They use the Bible’s sanctity of life to support their views. This means they believe that life is one of the most sacred gifts from God and that human life is precious. Also, life is God given this view is supported by an extract from the Bible:
“when my bones were being formed, carefully put together in my
mother’s womb, when I was growing there in secret, you knew I was
there, you saw me before I was born”
Sanctity of life is based on God. God has a plan for everyone and to ruin this plan is immoral.
There are different reasons why some Christians (pro-choice) would allow an abortion. Two of these are if the birth of the foetus will pose to be a great risk to the mother’s health, or even kill the mother if the baby was to be born. In this case some Christians will find it acceptable for an abortion to take place.
A different reason is that if doctors say that the foetus will be born with a severe handicap. For many Christians on these basis an abortion will be totally justified. The foetus may not be able to lead a healthy or a good, full life and an abortion will be seen to be helping the foetus not depriving it of a life. A statement from David Steele (M.P also was a Christian):
“Jesus invites us to live a full life. What kind of life awaits a
severely brain-damaged foetus?”
They would base their views on the principal in the Bible that they do this out of love and that it is not done in vain.
The Bible is not a textbook. It is a guide for Christians to follow and to help them to live a good, moral life. It can provide useful teaching which they can adapt them to their problems they may be facing. But during this 21st century the Bible does not contain advice or teachings on modern day problems it only include principals and morals. The Bible also plays a big part on the views of Christians that are for and against abortion. Against abortion this is based mainly on the sanctity of life which is:
- Life is God-given
- Life should not be destroyed
- All life deserves respect
- God has a plan for every human life
- Human life is precious
Most Christian’s say that on these grounds abortion is wrong.
Other Christians use the Bible to make them feel that abortion can be acceptable to a certain extent. “God gave us free will. Who are we to take it away from someone” This is saying that God gave us free will and we can use this free will to decide on what to do. “Love one another and have compassion for the weak” This is an extract from the Bible and some Christians may interpret this in a different way. For example if there was a single mother who had no support from anyone an abortion will be ok. How will she be able to bring up that child if she can hardly support herself?
The Bible can be used to guide people but many Christians may have their own understanding of the principals and teachings and apply them in a different way.
Christians use different kinds of authority to help them to make decisions. Some examples of authority that they turn to are:
- The Bible
- A local Vicar/Priest
- Other Christian friends
- Friends from church
- Their partner
- Their conscience
I agree with the Christians that think that to have an abortion is morally wrong in any cases because I strongly believe that God has given us life and for us to take it away is wrong. God is the only one who has the power to give and take life not humans. Taking a life is a sin. If a child was said it was going to be handicapped the mother could have the child but give it up for adoption to couples that would provide a loving environment for them. Also doctors aren’t always 100% right they do make mistakes and the baby could be born perfectly fine. If it was handicapped you will be depriving the child of a life. There are many people who are handicapped in this world today that lead next to normal lives e.g. Steven Hawkins. I also believe in the sanctity of life and having an abortion can never be justified to me. I see it as killing and murder, a foetus has a right to a life just like anyone on us.
