How Christians Apply Their Beliefs to Abortion and Euthanasia Christians apply many different beliefs about abortion and euthanasia, although they may have many different points of view, it is understandable to why they hold certain beliefs and apply them in Christianity. Euthanasia and abortion are two very sensitive issues of which there are strong arguments for and against. Some Christians believe that these two practices are totally wrong and should never be carried out while other Christians, for varying reasons believe euthanasia and abortion are acceptable and even in some cases, the right thing to do. There are many different ways that Christianity applies its beliefs on abortion, here are some of them: The different views/beliefs of abortion The Roman Catholic belief is that even while the baby is still very tiny and still hardly developed the baby growing in the womb is the beginning of a human life, and another human being should not end any life created by God at any stage of its development. All life is precious as the psalm quote below states that: Another human being should not end any life created by God at any stage of its development. All life is precious as the psalmist says ‘you created every part of me, you put me together in my Mothers womb… When I was growing there in secret, you knew that I was there, you saw me before I was born’. (Psalm 139:13) There is something also known as the double effect, whereby if the mother has cancer in the womb and needs to remove it in order to keep the mother alive and the baby dies as a result of it. Many of the churches accept this as not being a ... ... middle of paper ... ...ly examine statements by politicians. They advise on living wills and are legal in the court of law. They promote euthanasia and advise legal acceptance of euthanasia. Most Christians do not think euthanasia is right thing to do, because nearly all denominations of Christianity do not support it. The Roman Catholic Church absolutely condemns it and in 1975 The Church of England produced a report “On Dying Well” which opposed euthanasia. The Methodist Church does not promote euthanasia either, but it is debatable as to whether Christians should follow the beliefs of their church. Different denominational beliefs about euthanasia have arisen from the leaders and is therefore very much a matter of opinion-as the Bible does not refer to it Christianity as a whole cannot say whether it is religiously wrong or right.
Both Islam and Catholicism can be considered two major religions in the world. Ninian Smart’s seven dimensions of religion define key element in a religion. Despite the fact that the two religions are different, there are some factors which are similar between the two religions. Catholicism and Islam can be compared and contrasted through Smart’s Doctrinal and Ethical Dimensions, the history of these faith traditions in Australia and a contemporary issue of euthanasia. Through the evaluation of the Doctrinal and Ethical dimensions of religion, history and the perspectives on euthanasia, it will become clear that Catholicism and Islam are able to be compared and contrasted.
Christian's Beliefs in the Sanctity of Life Christians believe in the sanctity of life. This means that God
aspect of it has to be the loving thing to do then it is possibly
Those who advocate euthanasia have capitalized on people's confusion, ambivalence, and even fear about the use of modern life-prolonging technologies. Further, borrowing language from the abortion debate, they insist that the "right to choose" must prevail over all other considerations. Being able to choose the time and manner of one's death, without regard to what is chosen, is presented as the ultimate freedom. A decision to take one's life or to allow a physician to kill a suffering patient, however, is very different from a decision to refuse extraordinary or disproportionately burdensome treatment.
that an abortion can be preformed up to the end of the 24th week of
A Christian Response to Abortion or Euthanasia Abortion is the death of the foetus (life) from the mother's womb whether deliberate (operation/termination) or accidental (miscarriage). Christians are divided in their views on abortion. The Roman Catholic Church does not allow abortion. They do not agree on the precise moment in human development when a human person begins to exist.
of existence. This is written in Psalm 139:13-16: 13For you created me in my inmost being; you knit me together in my
Genesis sets the scene for the whole bible. We see that our life is a
Euthanasia, Abortion and the Church The Catholic Church has consistently taught that respect for human life is one of the most essential aspects of our faith. Life includes love, respect, community, and family. Each person is entitled their right to life, a responsibility to God, to live out their life from natural birth to natural death. Unfortunately, there have been horrifying incidents where people commit murders, assault and manipulate other people. One of the Ten Commandments clearly states
should not have the right to an abortion if it is at the expense of
Christians' Views on Abortion and Euthanasia. Abortion is a major issue for Christians. Each denomination has its own. teachings on abortions and abortions. Abortion is to end a pregnancy deliberately.
Euthanasia and Religion Euthanasia is the inducement of a gentle and easy death. It is considered to be a form of suicide. Yet the procedure requires the assistance of a third party, due to the potential incapacity of the individual requesting this procedure be carried out. The case could then be turned into one of homicide. As a result of this, it is incredibly difficult to find an individual who is willing to aid in the conduct of euthanasia, as they could face prosecution in a criminal court on the charge of murder.
Euthanasia, also known as “mercy killing,” is defined as an “intentional ending of the patient’s life by a physician, usually by lethal injection” (Religion Facts). A difference must be made between euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, and between active vs. passive euthanasia. In a sense, euthanasia may be compared with homicide, as death is a direct result of the action of physician, while in doctor-assisted suicide the physician is only giving the patient the means to end his/her own life (could be compared with suicide). Of course, these concepts have slightly different connotations, and it depends on the personal worldview of an individual how to interpret them. On the other hand, the distinguishing characteristics between active
Christianity and Abortion The Christian belief in the sanctity of life is based on the teachings. of famous Christians and on what they read in the bible, the teachings. of Jesus. A quote from the Bible which seems to support the view that abortion is wrong is from Psalm 139:13, verses 15-16. “You created every part of me.
A Christian Response to Abortion Christians will all respond to the issue of abortion in different ways. Some Christians will follow the teaching of their church and strictly follow the rules that are laid out by that church. Others will look at the bible and see if they can adopt an attitude to abortion which best suits what is written. Other Christians may follow the life example and teachings of Jesus trying to re-live his way of life as Christians believe that Jesus is God, and they would believe that God knows exactly what are the right and wrong things to do. Some Christians may ask their friends and family how they feel about abortion even asking their priest what their opinion maybe.