Abortion and Euthanasia.

Christians consider that even the unborn child in the womb was considered an “infant already born”.

However, there are other denominations which believe that abortion is acceptable under certain circumstances i.e. protestant churches accept abortion under certain circumstances e.g. rape or incest, the woman cant be expected to bring up a child of a rapist. Has she not suffered enough trauma? Is it fair on a child to know that its father is a rapist?. “There are many Christians who would accept rape on compassionate grounds” (page 124 The Roman Catholic Tradition, J Cleave). The protestant church fully agrees that life is sacred and a gift from God which should not be destroyed by man. In cases such as rape or incest they believe the woman cannot bring up the child. Both emotionally and financially a woman cannot be expected to bring up the child. With each time she looks at the child bringing back memories of her horrific experience.

The Church of England describes the foetus as "potential human life" and it is to be “protected and respected” but also says that there are times when the interest of the mother and her family take priority over the rights of the foetus. Among the conditions said to justify an abortion are that if it endangers the life of the mother and affects the family of the mother or if there is the "risk of a defective or deformed child"

There are also many other people who truly believe abortion is acceptable. People against abortion believe that each child has the right to be wanted; therefore no woman should be forced into bringing up a child, who is unwanted, “God gives us free will. Who are we to take it away from someone?”(page 18, Religion infocus, J Murray). No one apart from God has the right to tell a woman what to do, especially under such circumstances as abortion, as how the pregnancy occurred.

We live in a society that claims to be democratic. We cannot force a woman to carry an unwanted child for nine months. They also agree that the mother of the child has the right to choose what to do with her own body.

Euthanasia

Euthanasia is the action of inducing a quiet and easy death. It is the practice of ending life of people who are suffering from incurable diseases or handicap, with the use of painless methods. The intention of Euthanasia is to avoid prolonging their suffering. It is sometimes referred to as mercy killing.

The Catholic Church teaches that all forms of Euthanasia are wrong. Euthanasia deliberately defies Gods teachings as it breaks one of the 10 commandments “Do not kill”. Euthanasia is the killing of a person without the approval of God. God gave life only God can take it.

Catholics believe Euthanasia is wrong because of their views on the sanctity of life. Life is created by God and therefore is sacred to God. God decides when the time has come for us to die; no one else has this responsibility or authority. Catholics also regard assisted suicide, voluntary euthanasia and non-voluntarily as wrong because they are all a form of murder. In these situations people are taking upon themselves Gods role which is a grave sin. Catholics believe euthanasia is morally wrong. “Even if a death is thought to be imminent, the ordinary care owed to a sick person cannot be legitimately interrupted.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church).

There are cases when the doctor is wrong. The chance of a cure or miracle vanishes if euthanasia takes place.

Also there may be elderly people who think they should accept euthanasia to avoid being a burden to their family and to society. What reason is there for an elderly person to think that? Although they are old there life is still as precious as from the moment they were conceived.

There are however many people who favour the use of euthanasia. They believe that every person has the right to decide for themselves to die; of course every person has hum rights. No one has the right to take away their privilege of deciding what to do with their body. People in favour make the point, suicide is legal, so why is euthanasia not? They also back up the fact that euthanasia enables the person to die with dignity, each person has the right to decide when they want to be united with God and the manner in which they want to do it must be respected.. The person can die with friends and family united with them in a loving atmosphere, with all their affairs in order. Euthanasia is the putting of someone to sleep lovingly. Euthanasia can be an act of love. Love cannot be illegal. This is saying the person who is helping a certain person end their life can be out of their heart, they want to respect the person’s decision and show their love and compassion for them. They do not want to force the person into anything they do not want to do or agree with. They want them to be freed from the pain and be united with God to live in peace.