Is the fetus of a rapist less human somehow?

Question

Pro-lifers often say they want to see abortion made illegal, except in cases of rape. Three questions:

1) Is the fetus that was conceived somehow less valuable or less human than a fetus conceived from a one night stand or a steady boyfriend?

2) Do you realize that if you had your way, a grown woman would have to *prove* to a judge that she was raped, and he would either give her permission or refuse permission? What if she WAS raped, but is either too ashamed to go to a judge or she does and he doesn't believe her?

3) Is it just possible that you think of babies as a punishment for having sex, and if the girl was raped, she doesn't deserve the "punishment"? As a mother of three lovely babies, I think that's a little perverse.

EDIT to #2: A judge would be responsible for giving permission or not. A jury would not be involved with determining whether she has legal grounds for an abortion.

Answer 1

the medieval church used to teach that if a pregnancy resulted from a rape it was because God had blessed the union and wanted it to go ahead.

i think there is a lot to be said for this way of thinking: firstly it makes sense; and secondly it shows what the church has always thought of women (you are there to be raped).

at the same time the medieval church never taught that it was a human soul from the moment of conception: baptism was never offered to miscarriages (or even stillbirths).

the idea that it is a human being from the moment of conception is a modern one, and actually contradicts the bible (which offers instructions on how to perform an abortion numbers 5:24).

Answer 2

okay so...if you read the papers these days, all they keep talking about is how stress and negative emotions of a pregnant woman during her pregnancy can very much affect the outcome of the baby in many different ways.
Thus if a woman gets pregnant after a rape, the trauma would not only affect her body (could be high blood pressure, depression, anxiety) but risk the babys life also. She would have nine months of absolute hell, going to counscelling sessions, psychiatrists but in that time knowing the result of such a traumatic event all the while not knowing whether she is damaging that baby from the level of stress she is enduring.
So heres my point, is it really worth two living people going under this kind of trauma? no matter what, the outcome will ALWAYS be destructive but it always depends on how the female copes afterwards

Answer 3

A body is nothing MORE or LESS than a temporary residence for a human soul when it ventures into our physical universe. A fetus is virtually a house under construction. When it is complete and ready for habitation, it is born. Then, as a house becomes a "home" when someone moves into it, so a fetus becomes a "human being" when the soul moves into it - which usually occurs immediately before, during or immediately after the birth experience. As someone can claim ownership of a house still under construction, so a soul can "opt for" or "lay claim to" a fetus, but like the unfinished house, will not "move in" till it is complete. However, if - for ANY reason, no matter HOW sudden or unexpected it may seem to us, "over here" - a fetus is not going to make it to full term, they seem to know about it on "the other side" and no one opts for it. As for it having "human DNA", OF COURSE it has human DNA - what other kind would it have?

Answer 4

1) The fetus has value to the mother. If that value is great enough, she has the right to keep and protect that fetus. No one other than the mother has the final say. No one has any business judging, fetus, mother and or father.
2) Rape can be proved. What's this "your way" stuff? It is not the judge that decides, it is a jury of her peers. The judge issues a sentence, dependent upon the juries verdict. You are confused.
3) Here's the "you" thing again. And a major logic flaw. Again, it does not matter what others think, it matters only what mother thinks. You see the law protects the mothers rights to have or not have children. The final choice is the mothers. As it should be. Nobody, no Church, no religion has the right to interfere.

Answer 5

I am pro life. I believe abortion is wrong in all cases even rape except if the mother's life is in danger. Then I say it is ok to get an abortion ONLY IF THE MOTHER COULD DIE! Not in any other case. If you get an abortion it can cause you to die or become infertile which in my opinion is excellent as a source of punishment. Abortion does not make the rape go away. I personally believe that the woman must have done something to get raped like she interacts with men who are not her relatives or her husband or she is dressing like a hooker. Then in my opinion it's her fault she was raped. Whether you were raped or not a child is a gift from God. If you don't want it then put it up for adoption.

Answer 6

True, it would be hard to prove. Which is why I think it would have to be legal in all cases, not just rape. I can't judge on this but I think if a women feels hostile to the baby inside her and does not wish to carry it to term and abandon/raise it, then that's her right.

Answer 7

As the mother of five so do I. The way I look at it that baby did not ask to be conceived; meaning it did not say, "Hey guess what you just got raped and now I'm going to be conceived just to rub it in." We know that is so illogical. Still the bottom line is the women who choose to get an abortion are speaking about their pain, that's all it is, and it is not being stupid for doing so. This is my opinion even if I am against their decision.

Answer 8

You make a good argument for keeping abortion legal. A woman traumatized by rape should not have to give birth to the child that results if this would add to her distress. She should not have to endure nine months of carrying a child she did not wish to conceive.

The legality of abortion prevents this being a "judge's" decision.

If you think that having a child after a one night stand or with a steady boyfriend because abortion is illegal when the woman does not want a child is not punishment for having sex, then what is it?

If you don't believe in abortion, don't have one. Otherwise leave the rest of us to choose for ourselves.

Answer 9

I am pro choice but I also think abortions are horrendous and am totally against them. That said:
1) the fetus is not less valuable in cases of rape, but I think the pro-lifers are able to have a little compassion for the predicament of women impregnated by a rapist.

2) In this scenario, all you would need to "prove" rape is a police report.

3)No.

Answer 10

I like the way you think. It is so interesting that people think life is precious, but hey, it was a rape, and that life is not precious--presumably because of the stress carrying said child would put on the mother. Well, hate to tell ya pro-lifers, but either way, it would be stressful for those who do not want a child. I don't get their thinking and I never will. The holier-than-thou attitude of pro-lifers sickens me. A life is a life is a life, is it not? So if the tissue is going to be "deformed" or is the product of rape or incest or whatever--is that not still life? According to these maniacs, no, that's a special case. I say bull--it's still a life, according to their definition of life at conception. A bigger group of hypocrites I've never seen. All pro-lifers should be forced to watch A Handmaid's Tale, then talk to me about control over a woman's body. They get that control (no abortion) what's next? These people don't care about life. If they did, they wouldn't marginalize the women having to make that decision, and they wouldn't stand by while unwanted children are abandoned, beaten, neglected, and so on. Life means absolutely nothing to these people--unless it's on their terms by their rules. If they had a clue, they'd be putting their energies into something that helps the lives already here--and they wouldn't be comprised of men and women over reproductive age. So easy to judge when you'll never be in the position, isn't it? Or so it appears.