Abortion used to be a crime and still is in some places like Ireland but in most of the Western countries the law has changed from what it used to be and now it is allowed. Since 1973 the law in the USA said that women have the right to end her pregnancy by abortion. They didn’t have to have a reason but under the Supreme Court review of the law in 1989, some states have passed laws making abortion more difficult to get one done. In Britain abortion used to be a crime under the Offences against the Person Act of 1861. But the Liberal MP, David Steel, in 1967 introduced a bill into the House of Commons which later became The Abortion Act of 1967. The act was then changed in 1990 and was spread to the whole of Great Britain except Northern Ireland.
There are many different methods of abortion which can be split into two different categories, early methods of abortion and late methods of abortion. Early methods of abortion include Vacuum Aspiration or Sharp Curettage which can only take place in the 6th to 16th week. There is also Mifepristone also known as RU-486 or the "Abortion Pill." It can only take place between weeks 5 to 7. This method of abortion takes place over the seven days.
Long term methods include Dilation & Evacuation (D&E) which take place between the 13th and 20th week plus. Another method is Digoxin Induction which takes place in the 20th to 32nd week.
- 2. Different parts of Christianity believe different things about abortion. Traditional Christian teaching place the value of life as one of the highest which would normally suggest that they are against it. Although some denominations will allow in certain circumstances like the Church of England and the Church of Scotland. They will allow it if it will put the mothers life in risk by having the child. The Church of England said in a report in 1984 that ‘the foetus is to be specially respected and protected’ but later said ‘nonetheless the life of the foetus is not absolutely sacrosanct if it endangers the life of the mother.’ Although they will allow it Roman Catholic will not allow it in any circumstances even if it endangers the mothers life of she has been raped. They say that life begins at the moment of conception. The second Vatican Council said ‘life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception: abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes.’
Obviously there are no quotes about abortion in the bible but there are quotes which apply to it indirectly. They are Matthew 18. 1-6, and Luke 1. 39-45; 12. 6-7
Although there are no quotes in the bible about abortion there are high religious people who have talked about it, like Barbanos who said, “You shall not kill either the foetus by abortion or the new born”, (Letter of Barnabas, circa 125).
- I believe that Christians can be one of two sides. Christians can either be pro-abortion or anti-abortion. If they were against abortion they could make their opinions by making references to their faith. They may also join pro-life groups which try and campaign against abortions. There are many groups like SPUC which stands for the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child. Or the could join Life, another pro-life organisation. They may respond by joining protests or writing in to a newspaper or MP. They could join marches or demonstrations against abortion to try and stop people on having abortions. Christians may even pray about the problem to god. Because some people will not have enough money to bring up a child or medical problems Christians in a local church will baby-sit for the child or even offer to foster the child to try and stop them from having the abortion. People who are against abortion could also use the bible for answers as some quotes in there do link to it but are not about abortion.
On the other hand if a Christian pro-abortion they could join groups who let women have the choice of abortion. They could set up groups which may explain that going forward with the abortion is the kindest thing to do for the child as it may be in pain. They could as in the other one pray about the problem to god for an answer. Other Christians who may be for abortion maybe people who wish for an abortion themselves and that is why there are for it. As I also said in the other for people against abortion they could turn to the bible for answers.
Overall if Christians are asked the question of an abortion the can either be pro-abortion or anti-abortion.
- I believe that abortion can be justified under circumstances because I believe that it is not acceptable when there is nothing wrong with the baby.
I believe it is alright when having the baby will leave the baby or the mother seriously handicapped or even kill the baby. I also believe this if it will leave the mother seriously handicapped of dead. I also believe that abortion is o.k. if the mother was raped and she was not wanting a baby or they wanting a baby with a different man. I believe it is ok to have an abortion if the mother is in financial difficulty and will not be able to support the baby as she doesn’t have enough money.
On the other hand I do not agree in having an abortion when if they have the baby if will not put risk on the mothers or the babies life. I also not agree in having an abortion if the child is just an accident and they were not wanting to have the baby. If this is the case I believe that they should maybe put the baby up for adoption so the baby can go to a family which may not be able to have one.
Overall I believe that abortion can be justified but it can be only when it put the mother or baby’s life at risk. I also believe it is ok when the woman has been raped or is in financial trouble.
