The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #22775   Message #249036
Posted By: Escamillo
29-Jun-00 - 05:40 AM
Thread Name: A Different Kind Of Death Chamber
Subject: RE: A Different Kind Of Death Chamber
This is a subject where any well intentioned opinion could hurt somebody, somewhere. I feel that we should remember that pro-lifers are not inquisitors and pro-decisioners are not baby killers. We are all humans in one of the most deep dylemmas of humankind, for that reason many of us simply rely in religion.
However I´ve seen something wrong in the general acceptance of birth as the beginning of life. A new born is different from a fetus only in the fact that he breathes (takes oxygen from air instead of receiveing it from his mother), uses his mouth to suck but is still fed by his mother, and is visible. S/he is as vulnerable, as unconscious, as avid of affection and protection at s/he was when inside the womb.
If we were like kangaroos, our babies would be visible, being fed at their mothers's "purses" and still be qualified as fetuses for some months. If we were like birds, we would consider our eggs as legitimate babies for some weeks. The fact that we are mammals and carry our litters inside our bodies does not define any clear line to draw.
Assuming that line is necessary for legal purposes, I think that it can't be drawn beyond birth, for many reasons (mainly child robbering), then it should be drawn some time before birth. I suggest to use the knowledge that differentiates us from animals. We do know when a fetus FEELS pain, anguish, fear, pleasure. This would be a good point to trace the line.
Many times the law interferes with our decisions. We can't use violence against our children, we can't decide to stop caring them and can't decide many things related to our lives and families AND properties. So if our law penalizes abortion beyond that line, then it is our responsibility to limit our decisions, or change the law.
And I mean OUR decisions considering man and woman, because we men do have our rights too, when we are a true companion and we are able fathers. I would accept a discussion with my wife concerning early abortion, but I would be the first to accuse her for murder if she exerts her "own decision" going to a PBA practicer. Or possibly I would not, but my life and the life of my other sons would have been destroyed.
I hope this contributes a bit and does not hurt anybody. Un abrazo - Andrés