I was convinced beyond a moral doubt: Life begins at conception. But my conviction was more instinctual than cerebral.
Then I began to think. I could be wrong. There are simple answers to most complex questions about life, but they are often wrong. Moreover, who crowned me with the authority to decide for others when life begins? Complications and quandaries immediately appear.
If life begins at conception, then every abortion is murder—the intentional taking of a human life. All who assist abortions could also be criminally prosecuted for aiding and abetting murder. That would mean millions of murder prosecutions annually.
There can be no exceptions, even for rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother. Embryos, after all, are morally pure and free of sin. They have not yet had an opportunity to enjoy life outside the womb. The mother may have done nothing…
