(CNSNews.com) - A bill introduced in Georgia that will define personhood as beginning at conception is receiving nationwide support from pro-life groups. The American Life League said it is "eager" to support the measure (HB1), authored by State Rep. Bobby Franklin. "Establishing personhood for the preborn child is the most fundamental step in reversing the decriminalization of abortion, which was established nationwide through the deadly Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions of 1973," said ALL President Judie Brown in a press release. "Thousands of children are literally dying every day in this country from surgical abortion. It is crucial to champion proposals that will help to bring this tragedy to an end," Brown said. "The people of Georgia need our support as they work together on this initiative that has the potential to save an untold number of lives," she added. A rally is planned for Tuesday morning on the steps of the Georgia state capitol featuring Dr. Alveda King, the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Sandra Cano, "Doe" of Doe v. Bolton . "Just as we did with pro-life efforts in South Dakota and Michigan last year, American Life League will do all in our power to help this proposal succeed," said Brown. "We encourage pro-lifers across the nation to support legislation that protects human life from the beginning by establishing personhood for the preborn child. This is truly the only way we will see an end to the violent act of abortion in America," she said.
Most of us would define conception as the moment fertilization occurs (this usually happens in the fallopian tube and the ova then travels to the uterus).
Another definition of conception is the moment the ova imbeds itself in the uterine wall.
One aspect of oral contraceptive therapy is that it reduces the ability for the fertilized ova to implant in the uterus.
I believe that the church's message should strongly proclaim that we honor lifeand not much more.
The Bible is not so clear on the scientific aspects of conception so I'm not sure we need to be either.
As to the exact moment a human life starts, I have my strong opinion (fertilization) and have chosen appropriate birth control methods that reflect my belief.
I don't force my beliefs upon other Christians who feel that various methods (such as oral contraception) are acceptable.
>>> but I will do all I can to help others make an informed decision.
:thumbs:
And I wouldn't disassociate myself from those who do,
In fact, I don't really know or care what my friends decisions are concerning this matter.
My opinion regarding this bill (mentioned in the OP) is that it is political grandstanding for the conservative Christian voters and has no hope of success because it fails to define it's terms and their implications.
(1) 'Abortion' means the intentional termination of human pregnancy with an intention other than to produce a live birth or to remove a dead fetus; provided, however, that if a physician makes a medically justified effort to save the lives of both the mother and the fetus and the fetus does not survive, such action shall not be an abortion. Such term does not include a naturally occurring expulsion of a fetus known medically as a 'spontaneous abortion' and popularly as a 'miscarriage' so long as there is no human involvement whatsoever in the causation of such event.
(2) 'Fetus' means a person at any point of development from and including the moment of conception through the moment of birth. Such term includes all medical or popular designations of an unborn child from the moment of conception such as zygote, embryo, homunculus, and similar terms.
(c) The practice of abortion is contrary to the health and well-being of the citizens of this state and to the state itself and is illegal in this state in all instances.
(d) Any person performing an abortion in this state shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished as provided in subsection (d) of Code Section 16-5-1. The license of any physician indicted for an alleged violation of this Code section shall be suspended until resolution of the matter. The license of any physician convicted of a violation of this Code section shall be permanently revoked. The provisions of this Code section shall be in addition to any other provisions relating to the killing of a fetus or any other person."
SECTION 2.
If any portion of this Act is found to be unconstitutional by the courts, the remaining portions of this Act shall remain in full force and effect.