when does life begin?

[Anonymous]

First, condolences. That is tough emotionally. I hope she is doing as well as possible.

On this one, my own view is exactly the Church’s position:

Quote:

We don’t know.

I wish I could give a more detailed answer, but, on this one, anything else would be nothing more than uninformed speculation for me. I truly have no idea.

[Anonymous]

Yes. My deepest condolences. That is a very emotional experience.

When does life begin? I’ll take a stab at this question. That question is really a spiritual question, so my comments are not about the science of life, but the concept of life instead. Whatever “life” is, it organizes matter. So we see around us things that gain organization, and things that lose organization. When something is “alive,” it grows and maintains its form. When it dies, the organizing energy (information) begins a process of leaving, and the material form deteriorates and returns the elements back to a natural state of equilibrium with the environment, diffusing and dispersing.

I believe that we are a spirit experiencing a body, and that our spirit is much larger and broader than the material it organizes to form a “covering” in this reality. So on one hand, I think a baby, a human life essence, exists outside of the whole process of pregnancy and conception. But I think most people are asking about consciousness when they ask this question. I think human beings transition over several years into consciousness. I think the concept of “age of accountability” speaks symbolically to this concept. I think we transition into consciousness as a human being over many years, perhaps not even until we are fully formed, which might take a good 20 years.

A fetus to me, on a spiritual level, is evidence of a human essence trying to transition into the material world for an experience of mortality. So I think it perfectly fine to feel an attachment or connection to that life essence. They wanted to join you and be a part of your journey.

I think the question of trying to define the exact moment of life is really missing the point because there isn’t a single moment when a fetus receives a spirit. I think spirits create bodies. I don’t think bodies capture spirits, so any evidence of organizing information is evidence of life or spirit. We are always “alive” and exist, organization is evidence of spiritual organizing energy. Like you mentioned, the arguments about life and conception go round and round in circles to nowhere. To me, the whole universe is alive.

[Anonymous]

I don’t know when life begins.

I’m sorry to hear about your loss. It can be a very tough time for both of you, so my heart goes out to you. Try to support your wife as much as possible–this is a much tougher time for her.

I will tell you that for the ultrasound of my first child, he actually punched himself in the face. He has been a very rambunctious kid. On the ultrasound for the second child, she almost seemed asleep. My second child has been much more calm and peaceful. It seems to me that personalities form quite early. Yes that is a sample size of 2, but it seemed to be a pretty strong predictor from my experience…

I’ve heard that that scientists think they have discovered a “shy” gene (my kids never got that.) I do wonder how much genetics plays into our personalities.

[Anonymous]

I am so sorry for you and your wife.

If it helps any when a woman is early in her pregnancy a miscarriage is often a blessing in disguise, the first 12 weeks have a high percentage of miscarriage but I believe even up to 20 weeks is considered “normal or moderately possible”. It is our bodies natural way of stopping something that wasn’t going right, besides other health defects that can be related to the woman. I have yet to have a “known” miscarriage but with my friends who have … I try to help with a scientific approach rather than religious..Although I find myself agreeing with much of what Brian said also!

I believe life begins very early .. Probably when the brain is up and processing emotion, senses, etc. possibly around month 4/5, that is my opinion anyway. It is a science that is still being researched and perfected. We might never know.

I am 10 weeks pregnant as well and this subject is something I know you have to always keep in the back of your mind.

I hope your hearts heal. ((Hugs)) A woman is obviously deeply hurt by this but people often don’t understand how emotional it is for a man..Hopefully you can both help heal eachother.

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