Citing medical evidence that suggests life begins at conception, some purport to give a non-religious reason to ban abortion. Attempting to use “scientific” arguments (selectively) to support religious beliefs is quite common. Most who do so will also ignore scientific evidence and theory when it suits them. Theirs are still religious beliefs.
The fundamental reason many wish to prohibit abortion remains the (religious) belief that (human) life is sacred (in this instance). But if abortion is “wrong” because (human) life is sacred then Pro-Life advocates should be pacifists. Most aren’t.
From all practical considerations, abortion and murder simply are not at all the same. The only person anyone has suggested punishing for an illegal abortion is the doctor (qualified MD or not). Doctors are not the problem.
So, “pray to end abortion,” or, more to the point, pray that no young women will feel the need to resort to abortion, but don’t seek to punish doctors for taking care of their patients.
I might also add that one never has to justify the legality of anything. One has to justify enacting a law (or the continued existence of laws) that make stuff illegal. Government is a necessary evil. One should not extend government’s reach without compelling reason and without reasonable assurance that the desired (and desirable) end will be achieved.
Murder has been illegal ever since there have been laws (written or unwritten). That abortion is legal does not really effect the business of living – except, of course, to annoy people who think it is “immoral.” And that is just not sufficient reason to make it illegal. There are no just punishments for abortion. And attempts to legislate “morality” are ineffective and often cruel.
Incidentally, whether or not the “victim” is defenseless has nothing to do with the crime of murder. (One is not allowed, for example, to kill people simply because they carry guns.) “Defenseless” in this context is merely an inflammatory term.
A plea of self-defense can, of course, justify homicide. But when being pregnant puts a woman’s life in danger (and arguably it always does) that plea might also apply to abortion. In any event, I certainly would not presume to tell any woman what to do about her pregnancy.