Gallup Poll says majority of Americans identify as pro-life

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Again, that's a starting point for rational discussion.

This is why this is a very strange discourse.

[SWTXBelle]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

This is why this is a very strange discourse.

Strange? Eh. Maybe. But too often everything is painted in terms of black and white that leave no room for the grey areas - and that's where I want to start. Not "NO ABORTIONS EVER!", nor "ABORTIONS WHENEVER!" but at "This is the point beyond which we can agree to no abortion on demand." (If we introduce the whole life of the mother/rape/incest thing, we'll derail again). Having established a point of agreement, then it's easier (I would hope) to work on things like helping each group work towards eliminating much of the NEED for abortion - something I hope everyone would get behind and support.



eta - and I'm missing the humor in referencing the original point of the thread, and whether or not there is a de facto limitation of abortion access. Ha ha? I've also somehow missed what it is that a fetus/potential human can become other than a human.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

Strange? Eh. Maybe. But too often everything is painted in terms of black and white that leave no room for the grey areas - and that's where I want to start. Not "NO ABORTIONS EVER!", nor "ABORTIONS WHENEVER!" but at "This is the point beyond which we can agree to no abortion on demand." (If we introduce the whole life of the mother/rape/incest thing, we'll derail again). Having established a point of agreement, then it's easier (I would hope) to work on things like helping each group work towards eliminating much of the NEED for abortion - something I hope everyone would get behind and support.

This discussion is circular now.

While some people believe in a NEVER and a WHENEVER with no exceptions, most people realize that life is much more complex than that. ETA: Even if they won't admit it because they want to present themselves in a particular light.

Originally Posted by SWTXBelle

eta - and I'm missing the humor in referencing the original point of the thread, and whether or not there is a de facto limitation of abortion access. Ha ha? I've also somehow missed what it is that a fetus/potential human can become other than a human.

I find your attempts to direct the discussion funny.

Yeah, it wasn't fetus, but we discussed what happens if the embryo does not develop into a fetus. Is an embryo also a potential human? When does potential human begin?

Those are rhetoricals.

[SWTXBelle]

It's not recognizing my message, so here goes -

Originally Posted by DrPhil

This discussion is circular now.

While some people believe in a NEVER and a WHENEVER with no exceptions, most people realize that life is much more complex than that.
That was my point, which I've made several times, to no avail. YES of course it is - and that's why trying to paint me into a corner with NEVER, or assuming that those who consider themselves pro-choice are in another corner with WHENEVER is counter productive.



I find your attempts to direct the discussion funny. As the op, I felt I had a right to try and get back to something closer to the original purpose of the thread. I realize there is a certain irony to my doing so due to the fact that the derailing came about to a certain extent because I clarified and tried to defend my beliefs when asked and/or challenged. I certainly didn't intend to become the pro-life poster child. I responded because I hate the fact that often the two most extreme sides are the ones which get media attention, and that as someone who is "pro-life" but not an extremist I am sometimes the only one to explain why the many who think like I do have the opinions we do. Because I was once "pro-choice", I think I am more sympathetic to that whole belief system than some, and can recognize that they are usually not absolutists, but instead are on a spectrum of support for legal abortion. (A point I have tried but fear I have failed to make.)

But I'm glad to have amused you.

Yeah, it wasn't fetus, but we discussed what happens if the embryo does not develop into a fetus. Is an embryo also a potential human? When does potential human begin?

Those are rhetoricals.

eta - just saw your response, MC. Yes, you have - sorry not to have recognized that.
And KSig - "piling on" was used as a bit of hyperbole- see, I need that tongue in cheek smiley again!