Abortion Part Four

Abortion It is an ethical issue. It is a debate about what is morally right & wrong. Religious teaching says that the life of the baby is sacred. Many consider the rights of the mother to be equally important to those of the unborn baby.

Possible Questions Abortion is legal if certain conditions are met what are those conditions?

Explain how religious beliefs & teachings might influence believers in their attitude towards abortion?

Abortion “Is it right or wrong to abort a baby.” This is an ethical discussion or argument. “Is it right or wrong to abort a baby.”

It is also about women’s Rights Women who could not have abortions if they were illegal went to back street abortionists. They suffered as a result of this Many women died. So it is good that does not happen any more.

It is also about the RIGHTS of the Foetus Does an unborn child deserve protection under the law. Does the unborn child only have rights if you are religious. Since millions of abortions are performed are we killing people who deserve to live.

What is an Abortion It means a termination of the foetus.

Is it right or wrong It depends what your point of view is. You are not asked for your personal opinion. You must argue a case for both sides. The religious views against those of the mother/ child

Why? Because you might be killing a person. People say if you are going to abort a baby then you need to decide. When does life begin? Why? Because you might be killing a person.

When does life begin? The Catholic feels this happens at the moment of fertilization when the sperm meets the egg. The soul is there. God has a purpose for the baby. No life is there just by chance

Life is God Given Life each cell is created by God. If you destroy it you act against God and have committed murder. Obviously murder is a serious sin. You will be punished for that by going to hell.

Catholic Belief If you abort the baby you are destroying life. This they believe is morally wrong. They see abortion as murder. They will however accept it if it is absolutely necessary. If the mother was going to die & an abortion could save her life.

Is the mother’s life more sacred than that of the unborn child? This becomes a choice between saving the mother’s or babies life in a threatening situation. Most religions will accept an abortion in these circumstances even if they do not agree in principle.

When can an abortion be allowed? If 2 Doctor’s agree ; If the mother’s life is in danger. If the mother cannot cope emotionally ie has two many children If the baby will be deformed. If the mother cannot afford it financially up to 24 weeks

Religious beliefs All Life is Sacred. All Life is God- given. All life deserves great respect. God has a plan for every human life. Life should not be destroyed. Human life is precious and valuable.

The Sanctity of life Christians say a foetus is a life. Exactly the same as a living person. If you take that life you are murdering a baby.

Is a foetus a person? Today we now know a lot about the developing foetus. There is argument to reduce the time limit for an abortion because we know how developed the foetus can be at 24 weeks.

Is it a woman’s choice? The Christian faith says no it is not a simple woman’s choice. She cannot be allowed to decide for herself what happens to her body. She has to learn about rules. The rule is not to kill. The foetus is alive. It is a person. To kill it is to act like a murderer.

Abortion It is a dilemma. It is an emotional subject. It is not a simple argument You must look at each case individually If a woman was raped & became pregnant to simply tell her abortion is murder does not seem ethical.

Jesus on Abortion There is no evidence that Jesus spoke on abortion. What he did speak about was compassion, love and caring. If we treat each case with love and care and serious thought about the consequences then are we acting with Jesus’ principles?

The Old Testament In the Bible in Jeremiah it is says “ Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” Many Christians use this quote as evidence that God does not want abortion.

“The parents of the unborn child should have equal rights concerning abortion.” Do you agree? Give reasons showing you have thought about more than one point of view. Refer to religious arguments in your answer.

1. In Christianity abortion is not a simple matter. 2. The rights of the unborn child should be considered. 3. In the Catholic Church the rights of the unborn baby should be considered. 4. In this question it is suggesting that both parties have equal rights.

In the law it is fair to the mother. However in faith the Church urges a moral choice for the unborn infant. In liberal protestant churches the rights of the unborn should have as much equal status as those of the mother.

Parents rights 1. Right to choose if unborn will threaten mother’s life 2.Have a large family & cannot afford it financially or emotionally 3. Child will be disabled & low quality of life 4. Unborn rights 5. Innocent so should not be terminated( sanctity of life)

End of Abortion Part Four