Quality of life, Why should what many people see as a happy event bring to others the prospect of misery? What issues concerning the following need to be considered in respect of quality of life? Babies born severly mentally and physically handicapped. The environment in to which a child is born. Sometimes a child is not wanted. Financial implications Babies need a lot of time and attention. Babies are occasionally concieved by rape The father may not be around to offer support. Do any of the above qualify the ending of a pregnancy?

Motion: This house believes that it is every woman's right to choose whether or not to have an abortion. ● Agree ● 3 Min present argument. ● 3 min- Develop argument, point out flaws in opposition. ● Summing up ● Disagree ● 3 Min to present argument. ● 3 min- Develop argument, point out flaws in opposition. ● Summing up. Either side may interrupt by saying 'point of fact' durint the oppositions presentations. It must be a point of fact, not opinion. Timing will be strict. You will gain marks for quotes, statistics and valid points of fact that show weaknesses in the opposition.

Religions and the Sanctity of Life ● Christian, Jewish and Islam, see life as holy and sacred because it is a gift from God. In the beginning God gave us life and the ability to reproduce. As it is God given it should be cherished and valued and not destroyed. Only God has the right to take life as he gave it in the first place. ● Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs link the idea of sanctity of life with their idea of Karma and reincarnation, Kamma and rebirth. Valuing life creates good karma, but destroying it produces bad Karma. This in tern affects what happens to that person's soul in the future.

Personal views Looking at your homework, when do you consider the baby to be a human? Why? Why do you think that people consider abortion to be acceptable? If you could see the baby developing in the womb do you think that abortion would still be acceptable? Looking at the growth of a baby in the womb, is there anything that suprises you? Do you think that abortion should be available to everyone who falls pregnant, but does not feel able to have the baby? Explain

Statistics ● 189,100 in 2009 ● 17.5 in every 1000 women ● 91% under 13 weeks of gestation ● 75% under 10 weeks of gestation

Arguments for and Against Abortion ● PRO CHOICE ● It's the woman's womb it's her choice. ● Life is sacred and a gift from God ● An abortion might deprive the world of someone who is truly great. ● The risk to the woman's health outweighs the rights of the baby. ● PRO LIFE ● Life does not start until birth ● Abortion is murder ● Science has proved that an unborn child is a seperate human at concetion. ● The circumstances need to be considered, for example rape victims should not be reminded of her ordeal.

Activity ● Life begins at birth. We are not human before we are born. ● Explain how having this view may affect someone's view on abortion. ● 2 Marks ● The mother and father of an unborn child should have equal rights concerning abortion. ● Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer showing that you have considered more than one perspective. ● 6 marks

Debate prep ● Motion ● 'This house believes that it is every woman's right to choose whether of not to terminate a pregnancy. ● Argue from the opposite of your actual opinion. You need to back it up with facts. ● As we continue with the topic add religious views to reinforce your argument.

Christianity Beliefs and Teachings ● From the time the ovum is fertilized, a new life is begun which is neither that of the fathe nor of the mother...It would never become human if it were not human already. RC Declaration 74 ● Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception: abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes. 2 nd Vatican Council ● You shall not kill an unborn child, or murder a newborn infant. Didache

Quotes ● 'Before birth, God has given every person a purpose in life' (Galatians 1:15) ● The golden rule of Christianity 'love your neighbour as yourself' (Mark 12.33) ● 'You shall not murder' (Exodus 20:13)

Abortion and the Law ● Legal Position ● 1967 Abortion Act = 2 doctors have to authorise the abortion up to 28 weeks act changed the limit to 24 weeks. Abortion is still illegal in N. Ireland except when saving the mother's life. ● Before 1967 abortion was illegal in the Uk. The following conditions must apply if the abortion is to be allowed: ● The mother's life is at risk ● There is substantial risk that the baby may be born severly disabled ● There is a risk to the mother's physical/mental health ● There is a risk to existing children of the mother

Other considerations ● Most abortions are carried out early due to the mental health risk to the mother. ● After fertility treatment, abortions can be carried out to reduce the number of multiple foetuses. ● Rights of the father are not considered by the law. ● Medical practisioners who are against abortion do not have to help. ● Around 185,000 abortions take place each year, fewer than 200 are after 24 weeks

Discussion Activities ● What are your views on the legalities of abortion? ● Do you feel the father should be considered by law, is it a form of sexism? ● Written Activity ● Read the case study, page 81 and complete activity 5.

Compassion and reality ● What is meant by compassion?

Real life situations ● Read through each of the religions and make notes in tern on their approach to abortion in the real world. ● Why do you think that rape is justification for abortion in the majority of cases? ● Explain why rape would not justify an abortion?

Alternatives to abortion ● Research case studies of fostering and adoption. ● What do you think could be the down sides of adoption and abortion? ● Are adoption and fostering better than abortion? ● Complete the research activity on page 93.