I don't really care about what the Catholics believe as I am not one of them. But I do care about Exodus 21:22 which says, 'If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.'
In the older version of Exodus the part that says with child is actually the word haw-raw or haw-ree meaning pregnant or concieved, which only further proves that abortion is wrong.
What? How can you possibly relate that to abortion?
So Exodus says if a man beats a woman who has chosen to bear a child and causes a miscarriage he should be punished.
Well, firstly, way to go Exodus. Without that kind of revolutionary moral leadership, I'd have been really confused about the right response to that situation. I might have bought the guy who beat up a woman and caused her to lose her baby a drink or something.
Secondly, this scripture has zero relevance to abortion! I hate this about all religions. Its perfectly possible to justify any narrow minded view by wilfully mis-interpreting a section of holy writ.
Thirdly, the passage continues: "..as the woman's husband shall lay upon him he shall pay with valuation. But if it be perfectly formed, he shall give life for life." (Exodus 21:21-23)
So what it's saying is A: Don't beat another mans wife, B: If you cause a miscarriage you'll get fined and C: ONLY IF THE FOETUS IS FULLY FORMED WILL IT BE REGARDED AS MURDER.
I'll wait for you to mis-understand that in the most advantageous way possible for your viewpoint.
Right, you done? I'll try to explain anyway. You picked those verses, and they support the concept that life does not begin at impregnation.
Actually, thats all I have to say.