Babies = Parasites...?

[lin]

I know several people in my life who have called/considered babies as parasites. I'm sorry, but that's just... so wrong.

I guess technically "by definition", babies ARE sort of parastic since they live off of the mother, but... is it just me or is using that word towards something that is a gift from God just sick and wrong?

It's an issue from a friend of mine through LiveJournal, and I would like some feedback on this first before I go and reply a response, if you know what I mean... so please... me!!!

[Mimichan]

Well, I have never been pregnant so I can't tell you about the complexities of carrying a child for 9 months or even of raising one, but as for babies being parasites...well,
a parasite according to Webster's Dictionary is: "1.one who lives at others' expense without making any useful return, 2. a plant or animal that lives on or within another."...as for the 1st definition, I don't believe this to be the case for an infant human being simply because if given the chance to grow-up, he/she could make some very "useful" returns...not only for his/her loved ones, but for society and the world in genearal. So, you could argue that a baby doesn't contribute anything...is needy..etc. But that baby has the potential to grow up and make a difference in some way. I could say the same thing about a seed. I could argue that it's got no value and isn't contributing anything, OR, I can realize that if I plant it in the ground and let it grow that I'll have me some fresh veggies someday.... And as for the 2nd definition: Yes, a baby for a certain period of time lives within the mother.The baby however, certainly doesn't stay there. And all forms of life take their sustenance from something else initially *at least that I know of*, but a true parasite spends its entire lifespan this way...babies do not.
Most importantly, babies=human=created in God's image. To call a baby/human being a parasite, IMHO, devaluates a person and shows a lack of respect for the sanctity of human life. If someone believes all a baby is is a parasite, then there is no problem with ending that babies life...and if babies are parasites, then what are we? We were all babies once...what are we now? Still parasites?
Anyway that's my opinion to the whole thing. I'm not gifted in debating or anything and I'm sure other ppl on here could give you a more intellectually sound and profound response, but I felt the urge to answer

[inkhana]

Well, it sounds like you made a pretty good argument to me. That's what I was thinking when I started reading this thread.

[lin]

Oh thank you SOOO much for your definition! If you don't mind, could I basically use that for part of my response to her? ~_~

I would greatly appreciate it if I could! Thanks again for your thoughts! You've helped a TON!

[blue elf]

Well, if a person views a baby as a parasite then technically couldn't they view every human including themselves as a parasite, since we spend our whole lives depending on the natural resources that God put on this earth to survive.
-BlueElf

[Mimichan]

Oh thank you SOOO much for your definition! If you don't mind, could I basically use that for part of my response to her? ~_~

I would greatly appreciate it if I could! Thanks again for your thoughts! You've helped a TON!

sure thing..

[Mimichan]

Well, if a person views a baby as a parasite then technically couldn't they view every human including themselves as a parasite, since we spend our whole lives depending on the natural resources that God put on this earth to survive.
-BlueElf

exactly...and couldn't we say that about every living organism on the planet? Everything that lives takes from something else,doesn't it? So, I guess the whole Earth is one big parasite. Ewwwwww

[lin]

Thanks to everyone's help! ^^; Please keep in mind that she does not like Christianity (she's Wiccan), so this is my approach to her:

Hm. Well, I don't know what to say to perhaps convince you otherwise, but I have to disagree. I've been thinking about this all day and weighing out all the options, so it's just going to be my point of view... hope you don't mind.

Please don't take this a bad or a hostile way, but then you're basically calling yourself a parasite...? ~_~ As well as every other living thing on Earth because everything lives off of something else, technically... including us now.

Implying that babies are parasitic means you're putting them on the same level as nasty tape worms and even those annoying ticks.

Coming from where I am being a Christian, I believe that we're all created in God's image. It's a give-take relationship. Not a take-take or a give-give. Just like how I feel about God. He gives, we take... but we can also give back by loving Him, and He rewards us 10000x more by doing so. There's no open end here between God and Man/Woman...

...just like Child and Parent.

Looking at it from a Darwinian perspective, babies are not parasites due to the fact that babies are your genetic legacy who pass on your genes. They carry on the very makeup that is you, plus the person who seeded your egg(s).

Yes, a baby for a certain period of time develops within the mother's womb, but the baby does not stay there... there's the huge difference.
All forms of life take from something else, but we give back in return. If I am not mistaken, a true "parasite" by nature and by definition spends its entire lifespan living off of a host.

Babies do not.

If anything, they give back to their parents by carrying their genes and passing it on for hopefully many more generations.

When you have a child of your own and experience the joy of the things that child can give back to you, you might understand a bit better. ~_~ Everytime I go and visit Adam's parents and see his artwork and other such accomplishments in his life displayed in different places, it shows how much he has given back to his parents. It shows how much they love him very much and shows how much he has given back to them by doing such accomplishments.

Was that bad?

[Mimichan]

lin!!!!

I just read your response. It was great! Maybe it'll get your friend to reconsider her belief a little or cause her to think of it from a different perspective.

Anyway, I'd love to know how it goes.

[inkhana]

Yeah! I would like to know how it goes also. You put your response very well.