The Right to Life

The Right to Life

1. Abortion

   • Catholics
     • Didache statement:
       • 'Do not abort the fruit of thy womb.'
     • Life begins at conception
     • Doctrine of Double Effect
       • Termination acceptable as part of an operation to save mother's life
   • Anglicans
     • Similar to Catholic Church, but some strictly limited conditions where it is acceptable
       • vs. the ADOPTION OPTION
   • Savita Halappanavar
   • Methodists
     • Termination can be the lesser of evils
     • Primitive streak (basic nervous system) after 14 days is significant
       • see also: -VIABILITY @ 24 weeks (limit in UK) -Foetal heartbeat - stopped Savita Halappanavar having her abortion.
     • There is no one point where a foetus can be called human.
   • Teachings
     • Jeremiah 1:5
       • "Before you were born I set you apart."
     • Psalm 139:13
       • "You knit me together in my mother's womb."

2. Sanctity of life VS. Rights of the individual

3. Euthanasia

   • Catholics
     • Life is a gift from God
     • Second Vatican Ecumenical Council
       • 'lofty dignity of the human person'
     • SUICIDE = MURDER
   • Anglicans
     • Euthanasia puts vulnerable people at risk
     • Devalues role of hospice + palliative care movement
   • Methodists
     • If we want to show compassion, we should invest in better palliative/medical care.
   • 'Do Not Resuscitate'
     • Prior choice of VOLUNTARY PASSIVE euthanasia
   • Tony Bland
     • Hillsborough victim in a PVS
       • Family asked if he could be allowed to die while in a coma
         • By withholding food - the high court ruled that as this was medical treatment
           • It was good medical practice to do so

4. Sanctity of life VS. The dignity of the person/right to self-determination