1. What does this say?
Crack the code. Use the worksheet in front of you to crack the code and reveal what it says.

2. Differing Christian views on abortion.
Classwork
Date:Friday, 13 October 2017
Differing Christian views on abortion.
Success Criteria:
I can define abortion
I can identify what I already know about abortion.
I can understand and explain facts about the nature of abortion.
I can examine the Christian response to abortion.
I can evaluate attitudes towards abortion.
I can assess my knowledge through a GCSE question.

3. Christianity on Abortion
Friday, 13 October 2017Friday, 13 October 2017
Key Question:
Why do Christians have different views about abortion?
Which is worse having it and not caring for it or having an abortion? Why
Read the TRUE story – what would you have done?

4. "The Prom Mom“
On June 6, 1997, a student gave birth in a toilet stall at her senior prom. She then retrieved the baby from the toilet bowl, cut the umbilical cord on the serrated edge of a sanitary napkin dispenser, wrapped the baby in several garbage sacks, and deposited the bundle in a trash can. She then returned to the dance floor.
The baby was discovered by a janitor who responded to reports of blood in the restroom and who became suspicious of the weight of the trash bag. Emergency workers attempted to resuscitate the baby for two hours.
Melissa Drexler became famous for delivering a baby in a restroom stall at her high school prom and putting the body in the trash before returning to the dance. She pled guilty to aggravated manslaughter, and was sentenced to fifteen years of imprisonment. After serving nearly 37 months, she was released on parole.
Over the course of nearly nine months she kept her pregnancy secret from the baby's father, her parents and classmates. Five feet seven inches tall, and weighing 60 kg (130 pounds), she apparently showed no signs of her pregnancy.

5. As of 2006 , the two youngest children to survive premature birth are thought to be James Elgin Gill (born on 20 May 1987 in Ottawa, Canada, at 21 weeks and 5 days gestational age), and Amillia Taylor (born on 24 October 2006 in Miami, Florida, at 21 weeks and 6 days gestational age).

6. The Bible and Abortion
GRADE D & C: Describe what the quote says, and decide whether it’s pro-choice and pro-life. GRADE B: Explain what the quote means and give reasons why it is pro-choice or pro-life. GRADE A-A*: Explain what the quote means and give reasons why it is pro-choice or pro-life and evaluate whether you agree with the statement.

7. Christians and abortion – the balance

8. Are these Biblical quotes for or against abortion?
Review Your Learning
Are these Biblical quotes for or against abortion?
All quotes are from the New International Version of the holy Bible.

9. Key concepts for abortion
Doctrine of double effect -
Take one action to achieve an effect knowing it will lead to another means I can’t be blamed for the second effect.
E.g. mother has cancer. Chemotherapy would kill the baby.
Primary aim is to stop the cancer; the death of the baby is secondary (the double effect). This means that an abortion has not occurred.

10. A Moral line for Abortion
Where and Why
Your TASK is to decide where on the line; 1.Catholics, 2.Church of England (Protestants), 3.Free Church (Protestants), **You need to place a quote (explain what it means) and explain why each group’s belief in detail.**
Against
For
Where and Why

11. What do Christians believe about abortion?
The majority of Christians are very unhappy about abortion. The Didache, the oldest known Christian document, was written about 70 CE and stated:
‘You shall not kill by abortion the fruit of the womb and you shall not murder the infant already born (infanticide).’
The Roman Catholic Church
Some Christians believe that abortion is murder because an abortion breaks the commandment ‘Thou shall not commit murder”
The Roman Catholic Church believes that life begins at the moment of conception and that everyone has the right to life. They believe this because Christian teaching says:
  ‘Abortion has been considered to be murder since the first centuries of the Church, and nothing permits it to be considered otherwise.’
Pope Paul VI speaking in 1970.
Catholics are also against abortion because of their belief that ‘life is sacred’
The only exception for Catholics is if the mother’s life is in danger. This is known as the law of double effect.

12. The Church of England
 Some Christians believe that life does not begin until the baby has a chance of surviving independently of its mother.
These Christians believe that an abortion is an evil to be avoided if at all possible. “compassion for the mother”
However, abortion could be justifiable if it meant that greater evils were avoided, for example if there were a risk to the physical or mental health of the mother, if she were likely to give birth to a handicapped child or if the pregnancy was the result of rape. LAW OF DOUBLE EFFECT
Christians for Free Choice
Believe that the matter should be left to a woman’s own conscience; conscience is seen as a guide from God as to what action to take. The decision to continue a pregnancy should not be forced on a woman. Support the woman, adoption is an option.

13. imago dei?

14. Catholic Church Church of England Free Choice Teaching Bible quote
VIEW
Life begins at conception. Abortion is murder.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
Abortion is a grave sin. In the past women who have had abortions have been asked to leave the Church.
Abortion is wrong. However, in some circumstances it can be “the lesser of two evils”.
“Above all love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
Showing love, compassion is more important than condemning someone. A woman would be offered care and counselling.
God gave humans free will. It is up to the woman to choose. God will guide her.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault..”
As the woman has done nothing wrong there is no need to condemn her. Counselling would be available if the woman felt that she needed it.

15. Read the start of this letter from a 16 Year old girl and finish her explanation.
Dear Agony Aunt,
I am distraught as I have found out that I am pregnant and I am thinking about having an abortion.The circumstances of conception were rape. I don’t think I can go through with the pregnancy…….
What might her reasons be for wanting the abortion?
How does she view what is growing inside her?
How might she feel now?
What argument might she use against religious teaching?

17. The Unborn Child
Imagine she had the Abortion. Write a letter from the unborn child explaining the alternative point of view.
What options did she have?
What would the Child say about Catholic view points?
Who has rights?
In what way did you become a second victim?

18. Section C practice GCSE question
‘’Explain why Sanctity of life is important to Christians ’’
8 Marks
Firstly, the sanctity of life is important to Catholics because in Bible it states that ‘Life is Holy and belongs to God’. This teaching shows us…
Secondly it is important to Sanctity of life is important to Catholics This means...
Thirdly. This means...
Finally...

19. Two Christian Beliefs on Abortion
Roman Catholics
The Church of England

20. The Catholic Church VS CofE
The Catholic Church is totally against abortion because of the teachings of the Sanctity of Life.
The Catholic Church teaches that all babies are a gift from God and that every baby is planned by him.
Catholics do allow abortions if the mother’s life is at risk, this is called the double effect.
The Church of England is against abortion BUT there are circumstances where it is allowed. These are…
1)Rape
2) if a foetus is severely disabled
3) if the mothers life is at risk . Eg. Cancer and needs chemotherapy

21. Whose opinions would these statements match?
Life begins at conception – the moment egg and sperm meet – the foetus is alive and immediately made ‘in the image of God.’
The Catechism of the Catholic Church said, ‘Abortion is a horrible crime.’
10 commandments say, ‘Do not kill,’ so abortion is wrong.
It depends on circumstances. If the woman was raped, it would be ‘the most loving thing to do.’
Life does not begin at conception for these types of Christians. This implies abortion may be ok up to a point.