The Catholic Church look upon the abortion of an unborn child as being wrong, and accuses it of being the killing, or murder of an innocent child not yet given the chance to live its’ life. This is based on the teaching, life begins at conception, and that the unborn child has the same right to life as its’ mother who is carrying it. This teaching applies even if the unborn child is likely to develop into a handicapped person. Pro-abortionists believe in abortion being acceptable. They give reasons such as, the foetus not being human and that it hasn’t got the development of the brain to feel pain yet or think for itself. Another argument for abortion is that it is the woman who has to carry the unborn child, and it is her decision to do what she likes with it. However, anti-abortionists disagree strongly with these concepts. They consider the foetus as being fully human from the moment it is conceived and that the unborn child has equal rights as its’ mother to stay alive.
As responsible Christians, parents of a Christian faith believe that their son, or daughter should be baptised after birth. This is an important event because the parents would want their child to grow up in the faith of God, and to love Him until they can decide for themselves whether or not they want to continue the faith after confirmation.
All life is equal, that is what is thought from the Catholic and Christian point of view. ‘All humans are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Everybody has the right to life, liberty, and security of person.’ This was a quote from the United Nations Organisation, from when they issued its Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is saying that every person in this world has a right to their own choices and is free to do what they like as long as it’s legal. They have the same rights as any other person. This means abortion is ruled out because the unborn child has the same rights of life as its’ mother. Slavery is also unfair. As no one has the right to control other peoples lives in a way in which they are forced to do things they don’t want to.
Euthanasia is another case. It is seen as an ideal solution for some people with particularly distressing and serious problems, as a cure to heal their pain. Others however, for example, the Catholic Church, see it as ‘ an action or omission which, either itself or by intention, causes death.’ Christians believe that it is part of God’s plan, to experience suffering. Which many people in this world do go through. It is a test of character, and would make the person stronger in the long term. It might be someone’s duty to take care of another’s health, but the answer is not in killing. Their responsibility should be in making the person as comfortable as possible until the time comes for their life to end naturally and when God chooses. Death should be accepted with responsibility and dignity. They should wait for the eternal life, only to be helped by either doctors, to use as much skill as allowed, or from the kindness and support of charities and organisations. God is the one to decide when our lives are over and by the means of euthanasia this is going against God’s wishes in killing the person, which could sometimes be against their own will.
