Explain Biblical and Church Teachings, which might be used in a discussion about abortion?

2. Explain Biblical and Church Teachings, which might be used in a discussion about abortion?

There are various Church and Biblical teachings, which are often used in a discussion.  All the separate groups have different views and ways to express their opinion in this topic.  The LIFE Campaigns state that human life begins at conception and since all human life begins at conception, all human life should be equally protected; they think abortion is always wrong, no matter what the circumstance is.   “You are God’s temple and God’s spirit lives in you!  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him.  For God’s temple is holy and you yourselves are his temple”.  This means do not destroy ANY life for you represent God and should look after your body in a respectful way (i.e. no use of alcohol or drugs etc).

  In the early centuries, Church teachings state that abortion was only allowable up to forty days after conception because it was believed that this time was when the unborn child received its soul (called ensoulment)-this meaning was based on early understandings of science and nowadays is not generally accepted.  Roman Catholics think that it is wrong to kill an unborn child, regardless of the stage of development and circumstance.  Even if the foetus was created by a circumstance of abuse, the Roman Catholic Church will not support the cause of abortion i.e. ‘The Humanae Vitae’ in 1968 quoted that human life is sacred, which therefore means you aren’t allowed to sacrifice a child in abortion.  Another statement is the ‘Declaration of Procured Abortion’ in 1974, which said, “abortion is a serious sin and that everyone should have respect for human life”.  

  The Salvation Army also believe that life is sacred from the moment of conception although it does accept abortion should take place when the mother’s life is in danger or if the baby is severely abnormal it can’t possibly survive when it is finally born, or if it already deformed in the mother’s womb which is dangerous.  On the other hand, the United Reformed Church and some Anglicans and Methodists understands and recognizes that there are a wide range of views and circumstances which should be considered under all aspects of this issue of whether or not abortion is allowable or not.

   In my personal opinion, I do not know whether or not abortion is right or wrong for I do not have that much knowledge or any experience of these circumstances.   However, from what I have researched I think everybody has to consider everyone’s views about abortion and look at the certain aspects carefully in order to make the correct decision in an appropriate manner and in a non-biased way.