On assumptions and principles...
First of all, I'm not at all a fan of Rick Santorum, simply because I disagree with his values about the rights and responsibilities of individuals and community (meaning nation), and the relationship between the two. However, Jon Stewart had a bit recently that made fun of his stand rejecting abortion even in the case of rape that missed the chance to question assumptions both for and against such abortions.
Here's the thing: IF I believe that human life in its fullest sense begins at conception, then abortion IS murder, because that is the definition of taking a human life. If that is my starting point then I have no choice but accept that all pregnancies--however (mis-)conceived--must go to term (don't know how this would play out with threat to mother's life, so that might be an exception. Furthermore, by saying that abortion in the case of rape should be a special case, the fetus and the act of rape are linked in ways that make me uncomfortable. The child/fetus that results from rape isn't responsible for how he/she came to be conceived. Again, IF I believe that child is fully human at conception, how can I support termination?
I thought that Santorum addressed the topic thoughtfully and sensitively. I don't agree with his conclusions, simply because I start with a different set of assumptions, values, whatever. Life clearly begins at conception. When does that life become human? Fully human? That's not a black and white question for me--which is why I support the right of the pregnant woman to choose. But it is worth taking a look at both extremes for the sake of respecting both the woman's and the fetus' bodies. I have been fortunate not to need to consider abortion (although watching Miranda and Dan deal with the choice/need to terminate gave me a clue), but it seems to me that having respect for life, whether viewed as fully human or not, whether terminated or not, is not a bad thing.
Here's the thing: IF I believe that human life in its fullest sense begins at conception, then abortion IS murder, because that is the definition of taking a human life. If that is my starting point then I have no choice but accept that all pregnancies--however (mis-)conceived--must go to term (don't know how this would play out with threat to mother's life, so that might be an exception. Furthermore, by saying that abortion in the case of rape should be a special case, the fetus and the act of rape are linked in ways that make me uncomfortable. The child/fetus that results from rape isn't responsible for how he/she came to be conceived. Again, IF I believe that child is fully human at conception, how can I support termination?
I thought that Santorum addressed the topic thoughtfully and sensitively. I don't agree with his conclusions, simply because I start with a different set of assumptions, values, whatever. Life clearly begins at conception. When does that life become human? Fully human? That's not a black and white question for me--which is why I support the right of the pregnant woman to choose. But it is worth taking a look at both extremes for the sake of respecting both the woman's and the fetus' bodies. I have been fortunate not to need to consider abortion (although watching Miranda and Dan deal with the choice/need to terminate gave me a clue), but it seems to me that having respect for life, whether viewed as fully human or not, whether terminated or not, is not a bad thing.