Those who support the pro-life argument believe that life begins from the moment of conception and that abortion is never justifiable, which is a principle that should never be compromised.
All Christian churches recognise sanctity of human life from the moment of conception, however there are differences of opinion regarding the justification of abortion in cases such as rape.
Both the Anglican and the Methodist churches believe that abortion in itself is wrong but is understandable when the pregnancy is a result of rape.
“Christians should reject the practice of induced abortion…save at the dictate of strict and undeniable medical necessity. This implies that there can be medical circumstances in which the termination of pregnancy is required” (Statement from the Church of Ireland Standing Committee of the general Synod 1982).
The Methodist church is the most open of the main churches in Ireland to the use of abortion although this would still be in exceptional circumstances only.
“As a church we are in favour of allowing the parties concerned to have the pregnancy terminated in the following case:
When there is a grave risk to the mother’s physical and mental health.
When the pregnancy was the result of rape.
When there is a gross abnormality of the foetus” (From the status of the unborn, a report received at a Methodist conference 1992)
However the Catholic Church finds that abortion is never justifiable no matter how severe the consequences
“ Deliberately to terminate the life of another is murder no matter how merciful, no matter how desirable the result” (‘human life is sacred’, pastoral letter written by the bishop).
However this does not mean that Catholics are unsympathetic to those who are suffering from traumatic situations but they still believe that abortion is not justifiable.
“We have been created by almighty God in his own image and likeness. No pregnancy is unplanned because no baby can be conceived, unless God intends that conception and has willed that particular unique and complete individual into existence”(Catholic Truth Society).
The international termination of pregnancy is always wrong, “Life must be respected with the up most care from the moment of conception. Abortion and infanticide are always wrong” (Gaudium Et Spes).
The Christian churches all agree that the biblical teaching on respect for life states that we must have the up most respect for all human life. The sanctity of human life is reinforced by the commandment: “Thou shall not kill”
All Christians believe that the unborn child has a relationship with God.
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you where born, I consecrated you”(Jeremiah).
“For you created my unformed body, all the days ordained for me, where written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139).
A lot of people use a case of rape to justify abortion, that the woman suffering will be too traumatised to carry on with the pregnancy. People also believe that if the baby if going to be born with abnormalities it is understandable to have an abortion. This is definitely not the case:
“Why does society fear the crippled child, wondered Joseph out loud, and why does it hail the able-bodied child?” (Under the eye of the clock, written by Christopher Nolan).
Most Christians find that making the decision of justifying abortion after a case of rape a hard choice because of the different views that the churches have. The Catholic Church can never see abortion as being the lesser of two evils and therefore are Catholics are against the idea. However if you where a part of either the Anglican or Methodist church abortion for a pregnancy as a result of rape is approved, however this is only in extreme cases such as rape.
The 1967 abortion act has legalised abortion in such cases and some people feel that this law should be changed. Some believe that abortion should be made on demand and others believe abortion is wrong and should never be legalised unless the pregnancy is ectopic.
Should the 1967Abortion Act Be Changed?
For many centuries it was regarded as a serious crime to destroy a baby in its mother’s womb. In 1967 Parliament passed a law (In England, Scotland and Wales) stating that it was no longer a criminal offence for a pregnancy to be terminated by a doctor, if two doctors agreed on any of these seven conditions:
Before 1967 abortion was illegal unless there were very exceptional circumstances. So if a woman wanted an abortion she had to go to a so-called, “Back-street abortionist.” Between 40,000 and 200,000 back-street abortions took place in Britain every year. About 30 women died on average per year.
I think that the only thing changed about this act is that abortion should be available to those in Northern Ireland. I can understand the pro-life aspect of this argument, but I feel that it’s the woman’s choice whether or not she wishes to have a baby. The fact that the legalities of the procedure only refer to those in Great Britain is just an obstruction for the abortion-seeking women of Northern Ireland. Out of every 20,000 pregnancies in Belfast annually approximately 23 % are unplanned. And out of this 23 % around a 3rd of the women have to travel abroad to have abortions. Why should abortions be limited to only those who can afford to travel?
From my essay you have probably established that I am pro-choice. Abortion should be legal to those who want or need it. Those with strong religious and moral objections to abortion argue that the rights of the unborn child override those of the mother. I think that the woman should be allowed to make her own choice, as it her body and it is her life that will be affected by the birth of the child. Abortion should be legal to those who want or need it. Though, to prevent unnecessary deaths, there should be a rigorous screening/questioning program to ensure that the mother really doesn’t want the child, or to make sure she knows all the alternatives.
I think it should be the mother’s choice of whether to have the baby or not. If you think about it, it is her life.