Christians also have very strong views on abortion.
They believe it is morally wrong and that as soon as you are conceived God has chosen what you will look like and be like as it says in Psalms 139.
The Roman Catholic teaching about abortion follows the absolutist way of thinking; something can only be either right or wrong, no matter what the situation or the consequences. This comes from the natural law, this is a law that God laid down which said that killing can never be in the true nature of things unless its justified, like just war or self defence, it says the killing of a human being cannot ever be justified so it is prohibited.
Anglicans tend to combine strong opposition to abortion with some recognition that there are some strictly limited situations where it could be morally preferable to any alternative.
Christians have different views about abortion, but they all take the issue very seriously. Christians believe that all life is sacred and was given by God. It is a gift from God. To have an abortion is a very serious decision and Christians believe that it should not be encouraged for social reasons. Abortion is not another form of contraception. It should only be considered in the most serious circumstances.
All Christians believe in a compassionate approach towards the individuals making the decision. They agree that those faced with parenthood in difficult circumstances will need care and support. This might include looking at alternative solutions such as adoption and counselling for those who have already chosen abortion.
LIFE is a Christian charitable organisation that works to help pregnant mothers with problems. Their aim is to avoid abortion at all cost and to find alternatives. They describe themselves as ‘pro-life’. Most members of LIFE area Roman Catholics and so they take a hard line on abortion. The following was taken from their information pack:
‘LIFE cares because, every time a pregnancy is deliberately destroyed, a girl or woman is abused and a human life is ended.
Abortion can do serious harm to the mother as well as the child. So, many women who have had an abortion find that, while it has got rid of a pregnancy, it has created new problems. Months or even years later they are affected by what is known as post-abortion syndrome. This can include serious depression, guilt, anger, loss of self-esteem. It can take a long time to heal. LIFE provides the skilled, patient counselling that a woman suffering from post-abortion syndrome needs.
According to their information pack, LIFE offers:
- Free pregnancy testing
- Free, confidential pregnancy, abortion and post-abortion counselling
- Free advice on and help with accommodation, Social Security and housing benefits.
- Free help with and referral to health and education
services and to other statutory and voluntary agencies.
Every year about 350 women and their babies find a home in a LIFE house
Other organisation might try to help pregnant women in need including, the Salvation Army and the Samaritans. (The Samaritans was started by a Christian but is not strictly a specifically Christian organisation. It does have Christian volunteers.)
A pregnant Christian in need might go to the priest or minister for help and counselling. There might be Church members or groups who would help, comfort and guide them trough their pregnancy.
Once the baby is born the mother might decide to have the baby adopted. Some Christians prefer adoption as an alternative to abortion.
