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" Well, I'm an atheist and I recognize that ultimately human life has no intrinsic value beyond that of a rock. However, to other humans -- myself included -- human life does have value beyond that of a rock."

You totally lost me there.

In what way have I lost you?

I don't believe that there is some "Greater Power" that assigns "value" to objects in the universe such that humans are somehow "superior" to rocks in the eyes of some imaginary greater being. I do believe that humans, as a whole, tend to value human life over rocks, and they behave accordingly.

Of course, I'm probably persona non grata around here anyway because I don't believe that human life begins exactly when the sperm fertilizes the egg -- I believe that it begins once there is actual brain activity (though because I can't say when, for certain, there is brain activity, I believe that the unborn should be protected from the earliest there could possibly be any neural activity).

Thank you for your clarification. I understand what you are saying now. (We have been in discussions in the past, and I seem to recall misunderstanding you every time. LOL Maybe I'm trying too hard. Sorry about that).

I appreciate your pro-life point of view and respect the intelligent posts I’ve seen you make (although I can’t say I’ve agreed with you most of the time). :)

I don't believe that there is some "Greater Power" that assigns "value" to objects in the universe such that humans are somehow "superior" to rocks in the eyes of some imaginary greater being. I do believe that humans, as a whole, tend to value human life over rocks, and they behave accordingly.

And now for a great big AUUUGGGHHHH!!!!!. I'm sorry but I just don't get it, being an atheist and all. I really don't. I don't get it. I can't, I can't, I can't. I try to put myself in other’s shoes to feel what they feel and this is probably the only thing in life I just cannot comprehend or even fathom.

What have you got to lose by believing in God? It's so easy really. Can't you just try for 24 hours? Just give it a try and see what happens. I just absolutely cannot believe for one minute there ISN'T a "greater power" in the universe assigning a value of human superiority (over rocks and tadpoles).

UGH!!!!!! I'm sorry but I can't continue this discussion without getting off topic of this beautiful picture thread. You are welcome to freepmail me if you care to do so. Maybe if you would explain to me privately why you don’t believe there is a God, perhaps there is a chance I could come to understand your point of view better. I would like to understand

BTW, God is NOT imaginary. Just because you don’t believe he is here, doesn’t mean he isn’t.

The nervous system of the is fully functioning at 7wks.LMP. It has been proven that the cerebral cortex need not be fully functioning since the thalamus is receptive to feeling, pain, and responding to life in utero.

It has been shown in studies that electrical impulses from the brain begin by the 43rd day of pregnancy. BTW I once knew a man who claimed to be an atheist. He said that the only thing he believed in was logic. Do you feel the same way?

That is exactly what I believe! I contend that women may have abortions before 5 weeks because there is no brain formation and therefore no capacity for a soul.

My take on abortion is this:

1) Asolutely NO late term.

2) Anything before late term is legal, only from a pragmatist reality that we will never get what we want with a populace brainwashed by poor public schools and deceptive media.

3) Women who get an abortion must "endure" having the ultrasound screen in plain sight. They may choose not to look, but the option must be there.

4) Abortions are not anonymous; both the men and women involved must wear a sort of "scarlet letter" indicating they've recently condoned an abortion. This could be a temporary tatoo or clothing insignia.

5) Only a limited number of abortions per person. The penalty for this could possibly be sterilization.