# Why do pro-lifers make exceptions for rape and incest? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 29, 2018, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pro-lifers-make-exceptions-for-rape-and-incest/817013 "2018-06-29T19:09:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pro-lifers-make-exceptions-for-rape-and-incest/817013/181 "2018-07-20T16:49:57Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Interesting how some people are saying “Just because we don’t believe what you believe, you think we’re ridiculing you. That shows how thin-skinned and hypersensitive you are”; while other people are saying “Damn straight we’re ridiculing you.” That’s because there are different people with different opinions. Some really are ridiculing believers for believing in fairy tales. I for one, do not care what others believe, so long as they do not impose their beliefs on others. Others simply ridicule the act of using their fairy tales to tell others how to live their lives. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2018, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pro-lifers-make-exceptions-for-rape-and-incest/817013/182 "2018-07-20T17:00:49Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > That’s because there are different people with different opinions. > > Some really are ridiculing believers for believing in fairy tales. I for one, do not care what others believe, so long as they do not impose their beliefs on others. > > Others simply ridicule the act of using their fairy tales to tell others how to live their lives. And for some people it’s less about ridiculing anyone at all and more about trying to somehow convey the idea that, silly or not, _that argument isn’t going to work here_. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pro-lifers-make-exceptions-for-rape-and-incest/817013/183 "2018-07-21T13:44:00Z")
I never ridicule people for their beliefs. However, saying “I know there’s a God and you will stand before him (always him) in judgment after you die” is ridiculous. You might belief it, but you certainly do not know it. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pro-lifers-make-exceptions-for-rape-and-incest/817013/184 "2018-07-21T14:22:11Z")
> [@CelticKnot](#): > > \*If you don’t believe in God, why do you feel the need to ridicule Him? If I don’t believe in god, I _can’t_ ridicule him. I can’t ridicule someone that I believe doesn’t exist. If I were to use Flying Spaghetti Monster or similar expressions, I wouldn’t be ridiculing god. I would be pointing out the absurdity of the idea of a god, particularly the Christian idea of god. ---
**Author:** ![nelliebly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nelliebly/32/5422_2.png) [@nelliebly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nelliebly)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pro-lifers-make-exceptions-for-rape-and-incest/817013/185 "2018-07-21T18:46:11Z")
I agree that the “because (I believe) God said no abortions” or “God will punish you if you have an abortion” are ineffective and counter-productive arguments, not only when used against those who don’t believe in God but also for many who do, as quite a few Christians are pro-choice. I also strongly object to those who confront and verbally attack women going into clinics where abortions are performed, especially those (the majority, I think) who consider themselves Christians. Similarly, ridiculing someone’s belief in God is also ineffective and likely to be counter-productive. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2018, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pro-lifers-make-exceptions-for-rape-and-incest/817013/186 "2018-07-21T18:56:55Z")
> [@nelliebly](#): > > I agree that the “because (I believe) God said no abortions” or “God will punish you if you have an abortion” are ineffective and counter-productive arguments, not only when used against those who don’t believe in God but also for many who do, as quite a few Christians are pro-choice. I also strongly object to those who confront and verbally attack women going into clinics where abortions are performed, especially those (the majority, I think) who consider themselves Christians. > > Similarly, ridiculing someone’s belief in God is also ineffective and likely to be counter-productive. The difference is, they want people to change their minds. They want people to choose not to get an abortion based on their arguments. I really don’t care if someone believes in god or not. I have no interest in trying to get anyone to stop believing if that is what makes them happy. Believer: “I believe in God!” Me: “That’s nice” B: “I live my life according to his rules.” M: “Good to have principles, good for you.” B: “You should live your life according to his rules.” M: “You can fuck the fuck off right there.” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-pro-lifers-make-exceptions-for-rape-and-incest/817013.md?page=9)