Christians for Free Choice believe that the matter should be left for the woman to decide and her conscience is a guide form God as what option to take. They are ‘fully informed about all the options, and then let God guide you.’ They believe an abortion is considered medically ok if the mother is young or physically/mentally immature and it would be irresponsible to bring an unwanted child into the world.
However LIFE and SPUC believe that abortions should not be used and stopped altogether. LIFE provides counselling to pregnant women, this is done through parish groups. They give them emotional support as well as options on how if they wish not to keep the child, like adoption.
Whilst SPUC campaigns for the law for abortion to be changed, they hold rallies, raise petitions and are highly active in many political parties and trade unions.
Euthanasia also is highly speculated as many Church teachings go against this form of death but there are many different organisations who disagree like EXIT.
Exit argues that anyone suffering from a useless and painful existence should have the right to die on their own terms. The society argues that safeguards should be in place such as the ones already in place in Holland and Japan. EXIT believes that voluntary euthanasia can help a patients suffering by letting them die with dignity, if they wished to die doctors would not go against their wishes and it can help to shorten the grief and suffering of the patient’s loved ones. EXIT state that;
‘An adult person suffering from a severe illness, for which no relief is known, should be entitled by law to the mercy of a painless death if and only if that is their expressed wish…, the patient must have signed, at least 30 days previously, a declaration making their request known.’
Humanists also believe that people should have the right to die. (Some humanists do not believe in God nor believe in life after death.) They believe that death is final and it can be dignified but can be peaceful and painless with the use of modern drugs. Some of these humanists sign the form available from EXIT which allows the family to be notified and there shall be no doubt over what the person wishes during their last days.
However Jesus did not agree with voluntary euthanasia, as we read. Simons Mother in law was sick in bed with a fever and as soon as Jesus arrived he was told about her. He went to her took her by the hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. (Matthew 2 30-31) Jesus did not believe in euthanasia as he healed her and did not kill her.
Many doctors who perform Euthanasia in the UK are charged with manslaughter or murder as it is not seen as a practical way of death here. Many people travel to Holland to end their lives but many with incurable diseases have made a full life for themselves like physicist Professor Stephen Hawking. He has motor neurone disease. Stephen Hawking has written a best seller ‘A Brief History of Time’ since he became paralysed by his condition.
Many people accept euthanasia because they are afraid of the pain and loss of dignity with the result of a terminal illness. If the correct care is administered they would be catered for their physical, emotional and spiritual needs. The Hospice movement has removed the need to think about Euthanasia. Though palliative care, they can die in dignity and free from pain.
The Hospice movement cares for terminally ill patients, who they try to help their through their last days in a loving and sympathetic environment so patients may die with dignity and a pain free solution.
Euthanasia is seen as a denial of the sanctity of life and the dignity of the individual.