Also back to this point, the Roman Catholic Church made a statement about abortion called ‘Human Vitae’ in 1968 saying that life is sacred abortion is a serious sin and that everyone should have respect for life.
Another quote from the Roman Catholic Church from 1974 ‘From when the ovum is fertilised a new life has begun with its own growth it would not become human if human were not ready’. What this is basically saying is that everyone is and individual from conception.
This is another thing a Catholic/Christian could use in a discussion because it is against abortion because it says that a new life has begun at conception and terminating this life would be murder. Also it says that it has it s own growth like a born child and human being and we don’t murder born humans in the present day so why should an unborn child be any different?
Another reason why Christians could argue this point is that pope Puis declared that ensoulment happens at conception. So abortion should not occur even if it means that the mother dies.
The Church of England believes that abortion is wrong but it does depend on the circumstances (the Salvation Army also believes this).
‘The life of is not absolutely sacrosanct it endangers the mother’ 1984, so in this case abortion is acceptable.
In this situation Christians could use in a discussion that abortion should be allowed, because having the baby could be distressing for the mother mentally and physically. Then she could have an abortion legally in the eyes of the church.
But, on the other hand they could say that this is the only exception and abortion shouldn’t be allowed in any other case.
Another statement made but the Church of England says that ‘we believe that abortion is an evil, Christians need to face frankly that an imperfect like the ‘right’ choice is sometimes the acceptance of the lesser two evils’. This means that it’s better to have an abortion rather than to have an unfit mother and an unhappy child. (General Synod of the Church of England)
This also suggests that it depends on the circumstances whether to have an abortion so it supports the point before.
A small group of Christians called the Quakers, do not judge on any individual decisions because they believe that it is up to the individuals conscience, whether they wish to do something or not. So abortion as long as the woman made the decision on her own accord they do think that it's all right to have an abortion.
Earlier Christians wrote in their teachings ‘You should not kill by abortion – the fruit of the womb and you shall not murder an infant already born’ 200AD. This quote means that to kill a child of any form is wrong. This gives Christians guidance in the 21st century.
Christians could also use this in a discussion in a point against abortion, saying that it makes no difference what stage of development the child is, its still wrong to have an abortion.
The bible is very important to Christians, as one of their main sources of information and guidance through many different situations in their lives.
But when it comes down to it the bible doesn’t directly mention abortion directly, because it was written over 2000years ago and abortion wasn’t a common occurrence then.
Even though the bible doesn’t mention abortion, people may use the bible support their views.
‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as the prophet of the nations.’
Jeremiah 1:5
Christians could use this in a discussion about abortion that having an abortion is spoiling Gods plans for everyone. This also applies to contraception aswell.
So Christians could interpret it as, that having an abortion is like playing God. By that I mean taking life away or giving life when it isn’t your place to.
So some people could say that being a doctor is like playing God. Since medical science has come such along way, so they can now bring back life with resuscitation machines etc. but then again it is the doctor’s job to do all they can to save all the lives they possibly can.
Other people could speak out against this saying that Jesus also heals in the bible e.g. Making blind people see etc.
‘So God created man in his own image of God he created him; male and female he created them’
Genesis 1:26 – 27
Christians could interpret this as saying humans are a reflection of God and therefore human life is holy because we are in the image of God and have a soul from conception and this is what apparently sets us apart from the rest of life on this planet.
Christians could also argue this from another point of view, saying that if man and woman have the power why is it wrong to use it. E.g. why is it wrong to use our medical knowledge and science to have abortions safely, instead of having so called ‘backstreet abortions’ which are unsafe and very dangerous. So a Christian could argue from this point of view aswell, this is a passage that swings both ways.
‘Don’t you know your selves are Gods temple and that Gods spirit lives within you?’
Corthinians 3:16
Christians could use this teaching because it basically says that we shouldn’t abuse our bodies and our lives, because life is Gods gift. If you are having an abortion you are denying Gods gift of life.
‘You created every part, you put me, you put me together in my mothers womb’.
Psalm 139:13
It says that God knew us before we were in the womb and therefore having an abortion is spoiling Gods plan for us. It shows that to God the unborn child is of value so who are we to deny life and the value of the life?
‘You shalt not kill’
6th commandment exodus 20:13
They could also argue this point, because many Christians believe abortion is killing life. But some Christians probably don’t see the 6th commandment in this situation of abortion because it didn’t exist over 2000yrs ago.
But the laws today are based on those 10 commandments.
‘Be fruitful and increase, fill the Earth’
Genesis 1: 28
This passage tells us that we should reproduce and abortion is denying Gods will. But isn’t the world full enough already? Since a good majority of the world is over populated and is in living in poverty because of it.
Also this is a passage in the bible that is if you like for abortion:
If men who are fighting hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. But if there is serious injury, you are to take a life for a life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth.
Exodus 21:22-25
This story is basically about a woman who gets attacked by a man and the punishment for the miscarriage is a fine. But the punishment for the woman’s death is the death penalty. This consults the issue of which life is more important woman or unborn child. In this case the bible says the woman’s life is more important, so this case Christians could argue that abortion is allowed in this example. This statement is also commenting on the value of life saying that the living woman s life is more important than the unborn child’s.
Another example from the bible is where it says ‘treat others as you would like to be treated’, so say if you got pregnant accidentally and you were in an inappropriate situation to have a child would you want support and care during this time. Of course you would. And if you are saying things about women that have abortions just think how you would feel in their situation. So this passage is saying in the case of abortion don’t be unfair and hypercritical, think how you would feel in their situation. Also another piece from the bible that backs this up is the teaching of Agape: which means to love one another, whatever the circumstances.
B. Explain how Christians might put their beliefs into action.
Before 1967 women who wanted abortions had to try and find someone to perform the operation in secret. These people were unqualified and couldn’t use hospital premises because they would be prosecuted.
These abortions were known as backstreet abortions; they were very dangerous for mother and child due to conditions and inexperience.
Christians may think that it makes no difference how or where it was performed it is that a life has been taken and maybe two. So campaigning that abortion should be legalised because of the back street abortions going on. There would be no point because there will always be a backstreet trade in whatever you are doing, whether it be drugs, prostitution or guns.
So in this case some Christians may put their beliefs into action by doing nothing about abortion.
There are two main groups of views about abortion: pro-life and pro choice. Pro life is when people are against abortion like the organisation SPUC (society of the protection of the unborn child). Pro choice, these people are not exactly for abortion but in favour of choice. So the mother decides and doesn’t have to say why she is doing it.
Firstly I am going to describe what Christians could do if they were against abortion (pro life).
Christians could simply discuss their views about abortion and make their opinions heard and introduce their faith to back up their ideas and beliefs about abortion.
They could join a pro-life group such as SPUC. It was established by people who disagreed that abortion was legal and that it encouraged women to have abortions and didn’t let them consider other option such as adoption.
It isn’t a Christian organisation, but many Christians do support it because of it s view against abortion.
SPUC argues that abortion denies the right to life and that life begins at the moment of conception. Like the Christian beliefs.
Christians may support the organisation because they believe that life is sacred. Also they may believe that it is wrong to do nothing because the bible teaches that to defend the weak: ‘Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked’. Psalm 82:4. They may also believe that it s right to put their faith into action, and when abortion was illegal only 15,000 abortions that took place annually but now there are 180,000 legal abortions taking place each year in England alone.
Christians could vote for a candidate who is against abortion or wants to make it more difficult for an abortion to take place.
Christians could take action by letting their views be known by writing a letter to their local MP, to a local newspaper or magazine. They could picket clinics, handing out leaflets outside to everyone who is going inside, talk to them and tell them that there are other choices apart from having an abortion. They could join protests and campaigns to stop abortions being so easy to get hold of.
Being a Christian they could pray to God and pray for the women and the foetus soul.
A Christian could volunteer to teach people, especially young people about contraception, so it prevents them from becoming pregnant, so they don’t have to make the decision about having an abortion in the first place. One of the reasons for this could be that the number of girls under 16 that are having abortions is rising even though the morning after pill has become more available.
Some Christian may believe that it isn’t enough to discourage abortions to people. Because of their faith they may wish to support the family directly, because they may wish to support the family directly, because it maybe that they just wouldn’t be able to if they gave birth. So a Christian could offer to baby-sit, become a foster carer for a long-term basis, instead of the women having an abortion.
Christians could offer advice to people. If a couple were considering an abortion they may suggest adoption. There could be a couple out there who would love a child but are unable to conceive. There are Christian agencies which offer adoption, a Christian would support this if they were against abortion and encourage women to go through with her pregnancy.
I am now goin to describe what a Christian could do if they supported abortions (pro choice).
Christians could join a group which campaigned for abortion, such as the All parliamentary pro choice organisation which campaigns for the right of women to have an abortion without having to give a reason up to the 14th week of the pregnancy. The organisation is open to everyone to campaign to make abortions easier to obtain. They believe the woman should have not have to explain their situation to their doctor and let them decide if it s right to have an abortion or not. Therefore the doctor is accusing women of not being able to make their own decision and treating them like a child.
Christians might support this organisation because of the bible saying that men and women have equal value and women should be able to make their own decision with their lives. Also keeping with the Christian principles of love and forgiveness and allow a woman to have an abortion rather than an unwanted pregnancy and cause suffering to all the family.
Christians could support an organisation, which offers counselling for people that have had an abortion, for support and advice that they need. They may support this even if they are against abortion because the bible teaches forgiveness.
They could discuss that abortion is a loving thing to do and discourage others from criticising it so much. They may do this because abortion sometimes is a loving thing to do because it prevents suffering so much and people criticising it so it s hurtful to the mother. The bible teaches to put yourselves in the other person’s shoes and see how you would like this.
Christians could simply pray about the problem of abortion.
In whichever way Christians view abortion they can express their views in many ways if they believe strongly enough.
C. Abortion is never justified
Do you agree? Give reasons to support you answer and show that you have thought about the different points of view. You must refer to Christianity in your answer.
I believe that abortion is justified. One of the main reasons I believe this is because, I think that the child is only alive when it takes its first breath. So therefore I have nothing against abortion. But many Christians would disagree with this because some believe it’s a life at the moment of conception, but there are other times when you could consider the child being alive e.g. When the heart, brain, eyes, ears and the major organs. I also think it s only alive when the baby can live on it s own without the assistance of medical science. But that does not mean I think that mentally or physically disabled child (or adult) is not alive just because they need help from medicine.
Also how do you define a child that is handicapped? Because in the law it says that if the foetus is shown to have a disability an abortion is offered. Doctors decide this. Christians would describe this as playing God. Into abortion who has the right to decide when a persons life should begin or end, and this is what doctors are doing all most everyday with abortion etc. so Christians would see doctors as playing God in life and death situations. They say that doctors shouldn’t make these decisions and instead let nature take it s course. But if this were carried out then thousands would die from getting no medical treatment.
But Christians believe that treatment is important because Jesus healed many times in the bible stories.
I think not being a life nor death decision is better than just to let nature take its course, because the person could be in pain. I think of it as what would I do if I were in that situation. Could I be saved by science or just left to die in pain? I know which one I’d choose.
So I don’t think abortion is ‘playing God’, because if God a plan for everyone, then I believe that is part of the plan.
I do have nothing against abortion but I do think that no one should be put in the position of deciding to have an abortion in the first place. They should have taken precautions when they first had sex. This is when there controversy in the Roman Catholic Church because they aren’t allowed to use contraception, so when the woman gets pregnant and cant handle a child, no matter how religious she is, how does she go through the abortion. That s why I think that Catholic Church teaching is impractical. That is also why when you are discussing abortion you have to imagine what you would do if you had to decide whether to have an abortion or not. If I was pregnant and couldn’t handle a child mentally or physically, I would be able to have an abortion.
I also think that the 1967 abortion act was the thing to do and I think that it doesn’t encourage women to have an abortion it just gives them reassurance, and for not to be so afraid.
But I do think properly that abortion should be only when wither lives are in danger and I think that means mentally aswell as physically.
I don’t believe that you can choose which life is more important: mother or child’s. But I think it’s the mother’s decision because it's her body. Many people would disagree because they may believe that the mother has had a life already and it's someone else’s time also some may say that she is not in a stable state to make that decision.
This is why I disagree with the statement that ‘abortion is never justified’.
