Christians also believe that each person has a ‘soul’, which does not die; it is the part of a person judged by God, and sent to heaven or hell.
This means to most Christians that abortion is wrong, because life is sacred, and God creates each individual deliberately, so they should not be destroyed.
Also Christians should treat all kinds of human life with respect, and they should do something useful with their life, and not waste it because they are precious.
Belief about the sanctity of life affects the way in which Christians approach medical issues such as abortion, however not all Christians have the same attitude on the issue.
The bible only touches on the issue of abortion because it wasn’t a common occurrence as it is in our modern world.
In the bible,
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are Gods temple, and that god’s spirit lives in you?
If anyone destroys Gods temple, God will destroy him, for Gods temple is sacred, and you are that temple.”
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
This means that each person is sacred and precious, and whoever kills anyone else will be punished.
In the story of creation,
“So God created man in his own image of God created he him, male and female, he created he him.”
Genesis 1:27
This means that God wanted humans to be like him, and create good things. It also implies that humans, whatever their circumstance are equal. So if someone was pregnant they would have made something good, but if they had an abortion, the woman would not have been treating the unborn child equally.
One of the most important things that Christians are supposed to remember when they are making moral decisions is their belief that God is love and people should love one another.
There are two parts to this teaching, loving God, and loving your neighbour.
Loving God means to worship him, and make him the centre of your world. It also means to do what you feel God would want you to do.
Loving your neighbour is realising everyone around you is as special and as valuable as you yourself are, and treating people how you would like to be treated in return.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them to do to you, for these sums up the laws and the prophets.”
Matthew 7:12
Agape is described as unconditional love, which is when you love someone no matter what. It’s not to do with liking them, or them liking you, it is when you want what is best for another person because you are concerned about them.
Storage is the name for family love and loyalty.
These are the two types of love you should feel for your unborn child. Some people feel you cannot love what you don’t know, but I believe you should love your family no matter what.
Some people who have an abortion would argue that they do show agapé by being concerned for their child’s welfare, and an abortion is what is best for them.
Jesus taught that if people want to be forgiven for their sins, they should be prepared to forgive other people for theirs in return.
“Forgive us our sins.”
The Lords Prayer
To be forgiven, you have to pray, by praying, you are asking for Gods forgiveness.
“You have heard it said, love your neighbour, and hate your enemy, but I say to you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be the sons of your father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:43-44
To accept forgiveness, you have to admit that you have done something wrong. You have to be sorry, and want to change your attitude. You also have to try to prepare the damage if possible.
With abortion, for a woman to ask for forgiveness, she must be aware she has done something wrong. From the Lords Prayer, the woman should be forgiven, and given a new slate, but I feel there has to be limits on what you can forgive and forget.
Section 2
There is more than one Christian response to abortion, Roman Catholics believe:
“Life must be protected with the utmost of care from the moment of conception, abortion and infancies are the most abominable of crimes.”
Statement from the Roman Catholic Church
This is because Roman Catholics strongly disagree with abortion, whereas the Church of England and most of the Protestants agree with the Roman Catholics, and Orthodox churches, but they also feel that they should consider the woman’s situation because they believe each is individual and unique. Therefore while abortion is generally not accepted, it may be permitted in certain circumstances:
- If there is a serious risk to the mothers life,
- If conception takes place as a result of rape,
- If there is a great risk that the baby will be born handicapped.
There are groups of people who agree and disagree with abortion; these are split into two main groups – pro-choice and pro-life.
Pro-choice groups campaign for the rights of the woman, their aim is to make abortions easy to obtain, whereas, pro-life groups campaign for the rights of the unborn child, their aim is to make abortions illegal.
Pro-choice groups such as ‘Voice for Choice’ believe that the mother should choose if they want to keep the unborn child or not, they also say that the baby should only be allowed rights once it is born in to our world.
Pro-life groups such as ‘SPUC’ (Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child) believe that birth is not the start of a human’s life; it is just a change of the baby’s environment. They believe a new life begins in the womb at the moment of conception. They say that abortion denies the most basic of human rights- the right to life. The life of the child is no less important that the mothers, they are equal.
Christians have differing opinions on abortion depending on the woman’s circumstance. I don’t think that the way the woman became pregnant, or her difficulties during pregnancy should come into account. Christians say this is because each case is individual, and special. Christians say that the only circumstances they would agree with would be: the result of rape, danger of the mother, or danger of the unborn child being handicapped.
Most Christian charities and individuals would disagree with abortion, especially Roman Catholics and Orthodox.
If you do make a mistake don’t destroy the life…because also to that child God says, “I have called you by your name, I have carved you in the palm of my hand: you are mine.”
Mother Teresa (Roman Catholic Nun)
“We believe that abortion is an evil…and abortion on demand would be a very great evil.”
General Synod of the Church of England
“Although the life of the foetus is to be specially respected and protected, nonetheless the life of the foetus is not absolutely paramount.”
Church of England report 1984
This means that even though the foetus is special, it is not as important as the mother’s life.
I totally disagree with abortion because I feel it is a waste of a life. I think it is wrong for a woman to be allowed an abortion, and whoever has one is selfish. I believe that abortion is killing a baby, and they should have the right to life from the moment of conception.
Also I think it is unfair to abort a baby when couples are unable to conceive. There are very few babies up for adoption. I was surprised, and shocked when I found out that one in five babies conceived is aborted. I think that is an awful reflection of us as the human race.
I don’t feel abortion is ever justified because there is never a good enough reason.
“Though shalt not kill”
Exodus 20:13
When people feel it is all right to murder a person, they don’t mind so much when they are still in the mother’s womb. I think it is unfair because it is a baby from the moment of conception. I feel the baby needs someone to stick up for it, because it can’t decide for itself, and its opinions are not considered.
“Aren’t five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one sparrow if forgotten by God. Even the hair on your head is counted, so don’t be afraid; you are worth much more than many sparrows.”
Luke 12:6-7
This means that our human lives are worth more than any other form of life, and God remembers people’s sins.
A parable in the Bible which has an implicit meaning of abortion is ‘the parable of the sheep and the goat.’ (Matthew 25:31-46)
Jesus is teaching here that a Christian must help people whatever their need.
If Christians were going to go by this teaching then they would not have an abortion because they are not helping the baby by doing so.
A Christian might join a ‘pro-life’ organisation such as ‘SPUC’, which is against abortion, including protesting.
Some Christians support the families to help them through the abortion because they believe it is their choice, and sometimes offer advice.
They also might pray for or against the problem of abortion in search for answers.
Section 3
People have varying opinions about abortions, some feel they would be all right, some would think it is the mother’s choice, and some, like me, would strongly oppose abortion.
I realise that most people would feel abortion would be justified in serious circumstances, for example rape, or age, which disturbs me.
I understand there are many arguments for and against abortion, some I can see why they can be used as reasons, and some I feel are just excuses. I realise that Christians will have varying opinions, though mainly against abortions, and if someone was raped and had an abortion, they might be exempt for doing it.
Some people may have abortions but still not like doing it, but they feel that the baby was better off not being let into the world.
If a woman had an abortion, and she didn’t believe the foetus should be classed as a baby until a certain age, then she would excuse herself, but I think it is immoral.
Even seeing the different situations and views of people, I still feel very strongly that abortions should be illegal in every condition, and they should never be used as a form of birth control as it is in our modern world.
When people are allowed abortions under some circumstances, the people being refused will fight for their right, and eventually, more and more people will be let through the barrier, and abortion will be totally legalised for any woman in any circumstance. People should bear in mind that there is always more than one option; because I don’t think anyone can ever justify having an abortion.
