Exploring the Different Ways Christians May Respond to Abortion

Exploring the Different Ways Christians May Respond to Abortion

There are two main views taken by Christians on the issue of abortion.

One is the absolutist's view, which reflects the Roman Catholic

teachings, which say that abortion is never justified under any

circumstances. This can also be described as the sanctity of life

argument.

If the foetus is handicapped the parents have the choice to abort the

baby or not. A Roman Catholic would say that the foetus should not be

destroyed for any reason. The Church understands that it may be

difficult to bring up a handicapped child but they say that all human

life is worthwhile no matter its type or quality. It is also said that

the foetus "would never be made human if it were not human already".

This tells us that the foetus is a person from the moment of

conception. The Roman Catholic Church also believes that only God can

give and take life. Life is a gift from God and is not our possession,

so we cannot do what we like with it. The church refers to the

creation story in Genesis where God makes human beings in his own

image. This means we are co-creators and not destroyers.

Some people may say that the Catholic Church contradicts itself in the

case of an ectopic pregnancy. This is when the baby plants itself and

grows inside the fallopian tube. If left both the mother and child

would die. The Catholic Church does not see this as a deliberate

abortion. The first intention is to save the mother's life. The death

of the baby is an unintended consequence. This is called the principle

of double effect and is not seen as a procured abortion.

The Roman Catholic Church also thinks of the handicapped people in our

society at the moment. They feel that aborting handicapped babies is

telling handicapped people that they are worthless, unwanted and

valueless. This is not something the Roman Catholic Church wants as it

values all human life.

Other churches believe in the quality of life argument.