Abortion
... of the individual animal there is a gradual change from zygote to baby in the womb. They therefore believe that it is a matter of decision at what stage it is acceptable to give the human embryo more protection. Nevertheless religious leaders believe that human life is our first gift from a loving God and no human government can legitimately deny the right to life or restrict it to certain classes of human beings. They also support their views in many of the quotes that Pope John Paul II has said over the years, "we hope and pray that our time, marked by all too many signs of death, may at last witness the establishment of a new culture of life, the fruit of the culture of truth and of love" In the bible, there is not very much teaching which is directly about abortion because during the time when the bible was written, abortion was not very common because it was not a safe medical procedure. Although the bible doesn't use the word "abortion" or deal with issues directly, many catholics base their opinions on the bible when they need to argue about the sanctity of human life or when discussing abortion or contraception. If this is the case they might refer to: "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). This passage shows us clearly how God even though we were not born, knew us, and that we all have a purpose when we are born. Moreover, there are many people these days such as doctors that think the only escape from the pain and indignities of illness and over-treatment is a medically assisted suicide, but the Pope John Paul II has reminded us in his speeches that true compassion leads to sharing another's pain; it does not kill the person whose suffering we cannot bear (Evangelium Vitae, 66). On the other hand people that are true Christians and that have a true fidelity they don't turn their arm easily for a abortion or euthanasia, as the spirit spoke once to the ancient Church in Laodicea and could speak the same words to us today: You say to yourself: 'I am rich, I have made a fortune and have everything I want,' never realizing that you are wretchedly and pitiably poor, and blind and naked too. I warn you, buy from me the gold that has been tested in the fire to make you truly rich, and white robes to clothe you and hide your shameful nakedness, and ointment to put on your eyes to enable you to see (Rv. 3:17-18). There is also a passage which shows us very clearly that God's gift was not to love those who are deserving of it, and to withhold love from those who are not. This would be an act of mere justice. No, he gave us his own Spirit, empowering us to love as he loves regardless of who deserves what. This is fidelity. God didn't say Love your neighbour and hate your enemy." Our love must be of another kind: "Love one another as I have loved you." We all Christians must know that our lord cares personally and eternally for every individual person even if they are maimed or deformed or born out of marriage or even conceived in rape. However many religions, organizations and individuals have passionately held conflicting beliefs about when human personhood starts. This naturally leads to opposing beliefs about when and under what conditions the state should intrude and deny a woman access to abortion. To most pro-lifers think that human personhood begins at the instant of conception. Thus, they view each abortion as a form of murder. They note that at conception, a human life with its own unique DNA comes into being. They view an abortion clinic as a place where babies are murdered. Some pro-life groups and individuals have considered abortion clinics the ethical equivalent of a Nazi death camp. They feel that all elective abortions should be prohibited; some feel that all abortions -- no matter what the justification -- should be criminalized Each church has different points of view on the aspect of abortion and whether is right to allow or not abortion; we are also going to talk about how each church see the use of contraception. As we all know catholic church is completely against abortion and contraception as well as its against artificial methods to get a child, but why is that the catholic church think this way and why others do not think as the same way as they do? It is basically because the Catholic Church teaches that deliberate procured abortion is as serious sin in all circumstances. In Catholic Theology human life is said to begin at the moment it is sacred and everybody should try to protect it. The human embryo has the right to proper respect. Human beings are not to be treated as means to an end. Marriage is the proper place for sexual activity and our society depends in stable and loving families. Mother Teresa a huge icon in the Roman Catholic Church said: "if you do make a mistake, don't destroy the life... because also to that child God says: I have called you by your name. I have carved you in the palm of my hand: you are mine" which means that we don't have any right to take a child's life. The catechism of the Catholic Church, 1994 states that: "Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. From the first moment of his existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person - among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life" Catholic Church also is against any Artificial insemination, which means to put male sperm that it doesn't have to be necessarily from the husband, into a female by artificial means, as well as is completely opposite to artificial contraception, because of the fact that Roman Catholics believe that sex was designed by God for a purpose: it is intended to take place only between a man and a woman who are married to each other, and its meant for reproduction. Roman Catholic usually feel especially strongly about methods of contraception which allow an egg to be fertilised, but prevent it from growing and developing, because in their view this is destroying human life and is the same as abortion. On the other hand the Anglican Church have very different points of view such as they are agree with Contraception and Artificial insemination "Those engaging in artificial insemination are involved in a positive affirmation of the family it is therefore regarded as an acceptable practice" this show us that the Anglican church allow two person to have a artificial insemination, even that Catholics think that "a third party becoming involved in a marriage is like mechanical adultery" Anglican Church's views 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" Not only the church of England have different views, there is also other churches such the Methodists, the Baptism and the United Reformed church, they disagree with the Roman Catholic church on the subject of contraception. Their members believe that it is a responsibility of adults to decide when to have children. According to these churches, using contraception is sensible and should be encourage, because children are more likely to be loved and cared for properly if their parents want them and can afford to bring them up well. Section B In this section we are going to talk about how Christians put their beliefs about abortion into action. There are lots of Christian organisation who address the abortion issue A Christian might join a "pro - life" organisation, which campaigns against abortion, such as life or SPUC (the society for the protection of the unborn Child). Their beliefs about abortion might affect the ways in which they vote. There are some true Catholics that put their believe in actions by demonstrating their views against abortion when some candidates for election, which is the example in the USA show their views about abortion, then therefore these true Catholics might chose for those candidates who promised to make abortions more difficult to obtain. Some other Christians decide to take parts in protests against abortion, they might take part in marches and other demonstrations, carrying placards that show their views about how abortion might affect psychologically to a person. On the other hand, Christians not only show their views by doing demonstrations but they decide to take part by passive ways such as, they decide to pray about the problems of abortion, perhaps asking for God's help for the foetuses and for the pregnant mother. There are also those who organise talk for the young people in their church, or work as volunteers in a counselling centre which offers help and contraceptive advice to young people, this way fewer unwanted pregnancies happen in the first place. Christians who are offering advice to someone considering having an abortion might suggest that the baby could be adopted, as there are many couples who would love to have a child but are unable to conceive. There are various Christian adoption agencies, and a Christian who is against abortion might support one of these, encouraging women to go through with their pregnancies and give the baby to a couple who will provide him or her with a loving home. However there are also Christians that are in favour of a woman being able to choose to have an abortion, they might put their beliefs into action by supporting an organisation which offers counselling for people who have had abortions. Even if a Christian believes that abortion can sometimes be the most sensible choice, they are still sometimes be the most sensible choice, they are still sometimes be the most sensible choice, they are still likely to believe that it is important to give people a proper sex education to avoid unwanted pregnancies happening in the first place. There are other organisations that are not specifically Christians but Christians might support them against abortion, such is the case of SPUC an organisation which campaigns against abortion, as I was saying before lots of Christians support this organisation because of the fact that is against abortion and also against issues, such as euthanasia and embryo experimentation. ...