The teachings of Christianity will not only influence the actions of the mother but also the father. If the man’s wife/girlfriend wants an abortion the man can encourage her to keep the child and persuade her that it is the right thing to do. An extreme action of the father may be to take the mother to court. An example of this is when a man took his girlfriend to court because she wanted an abortion and he wanted to keep the child and raise it himself. However, the father lost his case.
A Christian may decide to join a pro-life organisation. For example, SPUC – the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child. They try to encourage people that abortion is wrong and to defend those with no means to defend themselves. SPUC would like to tighten the current law to stop the practice of abortion on demand. To do this they distribute leaflets that explain the awful nature of abortion and offer help to those who have suffered after having an abortion. SPUC visit schools, hospitals and crisis pregnancy centres and encourage people to believe abortion is wrong. Foetal models are used and videos are shown during the lessons. Christian members of SPUC take part in marches, demonstrations and pavement counselling outside abortion clinics. They try to discourage and prevent women from having an abortion.
In extreme cases Christians will join extreme pro-life minority groups who believe illegal methods are justified to prevent abortions. This situation occurs more often in America than the UK. People stage demonstrations to physically stop women entering abortion clinics. Threats have been made to staff in abortion clinics. Such actions have forced many doctors to give up providing abortion services altogether. As a result only 18 out of 362 hospitals perform abortions. An example of a person issuing death threats is a 34-year-old father of three. He also intends to “name and shame” those who give women the opportunity to have abortions. In very extreme cases abortion clinic doctors have been murdered to prevent the loss of a foetus. In America on August 26 2003 security at abortion clinics was increased after warnings following the execution of an anti-abortion extremist. “We are concerned that we’ll see another murder, an arson, a bombing”. This shows the extent to which some Christians are willing to go. John Britton, a doctor who provided an abortion service was gunned down by the father of three, Hill. Some may say extremist pro-life Christians are just as bad as the doctors performing abortions. Hill said, “It is justifiable murder.”
The teachings of liberal Christians will influence the actions of a believer differently.
The liberal view is that abortion is not a good thing but it should be legal and Christians should not judge and condemn women who have abortions. They should try to follow Jesus’ example and show compassion towards them.
A liberal Christian woman who is pregnant might decide to have an abortion if the child will be born with a disability or disease. This is because she will not want her child to suffer and be in pain for the rest of its life. Also the child may be born into poverty because the mother has no money to support her family, it will be best for the unborn child and the already existing children. She would want her children to live life in the best way. “Live life in all its fullness” John 10.
A liberal Christian man whose wife/girlfriend wants an abortion will respect her decision whatever it may be. It is the Christian’s duty to show compassion for the woman. The husband may help his wife decide whether abortion is a good choice if he understands the hard life his wife may have with a child.
Some Christians may join organisations, which support a woman’s right to choose abortion. Campaigns can be relevant to countries such as Nicaragua. In this country Roman Catholic parents helped their daughter, who was raped and, to get an illegal abortion. Because of this they were excommunicated.
These organisations will show compassion for the suffering of women who cannot have an abortion for various reasons. Such organisations offer support to women deciding whether or not to have an abortion by distributing leaflets and teaching special classes in schools.
Another way Christians can help women who want the choice of abortion is to vote for political parties that allow abortion and try to influence their MPs to ensure the law reflects their liberal Christian beliefs. A Christian MP, David Steel, introduced the Abortion Act making abortion legal in the UK. A reason for legalising abortions is that they are always going to happen so it best to use law to decide what are valid reasons to have an abortion. Legalising abortions prevents the practice of back street abortions, which can be very dangerous and result in the loss of the mother’s life. 70,000 women die worldwide as the result of illegal abortions. Liberal Christians see legalised abortions as a way to overcome this great evil.
