Abortion: Religious and Secular Views

Question 1

What is abortion?

Answer 1

Abortion is the deliberate termination of a pregnancy

Question 2

Is the foetus a person?

Answer 2

• Some people believe that life begins at conception, so the foetus is a person from the moment it is created.
• Others think the foetus becomes a person later, for example, when it can survive outside the womb.

Question 3

Catholic view

Answer 3

Abortion is not allowed under any circumstances because:
- the foetus (a person) would be murdered, killing an innocent person, as life starts at conception
- strong sanctity of life principle

Question 4

Protestant view

Answer 4

Abortion is always wrong, but less wrong if the mother’s life is in danger. Reasons:
- lesser of two evils
- should be avoided unless mother will die

Question 5

Jewish view

Answer 5

Abortion is allowed only if the foetus will endanger the life of the mother. Reasons:
- taught to take abortion seriously
- Foetus is a partial person until it takes its first breath at birth
- foetus respected and protected

Question 6

Utilitarian view

Answer 6

Abortion is allowed if it will maximise happiness and minimise pain. Reasons:
- maximising happiness over pain
- only a person if they can make choices/have preferences
- preference of mother or family outweigh those of the foetus

Question 7

Woman’s right to choose

Answer 7

Abortion is allowed under any circumstances - if the mother wants it then it is ok. Reasons:
- the woman’s body belongs to her, therefore she has the right to do what she wants - the rights of another person don’t outweigh this
- the right to choose enables control over her life because of the immense impact it has.