Once again, the issue of whether to allow abortion on demand is in the news. Here is a magazine article that sets out the Christian view on abortion. WHAT IS ABORTION? Abortion is the premature expulsion of a foetus from the womb. This is either an operation to remove the foetus from the womb before it has grown for a full nine months, or when this happens naturally it is called spontaneous abortion or a miscarriage. The process of an abortion through operation is quite horrifying. It involves the foetus being chopped into bits so it can be removed via the vagina, rather than cutting open the womb via the stomach wall. Views on when a life begins vary. Some thoughts are: When the egg is fertilisedWhen the foetus has taken human shapeWhen the heart begins to beatWhen the brain starts to functionWhen the foetus starts to move in the wombWhen the foetus can live outside the MotherWhen the baby is actually bornA Christian view would be that life begins as soon as the ovary and sperm meet. Christians strongly disagree with abortion as it is thought of as killing. A Christian values life and believes that it shouldn’t be taken unless the circumstances are extreme. Two Christians give their view on life and what it is worth.My answer to the question “What is the meaning of life?” is this: “Love God and all that he created - to be able, as the end comes, to look back and smile” (Roy Castle)To the same question, Ronnie Barker answered: “A Cowslip in the hedgerow doesn’t mean anything, Neither does a sunrise over a
tropical sea, or a thunder Storm. They are wonders of nature...If I had to give a Short answer it would be “Life is meaningless, but it is Wonderful”. “These two answers show that not only is the destruction of life a terribleact to a Christian, but also how life and creation is a wonderful thing that should be treasured and worshipped.Here is a list of reasons for and against abortion FOREvery woman has the right to choose.Abortion is often the lesser evil than overcrowding, homelessness.The problems of bringing up too many children, not having enough money for another child. Unable ...
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tropical sea, or a thunder Storm. They are wonders of nature...If I had to give a Short answer it would be “Life is meaningless, but it is Wonderful”. “These two answers show that not only is the destruction of life a terribleact to a Christian, but also how life and creation is a wonderful thing that should be treasured and worshipped.Here is a list of reasons for and against abortion FOREvery woman has the right to choose.Abortion is often the lesser evil than overcrowding, homelessness.The problems of bringing up too many children, not having enough money for another child. Unable to look after the child properly.It is more traumas giving up a child for adoption than having an abortion.Making abortion illegal will not solve the population explosion.If a child is going to be severely handicapped, the parents should be allowed to choose whether they want an abortion or not.A foetus is not a human being in the true sense. Life begins at birth.Even if abortion was made a crime, thousands of women will still risk their lives and health in back street abortion clinics.If a woman is raped and becomes pregnant then abortion is the most humane way of helping her. The same goes for a woman who is made pregnant through incest; or a mentally deficient girl who gets pregnant or a schoolgirl of, say fourteen.The health of the Mother is such that she will surely die if she does not abort the foetus.If you don’t believe that life is a gift from God, then you shouldn’t be forced into something that people with a faith want you to do.Abortion is an act of responsibility in that it gives people the right to choose.Every child has the right to be a wanted child. Abortion saves thousands of children from being unwanted, and saves society from many problems.The foetus feels nothing when it is aborted. AGAINSTModern science proves that the unborn child is a separate human being from conception. It is never just a part of the Mother’s body.By allowing abortion, society is taking the easy way out. It should concentrate on improving the quality of life in society.Even in the womb the unborn child has the right not to be killed.People with the most awful handicaps can live happy, fulfilled and creative lives.Abortion is discrimination against the weak.Abortion is not just a matter of “religion” - it is about murder, injustice and the denial of human rights. The UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child states that children need protection before, as well as after birth.Unborn babies are unique, different; they have potential personalities.Every aborted foetus was a potential human being, perhaps even a Beethoven or an Einstein.Abortions can go wrong. They can leave terrible mental and physical scars on a woman.If abortion is acceptable, where do we draw the line? Abortion is a form of infanticide.If society did more in the way of contraception and education, and helped single mothers by providing counselling and places where they could seek advice, abortion would not be necessary.Killing is killing, whether done in back streets or openly.IN FAVOUR OF ABORTIONSaint Augustine declared that there was a clear difference between aborting an “inanimate foetus” and an “animate one”. On this argument aborting a foetus during the early weeks of pregnancy would not amount to killing a live human being.AGAINST ABORTIONMother Teresa said, “Abortion is a terrible sin. You are not only killing life, but also putting self before God. They want to say, “I can do without God, I can decide”. That is the most devilish thing that a human hand can do”.THE LAW AND ABORTION ACTUntil 1967 abortion was illegal in this country and any woman who wanted an abortion had to have a “back street” abortion. Often these were carried out by untrained people and led to many deaths and injuries. Also, women had no defence against exploitation since by seeking the help of a “back street” abortionist she had broken the law and thus dare not make any accusations. This led some to argue that even if legal abortion is an evil, it is a lesser evil than back street abortion. In 1967 the Government passed the Abortion Act.Abortions are permitted under the following conditions: 1. Two doctors must agree, but a doctor is not obliged to agree if it is against his conscience. 2. The mother’s health, physical and mental, might be at risk if she has the baby. 3. The arrival of another child might harm the health and well being of other children in the family. 4. There is a good chance of the baby being severely handicapped.In 1990, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act ruled that an abortion should be carried out before the 24th week of pregnancy.It can however be carried out at any time if there is a danger to the mother’s health or the child will be severely handicapped.Different denominations have different views on why abortion should take place.For instance, Roman Catholics believe that abortion should only take place if the mother is at risk of dying due to giving birth. This is still looked down upon, so is left as the mother’s decision. Roman Catholic mothers have been known to die whilst giving birth because of their faith. On the other end of the scale however are Methodists. They believe that abortion should only take place:If there is danger to the life of the motherIf there is a risk of severe handicapWhen conception results from rapeWhen the children of the mother may suffer badly if a new baby arrives. Some Christians do not believe that life begins as soon as conception takes place, therefore the abortion would not be killing, but intervening in events to benefit the mother’s health. This would therefore not be breaking the commandment “Thou must not kill”. CONCLUSION Nobody would ever want to be in the position where they feel an abortion is necessary. It can and has mentally damaged young women and is a horrific experience. Everyone, whether Christian or otherwise, values life and it is a natural instinct for most people to attempt to preserve it. However, even though it may be frowned upon, it is still the decision of the mother to go through with this. The feelings on the matter would be so strong from the Mother, that often, if it was legal or illegal, it would be done. Doctors and nurses are a blessing to many young women wanting an abortion. They will do the job cleanly and professionally, which stops women from resorting to mediaeval forms of abortion in the “back street clinics”. Some women and couples are not sure about their decision. That is why Christian Aid groups like “Life” can be contacted in confidence. They will give helpful counselling and discuss matters of concern, helping you to make an informed decision and to comfort you in a time of need. (0800 44 00 22). Rhys Howell-Morgan