Attitudes to Abortion.

Pro-life Abortion is always wrong. The foetus is a potential human being with the right to life. All alternatives to abortion should be explored, particularly adoption.

Pro-choice  A woman has the right to choose what to do with her body. Legal abortion is safe, & preferable to back-street operations. Abortion is not a decision taken lightly, but people should be supported where necessary. Abortion is preferable in cases of rape or incest.

Who is where? Pro Life: “Life” an organisation that exists to support women and help them find alternatives to abortion SPUC; Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child Pro choice: BPAS (British pregnancy advisory service). Offers counselling, support, and if appropriate, access to clinics & abortions.

Pro Life Christians might say: “Abortion is murder. God gives life, and it is his precious and wonderful gift. Each person is a separate and precious child of God from conception, and should be respected. We know that many people see abortion as a last resort, but it is our job as Christians to support them, and help them to find other ways out of their situation”. Some Christians taking this point of view might be Roman Catholics.

Why? Psalm 139:13&16. For you created my imost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb……All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him: for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

Why Catholics? Humanae Vitae (On human life). Papal encyclical letter condemns abortion as the sin of murder. Life begins at conception, and any attempt to alter that is going against the will of God, who has created that life.

Pro-choice Christians might say: “Abortion is not a good thing, but people making that decision need loving support rather than judgement. A woman who decides that she can’t bring up a severely disabled child deserves our support, love, and recognition that she is making a difficult decision. Christians must act with love (  ). Some Christians taking this attitude might belong to the Church of England

Why? Matthew 5:44. “Love your enemies”. Matthew 7:1. “Do not judge others, or you too will be judged”