There is a big difference between...

[Rhizomorph13]

I am pro-choice too but hate that abortions are needed. The best way to describe my opinion would be that abortion should be legal and rare.

I think that it is possible to receive nutrients without killing however...

I've combined my genes with milkweed so my skincells have chloroplasts. I now subsist off energy gathered by the sun. ha ha wouldn't that be awesome!

Rhizo

[Violet]

Well... you wouldn't be very energetic... But you might find a way to do it.

[Eilonnwy]

I am pro-choice too but hate that abortions are needed. The best way to describe my opinion would be that abortion should be legal and rare.

I absolutely agree, which is why things like planned parenthood are so important.

[Meatball]

RE: debating in person

I've found that when debating your average Christian, it's easy to just ask them questions until they've talked into a contradiction or logical dead-end, and get frustrated. You just have to guide them them down a certain path with your questions.

[Retorth]

RE: debating in person

I've found that when debating your average Christian, it's easy to just ask them questions until they've talked into a contradiction or logical dead-end, and get frustrated. You just have to guide them them down a certain path with your questions.

It's easier said then done though. Some christians like Arcanus are very well-informed and can provide good responses lol

[Meatball]

That's true, but most Christians aren't, which was my point.

[dry land fish]

debating on a forum and face-to-face.

I have this friend who converted to christianity just last year and he is quite extreme about his faith. Last night we were hanging out and he started to get all philisophical on me.

I was SO tempted to challenge his faith there and then...but the thing is, I am terrible at verbal debates.

Care to share tips on verbal debating? How should one start and respond..etc..

I wouldn't debate. That can cause friends to become enemies. I'd just tell them that I'd rather not hear his talk about Christianity because it's boring and being an Atheist you can't contribute anything to the discussion. If you think you can change them by debating you will be disappointed. Basically it will be a waste of time.

---

I understand pro-lifers. I used to be one. I am personally pro-life. I don't think I would ever get an abortion, but I have decided not to impose my morality on others. I don't agree with people who abort because it's inconvenient, unfortunately there is a greater problem when it is banned, such as back alley abortions and the need to abort to save the mother. For that I am pro-choice. It is undeniable that when you have conceived a child you have what will become a baby. To deny you are killing it is ridiculous.

I'm surprised. I figured most Atheists would be pro choice because most pro lifers use God as a reason they are against it. I'm pro choice and I'm pretty hard core about it. The way I see it is that it's best for a mother to abort a baby she can't afford or doesn't want. Women who have babies they can't afford end up costing taxpayers a lot of money. I support using federal money for free abortions to women who are drug addicts or in current states of poverty. Paying for one abortion is cheaper on the taxpayers than paying for eighteen years of medical bills, food, clothing, and education. Plus...as a woman...I dare anyone to tell me I can't abort a fetus if I wanted to. Not that I ever will..but still...I like that freedom.

[Eilonnwy]

I'm surprised. I figured most Atheists would be pro choice because most pro lifers use God as a reason they are against it. I'm pro choice and I'm pretty hard core about it. The way I see it is that it's best for a mother to abort a baby she can't afford or doesn't want. Women who have babies they can't afford end up costing taxpayers a lot of money. I support using federal money for free abortions to women who are drug addicts or in current states of poverty. Paying for one abortion is cheaper on the taxpayers than paying for eighteen years of medical bills, food, clothing, and education. Plus...as a woman...I dare anyone to tell me I can't abort a fetus if I wanted to. Not that I ever will..but still...I like that freedom.

See I don't think it's so easy as to say a child is inconvenient, therefore let's flush it away. To say less fortunate people should abort because it costs less is a very heartless road to take. Abortion is far more complicated than that. Someone very dear to me has had two abortions and it's something that bothers her to this day. It is not an easy decision, and it is killing a potential life. I agree that people less fortunate should avoid having more children but in a different way. They should be educated with social programs to help them make smarter decisions and prevent unwanted pregnancies. Using contraceptives is far better than aborting a fetus when it's convenient for everyone concerned.

This is something that I've wrestled with for a long time, but in the end I do come down on the side of the woman and I am pro-choice, but I am against abortion. It's a personal choice for each woman, just as I would exercise my right to choose life, I will always support another woman's right not to. There's not an easy answer, and as Rhiz said, it's a necessary evil and should be legal, but we need to focus our efforts on making sure there are as few abortions as possible.

[Violet]

Heartless? You are raising that child at near the poverty level... their life has a high chance of being an unhappy one, unless they get very lucky... and few people win the lottery. I'd say it is very selfish of the mother to not realize this.

Oh, and every egg one loses in the process of menstruation is also potential life. Every animal and plant you eat WAS life, and probably could have born more life (therefore potential life). You start you origin point too late by far... the origin is with the seed, not with the impregnation of the seed.

Life and death are saddening... but it is those who are alive that concern my life... not those who could be alive right now had circumstances been different. You call it potential life... But almost is still missing.

[fr0d0]

Heartless yes. Who is anyone to judge that just because you aren't rich you can't have children? That just disgusts me. Wealthy people abandon their children to childcare so their kids are raised loveless. Quality of life isn't about money.