Pius VI said that ‘‘ensoulment occurs before conception so abortion is a mortal sin’’. This is enhanced by the bible which states life begins at birth
The R.C Church states in the declaration on procured abortion 1974 that respect for human life is not just the Christian duty ‘‘respect for life is integral to the stability of the human race’’. The church teaches ‘‘… never under any excuse may abortion be resorted to either by family or by the political authority as means of regulating birth’’
Gaudium et spes (the document of Vatican II) states ‘‘life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception; abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes.
The churches teachings are clear; ‘ ‘ abortion is the direct and intentional killing of an unborn child’’. From the moment of conception a potential human being exists this sacredness of life is developed by the church in her documents Humanae Vitae by Paul VI and Familiaris Consortio. It is clear from the above teachings which originates in the pages of both the old and new testaments that the foetus is a sacred human being whose protection is vital.
AO2
How might Christians respond towards the issue of abortion?
It’s important to remember that the R.C Church is part of the world wide network of Christian churches. Its response towards abortion has been outlined in AO1; however there are other Christian view points towards the subject of abortion.
The Church of England made a report in 1984 which stated ‘‘the foetus is to be specially protected and respected’’ it did not end there they continued to say ‘‘none the less the life of the foetus is none absolutely sacrosanct if it endangers the life of the mother’’ consequently the Church of England permits abortion id the mothers life in endanger examples being that if the mother was suffering from a life threatening disease and to go through with the pregnancy might result in the woman’s death. This does not mean that the Church of England permits abortion. In cases of rape, incest and unwanted teenage pregnancies it is permitted. The Church of England upholds the sanctity of life and sees the foetus as a living human being from the moment of conception.
In 1987 the Church of Scotland also made a statement. It stated ‘‘abortion has no moral justification and represents the unwarranted destruction of human life that is made in the image of God’’ they go on to say ‘‘in the great majority of cases’’
The protestant tradition believe that abortion is acceptable in certain circumstances, but sometimes these circumstances are not clear only the minority of protestant groups e.g. Christians For Free Choice believe that the decision should be left for the mother. The viewpoints of Evangelical Christians base their views on the bible and are therefore extremely opposed to abortion. Humanists believe abortion is acceptable under certain circumstances but again it is unclear to define these circumstances
The Christian response towards abortion is not simply confined to the churches. Many Christians respond through the various groups which with they might have contacts with for example many Christians are members of two groups The National Abortion Campaign and The Abortion Rights Actions Campaign these organisations do not like being referred to as pro abortion but prefer the name pro choice groups. They provide material for women about the options available to them under the law. They try to influence politicians by lobbying MP’s and by aiming their views at political parties and trade unions.
It is clear that many Christians are part of the feminist movement which promotes the right to choose whether to have an abortion or not. This ‘‘law’’ has been manipulated by society and has been used by women to gain abortions on minor grounds for example if the baby is diagnosed with the wrong hair colour or eye colour.
There is however other Christian teachings S.P.U.C, Society for the protection of the unborn child and LIFE these two groups campaign for a change in the abortion laws they seek to stop abortion all together. Abortion is a moral issue it is a human being killed and goes against the very principal of the Hippocratic Oath which demands that we care for life and protect it.
It is obvious that all Christians do not have the same response towards the issue of abortion. The solution maybe for all of us is to look at it from an objective point of view.
AO3
‘‘God gives life and only god can take it away’’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer showing that you have considered more that one point of view
I have my own thoughts on his statement but firstly I am going to look at both sides of this issue before I express my feelings towards it.
The Roman Catholic Church believes that everyone is a unique and sacred human being and we all deserve the chance of life. Therefore the Catholic Church believes that god is the only giver, sustainer and taker away of life so it is against the catholic churches belief for a life to be ended by means of abortion.
In some cases god is not seen as the only one who can take away life for example if a woman has fallen pregnant due to rape then some people may feel that abortion is the right choice to make or if going through with the birth of a child might put the mothers life at risk due to some sort of illness then abortion is seen as acceptable.
Some people will argue that god should be the only one with the right to end a life as if an unborn child should be allowed to be terminated by others then there will be more impertinence in society towards god and his teachings. God has taught us that life is sanctified and it must not be taken away. We should be thankful for this great gift from god, which has brought happiness into our lives and if we are thankful to god for giving us it then we should accept that he should be the only one to end it.
I myself agree with this statement as I see god as the only giver, sustainer and taker away of life. God may end our lives quickly, painlessly or painfully but at the end of the day he offered us all a change to experience life to its fullest.
