Froglady,

Your post discusses a personal compromise with which I have been wrestling for the last few weeks. I think you're right. Life does begin at conception. But it also precedes it. Sperm is alive, isn't it. And so are eggs, right? So does that mean every time a woman has a period, she just murdered life because she failed to fertilize her egg? And if that's true of women, geez, that means I, along with about every other man, has partaken in mass murder of sperm.

I was raised as a fundamental Christian under the belief that "Life begins at Conception." The reason that's so important to Christians is they believe once an embryo is conceived, GOD gives it a spirit. That concept, I believe, is based on that Bible verse (maybe in Psalms or Song of Solomon) that says: "I knew you while you were still in the womb." My guess is God was using a figure of speech there. Regardless of the scripture's intent, I think I'm coming to agree with your stance: If you want an abortion, do it before the embryo has any pain receptors. I still believe in God--though some of his followers (those crazy McCain/Palin people) certainly challenge my faith. But I believe God is a macro-manager, not a micro-manager. It's hard for me to swallow the "spirit at conception" argument from a person who speaks in tongues, raises their holy hands and prays for God to fix their refrigerator. I just don't think God is that involved.

It's a delicate question, obviously. And I think my initial argument was strengthened over time simply out of survival: It was often the minority argument in any setting--except, of course, church. Anyway, thanks for reading my entire post. It was long, I know. Who knows, maybe even the abortion issue has some common ground. Wouldn't that be relieving.