Churches have differing views. The Roman Catholic Church believes that life begins at the moment of conception and everyone has the right to life. They believe that Abortion is wrong under any circumstances, as it is going against God. The pregnancy happened for a reason whether it is through a marriage or rape. To stop that birth is stop someone’s right to live. That is against God.
The Church of England position as expressed in reports and resolutions of the General Synod, where it states, “The Church of England combines strong opposition to abortion with a recognition that there can be - strictly limited - conditions under which it may be morally preferable to any available alternative”. They believe that there are certain circumstances where Abortion is okay such as if the child is likely to be mentally or physically handicapped or if the pregnancy was as a result of rape. An abortion that is not under certain circumstances would be seen as wrong and against God.
There are some Quakers who are opposed to abortion. But there are also other Quakers who are very keen to enable women to play a full role in society. This might lead them to feel, reluctantly and sadly, that in some circumstances abortion may be the only alternative. Quakers have not issued a corporate statement on abortion and consequently, is difficult to know where their standing lies.
Voluntary Euthanasia takes place when a patient is dying or in intolerable pain, asks someone to help them to die to avoid any further suffering. It is technically illegal throughout the world.
In practice, however, euthanasia is permitted in The Netherlands with certain guidelines: The patient must request euthanasia repeatedly both consciously and freely; the patient must be experiencing suffering which cannot be relieved except by death; the physician must consult with another physician who agrees that euthanasia is acceptable in this particular case.
The Sanctity of Life is also linked with Euthanasia. We are all individuals and are created in God’s image and everything should be done to try and preserve it no matter what the situation is. Christians are obligated to use any medical methods to try to prolong life. This means that the Christian is obligated to use ordinary medical means to promote health. That is, Christians have a moral duty to accept medical treatment if it is available and effective and it is not a burden out of proportion to the anticipated benefit. For example, refusing tube feeding because of a spinal cord injury would be tantamount to suicide and a rejection of the responsibility we have to be stewards of our lives. In God's eyes, we are each endowed with a touch of Himself. Each human carries within his or her being the eternal, holy breath of God, the Creator. Therefore, each human life exists as an expression of God and His character. We are not merely flesh and blood. We are all image-bearers of the Living God. Since we embody God's image, the sacredness of our lives, and the dignity it demands, is based on something beyond our characteristics or abilities – it is rooted in the essence of God Himself. Life is a gift from God and only he has the power to take it.
The Roman Catholic have conducted a very aggressive campaign against Euthanasia. They say that there are now ways in which pain can be controlled and people can die with dignity. They say that only God has the right to decide when a person should be born and when they should die. Humans are not like animals and cannot simple be put to death as they have eternal souls and the time of their coming and going is detained by God.
The views taken by the Roman Catholic Church is similar to that of the Anglican Church except for one major difference. Anglican Church says that the person who is ill can refuse treatment. However, they are also quick to point out the difference between letting someone die and killing them. There is a distinction between deliberate killing and the shortening of life through the administration of painkilling drugs. There is a proper and fundamental ethical distinction, which cannot be ignored between that which is intended and that which is foreseen but unintended. For example, the administration of morphine is intended to relieve pain. The consequent shortening of life is foreseen but unintended. If safer drugs were available, they would be used: pain would be
controlled and life would not be shortened.
This is a topic on which Quakers are not united. We would make a distinction between allowing someone to die whose life was being painfully prolonged by medical treatment or artificial life support systems, and so-called mercy killing or euthanasia where someone, perhaps a doctor, administers a drug intended to kill the person. Although it would not be easy deciding to switch off a life support machine, most Quakers would probably feel this might be the right thing to do for a loved one who, for example, could no longer live without artificial support and who had no possibility of recovering consciousness. Voluntary euthanasia, as it is often defined, involves a patient, perhaps in great pain or despair, asking somebody else to bring their life to an end. There are some Quakers who believe that people should be allowed to die with dignity and would wish the option of legal euthanasia to be available.
Other Quakers would say that if we care for each other, offer proper support and pain relief, euthanasia should not be needed. Some Quakers work in the hospice movement which seeks to care for patients so that the quality of life is maintained as death approaches. Some Quakers hold 'clearness meetings' to prepare themselves and make decisions about how they wish to be treated, when they know that their death is likely.
Different Christians have different views towards Abortion and Euthanasia. They are however, united in their beliefs that life is sacred and ordained by God.