Godular wrote:Esternial wrote:Personally I don't find that the term "parasitic(-in-nature)" quite fits the subject, considering the properties often associated with the term. It's like a big lid that covers a little pot. Certainly covers the pot but isn't really supposed to be used for that pot.
Maybe you use it pragmatically, but it's easy to understand why others might take offence. In a debate it may be easier to just avoid using certain terms and describe the specifics than risk getting off on a tangent about how that particular term is not quite suitable for that particular subject - as is illustrated on this page.
Truth be told, I only use the phrase when somebody actually asks me whether I consider the fetus a parasite. Outside of that, I speak only in terms of raw facts. Sometimes my facts are incorrect, as you were so kind to indicate in your most gracious rebuttal of one of my prior points.
*cough*
But I consider this as much a learning experience as a discussion. I'll accept the occasional foot in my mouth. It helps me remember not to make the same mistake again.
I believe I've even supported the same assertion made by other posters in the past, because the advantage it lends to emburdening those negative connotations on the side of the pro-life supporters. It's not entirely wrong, but it's not quite right either. Purely for the purpose of "winning" a debate it's not an entirely poor approach.
I very much agree. Doubt I'd have bothered looking into it quite this much if not for this topic.