What is meant by the word abortion?
(a) (i) What is meant by the word abortion? (ii) What biblical and church teachings might be used in a discussion about abortion? There are several types of abortion. Doctors might refer to miscarriages or still births as spontaneous abortions. Spontaneous abortions normally come as a result of natural causes, such as illness. But it is much more common for people to have induced abortions. These are a direct result of a medical procedure intended to terminate a pregnancy. Another word is an elective abortion. Before 1803 the English law permitted abortion as long as it was carried out before the point where it reached 20-24 weeks. After this point it was believed that the soul entered the body. Anyone who had an abortion after this point was breaking the law although there were no punishments. After 1803 the law radically changed and any abortion was seen as a criminal offence. In 1861 the punishment for having an abortion was imprisonment from 3 years to life even when performed for medical reasons. In 1929 the infant preservation act made it illegal to kill a child capable of being born alive (i.e. 28 weeks) unless a doctor decided it was legal in certain cases. In 1967 the abortion act came into effect and it permitted the termination of a pregnancy under certain conditions: -The abortion must be performed by a registered medical practitioner and would be approved for
Challenges to Roe v. Wade - women's right to privacy?
Challenges to Roe v. Wade - women's right to privacy? We want abortion, so we will no longer have to have abortions. Second-Wave Women's Movement, Italy Thirty years have passed since the Supreme Court of United States stated its opinion in the Roe v. Wade case, which later became known as the landmark case that legalized abortion in the U.S. The Court held that a woman's right to an abortion falls within the right to privacy protected by the 14th Amendment (Amendment XIV), and this right is "broad enough to encompass a woman's decision whether or not to terminate her pregnancy" (Roe v. Wade, 1973). However, irrational as it may seem, the following years have brought new challenges towards women's constitutional right to privacy, introducing restrictions which would likely lead to complete ban to abortion. The most recent - and the most threatening for abortion advocates - is the so-called "Partial-Birth Abortion Ban", signed into law by US George W. Bush on November 5, 20031. By doing so he put Roe v. Wade indeed in danger of reversal, which as a matter of fact is now just a step away. With a brief discussion of the most important legal cases challenging women's right to abortion through their right to privacy (both in the explicit or implicit way) that preceded or followed the Roe v. Wade case, I would like to show how woman's right to privacy was reflected in court cases
There are many issues and arguments raised when the subject abortion is mentioned.
ABORTION COURSEWORK There are many issues and arguments raised when the subject 'abortion' is mentioned. The Roman Catholic Church believes that abortion is wrong. They believe that human life is sacred. They teach that God will never forget a person and so they are very special to him: "So the Lord answers, '...Even if a mother should forget her child, I will never forget you. Jerusalem, I can never forget you! I have written your name ion the palm of my hand.'" (Isaiah 49). The Church believes that a human life is a unique thing and it should be treasured. God knows everyone of us personally before we are even conceived and so has a very special relationship with each one of us: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you." (Jeremiah 1:5 NIV). Each person has a special talent or gift; a vocation, which makes them important in life so therefore no-one should take the opportunity from them except God. God is believed to give life and so he should therefore have the right to decide when he should take that life. The quote from the Bible which is Genesis 1:28, supports the Church's idea that God gives life and so should be the one to take it: "He created them male and female, blessed them and said 'Have many children, so that your descendants will live all over the earth.'" The Roman Catholic Church believes that abortion is wrong. They teach that life begins
An Analysis of Religious Views on the Start and End of Life.
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
Christianity - contraception and abortion.
Christianity: contraception and abortion The Christian church teaches that life is a sacred gift from God: Contraception Abortion Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:26-27 Contraception Contraception or birth control may be used for a variety of reasons: When pregnancy or childbirth might harm the mental or physical condition of the mother. To limit the number of children which people have in order not to damage their living standards and perhaps affect other children. By people who have sexual relationships but who do not want to have children at this stage in their lives. The various Christian churches have different views on contraception: The Roman Catholic Church says that the use of contraception is against Natural Law (not in keeping with human nature). It is natural that conception may happen with sexual intercourse and therefore this should not be prevented. The only form of contraception permitted is the rhythmmethod where intercourse takes place at a time when the woman is not fertile. Both the Anglican and Methodist Churches see contraception
What is meant by the term abortion?
Abortion Introduction In this coursework I will be covering three main points on abortion. I will be looking at what is meant by abortion and the Christian teachings used in a discussion about abortion. How Christians respond to the question of abortion and I will also be asking the question, Is abortion ever justified? When dealing with abortion you are not just thinking of the life or death of the foetus but the wellbeing of the mother and the potential dangers to her. There is also the question as to if it is always necessary and if there is anything else that can be considered. This is why abortion is such a controversial issue because you are dealing with the life of a potential human being and because of the society we live in which consists of many different cultures and religious denominations. Each one of them hold their own unique view on the matter and each of them eager to get their point across. Every religion has influenced our understanding of abortion in many ways making it such a complex issue with no definite right or wrong answer. A.1 What is meant by the term abortion? Abortion is the removal of a baby from the womb before it has developed enough to survive, this can be performed either naturally by miscarriage due to a hormonal imbalance or artificial through an operation. The Development of the foetus * By the third week of pregnancy the heart
What does the law say about abortion?.
G.C.S.E Religious Education Coursework - Abortion. By Danielle Choyen 1 Miranda Introduction Abortion is a major issue. It is an extremely controversial, complex and emotional issue because so many people have many different views on it. A person can have a direct and strong opinion on it, depending on their lifestyle and where about in the world they are. For example, if you are religious, your opinion would be what you are expected to think from the teachings of your church/synagogue/place of gathering. If you are in the Law, you should not allow personal life to come between the views you are expected to have to do your job correctly. There are many more social, moral and mental issues that might or can influence our opinions on abortion. In this piece of coursework, I will explain what is meant by the term abortion. I will be going through the different types of abortion methods possible, including the infamous and usually fatal backstreet abortion. This will be going through what the Law says about abortion, and on to what Biblical and Church teachings might be used in a discussion about the subject, using discussed Biblical quotations, continuing to talk about the Church teachings on abortion which can be used to support my arguments. Pen ultimately, an explanation on how Christians might put their beliefs about abortion into practice will be discussed. Finally a
Euthanasia and Abortion
????????? Euthanasia and Abortion are some of the most controversial issues discussed in and around medical institutions today. The term abortion suggests the death and removal of an unborn child within the mothers womb. It can however mean the termination of a pregnancy as the result of an operation. The statement "Human Life Is Sacred" is in an array of opinions, (inclusive of myself), very true. It is known that the word sacred must be in one way or another connected to God himself. I am certain that it is. One of the major influences on Christian Belief in the Bible is the quote from Genesis itself: "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; Male and Female he created them" From this, we can see that God has indeed invented and created Man in his own image, and therefore something as special as this, to me, is considered to be sacred. Similarly, it is dictated in the Bible that the fifth commandment states "Thou shalt not kill" and therefore the termination of a new life is obviously not taking into account that Human life is sacred. I am confident that it is going against the will of God and therefore should not be allowed. But should these people be forgiven? It is a disturbing fact that the majority of abortions are down to the fact that mothers cannot accept the responsibility of a child. There are however more traumatic and
Describe the teaching about abortion and the Sanctity of Life, which is found in the Bible.
SECTION A Introduction Abortion- the termination of the life of a foetus. In this section I will be looking at the general teachings of Bible references that refer to abortion and the Sanctity of life. I will be looking at eight references from all over the Bible and seeing how they can be interpreted, either saying that abortion is wrong, or that it should be allowed. In Britain, since 1967 abortion of some kind has been allowed. In 1967 a law was passed enabling abortion, under certain conditions. Two doctors had to agree about it and it must be carried out in registered premises. And these would only be relevant if the mother's life, health or mental health would be at risk, her existing family would suffer or if the child will be handicapped. This allowed abortions up to 28 weeks. In 1990 the time deadline was changed to 24 weeks, because with modern technology a 28 week born baby may be able to survive out of the womb. Abortion on demand, (no questions asked) is not available in Britain, but it is in Holland. Genesis ch.1 v 27 "So God created human beings, making them to be like himself. He created them male and female." This reference is saying that life is God-given and holy. So if you destroy it then you are destroying God's work. God created two sexes so that child could be produced, so God wants children to be had. The question to be asked though is when does
Christians have certain beliefs about their responsibility to those at the beginning of their lives.
Section1) Christians have certain beliefs about their responsibility to those at the beginning of their lives. Christians have certain beliefs about their responsibility to those at the beginning of their lives. Christians believe that they are created in the image of God and human life is a gift from God, this makes it hallowed. Genesis 1:27 -28 says - "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, 'Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth". Human life is sacred and untouchable at every moment of existence. It is believed by Christians that God has a special relationship with everybody. The word of God as man in the person of Jesus reaffirms the sanctity of holiness of human life in its relationship with God. John 1:14 says - "And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we behold his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth". Roman Catholics believe that this connection with God begins and the point of inception. Jeremiah 1:5 says - "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations!" Christians feel that they should assist those at the end of their lives. Christians do not just believe that