death or life in prison, my point remains--if abortion is truly the murder of another human being, then how does the pro life movement avoid the logical conclusion that the mother and those involved in the performance of an abortion of murderers, no different than if they had conspired to kill any other innocent human being?

I don't see what the issue is, other than the fact that currently it is not legally defined as murder, so charges cannot be brought.

If it was legally defined as murder, then yes, I agree that all involved should be charged as such.

Why is that illogical?