Christians consider the Will of God as an essential guide through life. Thus observing this, Christian teaching regarding the Will of God for the mother and for the foetus would also be used in this discussion. Genesis 1:28 says that God’s Will for the mother is to ‘be fruitful, and multiply’ so at the same time He wants man to have children (the foetus). The commandment ‘thou shall not kill’ can also be applied as God’s will for the mother. Luke 18:15-17 teachings that children should not be denied knowledge of God, as His Kingdom also belongs to them: God loves His children, born and unborn.
The teachings used by Christian in a discussion about abortion may also depend on their denomination as place a different amount of emphasis on whether a mother has the right to chose an abortion. For example the Roman Catholic Church teaches all abortion is a ‘merciless slaughter of unborn babies’, whereas the Church of England, holding middle ground states that abortion is an evil to be avoided, but is justifiable.
B. Explain how Christians may respond to the question of abortion.
All Churches and Christians agree with the principles of the Ten Commandments, which include the statement ‘Thou shall not kill’. This leads to believe of the Churches that abortion is an evil, however the response of Christians to the question of abortion depends on their denomination.
The teaching of the Roman Catholic states that abortion is wrong under all circumstances so a Catholic Christian would, like their Church, condemn abortion. It is only acceptable to the church if an unborn baby is killed indirectly, in an operation to save the life of its mother. This is because they believe no pregnancy is unplanned as God has willed that individual into existence, this view is supported by Jeremiah 1:5 and Psalm 139. The Catholic Truth society even go as far as to say: “What has happened in our society is that clever arguments have convinced those with no anchor of in God to cling to, that merciless slaughter of unborn babies is morally justifiable, and even essential for the happiness of the individual and the good of society’. Expressing the deep feelings they possess on the topic. They believe mothers of society are abandoning the Christian duty to be morally and agree with Isaiah 49:15 where it says “Can a woman forget her infant, or be without tenderness for the child in her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee."
In principle, members of the Church of England believe abortion is an evil to be avoided if possible, however they recognise that it could be justified in the case of foetal deformity, in the aftermath of rape, and if the mothers mental and physical health was in danger.
The Church of England and its members argue that if a mother is likely to die in childbirth, an abortion is an acceptable option, as the unborn child’s life should not be looked upon as more important than its mother’s. To do this ‘does not consider the mother’s “right to live” in terms of her wider roles of wife or mother (actual and potential) of other children, as well as in terms of her own person.” [Church of England report 1965]. They feel that with evil and suffering in the world, that some women feel this is their only option. In such cases they believe that Christians should not shun them but show theses women compassion and love, as true Christianity is about agape, a ‘ love [that] should not just be words, [but]… shows itself in action’. The General Synod of Church of England says:
‘We affirm that every human life, created in the divine image, is unique…and that this holds for each of us, born or yet to be born. We therefore believe that abortion is an evil… and that abortion on demand would be a very great evil. But we also believe that to withhold compassion is evil, and in circumstances of extreme distress or need, a very great evil… Christians need to face frankly the fact that in an imperfect world the ‘right’ choice is sometimes the acceptance of the lesser of two evils’
The Lutheran Church is very much against abortion in principle, saying the unborn Christ was not merely a blob of cells, but was in fact the very Son of God, who had assumed a human nature in order to save and redeem human beings from their sin. However recognise like the Church of England, that in some cases the mother life could be at risk. Many other Protestant Churches, including the Methodist Church follow this belief as well.
A less strict view is taken by a group called ‘Christians For Free Choice’, which includes member of the Free Churches. They are Pro-choice and believe the mater should be left up to the individual woman’s conscience and that such a decision no have or not to have an abortion should be imposed upon her by others.
Christians are not just the Churches they belong to, but are individuals whose views may range from conservative to liberal. Their responses will vary, even though Christian teachings is respectful to the life of the unborn child, as difficult circumstances arise in an imperfect world. Some Christians are more comprising than other depending on the influence of Humanism in their lives. In today’s humanistic society the recommendations and examples of others around them can sway any Church member. Younger Christians can also be effected by peer pressure, so a young Christian woman who becomes pregnant in this sort of environment will be influenced to do what is best in her interests at that point and time irrespective of the Christian teachings on the Sanctity of Life. If she was a member of the Roman Catholic Church, she would be encouraged to keep the baby regardless of how it affects her own life, however, if she was part of the Church of England, she would be advised to consider all aspects carefully before deciding on an abortion.
Most Christians are Pro-life, meaning they are against abortion, believing that it is morally and ethically wrong. However some Christians are Pro-choice, believing it is a mother’s right to choose; rights that supersede those of the foetus as women should have to carry the burden of an unwanted pregnancy.
C. ‘Abortion is never justified’
The abortion in question is the premature expulsion of a foetus from the uterus resulting the termination of a pregnancy before the baby is capable of surviving outside the mother’s womb, induced by an unnatural interference. There are three main viewpoints in this debate. Humanists say that abortion should be available on request but the Churches say that abortion is a sin. More understandably the Church of England and the Protestant Church say that although it is a sin, abortion, in certain circumstances is acceptable, whereas the Catholic Church believes it is a sin in all cases. However it is only since 1869, when Pope Pius VI declared that 'ensoulment' (gaining a soul) happened at conception, that Catholics have been taught that abortion is always morally evil.
Pro-life supporters are against abortion and say it ‘is never justified’ because modern science proves that the unborn child is a separate human being from conception. It is never just a part of its mother’s body. Some Christians would argue that abortion is ‘against the nature and the commandment of God’ that states ‘thou shalt not kill’.
Even in the womb the unborn child has a right not to be killed.
It is not only Christians that are against abortion, some atheists are also Pro-life and say it is not just a matter of ‘religion’. In view of The UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child, which states that children need protection before, as well as after, birth they claim it is about murder, injustice and the denial of human rights. They may also say abortion is discrimination against the weak
On the other hand not everyone in this world has the same opinion as to when life begins, it could be argued that the minority who believe abortion should be a crime, have no right to impose their views on the rest of society. The general appearance is that Pro-life campaigners look down on those who are Pro-choice as if they are completely immoral. Every woman knows that the decision to have abortion is never, easy but no one is better suited to make that choice that the woman herself.
To say abortions is never justified is extreme, in the sense that it dose not take into account all the circumstances.
Even the Church of England say abortion can be justified if there is a grave risk that the child will suffer from a severe handicap or disability, yet anti-abortionists still argue that people with the most awful handicap can lead happy, creative and fulfilled lives.
What about in the case of rape? The Catholic Church teaches that ‘no pregnancy is unplanned, because no baby can be conceived’ unless God has willed that ‘individual’ into existence. But surely God, who is perfect, omnipotent and loving, did not ‘will’ a woman to be raped. Evil and suffering is a result of the Fall of Man.
The National Abortion Campaign and it supporters would maintain that if a woman is raped and becomes pregnant than offering an abortion is a humane and practical way helping her. Others may say that that child could be adopted, but the response could well be that it would be more traumatic to give a child up for adoption than having an abortion. For some people out of the loneliest and most traumatic experience of their lives, there can be the joy brought to them by that child, but for others a termination, is the only way to move forwards in their lives. In cases like these, situation ethics can be applied. Joseph Fletcher that people should do ‘whatever is the most loving thing to do’. For different people, this ‘thing’ varies; some women are stronger than others are. Therefore having an abortion may be ‘the most loving thing’ as in the aftermath of rape, it would be wrong to force anyone into continuing a pregnancy if it could cripple her mentally.
If there is a serious risk to the mother’s physicals or mental heath The Church of England and Pro-choice supporters recognise that this as justification for an abortion. To say otherwise, the Catholic Church does, would be against common sense as a foetus is only a potential human life, but there can be no argument about the humanity of the mother. If an abortion is neared to preserve a mother’s sanity or health then the ‘rights’ of a potential person are surely not the same as an actual person; the mother’s right to live should over ride that of the foetus. For example, young children are potential voters, but they not have the right to vote. This does not mean that an embryo, especially after it has begun to grow in the womb, is no more than a growth in a woman’s body which can just be cut out if she chooses. But while an embryo is more than a growth, Pro-choice supporters believe that it is less than person.
What if a mother is unmarried? She could have the child adopted, but who would support her during the pregnancy? Or the mother already has many children and can not afford to look after any more? Does this mean an abortion is being used purely for convenience? I think both sides agree that abortion should not be used as birth control, and other methods of contraception should be practised to prevent unwanted pregnancy. However, those who are Pro-choice believe, there will always be women who do not want children and well should respect this as every child has the right to be wanted. Having said this, the opposing side in the argument says that society is taking the easy way out and ‘sweeping’ the problem ‘under the carpet’. What is really needed is more in the way of contraption and education, and helping single mothers by providing counselling and places where they can seek advice. If society continues to abortion where do we draw the line? What is the difference between Abortion and infanticide?
The main argument of those for abortion is that whether it is justified or not in the eyes of the Church or Government, is not relevant, the real discussion is whether it should safe and dignified, or unsafe and furtive, as women as always going to need or want abortions, and the risks involved should be minimised.
To say abortion is never justified does not take into account the difficult circumstances that arise in the world because of evil and suffering. Further more, abortion is unjustified in the eyes of whom? The motion does not clarify from whose perspective we are looking at the subject. Of course some of people are disgusted by the idea, and the Catholic Church believe it is a sin, but sin can be forgiven, that is what Jesus Christ died for. If an abortion is the only way for a woman to continue her life with some degree of normality, for instance after being raped, than God, who is loving and compassionate would forgive her if she were truly sorry it had to be that way.
Those who believe abortion is unjustified, morally and particularly in the name of Christianity, do not have a have the right to shun or judge those who have had an abortion, as the Bible says ‘Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For by the standard you judge you will be judged, and the measure you use will be the measure you receive’ (Matthew 7:1). No one but God has that right as said in Psalm 50:6 ‘God is judge’. However, even God, who is perfect and all knowing, ‘regretted that he had made mankind’ in Genesis 6:6, so surely human beings, who are imperfect in so many ways, can regret a conception, and seek to start again just as God did. Or would this just be ‘playing’ God with lives that have the potential to be the next Mozart or Einstein?
