What makes abortion so different from murder?

imacatholic2

2016-02-20 11:30:08 UTC

Morally? Nothing.

Legally? The law.

Science tells us that human life begins at conception when a completely separate life form with unique DNA comes into existence. Here are a few peer-reviewed scientific citations:

“Human life begins at fertilization, the process during which a male gamete or sperm unites with a female gamete or oocyte (ovum) to form a single cell called a zygote. This highly specialized, totipotent cell marked the beginning of each of us as a unique individual.” (Keith L Moore, The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology, 7th ed, Saunders, 2003, p 16.)

“Fertilization is the process by which male and female haploid gametes (sperm and egg) unite to produce a genetically distinct individual.” (Signorelli et al., Kinases, phosphatases and proteases during sperm capacitation, Cell Tissue Res. 349(3):765, Mar 20, 2012)

“Although life is a continuous process, fertilization (which, incidentally, is not a ‘moment’) is a critical landmark because, under ordinary circumstances, a new, genetically distinct human organism is formed when the chromosomes of the male and female pronuclei blend in the oocyte” (Ronan O’Rahilly and Fabiola Mueller, Human Embryology and Teratology, 3rd ed, John Wiley & Sons, 2000, p 8).The U.S. Declaration of Independence states: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

Pro-Lifers (including Catholic Christians) accept both this scientific definition of human life and that human rights are granted to us at our creation as described in the Declaration of Independence.

Catholics believe that from the conception until natural death, each human being is endowed by God with dignity and rights. Therefore abortion is viewed as the murder of an innocent and defenseless human being.

You shall not kill. (Exodus 20:13; cf. Deuteronomy 5:17)

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you. (Jeremiah 1:5; cf. Job 10:8-12; Psalms 22:10-11)

My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately wrought in the depths of the earth. (Psalms 139:15)

Early Church writings: You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish. (Didache 2, 2: SCh 248, 148; cf. Ep. Barnabae 19, 5: PG 2, 777; Ad Diognetum 5, 6: PG 2, 1173; Tertullian, Apol. 9: PL 1, 319-320)

And finally:

"A person's a person, no matter how small!" -- Dr. Seuss, "Horton Hears a Who"

For more information, see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sections 2270 and following.

http://www.personhoodusa.com/

http://liveaction.org/

With love in Christ.

anonymous

2016-02-20 11:44:31 UTC

Many abortions are conducted, because, the expectant mother has decided it would be an inconvenience to become a parent. However, many women who have had these procedures end up being filled with regret and ultimately, guilt, at what they have done.

Then, there are some women who have been coerced into having an abortion, by an overbearing and bullying partner. In addition, a pregnancy would cause a scandal in a family, because, the expectant mother is perhaps a child herself, or, the pregnancy is the result of extramarital activities.

But, and here is the "but"; there are pregnancies caused by some women who have been raped. Now, it is perfectly understandable for the victim of rape to want an abortion. Yes, it is true, that it is not the child's fault. But, the decision of whether, or not an abortion should take place, should be purely down to the mother, who lets not forget, is a victim of a terrible crime.

Some women abort their baby, because, a scan has found an abnormality, such as, Down's Syndrome, or, perhaps even something more serious. However, it should be noted, that "Down's" children are known as the most loving and caring of people, and have gone on to have happy and fulfilling lives.

Then, there is the unfortunate mother who is told, that going ahead with the pregnancy will cause serious damage and, or, death.

But, here is another "but".

It is not for you, or anyone else to decide what must, or must not happen. You are of course entitled to your opinion. BUT...it's not up to, as you may not know what the circumstances are.

Is abortion murder? Yes. But, sometimes it is a resounding no.

Concern yourself with your own life...Judge not, lest you be...blah, blah, blah

Merritt

2016-02-21 01:28:48 UTC

I hate to break it to you, but it's just not that simple.

I think a better question is; Why do so many "Pro-Life" people care so much for an unborn fetus than they do about the tens of millions of children alive today, in this nation alone, that are being beaten, sexually abused, neglected, thrown away or go hungry every day?

These organizations spend millions of dollars annually on protests, mailings, etc., yet there is an massive lack of funds and services to aid the living children that really DO need help. State and Federal social service programs are incredibly underfunded and understaffed. Police task forces are in the same situation. Local organizations depend almost entirely on volunteers, primarily non-denominational. Although there are some excellent Faith Based organizations that do a lot of good, they are also underfunded and understaffed.

The fact is, Abortion is a legal medical procedure in this country. The latest trend of restricting abortions is nothing less than political. Sorry, but it has nothing to do with the "sanctity of life" or any other reasoning politicians come up with. Polictians and lawmakers continue to create new laws restricting abortion, not for the unborn child, but for the voters so they can stay in office. Now you have to remember that this is a matter of LAW, not religion. It can also be argued that these new variations on the laws are nothing shy of attempting to restrict women's rights. But that's another topic. However, no matter what the specific reason, the basis of these laws is founded in religious beliefs. Now, when you begin writing laws specifically around a particular religious belief instead of creating them based on the needs of society, then you end up with something akin to what the certain individuals claim is the latest threat to American. Sharia Law. Is this making sense to you?

Even if abortion was outlawed in all but extreme cases, it wouldn't end abortion. Pot's illegal in most states, but I can make a phone call and get an ounce pretty cheap. What would happen is an increase in illegal abortions and the ensuing increase in women's deaths. Like so many other "back alley" or "strip mall" procedures such as the numerous ill equipped and poorly educated "plastic surgeons" in every major city, there will be an increase in "doctors" willing to perform abortions on the cheap. They will prey on minorities and the poor and more women will die because they cannot get what was previously a safe, legal abortion.

Back to your question ... Do you REALLY believe that the abortion of a 3 month fetus is the same as, say, a 20 year old girl being murdered during a robbery? I would like to hear our definition of murder first, however. If you DO believe that the above example is identical, then I might suggest some serious thought about the matter, especially about how you value human life in general. But, that is merely my opinion.

?

2016-02-20 12:33:37 UTC

What makes abortion so different from murder?

- Murder is killing with out official sanction. the bible condones massive killing and abortion.

Abortion is really no different from murder; both involve the unjust deliberate taking of a life.

- The operative word is "unjust' that is determined far differently than your ignorant opinion.

The only difference between the two is whether the person is in or outside of the womb.

- And you prove the "ignorant" part.

So why do people not only legalize but rationalize abortion

- Because 90% of the abortions are for fundies and their pregnant teens and they are not about to do away with it.

trying so hard to make it as if it's completely different from murder?

- Fundies need to hide the fact that their views on sex do not work.

Why convict a mother who decides to kill her own born child in cold-blood,

- That is a good one, the biblical view is that since god made us he can torture and kill us all he wants, but people with intelligence don't seem to share that view. Fundies think it is acceptable though.

That is hypocritical, two-face and cold-blooded.It is also pure evil

- YES, ABSOLUTELY YES, and typical of fundie-ism.

Life begins at conception, because if it didn't, the baby would've been stillborn and NO humans would be here alive today.

- And who kills 1000 times more "fetuses" than man - god does.

A miscarriage happens accidentally. It just happens.

- No, that is "intelligent design".

king_davis13

2016-02-20 11:49:50 UTC

The error in this line of thinking is the claim that life begins at conception. This logic leads to the idea that condoms and masturbation are murder because it could have fertilized an egg. In keeping with this ideology a young boy having a "wet" dream during the night would be considered a murderer because he expelled sperm that had no chance of reaching an egg. There are a whole lot of other problems that come with this backwards belief system and I would rather support the scientifically credible side rather than ignore all of the facts and reasons to maintain a personal belief. Hope this helps.

BJ

2016-02-20 20:54:21 UTC

Does God view matters any differently if the baby was the product of rape or incestuous relations? Though the act against the mother was criminal, the baby is not to blame.

Terminating its life would only counter one act of violence with another. Certainly Godf realizes the emotional trauma such victims experience and can help mother and child to cope with the aftermath in a balanced way.

Even the life of the unborn is precious in God’s eyes. In ancient Israel, if someone harmed a pregnant woman and either she or her baby died as a result, God considered the guilty party a manslayer, and he had to pay “life for life.” Exodus 21:22, 23.

Imagine, then, how God must feel when he sees countless unborn babies deliberately aborted each year.

Life is sacred to God, and he views even an embryo as a distinct, living being. (Psalm 139:16) God stated that a person would be called to account for injuring an unborn child.

So, in his eyes, killing an unborn child is murder.

choko_canyon

2016-02-20 12:26:22 UTC

LIFE might begin at conception, but HUMAN life doesn't necessarily, and it's human life you're referring to, isn't it. What is a human? When does a piece of living fetal tissue qualify? HOW does it qualify? Why do YOU feel that human life is more worthy of living than any other kind? Is it possibly because you're human, so you just naturally empathize with humans and not with other forms of life? Is it murder when you kill another living creature, or is it murder ONLY if a human is involved? Because if that's your definition of murder, you have to establish that a fragment of living fetal tissue is a human being. Many folks don't think it is, and THAT'S why abortion doesn't necessarily = murder.

Gomakawitnessofjesus

2016-02-20 11:52:00 UTC

if life is only found in the birth of a baby, then maybe there is no difference. but God did say those who kill a baby in the womb should be put to death. however there are three exceptions, and ive been told they should be rare. thats the life of the mother, and rape and incest. and if there are exceptions as the truth of jesus. then by reason these things are not murder and therefore not all abortion is murder

?

2016-02-20 11:24:42 UTC

What makes an abortion so different from a miscarriage, which happen all the time? Are those 'acts of God" murder? Are you calling God a murderer? See you in hell!

?

2016-02-20 11:25:25 UTC

There is no difference. Taking a life, is taking a life. I only believe in one exception which is a rare one but does exist and that is the pregnancy is a threat to the mothers life. A mother who has an established life, responsibilities, dependants etc whose life is in serious medical danger by continuing the pregnancy in these circumstances alone, I think it is distressing and extremely devastating for the mother. Not something she wants to do, but has to do to save her own life so her other children still have a mother. In this instance alone abortion being the only solution to save her life is permissible and understandable. All other reasons are inexcusable.

?

2016-02-20 12:24:46 UTC

I'll make this as simple as possible for you.

MURDER is a LEGAL term.

You don't get to apply your emotions to it.

Your fetal worship is not needed.

First of all, it only applies to people.

A fetus is not a person.

It has no rights.

Something without bodily autonomy; as in the ability to survive without using the body, fluids, and organs of another person; can not be a person. Something that is literally living inside of a person can not have rights.

Its rights will come into conflict with that born person.

One of those human rights is bodily integrity. A right closely tied to freedom from slavery.

Bodily integrity states that no person has a right to use another person's body, organs, or fluids without consent.

In short, the Red Cross (nor any doctor, organization or government) can't force you to give blood to save lives.

The Red Cross (Nor anyone else) can't toss you into prison for murder because you didn't give blood to save lives.

This goes so far as a corpse.

If someone dies, but they didn't volunteer to give organs, then no one can take their organs and use them to save another person.

A fetus isn't a person. So none of this even matters. The simple fact is that if the person who is pregnant doesn't want it there, then it can't be there.

Two, you can legally kill people and it not be murder.

Self defense for instance.

If someone were to brake into your home and attack you and your family, and you were to kill them in defending yourself and your family. It wouldn't be murder.

If you were to go through a doctor and legally talk it out, you can take a loved one who is in a vegetable like state with no chance of recovery off of a life support machine. It wouldn't be murder.

Our government can legally send trained soldiers to other countries to shoot and kill people. They can do this knowing those people, the citizens of their country, will be shot at and likely killed too. It's not murder.

Abortion is legal. It is authorized.

Three: Premeditated.

You can make an argument for this, but it really doesn't hold.

No one really gets pregnant just to experience an abortion. People don't get an abortion to punish a fetus.

Four:

There's this amazing right called bodily integrity.

This right is tightly entwined with freedom from slavery.

The short of it is that NO person has a right to use the body, organs, or fluids of another person.

For instance. Imagine Person A has a matching blood type to Person B, and is the only one around who can save them.

Person A refuses, as is their right.

No one can do anything. No doctor or government can force Person A to give blood. They have to keep looking.

Person B dies.

Still, no one can do anything. Person A can not be held accountable for murder. Person A can't be tossed into prison.

This doesn't stop here though.

Now let's say Person B never signed up to have their organs harvested.

Yet Person C needs a new heart, and Person B just happens to be a match.

Well, too bad. No doctor, or organization, or government can take Person B's heart. Because even as a corpse bodily integrity continues.

To argue that abortion is murder is to argue that a person who is pregnant has fewer rights than a corpse.

It is also to argue that a fetus has rights no born person has. A right to own a person's body, to use a person's body without their consent.

It is also to argue that the ideals and religious views of strangers are to dictate and even trample the rights of people. Our constitution already makes it clear that religion has no place in state, and that religion has no place dictating the medicine of other people.

5.) UN has already declared denying people an abortion is torture.

Yeah, so let that one settle for a bit.

6.) Life is ongoing.

A fetus doesn't just magically poof into being alive when the sperm and egg meet, or when they fuse to the uterus, or after they've divided a few dozen times.

That sperm cell was alive. It had a sense of smell.

Are you going to stop men from masturbating?

I highly doubt it. You'll come up with some excuse as to why a fetus at 12 weeks is much more valuable than a sperm.

7.) Finally, abortion is hardly unjust.

People have reasons as to why they abort.

Top concerns usually involves the child that would come from the pregnancy and even the children they already have.

Even those who don't, not wanting to carry a pregnancy is enough of a reason to seek an abortion. It's far more just than the selfish, irresponsible, and just plain hateful reasons pro-lifers give to why a person should keep a pregnancy.

ANONYMOUSLY

2016-02-20 12:10:22 UTC

Abortion is a mortal sin. Mortal sins can also be referred to as a grave sins, grave matter, or serious sins. Those who die in mortal sin go to Hell, there is not some middle place between Earth and Judgment where you can be baptized or learn the Catholic faith as some assert.

There are many mortal sins including viewing pornography and using contraception and many others. For a mortal sin to be contracted there are three requirements.

Grave matter

Full knowledge

Deliberate consent

Full knowledge means that you knew you were taking the action. For example there is a man who surreptitiously mixed an abortion pill into his girlfriend's drink. Because she did not have full knowledge, she did not contract a mortal sin. Some people incorrectly redefine "full knowledge" to be "full knowledge of how much God would be offended" or "full knowledge that the Catholic Church considers this action a mortal sin" thereby making the requirements impossible to meet or making it a disservice to teach someone the Faith.

To get absolution for a mortal sin the options are 1) Baptism 2) Confession 3) Perfect Contrition

1) In the case of Baptism which can only be performed once, the sin is fully forgiven and you do not have to suffer in purgatory for it.

2) Confession. To get absolution one must be Catholic, go to a validly ordained priest (should be a Catholic priest, but in the danger of death the Orthodox is acceptable), one must have the firm commitment that they will not commit the offense again, or else the confession is invalid. Even if are forgiven of a mortal sin you might suffer in the fires of purgatory for it, unless your actions merit its avoidance.

St. Theresa of Avila said that the Majority of Catholic are damned because of bad confessions.

3) Perfect Contrition. For a valid confession one must only fear Hell, but it is possible for one to be absolved via "perfect contrition" which is motivated instead by love for God

anonymous

2016-02-21 06:51:42 UTC

BECAUSE YOU STUPID MAN A FOTEUS,is not a fully formed human being,totally independent on itself in regard to breathing,and of course not having been born into our world,ABORTION in the future will have to be COMPULSORY BY LAW,damadged or deformed foteus will be aborted by law by gynocologist without telling the mother,the state cannot afford the expense of a limited life force that is in constant pain 24/7,and needs expensive medical treatment for a minimum period of time,ok.

anonymous

2016-02-20 12:11:07 UTC

Life begins at conception. Abortion is murder and is seriously wrong.

jpopelish

2016-02-20 11:51:48 UTC

Is a single human cell a human person?

What about two human cells, attached to each other?

What about four or eight or sixteen or thirty two?

At what count of human cells

does a cluster of human cells

become a human person.

If you say one,

then you are guilty of murder.

Every time you brush your teeth,

you scrape off and flush

hundreds of human cells.

We now have the ability

to protect any of those cells

you brush off your gums, tongue or cheeks

and grow each of them

into a full grown human person.

If it takes more than one human cell

to make a human person, how many is it?

Might there be some legitimate

difference of opinion

about what that minimum number

of human cells is

that constitutes a person?

--

Regards,

John Popelish

Moi

2016-02-20 11:29:18 UTC

Nothing. It is a pre-meditated and cold-blooded taking of innocent human life. Thats the definition of murder. God will avenge his little ones.

Judge Scalia is getting his judgment from the Lord right now. He is the Judge of all judges.

Pro 6:16 ¶ These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

Pro 6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, >>>>and hands that shed innocent blood<<<<,

Pro 6:18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

Pro 6:19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

cymry3jones

2016-02-20 11:35:15 UTC

Referring to the zika virus, Pope Francis said that contraception was preferable to abortion. This guy speaks a lot of sense! Maybe more people should listen to him .

And no, I'm not a Roman Catholic.

Brother Jonathan

2016-02-20 11:26:08 UTC

Jay Sekulow and others, who are proudly pro-life, call this the "abortion distortion". If Planned Parenthood actually told a pregnant mother, "We're going to kill your unborn child," few would stay for the procedure. Just look at the videos from last year when PP officials were negotiating the sale of baby parts and so forth. Better yet, try to find the video "Silent Scream," taken during an actual abortion procedure. It should make anyone think.

Hence, there is no difference. One takes place outside the womb, the other inside.

brother trucker

2016-02-20 14:15:49 UTC

Oh its murder alright. The only time abortion is feasible is when the mothers life is at risk like it used to be.

?

2016-02-20 11:44:03 UTC

Abortion is murder.🙃The world is on its head

Caesar

2016-02-20 11:26:59 UTC

The same thing that make denying medical service because you are not insurance or got no money, the same thing that allow faith healing that is widely practiced by Christian Scientists, Pentecostalists, members of the Church of the First Born, the Followers of Christ, and myriad smaller sects. Many of these believers reject all medical treatment in favor of prayer, anointing with oils, and sometimes exorcisms. Some even deny the reality of illness. When they reject medical treatment for their children, they are guilty of negligence and homicide, religious shield laws have protected them from prosecution... there is your answer the laws we made not some opinion or any of the thousand gods available...

anonymous

2016-02-20 12:21:07 UTC

they are now doing after birth abortions, to make it legal they turn the baby around allowing the legs to come first and once the nape of the neck appears they use scissors or scalpel and stab the baby to death , once the head appears it is then classed as a human baby , this is why they turn the baby . shocking you must all agree

G C

2016-02-20 11:31:29 UTC

It IS murder, just because it is legal does not make it lawful. That is the key. Law has to be what is right, otherwise it perverts our sense of justice and morals.

?

2016-02-20 11:42:01 UTC

I agree that it is no different than murder. The poster imacatholic2 has a very good answer if not best answer.

laidawestbrook2

2016-02-21 06:30:15 UTC

Nothing. Exodus 21:22-25 New World Translation

22 “If men should struggle with each other and they hurt a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely* but no fatality* results, the offender must pay the damages imposed on him by the husband of the woman; and he must pay it through the judges. 23 But if a fatality does occur, then you must give life for life,* 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, blow for blow.

?

2016-02-20 11:47:28 UTC

It's not but the difference is that the fetus is not concious and doesn't feel pain in the first moments of existing.

PaulCyp

2016-02-20 11:36:44 UTC

What do you mean "different"? Murder is the intention, premeditated killing of another human being.

?

2016-02-20 12:55:57 UTC

No difference .

catbalou8

2016-02-20 11:29:22 UTC

The big difference is a fetus is not a person. And to all the men who are commenting on this...until you grow a uterus, you should have no opinion on this subject.

?

2016-02-20 11:30:23 UTC

One and the same. Except People suffer from the Delusion that it's legal because their Government say's so....... !!

anonymous

2016-02-20 11:21:19 UTC

What makes it different?

The say-so of pro-choicers.

anonymous

2016-02-20 11:20:52 UTC

I'll let the Supreme court explain it to you.