Abortion

Question 1

According to the 1967 Abortion Act when can it be permissible?

Answer 1

1. Mother’s life is at risk
2. Risk of injury to mother’s physical or mental health.
3. Risk of physical or mental health of existing children
4. Substantial risk that the child be will born severely handicapped.

Question 2

What are Catholic & Evangelical attitudes to abortion?

Answer 2

1. Life is holy. Only God has the right to end a pregnancy
2. Ten commandments teach that it is wrong to take life
3. If the death of the foetus is an unintended side effect. It is not an abortion. Doctrine of Double Effect.

Question 3

What are some SOWAAs to support the Catholic and Evangelical attitude?

Answer 3

1. “Human life must be respected.”
2. “from the moment of conception”
3. “having the rights of a person”
4. “Abortion… abominable crimes.”

Question 4

What is the Liberal Protestant attitude?

Answer 4

1. Jesus told Christians to love their neighbour. Abortion may be the most loving thing to do.
2. They believe that life does not begin at conception. Abortion is not murder
3. Banning abortion can cause inequality. Rich women could still access abortions.

Question 5

Quotes for the Protestants:

Answer 5

1. “termination…may be the lesser of two evils.”
2. “love thy neighbour.”

Question 6

Non-Religious Attitudes:

Answer 6

1. Life does not begin at conception
2. Should be an automatic right for those who have been raped
3. A foetus cannot be considered as a separate life until it is capable of living outside the mother.