Euthanasia, abortion and the Church

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Euthanasia, abortion and the Church

The Catholic Church has consistently taught that respect for human life is one of the most essential aspects of our faith.  Life includes love, respect, community, and family.  Each person is entitled their right to life, a responsibility to God, to live out their life from natural birth to natural death.  Unfortunately, there have been horrifying incidents where people commit murders, assault and manipulate other people.  One of the Ten Commandments clearly states “Thou shall not Kill.”  The act of killing is not only illegal; it is unjustifiable.  Abortion, euthanasia, and suicide are all acts of murder.  In each circumstance, a life is being terminated intentionally and the people involved are refusing to acknowledge God’s intentions for human life.  Our society has been intensely corrupted to the point where each person acts for his or her benefit without thinking about the repercussions.  In any case, abortion, euthanasia, and suicide are not solutions to an unhappy or unwanted lifestyle; it is only a cowardly escape.

Initially, life begins at the moment of conception and the Church recognizes this important stage of life forbidding any methods to terminate the embryo.  Abortion is the procedure to terminate a pregnancy before the foetus can be fully developed.  Many women have different excuses to choose to have an abortion.  Most commonly, women feel they are not financially secure to raise a child, while others fear that their life would dramatically change or that they are not ready for the responsibility of looking after a child.  Many teenage girls choose to have the procedure done mainly fearing the disapproval of her parents or they fear what other will think.  Some choose to abort because advanced technology has alerted them to a physical defect that the baby may suffer.  However, these are not arguments to terminate an innocent being.  Women have a choice to engage in sexual intercourse, and if they choose to, they should take complete responsibility for any unexpected events.  As well, God creates each being perfectly in his own image; humans are the ones who created imperfection.  If a foetus has a mental or physical defect, the being still deserves a chance to live.  God does not create waste and although the baby may not be perfect concerning “human standards”, God has given that baby a chance to live and to serve some purpose on this earth.  Another difficult argument is a rape victim becoming pregnant.  Although the conception was under violent circumstances, the foetus is still innocent and morally, the foetus should not be penalized with a second act of violence.  The Church also teaches, “The embryo must be defended in its integrity, cared for, and healed like every other human being.”   Clearly, the Church condemns abortion and strongly believes that any form of life deserves an equal opportunity to live.  Each foetus has its own right to life and women who feel it is necessary to destroy an innocent life are endorsing the message that people have the right to kill.  In many countries, laws forbid people to murder each other but allow mothers to kill their foetuses.  The problem is there is no difference between the two.

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In any circumstance, killing is absolutely forbidden.  Thus the acts of euthanasia should be no different either.  Euthanasia is the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefit.  Over the decades, humans have grown extremely conniving and are often able to find ways to escape conflict, pain, or suffering.  However, it is not justifiable in every circumstance.  People need to suffer in order to recognize and appreciate the good in life.  Through suffering, humans are able to learn about compassion and solidarity.  Although eliminating a person’s suffering may bring them ...

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