What bible and church teachings might be used in a discussion about 'Abortion'?

   The Prophet Jeremiah spoke similar words: 'The Word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you' (Jeremiah 1:5 NIV). Even Mary was told by the angel Gabriel that God had a plan for the baby (Jesus) she was going to have “'He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High” (Luke 1:32 NIV) This means that God knows each human and has a plan for each of us before we are born. The strongest biblical quote used against abortion is “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). Christians against abortion believe the embryo/foetus is human and should be give full human rights. Anyone taking away its life is breaking the rules of God.

 The Catholic Church is strongly against contraception, it is also very strongly against abortion, mainly because it feels all human life is sacred even the unborn baby, it takes this viewpoint from the bible. "Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception; abortion and infanticide are the most abominable of all crimes"[statement from the Roman Catholic Church]. This means that the catholic church's belief on abortion shows that life is sacred even from conception, and abortion is a crime.

   “If you do make a mistake don't destroy life. Because God says, I have called you by your name, I have carved you in the palm of my hand: you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1) this means that even if you do make a mistake, and you know it was a mistake do not destroy the baby as God has already created this little person God knows it and loves it life should not be taken away it has been created for a reason.

 The Church of England believes abortion is wrong, but can be accepted in some circumstances as long as the mother knows she is making the right choice, they believe it is not a sin if it endangers the life of the mother: “Although the foetus is to be specially respected and protected, nonetheless the life of the foetus is not absolutely sacrosanct if it endangers the life of the mother“ [Church of England - Board of Social Responsibility report 1984]

   This shows that the church considers the foetus as a life that should be protected but abortion can be accepted in the right circumstance, they also state that abortion may be acceptable if the child is going to put the life of its mother at risk. Jesus said nothing about abortion but he had a special concern for children. Jesus said, “let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19 14-15).  He also taught much about the need to care for the weak in society. If life is sacred, a gift from God then it cannot be acceptable to take life. If life begins after birth, then to abort would not go against teachings about the holiness of life.