But Christians also have the responsibility of not creating that life if there was no will to do so. The Roman Catholic Church defines sex as something that should be abstained from unless it is to create another life. They do not agree with any form of contraception, as conception is natural law. 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 encourages us to not have sex as our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and we should worship it. But it is our duty to carry on the human race and reproduce, so sex in order to recreate is fine as stated in the bible. ‘So God created man in his own image, the image of God created him, male and female’ (Genesis 1:26-27). It is a Christian’s responsibility to carry on this precious thing but it should also be their duty to protect it.
AO2
Abortion and euthanasia are the un-natural killing of persons, Old, young and unborn. They are purposely inflicted upon the victim. Though each involves a choice made by either the person themselves or a relative in the case of euthanasia or the parent in the case of abortion. Though these decisions may have to be made, most Christian agree that abortion is morally wrong. The Roman Catholic teachings on abortion is that the church says that abortion should not be allowed under any circumstances, because even while still very tiny and still hardly developed the baby growing in the womb is the beginning of a human life, And another human being should not end any life created by God at any stage of its development. All life is precious as the psalmist says ‘you created every part of me, you put me together in my Mothers womb… When I was growing there in secret, you knew that I was there, you saw me before I was born. Mother Theresa also sums up the Catholic attitude to abortion, she states that God had created us to love and be loved, she said, in his own image, as evidence of his love.’ For this reason I say abortion is the greatest evil. If anyone of you does not want his own child, do not kill it, give it to me’ Mother Theresa perhaps the perfect Christian would take in any child as she believes that none is unwanted. Though there are times and circumstances in which abortion can be justified, this is known as the principal of double effect. This is where a child may be lost if for instance a mother was having chemotherapy and the radiation used damaged and eventually killed the foetus. It was not the desired effect it was only one that could not be helped. Abortion is only wrong if the person aims to terminate the life inside them. The Church of England also agrees that abortion is wrong and that life is sacred unless it is in extreme circumstances, for example rape or endangerment of life. This is not such an extreme view compared to what is thought by The RC but The Orthodox Church take it even further to the other extreme and state that if a woman needs to have an abortion that she should let God guide her conscience. This is also a similar view to that of the Quakers who believe no one should tell somebody else what to do with their body. God will help them make the correct decision and that person should not feel guilty. There are also many non-religious groups such as SPUC, which totally disagree with abortion or any form of contraception. They believe an unborn child if unwanted should be put up for adoption and given the chance of life.
Many of these views also reflect each denominations stance on Euthanasia. Quakers for instance believe in ending pain as Jesus ended pain when he was alive. This is the view that in ending suffering we are carrying on the life of Jesus. Yet most are against mercy killings. Their arguments being that nobody is able to take a life except God, Suicide goes against God’s word. But perhaps the most ethical is that Roman Catholics believe in miracles and if a person’s life is taken there is no hope of a miracle. Hope is important to all. There are of cause lots of ways a terminally ill person can lead a better life but in many cases there aren’t, each denominations understands this but still sticks to what they believe to be morally right.
AO3
Christians have many views that may seem a little extreme to a non-Christian in today’s modern society as most of them do stem from the teachings of the bible. The teachings of God were relevant a thousand or even one hundred years ago but they seem to be having trouble adapting in today’s more accepting world. There are different types of Christian perhaps the most extreme being the Literalists who believe in the exact literal interpretation of Gods word. Though this is not for them to enforce upon others, it is indeed their choice to see the world like this but not their right to make other people live this way. Everybody holds their own beliefs on all moral issues and they will act o their best judgement depending upon what these are. Many of today’s modern churches such as The Orthodox Church and The Quakers that have a more relaxed view on practicing their beliefs. They do not try to convert anybody against their will. This is the attitude needed by all Christians from whatever denomination in today’s ever-changing world. Faith is low among all believers and non-believers because of all of modern societies ills. Many question why God allows the world and it’s people to endure so many horrors and until these ills vanish Christians could not enforce their views successfully on others.
