However abortion is still an extremely controversial subject and there are many views for or against abortion.
The traditional Christian view of abortion was that it was wrong. Traditional Christian teaching places the highest value on human life therefore condemns abortion.
“ You shall not kill by abortion the fruit of the womb.” Didache.
Christians believe that God created life so therefore only God has the right to take life away and also abortion was devaluing human life and making it disposable.
However today Christian views on abortion vary. This is because Christians have many influences when making their decisions. They are influenced by society as well as their faith. Also there is now increased feminist influence and some denominations do not give clear teaching on abortion:
“ Foetus is to be specially respected and protected. Nonetheless the life of the foetus is not absolutely sacrosanct if it endangers the life of the mother.” C of E 1984
The Church of England therefore condemns abortion unless the life of the mother is endangered.
Another church view is the Church of Scotland:
“ Abortion has no moral justification and represents the unwanted destruction of human life, ‘ made in the image of God’ .... In the great majority of cases.”
Therefore it can be seen that the Church of Scotland has no absolute view on abortion so this makes it very difficult for Christians to make their decisions.
The Protestant view of abortion is that it is generally undesirable but that it may be acceptable in some circumstances.
To add to this the Roman Catholic Church teaches that deliberate procured abortion is a serious sin in all circumstances; this is where the foetus is deliberately killed and removed from the womb. This is because the Catholic Church teaches that human life begins at the moment of contraception and from that moment is sacred and should be protected.
“ From the time that the ovum is fertilised a new life is begun which is neither that of the father or the mother. It is the life of a new human being with its own growth. It would never become human if it were not human already”
Therefore according to the Roman Catholic Church it can be seen that all abortion is to be seen as wrong.
Christians can also be influenced by the bible when making their decisions about abortion:
“ God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them male and female. God blessed them and said ‘ Be fruitful and increase.’”
Christians can see this as God wanting humans to reproduce and by abortion we are going against God’s wishes which is a sin, therefore abortion is wrong according to the bible.
Another Christian teaching, which can affect their view of abortion, is situation ethics. This is where each situation is judged individually to decide what would be the right or wrong thing to do. Some Christians would apply this to abortion and say that although abortion is morally wrong the situation surrounding it is right.
In conclusion it can be seen that there are a range of views about abortion in Christianity, and Christians have many ways of responding to the question of abortion. They can find the answers of everyday problems such as abortion from the bible, their conscience or the teaching of the Church. However some denominations do not give clear teaching on abortion. The Church of England, Scotland and Protestant Churches all hold the view that abortion is wrong except in certain circumstances. The Roman Catholic Church however holds the view that abortion is wrong and in no circumstances should be considered right. So therefore it is hard for Christians to ever justify abortion.
