The "belief that life begins at conception" is patently false. Life begins long before that. In fact, the egg that eventually developed into you was alive and well in your mother's ovary months before she was born! Of course, conception was a crucial point in your long journey toward personhood. But I challenge anyone who claims to believe that a fertilized human egg is the moral equivalent of a baby to consider this: You are a mother of a newborn baby, and you are in the maternity ward. Your baby is in the newborn nursery down the corridor to the left. Down the corridor to the right is the IVF clinic where you have two frozen embryos. A fire breaks out and you have time to save your newborn baby or your two frozen embryos. Which will you choose? Now ask yourself this: How many frozen embryos would you have to save to justify abandoning your newborn baby, as the “moral” choice?
Many "believers" have been, and continue to be, bamboozled by their religious leaders about this moral question. But the simple act of considering the above ethical "dilemma" reveals the truth: When asked to act on their supposed "belief", no sane person actually believes that a fertilized human egg is the moral equivalent of a baby.
You should see the film God & Country to understand the charlatans running the people who are going along with this and supporting Treacherous-treasonous-tantruming-traitor-Trump, to understand why they buy into these policies. This is about their twisted interpretation of Christianity. Here is the trailer. https://youtu.be/c9Q7ITRLLU0?si=kfVOdvUAJiUdXico
It is frightening to see what a bubble these people are living in, but I know people who grew up like this. White Nationalist Evangelicals are unable to see the logic of what you are saying, although I love your burning hospital analogy. You should be up there in these churches talking to the people, but I suspect their pastors do not make money off of logic, because the film says they make their money off of fear. Scaring their congregations. Immigrants, economy, abortion, IVF, women's rights etc...
Thanks, I'll check it out. I am amazed how many Americans are so gullible to fall for these charlatans, including Trump. I suspect that the Venn diagram of those who "believe" that "life begins at conception" and those that don't "believe" in evolution, would show a very high degree of overlap... My hope is that enough Americans will become informed, before November, to prevent our Country from devolving into a theocratic dictatorship...
Although they claim to be Christians, these politicians and commentators want to control women and they don't want any tax dollars going to help anyone but those who are wealthy. Don't be surprised when they propose we go back to before the 1970s when women could not get a credit card in their own name, they couldn't borrow to own a car or a home on their own, and most married women were financially dependent on their husbands and/or fathers. This is misogyny.
The patriarchy of the Abrahamic religions consider women to be property. They want only male offspring but girls are useful to cement alliances. Oh, yes, men may have as many wives and concubines as they want, but a woman determined to be adulterous can be stoned to death. And people wonder why I’m an atheist.
I love Justin SG’s ethical dilemma story! That’s a really good one to keep in your pocket while talking to people. Many people just have never thought of these questions of self determination/personal autonomy and carried them to their logical conclusion. Now thanks to the christofascists we all HAVE to talk about these things because women are dying.
Soon everyone will know someone hurt by these laws. If we pose these ethical questions to our families and friends, most will be led logically to the correct conclusion. 😬 If we can keep them listening.
Justin’s story is like a Logics class. Thank you DrSG
You are welcome. I, of course, am not the first person to present this ethical dilemma. I merely adapted it so that anyone who can see themselves as a parent of a newborn, can also relate to this scenario. I hope that people will use it to clarify the issue in their own mind and to help others clarify their ethical thinking.
The "belief that life begins at conception" is patently false. Life begins long before that. In fact, the egg that eventually developed into you was alive and well in your mother's ovary months before she was born! Of course, conception was a crucial point in your long journey toward personhood. But I challenge anyone who claims to believe that a fertilized human egg is the moral equivalent of a baby to consider this: You are a mother of a newborn baby, and you are in the maternity ward. Your baby is in the newborn nursery down the corridor to the left. Down the corridor to the right is the IVF clinic where you have two frozen embryos. A fire breaks out and you have time to save your newborn baby or your two frozen embryos. Which will you choose? Now ask yourself this: How many frozen embryos would you have to save to justify abandoning your newborn baby, as the “moral” choice?
Many "believers" have been, and continue to be, bamboozled by their religious leaders about this moral question. But the simple act of considering the above ethical "dilemma" reveals the truth: When asked to act on their supposed "belief", no sane person actually believes that a fertilized human egg is the moral equivalent of a baby.
Sincerely,
Justin StormoGipson, MD
You should see the film God & Country to understand the charlatans running the people who are going along with this and supporting Treacherous-treasonous-tantruming-traitor-Trump, to understand why they buy into these policies. This is about their twisted interpretation of Christianity. Here is the trailer. https://youtu.be/c9Q7ITRLLU0?si=kfVOdvUAJiUdXico
The filmmakers Dan Partland and Rob Reiner are here discussing it. https://youtu.be/Q8QasbXXNZc?si=RtKR3LQqR5_kPmLd
It is frightening to see what a bubble these people are living in, but I know people who grew up like this. White Nationalist Evangelicals are unable to see the logic of what you are saying, although I love your burning hospital analogy. You should be up there in these churches talking to the people, but I suspect their pastors do not make money off of logic, because the film says they make their money off of fear. Scaring their congregations. Immigrants, economy, abortion, IVF, women's rights etc...
Thanks, I'll check it out. I am amazed how many Americans are so gullible to fall for these charlatans, including Trump. I suspect that the Venn diagram of those who "believe" that "life begins at conception" and those that don't "believe" in evolution, would show a very high degree of overlap... My hope is that enough Americans will become informed, before November, to prevent our Country from devolving into a theocratic dictatorship...
Well put. I hope so too!
Since Dobbs, D’s and women of all stripes have stood up. Vote in November!
The choice is starkly clear: Biden or Dictatorship
Although they claim to be Christians, these politicians and commentators want to control women and they don't want any tax dollars going to help anyone but those who are wealthy. Don't be surprised when they propose we go back to before the 1970s when women could not get a credit card in their own name, they couldn't borrow to own a car or a home on their own, and most married women were financially dependent on their husbands and/or fathers. This is misogyny.
The patriarchy of the Abrahamic religions consider women to be property. They want only male offspring but girls are useful to cement alliances. Oh, yes, men may have as many wives and concubines as they want, but a woman determined to be adulterous can be stoned to death. And people wonder why I’m an atheist.
Republicans. Rob from the poor and give to the rich, (who need more money like I need another hole in my head.)
There were connections you explained here that never occurred to me, which is one reason I love PN. #Roevember is coming.
I love Justin SG’s ethical dilemma story! That’s a really good one to keep in your pocket while talking to people. Many people just have never thought of these questions of self determination/personal autonomy and carried them to their logical conclusion. Now thanks to the christofascists we all HAVE to talk about these things because women are dying.
Soon everyone will know someone hurt by these laws. If we pose these ethical questions to our families and friends, most will be led logically to the correct conclusion. 😬 If we can keep them listening.
Justin’s story is like a Logics class. Thank you DrSG
You are welcome. I, of course, am not the first person to present this ethical dilemma. I merely adapted it so that anyone who can see themselves as a parent of a newborn, can also relate to this scenario. I hope that people will use it to clarify the issue in their own mind and to help others clarify their ethical thinking.