The Human reproductive process is a continuum. That is; a live female person furnishes a live egg, and a live male person, fertilizes, with live sperm, the aforementioned egg.
Thus, conception is a live human process. Ergo, it really doesn't "begin" at a later time as the zygote is alive and hopefully well, from the moment it is created.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_fertilization
As every tenth grade biology student understands, the individual receives it’s genetic makeup - the blueprint that makes it a unique human being - at conception - that’s when life begins - just because it doesn’t yet look like a “real” person makes it no less a human being than does the fact that it will look differnt at the age of one from what it does at ninety - and that it needs assistance in sustaining life on its own makes it no less human than does the fact that it needs help in surviving at one year of age, and will probably need it at ninety........
We can sit and argue all day with these people about when life does or does not begin. I agree that not everyone of them are religious and disregard what ever the Bible has to say on the subject of abortion for reasons of hatred towards Christians/Religion in general. However science tells us that if what ever is inside the woman has a heart beat and brain waves then that is a life. This is true at 12 weeks of pregnancy. The same 12 weeks or after that a fetus is aborted.
Thanks to most of you for your responses. I’ve written my piece and used a lot of what you all offered (you can read it at amandakmelson@wordpress.com if you want). I especially loved the TED Talk video.
One or two of you said I was buying into the pro-abortion premise, either by asking questions or writing the piece (I can’t remember which). I couldn’t disagree with you more. It is absolutely imperative that we know what the left is saying in order that we give informed, measured, rational and logical answers. I also believe that when we conservatives answer, we must speak the blunt truth. Specifically, we cannot afford to soften language as it relates to abortion. There are so many people who are pro-abortion because they have never truly considered what it is and what it does. They reach a certain point in their thinking and stop because to go further would lead to discomfort and conviction. It is our job to push them beyond that point and I believe that’s what I’ve done, and of course, what I will continue to do in my efforts to end abortion.
After I had written my piece, I came across this one, http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/we-know-they-are-killing-children-all-of-us-know?fb_action_ids=10200107704968046&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582, which is an absolute indictment of anyone who supports the right of women to abort their children. I hate to say it’s better written than mine, but I think that just might be the case!
Thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts with me and help me form my own thoughts and what I wanted to say. I can’t tell you what a blessing it is to have a group of conservatives with which to discuss issues and reaffirm and reinforce the things I believe. The number of voices out there who contradict my values and beliefs is overwhelming and sometimes depressing. It’s so refreshing to belong to a group that goes against the grain!