An Analysis of Religious Views on the Start and End of Life.

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Carly-Diane Kober, Center number: 13317, Candidate number: 6290                         -  -

An Analysis of Religious Views on the Start and End of Life.

        Introduction

All religions believe in the sanctity of life.  Christianity holds all life to be sacred.  To say that life is sacred implies reverence and respect.  It’s commonly assumed that killing is wrong, however there are some justifications, such as self-defence that will allow it.

The act of killing ends life.  It leaves friends and family bereaved, causing emotional distress.  However this does not justify the total prohibition of killing humans.

Because of these different arguments views on abortion and euthanasia differ slightly.  In this essay I will attempt to look at these views into the start and end of life.  

        

        What is an abortion?        

An abortion is the termination of the pregnancy of the foetus before it develops sufficiently to be capable of independent life.  This can happen naturally, this is described as a miscarriage, which is when the mother “loses” the foetus for some reason, as it doesn’t develop properly and is born too early.  It can also be induced, e.g. the mother decides to end her pregnancy and not give birth to the child, for whatever reason.

What does the Law say about abortion?

The 1967 Abortion Act allows a doctor to induce an abortion under certain strict conditions:

  • It must be carried out before the twenty-fourth week of the pregnancy.
  • It must be done with the agreement of two doctors.
  • It may be done only if the physical or mental health of the mother and/or her existing children is threatened more by continuing the pregnancy than by ending it.
  • It may be done if there is probability that the child will be seriously mentally or physically handicapped.

Under British Law a young woman under the age of 16 may consent to an abortion without parental knowledge if both the doctors concerned agree that she has sufficient maturity and understanding to appreciate what is involved.  However most doctors will require the consent of a responsible adult before carrying out the abortion.

What do the religions say about abortion?

Christian opinion on abortion varies.  The Roman Catholic Church is officially totally against abortion, however some Roman Catholics are in favour of it.  Other Christians are divided, some are more in favour than others, and some are totally against.  

Roman Catholics consider abortion to be totally forbidden, however, if the mother’s life is in danger then there is an exception.  In their view from the moment the mother’s egg is fertilised there is life present i.e. there is a “soul”, it is “a person” or shows “personhood.”  Therefore they see abortion as nothing but murder.

The status of human life between conception and birth is central to the abortion debate.  It is suggested that personhood should be given when the foetus is viable and able to survive a birth.  However there are two objections to this, first is that the age a foetus can survive is increasingly lower with today’s medical techniques.  Secondly people can be kept alive on things such as dialysis, we consider them to be persons despite their medical conditions.  Mary Anne Warren argues that “birth marks the beginning of true moral status.”

The true definition of personhood is unresolved.  However personhood doesn’t provide a clear solution to the abortion debate.  There is no clear picture as to when we “receive” personhood.   

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” (Jeremiah 1,5)

This quote shows that God knows everyone and has the knowledge of human life before it is even created and he knows what is being created inside the womb of the mother.

“Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.  Therefore honour God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6, 19&20)

This quote shows that you should respect your body and honour it.  You should also honour God as he created your body.

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“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so you can stand up under it.” (1 Corinthians 10,13)

This quote shows that God cares about you and that he will help you in any situation that you may find yourself in.

“‘Put your sword back in its place,’ Jesus said to him, ‘for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.’” (John 25,52)

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