Although most religions are against abortion under all circumstances, many religions recognise the different factors that would make a woman feel she could not continue with her pregnancy. People who think that abortion is the correct thing to do, have the opinion that it’s unfair to bring a child into the world that is unwanted, or in some cases, disabled. They also believe that the woman should be able to have the right to choose to live their own life, without having to support another. People who feel this way are called ‘Pro-choice.’ They feel if you ban it you are taking away the persons rights to make decisions for their own life. Few religions support this idea. One of the religions which is Pro-choice is the Church of England. They feel that if it will put the woman in a better position in life then it should be carried out. They believe at this stage the woman’s life is more important than the unborn baby. They feel that abortion is sometimes a ‘necessary evil.’ Humanists also feel that it should be the woman’s decision and if they decide it is the correct thing to do, then it is seen as a decision and not a sin.
Every government has the right to allow abortion if they feel that it is the right thing to do. They feel that if they allow it then they are giving everyone the right to freedom of choice. 61% of people live in countries that allow abortions.
The majority of religions and cultures disagree with abortion. However, only 26% of people live in countries which don’t allow abortions to be carried out.
The Roman Catholic Church follow The Ten Commandments, one of which is ‘Thou shalt do not kill.’ They feel the fertilised egg, embryo and foetus are all considered as full human beings and therefore, should not be destroyed. They feel that the Church teaches them that humans are created in the image and likeness of God and to destroy this would be seen an evil act, a sin. People who follow this religion sometimes decide that abortion is right for them although it will be seen as a sin. The outcome of this is that the can be refused from the church. People who disagree with abortion are called ‘Pro-Life’. They feel that the foetus has the same right as the woman and so should be able to have a life like any other human. The Jehovah’s Witnesses and The Evangelical Christian movement also feel that abortion is wrong in all cases. These religions feel that even if the woman’s life is in danger it should not be saved by means of an abortion.
Some religions have certain circumstances for allowing abortion. The Jewish community have strong views that the foetus has great value because it is potentially a human life. However, they feel it only gains full human status at birth and so they support abortion if the woman chooses that it is what she wants, provided it has been discussed with a rabbi and isn’t being carried out because of genetic imperfections. Many religions disagree with abortions on the grounds of personal reasons. They feel that it should only be carried out if the woman’s life is in danger.
In conclusion abortion will never be a right or wrong issue throughout the whole world. People will still have opposing views and will still argue their opinion. Personally I disagree with abortion unless it would benefit the health of the woman. If it is for personal reasons I feel it is selfish as it is taking away the choice of the baby and perhaps the choice of a family that cannot conceive children. I feel that if the woman gave it up for adoption she would feel the satisfaction that it was being able to live and have the freedom of life rather than making the decision to end the child’s life.
