However not all Roman Catholics react in the same way even though they still hold the same beliefs about the sanctity of life. They believe that having an abortion maybe the lesser of two evils in circumstances such as rape and disability. They also agree with abortion if the mother’s life is at risk if the pregnancy continues.
The Church of England stated in a report in 1984 that “the foetus is to be specially respected and protected” it did however go on to say that “nonetheless the life of the foetus is not absolutely sacrosanct if it endangers the life of the mother.”
The Protestant Churches say that abortion is “generally undesirable; under some circumstances it may be acceptable.” It is not however always clear what the circumstances may be, which may be why a minority protestant group (“Christians for free choice”) campaigns for more emphasis on what they think is a woman’s right to have an abortion.
On the issue of euthanasia most Christian traditions are against it, the Roman Catholic Church has spoken out against euthanasia, saying “…an act, or an omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder greatly contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to living God, his creator.” (The Catechism of the Catholic Church) the Methodists, whilst referring to The Hospice Movement, which is an alternative to euthanasia in Christianity, state, “The argument for euthanasia will be answered if better methods for caring for the dying are developed.” Cicely Saunders, a christian doctor who founded the hospice movement opposed euthanasia because she had seen so much achievement by people at the ending of their lives, times, were euthanasia practiced, that their families would have missed. Hospices are special places where people with a terminal illness are cared for and are allowed to die in comfort and dignity without employing euthanasia.
The synod on behalf of the Church of England published a report in 1993, which said, “that no change in the law was needed” they acknowledged the difference between letting a person die by withholding treatments such as anti-biotics and deliberately killing by overdose thus expressing that a person has the right to refuse treatment but does not have a right to die at a time of their choosing.
Exit is a pro-choice group who think that a change in the law is needed to allow judiciary greater flexibility on the issue of euthanasia.
