We can only guess at when life begins
Abortions have been around for thousands of years. There are two types: Those performed by nature or God, if you prefer, and those performed by humans. No one questions the legitimacy of those performed by nature or God. And, those performed by humans were largely accepted as simply part of life in many cultures; and it is still this way today.
In fact, the Catholic Church condoned the practice until around 1869. So, from about 1870 until 1973 different states in the USA enacted various laws regarding the subject. These laws ranged from one end of the spectrum to the other. In the restrictive states, poor women were often butchered in unsanitary conditions. Fortunately, in 1973 the Supreme Court (Roe vs. Wade) made these state laws void by establishing a uniform law across the entire USA. At the moment, abortions are legal and safe across the country, though, shamefully, access is becoming difficult for the poor.
No one knows when the "precise" moment of death occurs and no one knows when the "precise" moment of life occurs. Therefore, all cultures are forced to simply make a decision about these matters. In fact, the answer may be unknowable.
No one awakes in the morning excited about getting an abortion. No government agency is telling anyone to have or not have an abortion. I'm not for or against the practice, but it clearly belongs in the "freedom-to-choose." category. If you, your family or neighbor is faced with this difficult decision, follow your belief or heart but please don't impose your belief on others. Freedom is an American value.
John S. Strauss
Campton Hills