The law of the church however says that anyone who commits the sin of abortion automatically excommunicates herself from the church.
The Catholics believe that if you do make a mistake there is no need to destroy the life. That everything has a purpose and before it has even been born it is carved in gods hand forever.
Another example of this is:
We have been created by almighty god in his own image and likeness. No pregnancy is unplanned, because no baby can be conceived unless almighty God intends that conception and has willed that particular unique and completely individual new person into existence. What has actually happened in our society is the clever arguments have conceived those with no anchor in belief in God to cling to that merciless slaughter of unborn babies is morally justifiable and even essential for the happiness of the individual and good of society.
(Catholic Truth Society)
The Protestants however have a different opinion although different Protestant groups have other opinions. Most stress the rights of individual conscience before god. They also rely on the bible for guidance, but only one passage in the bible refers remotely to abortion. Exodus 21:22 ‘if two men were fighting and wound a pregnant woman, they shall pay a fine if she has a miscarriage, but they will have to give a life for a life if she herself dies.’ The difference in punishment shows that early biblical writers did not consider the woman and the foetus to be equal the foetus was not a person.
In the Ten Commandments it states ‘Thou shalt not murder’ People believe different things about when a life begins either at conception or at birth or somewhere in between. Therefore people who believe that life begins at conception see abortion as a sin. Others who believe that life begins at birth don’t see abortion as murder.
‘God created every part of me; God put me together in my mothers womb’ This shows no pregnancy is unplanned and God intends every pregnancy that there is. Some Christians feel it is a gift from God.
Explain how Christians may put their beliefs about abortion into action?
There are many ways that Christians might put their beliefs about abortion into action. Christians show through discussion that they disagree with abortion and they may refer to their faith and biblical teachings about abortion. Some Christians have set up ‘pro life’ organisations which campaigns against abortion a well known one is SPUC Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child. Their beliefs about abortion may affect the way they vote. Some candidates for election make statements about their views on abortion. A Christian may choose to vote for a candidate who promises to make abortions more difficult to obtain. They may take part in anti-abortion protests. They write letters to their MP’s take part in demonstrations and marches, carrying placards advertising their opinions. They can try and boycott clinics offering abortions and try to persuade people to cancel their appointments with the clinics. They may hold public prayer to pray for the foetuses and for the pregnant women. They may promote proper sex education for young people to avoid unwanted pregnancies happening in the first place. They may organise talks in churches or work as volunteers in a counselling centre which offers help and contraception advice to young people. They may offer support to families who were going to have an abortion for any reason be it medical or financial. They may try to offer alternatives such as adoption as there are many couples who would love a child but are unable to conceive.
Christians who believe that abortion is right may join a group[ which campaigns for the right to choose abortion and support organisations which offer counselling for women who have had abortions. They may discuss why it is often the most loving thing you can do, they may discourage people from criticising women who have had abortions. They may publicly pray about abortions and for women who face these circumstances or pray privately or publicly about abortion to raise awareness. Even if Christians believe abortion can sometimes be the most sensible choice, they are still likely to believe that giving young people a proper sex education is vital.
Abortions is never justified’ Do you agree?
I believe that abortion is justified in certain cases that life begins at birth and not conception. During pregnancy I believe that the foetus is part of the mother and she has the last say in whether an abortion is the right. I do believe that advice should be given to people in this position. Proper sex education should be given to young people and other options explained. Contraception should be cheaper and more readily available. I don’t think abortion should be used regularly and people should pay to have an abortion. Exceptions of payment may be made in certain circumstances e.g. rape, or the pregnancy becomes life threatening. I believe that young people should not just be told about it but be allowed to discuss it, they should be told where they can go for help and confidential advice. A Christian approach to explaining it may not always be the best option as many young people have no faith in religion and see it as a fantasy. A vicar explaining what the bible teachings are, will not be acknowledged as much as a young adviser.
For the Pope to say that contraception is wrong and expecting people to obey is not fair. Sex is a big part of peoples lives today and obviously was not when the bible was written. The Pope may also be blamed for the spread of STD’s, therefore the death of many Catholics. The bible is very narrow in its teachings, one story may give many different moral teachings.
