Attitudes to Abortion and Euthanasia (Christian)
Attitudes to Abortion and Euthanasia (Christian)
Christian Attitudes:
Christians have different views about abortion and euthanasia, but they all take the issues very seriously. They are part of the discussion about the Sanctity of Life. Christians believe that all life is sacred and was given by God. It is a gift from God. To have an abortion or to accept euthanasia are very serious decisions and Christians believe that they should not be encouraged for social reasons. E.g. Abortion is not another form of contraception. It should only be considered in the most serious circumstances.
Abortion:
Abortion can be spontaneous and is then regarded as a miscarriage or it can be an operation, which causes the premature expulsion of the foetus from the womb. An operation to terminate a pregnancy can legally take place in Britain before the foetus is viable; that means capable of living independently of its mother. Legal abortion is usually safe and relatively uncomplicated.
Jesus did not teach his followers about abortion. It was not an issue in his day. However, those who oppose abortion look for guidance in Biblical passages, which speak of the sanctity of life. They also consult teachings of the Church.
The Bible says, in the Ten Commandments:
'You shall not murder'. (Exodus 20:13)
Some Christians believe that abortion is murder because it ends the life of the unborn child.
Corinthians 3:16-17 tells Christians that the body is God's temple:
'Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.'
Psalm 139:13 states:
'You created me; you put me together in my mother's womb.'
Similarly, Jeremiah1: 5 says:
'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart.'
Those who are against abortion say that these passages from ...
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Corinthians 3:16-17 tells Christians that the body is God's temple:
'Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.'
Psalm 139:13 states:
'You created me; you put me together in my mother's womb.'
Similarly, Jeremiah1: 5 says:
'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart.'
Those who are against abortion say that these passages from the Old Testament show that God knows life from the beginning. Ending life at any stage is murder.
In Luke 1:41 the unborn John the Baptist, responded to the news of the coming of Jesus:
'When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb.'
One of the earliest Christian documents, the Didache, says:
'You shall not kill by abortion the fruit of the womb.'
This suggests that the issue of abortion has been discussed and disapproved of by the Church for many years.
Roman Catholic Attitude:
The Roman Catholic Church believes that abortion is a sin in all cases.
They believe that life must be protected from the moment of conception. It is argued that the foetus is a living person, with a soul, from the time of conception. Abortion is regarded as infanticide and, therefore, murder. The Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches forbid abortion.
The only time when Roman Catholics would accept abortion is if it happens as a side-effect of a necessary operation to save the life of the woman. For example, if a woman has cancer and her uterus has to be removed, she can have the operation even though it will cause the death of the unborn child. This is because the intention of the operation is not to terminate the pregnancy. The abortion is a side effect of a life saving operation to treat cancer.
Other Christian Attitudes:
Other Churches are not all as strict as the Roman Catholic Church.
The Anglican (Church of England) and most Protestant Churches are opposed to abortion in principle:
'We affirm that every human life, created in the divine image, is unique... and that this holds for each of us, born or yet to be born. We therefore believe that abortion is an evil'.
(General Synod of the Church of England)
Unlike the Catholic Church, however, most other Christian churches, whilst not condoning abortion as a form of contraception, do accept that in certain extreme circumstances, abortion is the 'lesser of two evils' and will consent to an abortion being carried out if:
* There is a serious risk to the mother' s life
* Conception occurs as a result of rape
* There is a real risk of the baby being seriously handicapped.
Christians hold differing views towards the question of abortion. However, they all 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.
Some Christians believe that abortion is a serious moral issue, but it should still be left to the conscience of the individual. The Society of Friends (Quakers) argue that the life of the mother must be valued above the life of the unborn child, even if this goes against their teachings on non-violence.
Those Christians who are willing to accept abortion under certain circumstances do so out of compassion. Jesus taught that people should love others as much as they love themselves. This is Christian love (agape) or compassion. Some Christians might argue that in some circumstances, the most loving thing to do is to allow an abortion.
Euthanasia:
Euthanasia has been described as 'gentle and easy death'. Death is brought about prematurely, especially in cases of painful and incurable diseases.
At present, under British law all forms of euthanasia are illegal and considered as criminal acts. Some people argue that if people are terminally ill and in great pain, they should have the right to ask for help to die.
Jesus did not teach his followers about euthanasia. It was not an issue in his day. However the Bible says, in the Ten Commandments:
'You shall not murder'. (Exodus 20:13)
Some Christians believe that euthanasia is murder because it interferes with the natural end of life.
Psalm 139:13 states:
'You created me; you put me together in my mother's womb.'
Similarly, Jeremiah1: 5 says:
'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart.'
Those who are against euthanasia say that these passages from the Old Testament show that God knows life from the beginning. Ending life at any stage is murder.
As with abortion, those Christians who are willing to accept euthanasia under certain circumstances do so out of compassion. Jesus taught that people should love others as much as they love themselves. This is Christian love (agape) or compassion. Some Christians might argue that in sometimes, the most loving thing to do is to allow a person to die.
Christians usually prefer the alternative of the hospice movement. Hospices are residential homes for the terminally ill. Their aim is to allow people to die with dignity and in as little pain as possible.
