Even though Christians teach that every child has the right to be born, as it is seen as a gift from God and that it is intended for that child to be born. Christians also think that every child has a specific purpose on this Earth and should be raised in the faith of God “Children are a gift from the Lord ; they are a real blessing” (Psalm 127:3) In terms of the metaphor of gift , our life is seen not to be our own , but as something which comes to us as a gift from God which may not be discarded at will . Life is a scared trust over which we are to exercise responsibility, but our oversight does not legitimately extend to the right to take life. Yet proponents of abortion have pointed out that there are already a number of exceptions to the rule against taking a life. Since there are already exceptions to the sixth commandment, it is suggested , that we should entertain the possibility that there are good reasons to extend the exception further to those who kill developing babies to stop problems arising like money troubles or having too many children to cope with. It might also be argued that the notion of gift is surely about the possibility of offering our lives in service to God and others, about human life as bearing dignity because it bears the image of God’s creative will and purpose. Opposed the notion of the term ‘gift’ could be interpreted as something different , as our life is still a gift from god but once given it is ours to do as we please with, this could be understood that the mother is given the child’s life and so she can do what she wishes with it.
Before you can assess the problem of abortion you have to assess the origin, to be blunt Sex. Without sex there would be no more abortions. Though there is contraception not everyone chooses to use it. The catholic church have their views on pregnancy, you can not use contraception as you are obstructing God’s will to ‘multiply’ they are also strictly against abortion, they think abortion is an ‘abominable crime’. Sex it’s self should only be preformed between a married couple. Under age sex, adultery, rape, between the same sex, and outside a relationship are all types of sex the Roman Catholic church disapprove of hence the large population as unwanted children can not be stopped from happening or aborted when conceived. The Roman Catholics do not believe in contraception because it could be seen as a from of killing as you are stopping something that could be. Many Roman Catholics belong to large families as they do not use contraception instead they use the rhythm method, were the woman keeps track of her cycle and only has intercourse when she is at her lowest fertility. Many anti-abortionists would use this in a discussion as it shows there are other forms of contraception which do not fully stop the chance of the woman conceiving though the rhythm method is not full proof as many children are still born.
In the discussion for abortion the are many instances in the bible it’s self as is not pro-life, many parts of the bible condemn life. In the book of Samuel, Samuel tells Saul “to slay both man and woman, infant and suckling.” It also tells us in the book of Numbers that Moses said for the soldiers to “kill every male among the little ones.” Showing that God did not condemn these killings as they are in the bible and are ordered by God as the Old testament is the word of God. The new Testament is more pro-life than the old testament maybe as it is more focused around Jesus who is very pro-life “Suffer the little children to come unto me , and forbid them not.” (Mark 10:14). The new testament is also very non judgemental “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged : and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” (Matthew 7:1,2) showing that you should not judge the babies life or judge the mothers decision to have the abortion where as in the old testament it tells us that “an eye for an eye , a tooth for a tooth” it is backing the view of judgement and revenge.
In the argument of abortion you are either for it or against it . It is hard to be in-between as you are talking about a human life and all human life, which has a right to be here, this also means the mother has a right to get rid of the baby or to keep it as the mother is the one who will be carrying the baby for nine months and in most cases , where mothers do not chose adoption, they then look after the baby. This , is chases where the baby is unwanted is not always a good situation for both the baby or the mother as the baby now grows up in an unloved environment and could drive the mother to depression so it could be seen in some situations viable to have an abortion to alleviate the circumstances so that they never come about and the mother then can have a child when she is ready and then bring the child up in a stable loving conditions.
B
Explain how Christians
Might put
Their beliefs about abortion
Into action?
Christians regard their beliefs on abortion as matters so very important that they have to be active in putting them into practice, as abortion is a serious matter on which they cannot compromise. Many Christians believe that God does not want abortions to happen, and as his servants they work to make sure that his will, on this important matter, is implemented.
There are many ways for Christians to put their beliefs into action. There are many organisations that campaign against abortion such as the S.P.U.C (Society for the Protection of Unborn Children) or LIFE . These groups have many Christian followers but are not Christian based . This is because these groups allow all types of people and religions in.
There are many other ways to put your beliefs forward. Many Christians take part in peaceful protests out side abortion clinics or out side important places. They make and post leaflets about abortion through peoples letter boxes.
Though if you were the doctor or nurse you could refuse to do the abortion as you have the right. You could support the mothers who have had it done as they should not be judged for their action but should be supported. You should also support mothers who have been thinking about the option of having an abortion. Start up crèches for mothers to help them cope. You could donate to groups that help mothers after they have had an abortion or donate to groups like LIFE.
Christians can put their beliefs into practice by opposing abortion politically, by campaigning for the ending of laws allowing abortion or making it harder to have one, and working to create a society in which there are adequate facilities for mothers who want to keep their babies. They work for a society that values children and sees them not as a burden but as something to be treasured and loved, the future of society and beloved of God. Christians believe in creating a society where there will be no need for abortion, where every child is loved and welcomed and where there are no pressures to have abortions.
Another option instead of abortion is adoption. Though adoption does not always go right, children going from one place to another, it usually is successful and children put up for adoption find a loving family. Adoption is hard for the mother but at least it gives the child a chance to live. So as a Christian you could adopt or foster a child.
Groups such as Life campaign for the protection of unborn children by putting their Christian beliefs into action by visit schools and education establishments to talk to young people about the issue of abortion and the alternatives available such as adoption. Christians might provide practical help for those considering abortion by providing them with help they might need to raise the baby and helping them cope with their decisions of keeping the baby. Christians might also help those who have had an abortion making sure that the mother is in no need for an abortion this might mean giving the mother financial help. Christians are taught to show compassion and love for others, just as Jesus did. A Christian could therefore put these beliefs into action by being supportive of someone experiencing an unwanted pregnancy. They can do this without condoning the action. The Bible teaches that it is wrong to judge other people "Do not judge others and God will not judge you". Luke 6:37.
C
‘Abortion is Never Justified’
Do you agree?
I do agree, I have firm beliefs that killing a baby is going against God’s will and that you are not giving the baby a chance and a right to live. I believe that there are other ways other than abortion like adoption. You are a gift from God, you have no right to take that gift away. You are sent here for a purpose, by killing the baby you are going against God.
I believe that my opinion is only an opinion and can not be substantiated as I have never been in the position where I have to choose to have an abortion or to keep the baby and I hope that I never have to be. People who are in the position where they do have to choose are looking for a way out. Adoption is said to be hardest thing a mother has to do to their baby as they have had their baby inside them for 9 months where as with an abortion the foetus can be inside for up to 6 months though most abortion are performed before this and before the baby is truly noticed.
To justify abortion you must look at the causes for it. Many women have abortions yet do not have any explanations this happens more and more often. Many say you don not need to justify it, but for me to agree that it is ok you must justify the reason, like all things in life. You can not simply kill something without out a valid reason. To say that it is never justified is a bit strong though some people would not, for one who says never is too strong they must be then exceptions but I say where do the exceptions stop?
Abortion is legal but I believe that there should be restrictions on who should be able to have one. With this in mind there must be an alternative with it , if you limit the situations that people may have an abortion, for example a women forgets to take her pill and ends up pregnant but has every thing needed to bring a child in to the world and give it healthy life then she should not be allowed to abort it, in that circumstance there then should be help for her to be able to keep the baby yet still be happy.
I feel the Bible has no stable view on abortion as it contradicts its self too much. Though ‘Thou shalt not kill’ is very true and that killing a baby is wrong later on in the bible it tells people to go out and kill everyone. Though the Bible does contradict its self it tells us that we are God’s gift and that he has given us life and we have no right to take that gift away only he has that power.
