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Edited on Mon Jun-12-06 08:21 AM by usregimechange
Written for conservatives:
When life begins, when human life becomes a person, or when human life is developed enough to warrant the protection of the State are all questions that have long been viewed as religious and philosophical. Some conservatives attempt to frame pro-choice positions as a combination of selfishness and irresponsibility but the fact of the matter is that they are derived primarily from social libertarianism, the belief that the people and not the government ought to be the ones making religious and philosophical determinations.
Abortion presents not just religious/philosophical questions, but scientific ones as well. But, we can not even agree on the most relevant question (or how to ask it). Is the central question one of fetal viability, brain development, or the presence of fertilization? Are gametes prior to fertilization living?
If you want to understand and not demonize pro-choice positions (like right before an election), understand that liberals have a strong moral conviction that questions that require such a significant component of philosophy or religiosity, are questions for people, not big government.
Liberals are generally resistant to forcing religious views down the throats of others. Although conservatives typically do not apply the principle of religious humility to this subject, it is worth considering. Judging others is necessary for a civilized society but we can guard against its excessive use by dropping it, when we find that it is motivated by religious arrogance and political conquest.
By Seth Jackson
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