Abortion Flashcards
What do Catholics teach about Abortion?
- Life begins at conception, abortion is therefore murder
- Life is sacred and belongs to God so only he should decide when to give and take lives
- Humans are created in the image of God, life begins at conception so the life holds intrinsic value
- If you are unable to look after a child you could have it adopted
- You must accept the consequences of your actions
What do Protestants teach about abortion?
- Jesus preached and taught about the importance of compassion
- God gave us freewill to decide if we want an abortion
- God is a loving God who does not want us to suffer
- It may be kinder to have an abortion in certain circumstances
- An embryo is not a human so abortion is therefore not murder
- If the mothers life is at risk some Anglicans may allow it
What does the Church of England teach about Abortion?
- Abortion is not allowed for social reasons
- If the mothers life is in danger it may be accepted
- It may also be permitted if the female has been raped
- Due to ‘quality of life’ reasons it may be allowed
What does Islam teach about abortion?
- As a rule it is generally considered Haram
- Life is a gift from Allah, he therefore has right over life and death
- Abortion for economic reasons is haram
- Some Muslims believe abortion is allowed up to 16 weeks whereas others believe it is up to 7 weeks (different points of when people believe the embryo is a person), where ensoulment takes place if there is a compelling reason
- If the mother’s life is in danger it is more important to save the mother as opposed to the foetus prior ensoulment as it is “the lesser of two evils.”
- Allah takes the persons intentions into account of judgement day; if the baby will be seriously diseased or deformed an abortion is allowed
What do Humanists teach about abortion?
- A humanist would consider the evidence and probable consequences
- It would depend on the situation
- Consideration would be given to all those involved
- They are PRO-CHOICE
- They have campaigned to make abortions legal in 1960’s
- Situation ethics are involved
- IN THE UK ABORTION IS LEGAL UP TO 24 WEEKS
CHRISTIANITY - SOURCE OF WISDOM FOR AGAINST ABORTION
“before I formed you in the womb I knew you,” - JEREMIAH 1:5
“Thou shalt not kill.” - EXODUS 20:13
CHRISTIANITY - SOURCE OF WISDOM FOR ABORTION
“though he brings grief he will show compassion.” LAMENTATIONS 3:32
“love thy neighbour.” - MATTHEW 22:37-39
CHURCH OF ENGLAND - SOURCE OF WISDOM FOR ABORTION
“a recognition that there can be - strictly limited - conditions under which it may be morally preferable.” - GENERAL SYNOD
CHRISTIANITY - SOURCE OF WISDOM AGAINST ABORTION
“you shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish.”
ISLAM - SOURCE OF WISDOM FOR ABORTION
“do not kill your children out of poverty, we will provide for you and them.” - QUR’AN 6:151
ABORTION CASE STUDY - GIANNA JESSEN
- She survived an attempted abortion
- She is now an anti-abortionist campaigner who argues- “if the mother has rights, what are my rights?”
- She forgave her birth mother
ABORTION CASE STUDY - SAVITA HALAPPANAVAR
- She was showing signs of an early miscarriage in Ireland
- Both her and her husband requested for a termination but it was not legal at the time
- The hospital refused as there was a faint heartbeat present although the pregnancy was ending
- Her health deteriorated and she passed away
- An autopsy revealed her death was due to the miscarriage
- People believe an abortion would have saved her life
