QuestionDear Bill,
Thanks for being available for answering questions about pro-life views.
When do you believe human life begins?
Is it at the point of conception? If so, why? Physically speaking, a two-celled entity is obviously not a person. The closest one can come is to say that, left alone, it will probably become a human being [exactly whan is another issue]. But then you and I will definitely one day be corpses, and that doesn't mean that we're corpses now.
One person I asked about this gave two reasons: it has human DNA, and it has a soul. As to the first reason -- when the barber cuts my hair, what falls on the floor has human DNA. As to the second -- it's simply a matter of faith and is, to put it mildly, a conversation-stopper. I could just as easily say that I am actually a space alien, because I have a franistan, and only space aliens have franistans. Sorry, I can't show you my franistan -- it's a matter of faith. [I don't intend to make fun of anyone's belief. I simply intend to illustrate its implications.]
So, if you believe that human life begins at conception, what are your reasons? Or do you think human life begins sometime after conception, and if so, when, and what are your reasons for saying that?
Thanks, David
AnswerHuman life definitely begins at conception. Regardless of the maturity of the being, it is developing and growing from the start. Of course, different characteristics are evident at different stages. I'm hesitant to use the word "stages", because it is really just an ongoing developmental process, but that is the common vernacular.
It is best looked at as an intricate developing process. Life exists and is maturing even when in the womb. I think it unfair if someone tries to pinpoint a date such as "3 months", "6 months", or "9 months" of being in the womb and stating that the time period matters. My belief is that a life is killed if abortion occurs anytime during the pregnancy.
Thank you.
