Other quotes that strongly oppose Abortion are quotes such as:
‘You shall not kill by abortion the fruit of the womb’
This quote expresses in no uncertain terms, the evilness of abortion. It appears as a commanding phrase which demands that abortion must not be committed, under any circumstances.
‘For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb’
This quotes cements the idea that Christianity believes life begins at conception. If this is the case, abortion should be religiously, if not legally, classified as murder and indeed ‘You shalt not commit murder’ is one of the Ten Commandments.
Section B
There are numerous ways in which a mother could show her personal beliefs about abortion and put them into practise, depending on her views about the topic. A mother, who believes abortion to be justifiable, could either lend her support to groups, such as pressure groups which promote public awareness about the reasons behind abortion. She may also, although extremely unlikely, herself encounter a situation in which she has to decide whether to have an abortion, in this case she would obviously proceed with an abortion providing the circumstances were correct. These are the most practical ways in which women that support the right to have an abortion, would show their beliefs. Another way was if a close friend was having to make a decision regarding abortion, and was in doubt about whether to have an abortion or not. The abortion supporters would try to comfort and support the mother in her dilemma and possibly try to influence her into having an abortion if it was necessary, by promoting her understanding about the subject.
On the other hand, if someone was totally against the idea of abortion under any circumstances, she would also maybe join a group which campaigns to make abortions illegal in this country, as they once used to be. One of these groups which campaigns against abortion by using leaflets to convey a message to the public that abortion is wrong under all circumstances, is SPUC (Society for the Protection of Unborn Children) The society sends its message about abortion through normal advertising and through alarming statistics like, In the year ending 2001 there were 186,274 legal abortions carried out. These alarming statistics make people think. Societies are a very common way in which women show their beliefs about abortion. Another common way is being a Roman Catholic. Catholicism is totally against abortion under any circumstances, unless the mother’s life is seriously at risk. Catholics use quotes from the bible to demote abortion and make sure that any Catholics do not have one. Also, like a supporter of abortion, an anti-abortion campaigner can also advise people if they are thinking of having an abortion and possibly talk them out of the prospect. A committed anti-abortion campaigner could also make television appearances on behalf of her society or group. This would help to further educate the public about the disadvantages of abortion and this would be another way in which the woman has shown her beliefs about abortion in a practical way.
Section C
‘Abortion is never justified’
I personally agree with this statement. People who agree with this statement generally believe that a foetus is still a human life and an abortion is an act of murder, and many Christians believe that murder can never be justified, so therefore abortion can never be justified. These circumstances include an unplanned pregnancy, rape, financial instability, potential disability and lastly a risk to the mother’s life. I believe that abortion should never be justified in most of the previous circumstances. As do many Christians who believe in morality. I do, like many other Christians however, believe that abortion can be considered justifiable under the scenario of the mother’s life or health being at a severe risk if the baby were to be born. This is the only exception, however, as it is not for purely selfish reasons as the others are. Christians agree that if a life is in danger, an abortion is acceptable. Unplanned pregnancy is sending a message out that if a pregnancy as an accident then a baby (human life) can be disposed of at will, just to benefit the people involved. No consideration is taken for the baby’s welfare. Christians have divided opinions on when life begins, conception or birth, and this influences their views on abortion. An abortion as a result of an unplanned pregnancy is frowned upon within Christianity, though not forbidden, the reason why it is often frowned upon is because Christians believe that Sex should be within marriage, and most of the unplanned pregnancies take place outside of wedlock. If a woman is raped and the result is a pregnancy, the woman generally has an abortion to help her forget her rape. Although harsh, this is once again a selfish act with only the mother’s welfare being considered, the same can be said of financial instability, where the parents are weary of the financial burden a new baby can bring, this is in effect valuing money over a life. Many Christians have the view that this is selfishness, and that it is infact unprovoked murder. Although, in some cases, this could be for the baby’s own good as it would suffer a poor life. Still a poor life is better than no life at all, according to many Christians, and it is for exactly this reason that a child with a disability shouldn’t be aborted. Abortion in this case is selfish as well, as the parents might feel they will have to give the child constant supervision, therefore ruining their lives. The only situation under which abortion is justified is when the mother’s life is at risk, as a human life takes slight preference over a potential life and death is as bad as abortion.
Christians who disagree with the statement posed, claim that the mother of the baby is the one who is carrying the baby and that therefore it is totally her decision whether she decides to keep it or not. She is not obliged to do anything, as it is her baby, and she is the one who will have to carry the baby and look after it, and if she feels that she is not up to this she can dispose of it at will. Many Christians also believe that a foetus is not a human life therefore its feelings do not have any significance and it can be killed or terminated because it is nothing at the moment. They defend women who have been raped and say that if she wants an abortion she can if it helps her forget about her rape. This is labelling a foetus as insignificant and unimportant and placing too great a value on the mother’s welfare, which according to Many Christians, and maybe the Bible, is wrong. In conclusion I still believe in the truth of the statement posed in most circumstances. Many Christians share my view, some do not.
By Kashif Hussain 11H