I Respect Life

Many people know I sent out a statement last year about abortion, including my personal experience with it in the past. One of the main points I wanted to make was that life is valuable and should be respected at every stage--not just in infancy. It's easy to coo over small babies. And I've noticed it's often men, and women who can't have children, who are the most opposed to abortion! What about thousands and even millions of people and children who are suffering in many parts of the world? Who cares for them? Who is calling for their rights? There are individuals and agencies who do what they can but the needs are very great! *** People like to think about childbirth and babies--they represent life! But is it the whole picture??? *** In Canada, to the best of my knowledge, abortion is generally legal only in the first trimester of pregnancy. At that time, there isn't much hope of carrying on without the mother's body for growth--not so far--and I'm not sure it would be desirable to try!? On TV recently, I saw a picture of a mother's womb during the first trimester. The embryo must have been near the end of the trimester and was clearly developing into a human form. So, that would have been close to 12 weeks? What I studied earlier was that at 4 weeks, an embryo is the size of a grain of rice. And it doesn't usually take much longer than 4 weeks to learn a woman is pregnant--not if she's keeping track of her monthly cycle!? Regardless, I've read that tree seeds--like acorns--contain the shape of a mature tree within them. Is that correct? The shape of a seed doesn't really matter, except that it may reveal what the full form will look like--if and when it has a chance to grow to maturity under the right conditions!? *** Is it possible God has allowed for a small window of time for a woman or couple to change their mind about pregnancy, if they didn't intend to become pregnant? There are still risks, yes. And it's not a step to be taken lightly, in my opinion. The opinions and influence of others also need to be considered.--They may have an effect. Some people want to approve of abortion only if there are serious consequences to the health of the mother or child which might come up as a result of the pregnancy. I feel those concerns applied in my case, however I would also want to look past the nine months of pregnancy and the event of childbirth itself. My views and opinions are quite strong on this subject and I'll certainly stand by them. Will write some more separately.