In response to “When does a new life begin?”, a previous letter quoted Psalm 139.This Psalm says it very clearly; life begins at conception.Also, check any medical book.Some other Bible references include Exodus 21:22 (“If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the husband demands and the court allows.But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life”). You can also read in Luke 1: 39-45 about how the baby in the womb, John the Baptist, leapt at the sound of Mary’s voice as she carried the baby Jesus.

There is a new movement in several states including the Colorado Right to Life and American Right to Life (check their Web sites) called personhood.

A baby in the womb is a person, period!As a person, he or she deserves to be protected under the law from murder. For the younger folks, killing of babies for convenience or any reason has only been legal for 37 years.The original doctor’s oath included “giving no abortion-producing substance to a pregnant woman” as well as “first do no harm”. If we believe our own Declaration of Independence, we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights life being the first mentioned.Where is the baby’s right to choice?Half of those babies are women!God gives these rights; no government has the authority to take them away.

Why should the baby die for the sins of his father? There are hundreds of thousands of couples wanting to adopt.

Abortion may be a symptom, but it is also a problem. Since abortion has been legal, has child abuse lessened? Has violence among youngsters and teens increased or decreased? How is the ability to have your child killed “helping” women?I believe we are getting too complacent about the million plus children who will lose their lives this year in the U.S. to choice; the choice is life or death.

It’s time to recognize the obvious a baby is a person and stop spinning our wheels in abortion regulation. Oppose any law that says “if you wait 24 hours or you notify parents or you suggest the woman look at an ultrasound, then you can kill the baby.”

Diane Strippel

New Martinsville