It’s also worth noting that just about any position can be made to appear ridiculous by pushing it to an out-of-context extreme. And in my own arguments I really try to avoid introducing religious elements on account of what I’m an atheist.

When arguing with someone that logic won’t reach, pick a _liberal_ sacred cow, extend it to the extreme position, and argue from that position. And don’t ever introduce any aspect of religion unless you have a specific non-middle-eastern-origin religion that supports your position.

One question, though. The argument you sketch suggests that women should choose not to have abortions. It doesn’t really speak to the question of whether abortion as such is morally legitimate or not. Free societies legally permit a wide variety of behaviors that people should refrain from for moral reasons. Do you think abortion should be legal, but that women shouldn’t make use of it, or do you think it should be outright illegal? If the latter, are there other forms of consensual activity that should also be made illegal on moral grounds?