Christian Attitudes towards

Abortion
GCSE: Issues of Life and Death

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
Hv41TzJR49g
 Learning Outcomes
• By the end of today’s lesson, you will be able
to –
• Describe key Christian beliefs about the
sanctity of life.
• Explain why there are differing views within
Christianity towards abortion.
• Evaluate the Christian viewpoints and draw
your own conclusions.
 Key Term
The Sanctity of Life The belief that life is holy,
precious and sacred. Life is
God given and belongs to
God. Human life has
special status for many
believers.

Knowing this definition is worth

2 marks in the exam for an a) It
is a very important point. Must
also add an example or a quote
for the full 2 marks
“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you,
before you were born, I set you apart; I
appointed you as a prophet
to the nations”

Jeremiah 1:5
 Sanctity of life quotes
• Imago Dei
• Do not Kill
• Do you not know that you are temple of the
Holy Spirit
• God breathed life into Adam
• God is the only giver and taker of life
• There is a time to be born and a time to die
 ALL CHRSITIANS
• Dislike abortion because it goes against the
principle belief of ‘Sanctity of life’
• They would all prefer ADOPTION or
FOSTERING as life is preserved.
• ‘God is the only giver and taker of life.’
• ‘Do not kill.’
• ‘You body is the temple of the Holy spirit.’
The majority of Christians are very unhappy
about abortion. The Didache, the oldest
known Christian document, was written about
70 CE and stated:
‘You shall not kill by abortion the fruit of the
womb and you shall not murder the infant
already born (infanticide).’

According to this life in the womb is just as

valuable as life outside the womb.
GCSE: Issues of Life and Death

THE ROMAN CATHOLIC VIEW

Life begins at conception for RC’s
Human life must be absolutely protected
from the moment of conception. From the
first moment of his existence, a human
being must be recognised as having the
rights of a person…

Abortion and Infanticide are abominable

crimes
Catechism of the Catholic Church 2270-71, 2273
 Why are some Christians against
abortion?
• Life is holy and belongs
to God.

• Abortion violates the

principle of the sanctity
of life.
 Why are some Christians against
abortion?
• Life begins at conception. Therefore abortion
is like murder and it says in……..

• The 10 Commandments that it is wrong to

take life, ‘Do not kill’ therefore, abortion is
wrong. A GRAVE sin for RC’s.
 Why are some Christians against
abortion?
• Every person has a RIGHT to life.

• A foetus is a human being as a life from

conception and abortion destroys its right to
life. It should be granted human rights.

• Therefore abortion is wrong.

• ‘A GRAVE sin’ for R/C
 Why are some Christians against
abortion?
• Abortion can lead to complex mental trauma
for the woman involved, for example, intense
feelings of guilt and on occasions,
psychological or mental illness.
 Why are some Christians against
abortion?
• Adoption is always a better solution.

• Adoption preserves life and brings joy to a

new family.
For RC’s it goes against NML
 Natural Moral Law
• First introduced by Aquinas in 13th Century.
• There are 5 PRIMARY PRECEPT (RULES) that
cannot be broken ABSOLUTISTS never always
• What word reminds us of the Primary Precepts?
• POWER
• P – Preservation of Life
• O – Orderly society (to live in)
• W – Worship God
• E – Education (very important)
• R - Reproduction
• Any act that prevents one of these Precepts is
wrong/immoral and not in accordance with God’s
will.
• An abortion goes against the precepts of
• Reproduction
• Preservation of life
• Living in an Orderly society
• Worship God ( as going against his will of ‘Go forth
an multiply’) and living in accordance with nature.
Lesser so, but still can have an effect on
• Education
 Why are R/C Christians against
abortion?
• In the case of rape, many Christians argue that
one sinful act should not provoke another.
• ‘The child must not pay for the sins of the
father’
• With counselling, support and possibly
adoption, they believe that good can come
from evil in the form of a new life.
• The child could be given up for adoption
 Rape
• Rape is not a reason for an abortion
• “The child should not pay for the crimes of the
father”
• Life is a gift from God
• Sanctity of Life
 Deformity

• A child should not be aborted if it is deformed

as
• ”God loves everyone – God is
omnibenevolent”
• ALL life is sacred and God given
• “Favouritism is a sin”
• Imago Dei
• This is a form of DISCRIMINATION and is not
acceptable
 Mother’s life at risk
• This is only time a R/C would consider consenting
to an abortion as
• “Actual life takes precedence over potential life”
• Also the mother may have other children to care
for.
• This is called the ‘DOCTRINE OF THE DOUBLE
EFFECT’ the aim is not to kill the foetus but to
save the life of the mother. The unfortunate side
effect is losing the baby.
 Exceptions

• Difficult issues surrounding abortion can be

dealt with by the concept of the ‘doctrine of
double effect’.
The Roman Catholic Church are against Abortion
they believe that life begins when the sperm
meets the egg, conception.
In 1930 the Catholic Church decided
that abortion was not a sin if it was carried out on
a woman suffering from cancer of the womb or
an ectopic pregnancy. This was because in both
cases, both the foetus and the mother would die if
the abortion was not carried out.
 Life is a gift from God
• Natural Moral Law – ‘the will of God’
• Abortion goes against NML as the natural process of
being pregnant is to give birth.
• Remember Abortion goes against some of Aquinas’ 5
Primary Precepts which is a major part of NML . Which
ones could be applied to show abortion is
immoral/wrong?
• Preservation of life
• Orderly Society
• Worship God
• Education
• Reproduction
The Roman Catholic Church
Some Christians believe that abortion is murder because
an abortion breaks the commandment ‘Thou shall not
commit murder”
The Roman Catholic Church believes that life begins at the
moment of conception and that everyone has the right to
life. They believe this because Christian teaching says:
‘Abortion has been considered to be murder since the
first centuries of the Church, and nothing permits it to be
considered otherwise.’
Pope Paul VI speaking in 1970.
Catholics are also against abortion because of their belief
that ‘life is sacred’
The only exception for Catholics is if the mother’s life is in
danger. This is known as the law of double effect.
GCSE: Issues of Life and Death

THE C OF E VIEW
 Why do some Christians allow
abortion?
• All Christians believe that abortion is wrong, but
some believe that it should be allowed under some
circumstances.
• SITUATION ETHICS – ‘lesser of two evils’
For example,
• if the mother has been raped,
• if the mother’s life is at risk or
• if the foetus is severely disabled.
• Note abortion is not accepted for any reason!
 Why do some Christians allow
abortion?
• Jesus taught Christians to love their neighbour
as themselves and abortion could be the most
loving thing to do.
• Agape
One of the
• Situation Ethics – ‘lesser of two evils’ Greatest
Commandments
of Jesus
 Why do some Christians allow
abortion?
• Some Christians do not believe that life begins at
conception.
• If the mother has been raped then the most loving
act may be to allow the woman to have an abortion
so she does not suffer from psychological problems
• If the baby is deformed maybe the most loving act
is to allow the abortion to lessen the suffering of
the baby and family.
• Of course it is acceptable if the mother’s life is at
risk
 Why do some Christians allow
abortion?
• If abortions were banned, it could lead to
backstreet abortions. Unlicensed, unhygienic
and potentially dangerous abortions.

• This could create an unjust situation where

rich women could travel abroad for an
abortion, whereas poorer women would be
unable to do so.
The Church of England
Some Christians believe that life does not begin
until the baby has a chance of surviving
independently of its mother.
These Christians believe that an abortion is an evil
to be avoided if at all possible, but they must
show “compassion for the mother”
However, abortion could be justifiable if it meant
that greater evils were avoided, for example if
there were a risk to the physical or mental health
of the mother, if she were likely to give birth to a
handicapped child or if the pregnancy was the
result of rape
“The Anglican view on abortion is that although
the foetus is to be specially respected and
protected, nonetheless, the life of the foetus is
not absolutely sacrosanct if it endangers the life
of its mother.”(Church of England report, 1984)
The Anglican view on abortion is that
although the foetus is to be specially respected
and protected, nonetheless, the life of the foetus
is not absolutely sacrosanct if it endangers the
life of its mother.”(Church of England report,
1984)
“Circumstances which may justify an abortion
are direct threats to the life or health of the
mother, or the probable birth of a severely
abnormal child.”(Methodist Statement, 1980)
Christians for Free Choice

Believe that the matter should be left to a

woman’s own conscience; conscience is seen
as a guide from God as to what action to take.
The decision to continue a pregnancy should
not be forced on a woman. Support the
woman, adoption is an option.
 Quakers
• Would not encourage abortion but would
allow it as the mother must let her conscience
(the Holy Spirit) guide her.
• She must pray and……
• ‘Let the spirit lead your life not human
desires.’
• Demonstrate Agape and Compassion
• God is the only judge so no one can judge the
action of others they can only offer agape and
support.
• Freewill
We could think -
What would Jesus
do?
• He would always show compassion
but it is up to you to interpret the
correct course of action.
Refer to Church teachings and use
your conscience – therefore there is
a variety of interpretations.
 Catholic Church Church of England Free Choice
Quakers

Teaching Life begins at Abortion is wrong. God gave humans free

conception. However, in some will. It is up to the
Abortion is circumstances it can be woman to choose.
murder. “the lesser of two evils”. God will guide her.

Bible “For you created

Quote my inmost being; “Above all love each “If any of you lacks
you knit me other deeply, because wisdom, he should ask
together in my love covers over a God, who gives
mother’s womb.” multitude of sins.” generously to all
without finding fault..”
VIEW Abortion is a
As the woman has
grave sin. In the Showing love,
done nothing wrong
past women who compassion is more
there is no need to
have had important than
condemn her.
abortions have condemning someone. A
Counselling would be
been asked to woman would be offered
available if the woman
leave the Church. care and counselling.
felt that she needed it.
 Humanist attitudes towards
•
abortion
Humanists do not forbid abortions but would look at all of the
evidence, think about consequences and considered the kindest
course of action and would employ Situation Ethics.
• Humanists tend to be pro-choice and will consider quality of life
and accept abortion as a morally acceptable choice.
• For many a foetus does not become a person until well after
conception
• As life is not God given abortion is a personal choice that should
be informed with the long term and short effects being
considered
• The woman should always be supported before and after an
abortion.
• There is no higher being to judge or answer to for your decision.
 Peter Singer
• Watch the clip
• https://youtu.be/MJXkLBI7H-w Very good
• An alternative view – not areligious view!
 Task
• Research an alternative religious view about
abortion.
 Practice Exam Question
a) What is abortion? (2 marks)
b) Describe teachings about abortion. (5 marks)
c) From 2 religions or 2 religious traditions
explain religious attitudes towards abortion
(8 marks)
d) “No woman should have an abortion” Do you
agree? Give reasons (15 marks). Give reasons
why some people might disagree
d) ‘Abortion is never justifiable.’ (15 marks)