Question A (2): What Biblical teachings might be used in a discussion about abortion?
Genesis 1: 26 – 27 Old Testament
“Then God said, ‘And now, we will make human beings; they will be like us and resemble us. They will have the power over all the fish, the birds, and all the animals, domestic and wild, large and small.’ So God created human beings making them to be like Himself.”
This quote states that humans are made to be like God, in His image. Abortion would then be wrong as killing a part of God. However, the quote does also say that humans have a lot of power and the right to do whatever they want.
1 Corinthians 3: 16 – 17 New Testament
“Surely you know that you are God’s temple and God’s spirit lives in you! So if anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy and you, yourselves, are His temple.”
This quote claims that every human being is precious, a temple. They should be worshipped, as they are very special. Human life should be valued and treasured, not cut short. Humans belong to God, if anyone destroys them, God will make sure they are destroyed as well. However, at this point, Jesus also taught forgiveness. If someone does something wrong, he or she will be forgiven if they are really sorry, because God is very kind, loving, and forgiving.
Psalm 139: 13 Old Testament
“You created every part of me; put me together in your mothers’ womb.”
This quote says that human life begins in the womb, even before birth. God put us all together. Having an abortion would be like killing the unborn baby, who is already alive.
Matthew 6: 26 New Testament
“Look at the birds; they do not sow seeds, gather a harvest, and put it in barns; yet your Father in Heaven takes care of them! Aren’t you worth much more than birds?”
This quote shows that all life is valued, and God takes care of everything important and precious, including human life, so killing is wrong, therefore so is abortion, the killing of an unborn child.
Fifth Commandment Old Testament
“Thou shalt not kill.”
This quote obviously states that abortion is not allowed because it is the killing of an unborn child already alive as life begins in the womb.
Luke 1: 41 New Testament
“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby moved within her. Elizabeth was filled the Holy Spirit and said in a loud voice, ‘You are the most blessed of all women and blessed in the child you bear …’”
This quote states that life begins in the womb, as the baby moved within Elizabeth as Mary spoke. When Elizabeth is ‘filled with the Holy Spirit’ she is filled with God, who is the Holy Spirit. This means that her baby is a part of God, and killing it would be like killing God.
Psalm 99: 3 Old Testament
“Know that He, the Lord, is God. He made us, we belong to Him.”
This quote says that God made us – He gives life, and so only He has the right to take it back. Humans are not allowed to make that decision because they don’t have the power.
Isaiah 49:50 Old Testament
“Can a mother forget the infant of her womb? Well, even if she should forget, I will never forget.”
This quote plainly states that if an abortion is carried out, if an innocent child is taken away before having the chance to live, and the mother forgets, God will never forget. At this however, God could forgive because that is what Jesus taught.
Question B: How do Christians respond to the question of abortion?
Many Christians, Christian teachings, the Bible, churches, etc are all either with or against abortion. The Church of England, for example, believes that the life of the foetus has to be protected, but if the foetus endangers the life of the mother, action can be taken. The Church of Scotland believes that abortion is right only at the following times:
- If there is a threat to the mother’s life
- If there is proof that the mother was raped
- If it is certain that the baby will be seriously handicapped after birth
The Roman Catholic Church, on the other hand, believes that we have been made like God, who plans the birth of all babies and makes them with the parents. It is believed that in every foetus, God has made an entirely new human being. All people must realise that God gives human life, and only God can end life. The Methodist Church believes that situations which make abortion permissible are:
- When the life of the mother is in danger
- When the baby will be born with a severe handicap
- When the children the mother is already bringing up might suffer badly if a new baby arrives
Most Christians believe that abortion is never right, as it is the killing of an innocent life, one not yet born. The Fifth Commandment from the Old Testament clearly states: “Thou shalt not kill.” There is no agreement as to when human life is said to begin. Some believe that it begins at the moment of conception, others when the foetus is capable of independent existence, while others believe that it begins at birth. Some people even argue that life begins when relationships with other humans are formed. According to Luke 1: 41 in the New Testament, the baby is alive in its mother’s womb, so human life begins as a foetus.
Most laws about abortion, such as the Abortion Act or the Human Fertilization and Embryology Act claim that abortion is only acceptable under the following circumstances:
- If there is a serious threat or risk to the mother’s life
- If the baby would suffer from serious handicaps after birth
- If the woman was raped
- If the birth of the baby would physically or mentally affect any existing children or family
Question C: “Abortion is never justified.”
Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer. Show that you have thought about different points of view. Refer to Christianity.
This statement is asking whether or not abortion is ever right. The Abortion Act, which was passed in Parliament in 1967, said that a person would not be guilty of the unlawful ending of a pregnancy is it is agreed by at least two doctors that there would be a physical or mental risk to the health of the mother by carrying on with the pregnancy, or then that the baby would be born with serious physical or mental handicaps.
Most people for abortion, people who believe in the pro-choice policy, argue their case by saying that every woman has a right to control her own body and make her own decisions about abortion.
In deciding whether abortion is right or wrong, the circumstances are a crucial factor. For instance, if a woman is raped and becomes pregnant, then offering her an abortion is a kind and practical way of helping her. Teenage pregnancy is also very common, and it would be a terrible experience for a fourteen-year-old girl to go through childbirth and then have to give up her baby for adoption because she couldn’t possibly cope with the responsibilities of being a mother. If there is a substantial risk that if the child were born it would suffer from serious handicaps, abortion is acceptable.
Most Christian churches do not feel abortion is acceptable, but the Church of England states that if the foetus endangers the life of the mother, action can be taken. The Church of Scotland believes that abortion is only right if there is a threat to the mother’s health, if she was raped, or if the baby will have serious handicaps after birth. The Methodist Church, like the Church of Scotland, believes that abortion is permitted if the life of the mother is in danger, if the baby will be born with severe handicaps, or if the children the mother may already be bringing up will suffer badly if a new baby arrives.
Although most Biblical quotes are against abortion, Jesus taught forgiveness. If a woman has an abortion for whatever reason, and asks for forgiveness because she is really very sorry, God will forgive.
Most people feel that life is valuable, but Christianity teaches that every person is made in God’s image, and all life is a gift from God, and is therefore sacred. Life is God-given and precious, so it should not be destroyed. All life deserves respect, and God has made a plan for every human life.
Most people against abortion, people who believe in the pro-life policy, argue their case by saying that the unborn child, the foetus, is a separate human being. It is never considered just a part of the mother’s body, but an individual. Even if the baby has serious handicaps, he or she can lead happy lives if given the chance to live. It has the right not to be killed. Abortions can also always go wrong, and can leave physical or mental scars on a woman.
Most Christian churches are against abortion, but some are more lenient than others. However, the Roman Catholic Church states that we have been made like God. In every foetus, God has made a completely new human being. All people must realise that God gives human life, and only God can end life.
Almost all Biblical quotes are against abortion. Jesus said that killing is wrong under any circumstances.
Job 1: 21 Old Testament
“He said, ‘I was born with nothing, and I will die with nothing. The Lord gave, and now He has taken away, may His name be praised.’”
This quote states that God, and only God can take away life, because He gave it in the first place.
Personally, I am against abortion, as I believe that everyone and everything has the right to live. God gives life; therefore only God can end life.
