Genesis 1:28
“God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth’.
Both in these two teachings, God teaches that life is important and sacred. He teaches us to look after the earth and have children and teach them to grow up and love God.
Many people argue that abortion is murder of a human being whereas those who believe in abortion say abortion is simply removing an unwanted part of a woman’s body. The issue of when a human life begins is vital.
Some Christians believe life starts at conception, this is the moment when there is new and living. The baby starts to grow and develop from this moment. Others believe it is when it looks like a human. Many believe it is when the baby can survive outside the womb. To many people it is when it is actually born and becomes dependant upon the mother.
Life should be protected as it belongs to God. The special importance of human life is seen in the incarnation, when Jesus became human. It is also seen that life belongs to God and only he has the right to end it when Jesus suffered and died on the cross. Jesus also taught in the Ten Commandments;
“You shall not murder”,
Therefore you do not have the right to have an abortion or take your own life. If you are a true Christian and want to live the way Jesus did you should not take anything to prevent pregnancy or to take your life.
It is the tradition of the church that all human life is sacred and must be respected. Every person is created by God and offered redemption by Jesus. Killing an innocent person is never acceptable, whether they are an embryo, an old person or even if they are dying.
Jesus healed the sick and tried in every way he could to stop suffering and pain. To be a true Christian we should live the way Jesus did so we shouldn’t have abortions or take our lives.
AO2
Faced with the issues of abortion and euthanasia, explain the different ways Christians might respond. (14 Marks)
The Roman Catholic Church say’s:
“Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognised as having the right of a person- among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being of life.”
This means that direct abortion is “gravely contrary to the moral law”. The Church of England shares this view to abortion. Any attempt to kill an innocent life is opposing God’s love for that person. Sometimes it is very difficult to make a decision when both outcomes are negative. You need to ask yourself why and what are you doing?, this is particularly true in cases of abortion and euthanasia both of which are forbidden by the Roman Catholic Church.
AO3
“What Christians believe about life is up to them. They should not try to make others accept this position.”
Do you agree? Give reasons for you answer, showing you have considered more than one point of view. (10 Marks)
Many Christian believe that beliefs about life are not up to them because that all should be cared for but you shouldn’t break the Commandment;
“Thou shall not kill”
Christians believe they should help people who are suffering but killing someone is still murder. Suffering can lead to people making mistakes. It is best to understand that this is a cry for help. Serious circumstances like a long term illness can help people prepare for death.
However other Christians could agree to abortion in circumstances for example, if a woman is pregnant and has cancer, she may require chemotherapy to deal with the cancer. If she takes drugs the foetus may die but if she doesn’t she may die.
