The Right to Life - Abortion

The Right to Life - Abortion

1. Views on when Life begins

   • At Conception...
     • The DNA that make a person are all present
     • Catholics have this view
   • A Gradual Process...
     • The embryo has the right to respect from conception, but not absolute respect
     • Full rights are aquired as the foetus develops
     • C of E holds this view
   • Viability...
     • The foetus has rights when if born, it could survive-24 weeks
     • This view is taken by the law
   • At birth...
     • Until this point, the child is totallly dependent on it's mother

2. What is Abortion?

   • The deliberate termination of a pregnancy
   • Usually happens before 24 weeks
   • It was legalised in the UK in 1967
     • It was to meet certain conditions
     • The cut-off point is 24 weeks

3. Why do women have Abortions?

   • Gender Selection
   • Risk of death to the Mother
   • Mother is too old
   • Child is a product of rape
   • Hereditary Disease
   • Mother is too Young
   • Finances
   • Contraception
   • Cover an affair

4. Christian views on Abortion

   • Catholic Church
     • Abortion is always wrong
     • From conception, the foetus has the same rights to life as anyone else and should be treated with absolute respect
     • It is murder
   • Church of England
     • They are concerned about the number of abortions that take place
     • From concpetion, the embryo does not have absolute respect, and develops rights to life gradually
     • It is the 'lesser of two evils'
   • Individual Christian Views
     • In the case of rape...
       • FOR-pregnancy and birth of this child would be traumatic
       • AGAINST-the birth of the child may seem as a positive thing to come out of a negative situation
     • In the case of a disability...
       • FOR-the child may have a poor quality of life
       • AGAINST-aborting a child because it has a disability is discrimination

5. Pro-Life / Pro-choice

   • PRO-CHOICE=slogan used for the view that women should have the right to chose whether or not to have an abortion
   • PRO-LIFE=slogan used for the view that supports the right ot life of the foetus

6. Christian Organisations

   • Life
     • Free and open to everyone
     • Leaflets and speakers to schools
     • Advice on benefits and housing options for those who keep their babies
     • Challenge Governments to adopt policies which respect human life from conception
     • Provide councelling and support for women who have had abortions
     • Offer councelling to pregnant women and discuss options open to them

7. Alternatives to Abortion

   • Adoption
     • Christians can help with adoption or fostering of an unwanted child
   • Parenting the Child
     • Christians can support the mother by listening to her
     • Christians can help her with money
     • Church/Pro-Life organisations can give advice on benefits and housing options available