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Abortion
Pro-choice arguments (abortion may be seen as justifiable) = supported by
‘Abortion Rights’ = national pro-choice campaign group
• It’s the woman’s body. She will have to suffer the pain of childbirth and
look after it when it’s born so she should have the right to end a
pregnancy if she wishes
• Life does not start until birth or until the foetus is viable. The woman
has more rights than what some might refer to as a ‘blob of cells’
• The risk to the mother’s health outweighs the rights of the baby
• The woman’s circumstances need to be considered: rape victim /
teenager becoming pregnant / woman abandoned by baby’s father /
financial problems / career
• Adoption is not an easy option for any mother
• Back street abortions might return if the law changes to forbid
abortion
• Quality of life is important: it is cruel to allow a seriously handicapped
child to be born
• The world is over-populated
• Abortion is a matter for the individual’s conscience. Each person should
have a choice
Pro-life arguments (arguments against abortion) = supported by SPUC =
‘Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child’
• Life is sacred, gift from God and only God can take it away. Abortion can
be seen as rejecting His precious gift of a child
• Children are a blessing (from God) and should be cherished, not
destroyed
• Abortion is murder because life begins at conception
• Each person is unique and no one knows how valuable that child’s life
might be – it could be a future genius
• Adoption would help adults who would love a child of their own but who
cannot conceive
• Handicapped children can live happy and fulfilled lives and can bring joy
to their parents
• Abortion often results in depression and feelings of guilt. An abortion
can leave mental and physical scars
• Abortion is not facing up to our responsibilities and can be used
selfishly
Key Ideas
1. When does life begin?
• At conception – when the sperm joins the egg?
• At viability – when the foetus can exist outside the womb?
• At birth?
2. Sanctity of Life – life is sacred, precious, worthy of respect, a gift from God.
• God is the creator of life, so only God has the right to end life.
• Foetus is human from the moment of conception and possesses a soul –
Roman Catholic belief
• Child is a gift from God
• Humans are made in God’s image – each person is known to God and is unique
• A handicapped foetus has the same right to life as a ‘perfect’ foetus – God
has a purpose for that child just as there is purpose for the live of other
children.
• Many would say mother’s life is more important than the life of the unborn
child
3. Quality of life – living without excessive suffering, being able to experience
life.
• If the child were to be handicapped in such a way that its life would be full
of suffering some would argue that it would be wrong to bring it into the
world to face this – so abortion would be justified.
• If the child would be life limited ie. live for only a short time or was
severely physically or mentally handicapped then some would say abortion
was justified.
• If the mother’s quality of life would be seriously damaged then abortion may
be justified eg. if the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest
• If the mother’s physical or mental health would be seriously damaged by the
continuation of the pregnancy some would consider abortion justified
• Some would argue that handicapped people can lead fulfilled and contribute
much to society – they could have a good quality of life.
• If only perfect people who can have a good quality of life can be born then it
is like trying to create Hitler’s master race.
Christianity
All Christians would say that life should be sacred and they are, in principle,
against abortion. Children are a blessing, a precious gift from God and are
created in His image. (Genesis 1: 27) Some accept that in some cases abortion
may be the lesser of two evils and that to withhold compassion would be a
greater sin.

Roman Catholics are totally opposed to abortion.
• God must have a purpose for the child or it would not have been conceived.
All life comes from God.
• The foetus is considered to be human from the moment of conception.
• The foetus’ right to life comes before the rights of existing children or the
mother’s right to terminate the pregnancy.
• ‘Do not commit murder’ Exodus 20:13
• ‘God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased.’
(Galatians 1:15) meaning before birth God has given every person a purpose
in life.
• ‘Human life is sacred.’ Pope Paul VI in Humanae Vitae
• ‘Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of
conception: abortion and infanticide are abominable crimes.’ (Vatican II
Gaudium et Spec 51)
• ‘From the time the ovum is fertilized, a new life is begun which is neither
that of the father nor of the mother …It would never become human if it
were not human already.’ (The Roman Catholic Declaration on Procured
Abortion, 1974)
• ‘You shall not kill by abortion the fruit of the womb and you shall not murder
the infant already born.’ (Pope Paul VI)
The Church of England: In some cases it would be the lesser of two evils to
permit abortion to withhold compassion would be a greater sin than to allowing
the abortion. Abortion would be permitted if:
• The mother’s life was in danger
• The child would be born severely mentally or physically handicapped.
• ‘every human life is unique… foetus is to be specially respected and
protected, nonetheless the life of the foetus in not absolutely paramount’
Church of England report 1984.
• The Church of England’s Synod (1993) stated that there were too many
abortions since legislation in 1968. There is an urgent task to reduce the
number of abortions through education and to support doctors in efforts to
carry out abortions as early as possible in the pregnancy
• The church recognises its responsibility to support people who face the
burdens of parenthood.
Abortion: Glossary, Religious Texts and Principles
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Glossary
Abortion The removal of the foetus from the womb before the
end of the pregnancy.
Sanctity of life The belief that all life is holy, that it must be treated
with great reverence and respect. Life is precious.
Quality of life The kind of life people are able to live e.g. if they were
severely brain damaged they may be thought to have a
poor quality of life.
Viability Time at which the fetus can exist outside the womb
Religious Texts and Principles
Christianity
All life is a gift from God. ‘You created every part of me; you put me together in
my mother’s womb.’ (Psalm 139:13)
• Only God has the right to decide when life should end. ‘He himself fixed
before hand the exact times and the limits of the places where they would
live.’ Acts 17:26
• ‘You shall not murder.’ Exodus 20:13
• Suffering is a test from God. God will supply the strength to meet the test.
• God has a purpose for everything that happens.
• Christians are commanded to ‘Love their neighbour’ and to follow the
example of Jesus. Jesus broke the Jewish law to heal a man on the Sabbath.
This was the most loving and compassionate thing to do.
• Abortion is considered, by some Christians to be the ‘lesser of two evils’
(N.B not a quote from a holy book!) – it would be worse to withhold
compassion.
1. Read the information about the Roman Catholic and
the Church of England attitude to abortion.
Summarize in your own words their views.
2. Which Christian denomination has an absolute view?