Well, as one who was raised Catholic, I know that the church does not make exceptions to rape or the mother's safety. Not unless it's changed ~ and I don't think it has.

Religion aside, I think people's ideas on abortion for rape is a compromise because the fetus was not conceived in love. Does that child have a right to its life? Probably. But the social stigma in time has enabled people to soften their thoughts. And a child conceived of rape or incest is in great danger; I cannot imagine a mother carrying a child she "hates".

The question of saving a mother's life vs the baby's can certainly open a can of worms in the debate, too. She can't carry this pregnancy to term but she can produce children later. Or perhaps she has children already that need their mother. Which one must die? In this case it is an either/or.

And I wish to add that MANY non-religious people dislike abortion. I have one friend who is agnostic, and her daughter is a baby factory. The girl has birthed 4 babies and she adopted out all but the last. The mother never encouraged abortion because she "just does not like it". I don't think she, or the daughter, would view it differently if any were by rape.