One of the ongoing tropes of the anti-choice movement and the Catholic Church is that human "life" begins at the moment of conception and therefore must be accorded all rights given to those who are already born. This notion of "personhood," effectively banning all abortions as well as some types of birth control and IVF, has been rejected by voters. But those who oppose reproductive rights maintain that "science" says that "life" begins at conception while in reality, the mainstream scientific community doesn't weigh in on whether zygotes are "humans" in the legal or metaphysical sense which is really the domain of philosophy and religion within which there is disagreement. But when candidate Obama told Rev. Rick Warren that this issue was "above his pay-grade," he was, as he told George Stephanopoulos, reflecting that he couldn't answer this theological question. But that didn't stop the anti-choice zealots from attacking him. Yesterday, in case the Fox audience had forgotten, Fr. Jonathan Morris sweetly reminded them of Obama's sin.
On an "America's Election HQ," Fox's head holy honcho, Fr.Morris and Gretchen Carlson discussed how Rev. Warren has cancelled plans for a "civil forum" for the presidential candidates because of what he feels is the uncivil tone of the campaign. Morris talked about Warren's 2008 Saddleback Church presidential forum during which candidates McCain and Obama spoke of various issues. Morris explained Warren's reason for canceling this year's forum. As if on cue, Carlson said that she remembered it vividly. As if on cue Morris said - see if you can pick out the propaganda - "...Remember that great moment when McCain was asked about, a great moment in my opinion because it was transparent, he was asked when does life begin and he said conception" (good answer) "and President Obama said well, I can't say when human life begins because that's above my pay grade." (booo, bad answer) "where scientists are pretty clear about that."