On Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:36:01 -0700 (PDT), Lumpy
gmail.com> wrote:

Yes, 'tis I, Sir Lumpy, the original and one true ZapRatz. Accept no
cheap prosti...er, substitutes.

It is good to know you copped a grin. Unfortunately, the tone of your
extensive comments following admission of chuckling are too solemn for
my liking. I don't know why you added that, but, since you did I'll
submit my opinion on the topic raised.

I too was born Catholic but learned to despise the teachings and
principles of that religion due to an incident I experienced during
grade school.

The pastor of our small Catholic school visited the classroom I was in
while I was still a pre-teen. For some reason, I was instructed to
recite aloud The Lord's Prayer. I erred in some portion of it and as
punishment for my blasphemy I was ordered to write the complete Lord's
Prayer in longhand ten times. I completed the task and submitted the
results to my teacher but I recall that it took quite some time to
fulfill my forced exercise.

At this time, decades later, I can't recall the specific feeling
instilled in me via the somewhat arduous task back then. Whatever
affected me, it caused me to disbelieve that there was a God. Perhaps
it was an early realization of a George Carlin-type observation that,
if God loves me so much, why was I punished for making a simple error
anyone my age could make?

And you know what, writing the Lord's Prayer in longhand ten times did
not cause the text of it to be committed to my memory.

My disbelief in Catholicism became deeper as I've aged and I now
cannot precisely decide whether I am an atheist or agnostic. I seem to
lean toward the former rather than the later, though.

With all that being stated, I believe that we humans are simply
organic beings akin to animals. We aren't Children of God formed in
his image. After all, if some less than stellar examples who are
allegedly part of our species were created in his image, he's an ugly
motherfucker (especially in regard to the mental state and processes
of evil vermin who adversely affect, or taint, our universe). I
believe you can guess who succinctly fits into that category.

So, my opinion is that abortion is not a sin and shouldn't be a crime.
It is a decision and action that is up to the pregnant female and her
mate to decide.

I believe that if a female were raped, she should be able to obtain an
abortion. She shouldn't be burdened with the thought that, even though
the child is hers, the evil act that formed the life is despicable.
Giving birth in that context is to bear an eternal burden forced upon
that female against her will. It was initiated without love and
appreciation for the female herself.

Well, enough babbling. This is one of those topics for which there are
deeply held feelings on either side of the question. If you're on the
side that's right in the end when all is said and done, good on ya. If
the assessment aligned with my perspective is how it really is, then,
who gives a shit. Mox nix.

Take care, bro!