Explain the different beliefs Christians hold about abortion.

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24/2/04 Abortion Coursework

Question 1: Explain the different beliefs Christians hold about abortion.

The dictionary describes abortion as the "Premature expulsion of a foetus from the womb." This basically means the removal of a foetus from a woman's womb before it has had a chance of a unique life. There are two types of abortion. These are natural and procured abortion. Natural abortion is a miscarriage and procured abortion is a deliberate abortion. Before 1967, abortion was illegal and not openly discussed. In these times if a woman had money they would be taken to an illegal clinic for an illegal operation. Others would think she had a miscarriage. If they had no money they would try to abort the foetus themselves using household items such as salts and alcohol in a boiling hot bath. Despite bitter opposition the abortion act was passed in 1967. The laws are that, this country allows abortions if certain things can be shown or proved such as if a girl wanted an abortion because she was too young or if she got raped. An abortion can happen if only two doctors agree and if the woman is less than 24 weeks pregnant.

The Roman Catholic Church believes abortions should never take place, "Never, under any pretext, may an abortion be resorted to" The Church believes this because life is sacred "Human life is sacred-all men must recognise that fact." Life is sacred because God created us and only He can end our lives, "By that day he had completed his creation. And that is how the universe was created." The Church believes that life begins at conception, "From the moment the ovum is fertilised, a life is begun which is neither that of the father or the mother. It is rather the life of a new human being. The Catechism of the Catholic Church 2270 believes, "From the moment of existence, a human being must be recognised as having human rights and the rights of the law are that no person can be killed. Are the doctors not murderers? Roman Catholics believe every excuse for an abortion is wrong whether it be as a result of rape or if the mother is too young. The people who believe in the Church are called 'pro lifers' and often travel to different places to hold non violent protests, who believe that life begins at conception or the beginning of life from when the egg and sperm meet. 'Pro lifers' dismiss the fact that abortion can take place if two doctors agree to the operation and the woman is less than 24 weeks pregnant. Quickening is the point at which the mother first feels the foetus kicking and this traditionally represent when the soul enters the human body and therefore life begins.
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Roman Catholics believe that, "No pregnancy is unplanned because no baby can be conceived unless Almighty God intends that conception and willed that particular unique and completely individual new person into existence." This means that God plans every pregnancy with joy and happiness because, "The human life is sacred." Also Catholics believe that a child is a gift from God. When you make love you should not exclude the possibility of conceiving. So if you do not want a baby, you should not have sex, or should use a natural way of seeing if the woman is in ...

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