Roman Catholic Church's Teachings on Abortion and Euthanasia

Roman Catholic Church's Teachings on Abortion and Euthanasia

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that Human life is sacred. Explain

how this teaching influences its attitude to abortion and euthanasia,

showing that you understand other points of view. (You should refer to

the Bible, to the thinking/writing of Christians and Roman Catholic

tradition to illustrate and support what you say).

"The greatest gift of God, I would think is the gift of life. The

greatest sin of man, it would seem would be to return that gift,

ungratefully and unopened" John Powell in the Silent Holocaust

Christians believe that Human life is sacred. In today's society many

practices undermine this teaching daily, through the likes of

contraception, abortion, bullying, terrorism, war, euthanasia and

drugs etc…

You only have to look at recent atrocities in the United States or the

increase in advertisements for contraception, to see examples of such

practices.

From all of the above you need to ask yourselves why, in fact, do

Christians believe human life is sacred? Well you get your answer from

various Old Testament teachings one of the first examples, is in the

10 commandments Moses received from God, the fifth one being "Thou

shall not kill".

New Testament teachings are for example 1 Corinthians 16:17 "I am

happy about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus; they

have made up for your absence" this quote shows the happiness shown

for everyone and anyone. Every miracle story in the bible shows Gods

love for all human life, all were life healing.

When the bible was written, the practices of abortion and euthana...

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...are given the gift of free will therefore we must make our own

choices and decisions based upon our own knowledge and judgement, if

we didn't use this gift we would be like robots. Without free will the

essence of life, uniqueness and individuality would be worthless. The

gift of free will - gives everyone of us, regardless or prejudices or

discriminations, the right to make our own decisions in life, and take

the consequences of those decisions

After looking at both sides of the argument I've decided that I agree

"God gives life so only God can take it away". Issues such as the

taking of life (by various forms) are major decisions to make and

require our moral and spiritual judgement, and guidance. Therefore

though we all have the gift of free will, we are always guided by God.

He gives life and he can take it away.