Abortion |
Definition:
“ The premature expulsion of the foetus from the womb” before pregnancy reaches full term (40 wks).
Most abortions are in the early stages of pregnancy before it is obvious she is pregnant. It is also safer. Christians differ in their attitude to the law. RC and others believe the law is wrong because all foetus’ are human from conception. Other Christians feel the law is about right. Others think it should be reduced to a time when the baby definitely can not feel pain.
Reasons for having an abortion:
Before 1967, abortion was illegal in the UK. However, backstreet abortions were done, often ending in permanent injury or death. The 1967 Abortion Act was introduced to provide a safe alternative to backstreet abortions. It was amended in 1990.
The law only allows abortion if…..
Although the law was intended to limit abortion to ‘serious’ cases, Britain has effectively got ‘abortion on demand’. Doctors in abortion clinics will allow women to have an abortion under any circumstances if that is their choice, and the conditions above are vague enough to allow this to happen.
Abortions must be done before “viability”, when a baby can live on it outside its mother’s womb:
Many people, including most Christians, believe that the date of ‘viability’ should be reduced to 20 weeks, as some babies have survived from this stage. In practice, very few doctors will perform an abortion after 20 weeks except under extreme circumstances.
Abortion is allowed up to birth if the baby is mentally or physically handicapped, or if the mother’s life is at risk.
Some believe a woman should have the right to choose to have an abortion, whatever the reason. She should not have to persuade two doctors that she is making the right choice. Arguments include:
Many people see the foetus as a distinct human being with its own right. They believe abortion cannot be justified because it is killing an innocent human being. Arguments include:
Abortion issue generally depends on whether you think a foetus is a human being or not. Some Christians believe a foetus is human from conception, with the same rights and value to God as a child who has already been born. Therefore, abortion is murder. Others believe the foetus is not yet a person, so it’s life is not sacred. It is a potential person, but not a person yet. Therefore, abortion might be justified.
The Bible says very little about abortion because it was not as common as today. Girls were often married very young and did not have careers. Abortion was not a safe medical procedure. There were no tests for any health problems for the mother or the foetus. The Bible does not use the word “abortion” or deal with the issues directly, but Christians use Bible passages both for and against abortion.
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart” Jeremiah 1:5
God has a plan for every human being even before they are born
"Before I was born, the LORD chose me and appointed me to be his servant." Isaiah 49:1
“You saw me before I was born” Psalm 139:16
“God… chose me even before I was born" Galatians 1:15
These help support the idea that life begins at conception or, at the very least, that the foetus is a person.
Once Christians establish that the foetus is a human being, the sanctity of life teachings all apply:
“God made man in His image" Genesis 1:26
“Do not kill” Exodus 20:13
”You yourselves are God's temple” 1 Corinthians 3:16
Surprisingly. the Old Testament supports the idea that a human life is not as valuable before birth.
God made Adam, and then “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.” Genesis 2:7
This suggests that we are not human until we breathe (i.e. we are born). However, more convincing arguments come from examples of how foetuses are treated in the Bible:
“If some men are fighting and hurt a pregnant woman so that she loses her child, but she is not injured in any other way, the one who hurt her is to be fined whatever amount the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. But if the woman herself is injured, the punishment shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth.” Exodus 21:22-25
This suggests that causing the death of an unborn child is not as serious as killing someone who is already born. Also in Genesis 38:24 Tamar is ordered to be burnt to death because she committed adultery and became pregnant. Although her life is spared, this has nothing to do with the twin foetuses she carried which seem to be given no value or consideration.
“If a man does not get his share of happiness……then I say a baby born dead is better off. It does that baby no good to be born…….It never sees the light of day or knows what life is like, but at least it has found rest.” Ecclesiastes 6:3-5
“ But better off are those who have never been born, who have never seen the injustice that goes on in the world.” Ecclesiastes 4:3
These can be used to show that abortion is better than being born into a life of suffering, e.g. unwanted babies.
" Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception; abortion and infanticide are the most abominable of crimes." Second Vatican Council, Encyclical Gaudium et Spes
Abortion is always wrong. Life begins at conception, therefore abortion is murder.
“Human life is sacred”. Humanae Vitae, 1968
“The unborn human being’s right to live is one of the inalienable human rights” Pope John Paul II, 1985
"Abortion is a serious sin. Everyone, whether Catholic or not, should have a proper respect for human life." Declaration on Procured Abortion, 1974
"From the time that the ovum is fertilised a new life is begun which is neither that of the father or the mother. It is the life of a new human being with its own growth. It would never become human if it were not human already" Declaration on Procured Abortion (1974)
Abortion is an evil to be avoided if possible, but can be justified in 3 circumstances:
Although the foetus is to be specially respected and protected, nonetheless the life of the foetus is not absolutely sacrosanct if it endangers the life of the mother.
Church of England - Board of Social Responsibility Report 1984
CofE DOES NOT MORALLY AGREE with abortion, but often accepts it may be the only way forward for someone. They do not condemn someone who has an abortion, but would help a woman get through it, come to terms with it, and move forward. Women often feel they have done something very wrong, and need help. Sometimes abortion is the most loving thing to do. If Jesus forgives people, then so should Christians.
“We affirm that every human life, created in the divine image, is unique… 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 withdraw compassion is evil, and in circumstances of extreme distress or need, a very great evil… In an imperfect world the ‘right’ choice is sometimes the lesser of two evils.”
Church of England 1988
“To regard the life of the mother as less valuable than that of the unborn child does not consider her 'right to life' in terms of her wider roles of wife or mother (actual or potential) of other children, as well in terms of her own person.”
Abortion, an Ethical Discussion, Church information office 1965
Life is sacred from the moment of conception, but accepts abortion if:
Recognises a wide range of views among its members. There is a difference between a foetus almost ready to be born, and one in the early stages of pregnancy. Sometimes abortion is necessary, but should be taken seriously.
“ Abortion… may be the lesser of two evils. Some embryos are grievously handicapped. If born alive, their only prospect is of immense suffering and usually early death. Where the pregnancy is the result of rape, the abortion may be necessary for the recovery of the victim… Termination of pregnancy may be the right course because of the social circumstances of the existing family, or the mental or physical health of the mother.”
The Methodist
Church, quoted in What the Churches Say CEM 1995
Christians AGAINST abortion might put their beliefs into action by:
Mother Teresa saw abortion as a terrible crime, and set up orphanages for babies who were unwanted and unloved:
‘If you do make a mistake don't destroy the life ... because also to that child God says, "I have called you by your name, I have carved you in the palm of my hand: you are mine"'
“You shall not kill by abortion the fruit of the womb.”
Didache, early Christian document c100AD
The Roman Catholic Church in Scotland project offers financial and practical help to women who choose not to have an abortion. Christians from all over the world send money and resources.
Not a Christian organisation, but Christians might support it because it campaigns against abortion (in all cases except when the mother’s life is at risk), as well as euthanasia and embryo experimentation.
SPUC argues that:
SPUC raises funds; produces advertisements and school educational materials; organises protests; campaigns to change the law; writes letters to MPs; tries to discourage women from choosing abortion.
Many Christians support SPUC because they believe life is sacred. Because of their faith, they might think it is not enough to express opinions about abortion without doing anything positive or practical. They might join an organisation like SPUC because it is a way of putting their faith into action.
The Bible teaches about the importance of defending the weak:
“Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”
Psalm 82:4
Christians IN FAVOUR of a woman being able to choose to have an abortion might:
Closely linked with the Pro-Choice Alliance, it campaigns for a woman’s right to have an abortion on demand up to the 14th week, and tries to change the law so abortions are easier to obtain. They believe women should not have to explain their reasons, arguing that it is an invasion of her privacy, and assumes she cannot make sensible decisions by herself. It is open to anyone.
Some Christians might support the PCA because: