“God gives life and only God can take it away.” Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have considered more than one point of view.

"The unborn child is created in the image of God and is one for whom the Son of God died. This child is Gods child. This child is part of Gods world. So the life of this child is not ours to take. Therefore it is sin to take this Childs life for reasons whether of birth control, gender selection, convenience, or avoidance of embarrassment"

Some people who do not believe in abortion will put off cancer treatment until the baby is born thus endangering their own life.

Many Christians believe that causing a baby suffering during abortion is the biggest sin that can be committed. Death to them is seen as a crucial part of life and taking it out of Gods hands is not acceptable.

Other Christians believe that abortion must be permitted in certain circumstances as the lesser of two evils, and so abortion is discouraged but not banned. The question is then, when does the mother have the right to take the foetus' life? If it is dangerous for the mother to have the baby it is often advised that the baby be aborted, as it is better for the baby to die rather than them both to die.

Many people would argue that a baby or foetus can be aborted if it is to grow up handicapped. It is legal for a baby to be aborted up to 24 weeks. At 24 weeks babies are fully functional, they are able to be born and can survive normally. If people are prepared to abort handicapped babies up to 24 weeks then are they not admitting to be able to kill handicapped children after birth? Would it be acceptable for a 4-day-old child to be killed because of a handicap?

Many women believe that they have a right to decide whether to keep a baby or abort it as it is their body and God does not own them. This is a very non-Christian view.

Passive Euthanasia has been legalised in this country. The Catholic Church believe that euthanasia is wrong,

" Only God has the right to take life, Suffering has its own value. The moment of death is too important to take out of Gods hands"

If involuntary Euthanasia was to be legalised the Catholic Church believe that it would put pressure on the elderly or sick to take the 'burden' off their family. Once the principle of euthanasia is accepted, the consequence may be horrific e.g. 'we can get rid of people with disabilities.'

Many churches will argue there is no longer a need for euthanasia as hospices provide palliative care and the sick can die with dignity and free from pain.

Other people would dispute that humans should use the knowledge God has created us with to relieve the suffering of human beings.

Many doctors commit euthanasia but shelter it with good intentions. A doctor may give drugs to a patient with the main purpose being to relieve pain, but as a 'side effect' the patient has an earlier death. This is not euthanasia as the intention was to relieve.

In my opinion I think that abortion and Euthanasia are to problems, which can be solved by handling each situation in a different way. If the mother's life is at risk then I believe the woman should have the right to decide whether abortion of the foetus is right or wrong for her. I think that a baby with minor handicaps should not be aborted. If all sides are considered and the child will have no quality of life when it is born it is better for the baby to be aborted. People who follow the utilitarianism teaching would believe this as it would affect more people bringing up a child who was severely handicapped.

I think that involuntary euthanasia is wrong. If a person decides that they wish to die and are totally competent to be able to make that decision then the law should not stop them. I think that God gave humans the right to think and the right to freedom to rule their own lives and make their own decisions.

Sarah Hancocks 11c