Religion and Medical Ethics - The Sanctity of Life

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

Stacey Whittaker 3rd November 2004

Coursework, Topic 7 – Religion and Medical Ethnics.

A – Describe the teachings of the religion which you are studying about the Sanctity of Life in relation to abortion or euthanasia.

In this essay I will be describing the views of both Catholic and Protestant Christians on the Sanctity of Life in relation to abortion. I will include; what the Sanctity of Life is, what abortion is, attitude from Christians of past stages, both Protestant and Catholic views on abortion and the certain circumstances in which it will be permitted.

The Sanctity of Life is a term used by Christians meaning the belief that life is holy or sacred. Christians believe that God has given us life and he alone has the right to take it away, this is demonstrated in Genesis 1:27 ‘God created human beings making them like himself’, this states that life is God given. The purpose of life according to Christians is to love, serve God and to treat all people as you would like to be treated yourself, as it says in Mark 12:13 ‘Love thy neighbour as you love yourself’. In Exodus 20:13 it says that ‘life should not be destroyed’ this means that the taking of another person’s life is a sin against God and is also disobeying the sixth of the Ten Commandments: ‘do not commit murder’.

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Abortion is the termination of a woman’s pregnancy resulting in the immediate death of the unborn foetus. Up until 27th April 1968, when the Abortion Act of 1967 came into effect, abortion was illegal in Britain. In 1968, the latest date for a woman to have a termination was set at 28 weeks into the pregnancy however in 1990 this period was reduced to 24 weeks into the pregnancy. Now there is no longer a time limit due to the risk of damaging the mothers life or health or the baby being born severely handicapped. The 1968 Abortion Act states ...

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Christians attitude toward abortion are all individual to the person, but the teaching of the Christian Church has not altered over the centuries. During the first two hundred years Infanticide was also being performed much to the dismay of the Christian church. Infanticide meaning to murder a young baby took place when the baby was unwanted or the parents were to poor to give them a proper upbringing. In this time Christians considered abortion as murder and completely detested the idea.

Abortion is not mentioned in the bible but for most of the period up until the 1960’s abortion was frequently frowned upon by the Christian Church. This was the view of the majority of Christians up to the 1960’s. Christians during this time strongly opposed abortion, as it was considered as a sin against God.

Roman Catholics were pro-life which means anti abortion. “Abortion has been considered to be murder since the earliest centuries of the Church and nothing permits it to be otherwise.” This was Pope Paul speaking about abortion in 1970. Many evangelic Protestants are also strong supporters of the pro life stance.

Protestants consider abortion as an extreme last resort but they tolerate it rather than favour it. Pro-choice Christians leave it to the individual to decide what is right for them; they find it impossible to create rules that will apply in all situations.

Compassionate Christians feel it is extremely important to show complete compassion for the women – whatever her decision maybe. They would show care and support for the women even if they did not entirely agree with her decision or actions.

I think that the overall look upon abortion by all parties is that it is wrong and should not be performed. Everyone including Protestants and Catholics past and present agrees that the sanctity of life is at risk as abortion is murder.