Religion - The Value of Human Life

Define a current social issue

• An important issue that affects many people throughout the world and society, that cannot be solved easily.

A current issue

The value of human life

Example of the current issue

Abortion

When does life begin according to the church

Begins at conception, and from then is allowed rights

Abortion definition

Abortion is when a pregnancy is ended so that it doesn’t result in the birth of a child. Sometimes it is called ‘termination of pregnancy’

Two types of abortion

1. Medical

   • Not available in the second trimester

2. Surgical

Reasons as to why a women may elect to have a voluntary abortion?

• Cannot take care due to money or family issues

• Rape/incest has led to an unwanted pregnancy

• Health problems resulting in the incapable raising of a child

3 Arguments AGAINST abortion - Pro Life

1. Since life begins at conception, abortion is akin to murder as it is the act of taking a human life. Abortion is in direct defiance of the commonly accepted idea of the sanctity of human life.

2. In the instance of rape and incest, proper medical care can ensure that a woman will not get pregnant. Abortion punishes the unborn child who committed no crime.

3. Many Americans who pay taxes are opposed to abortion, therefore its morally wrong to use tax dollars to fund abortion.

3 Arguments FOR abortion - Pro Choice

1. Nearly all abortions take place in the first trimester, when a fetus cannot exist independent of the mother. As it is attached by the placenta and umbilical cord, it’s health is dependent on her health, and cannot be regarded as a separate entity as it cannot exist outside her womb.

2. The concept of personhood is different from the concept of human life. Human life occurs at conception, but fertilized eggs used for invitro fertilization are also human lives and those not implanted are routinely thrown away. Is this murder, and if not then how is abortion murder?

3. Teenagers who become mothers have grim prospects for the future. They are much more likely to leave of school; receive inadequate prenatal care; rely on public assistance to raise a child; develop health problems; or end up divorced.

Why does this issue cause concern in society?

• The debate surrounding the issue of abortion can cause much concern since to people having strong opinions due to social issues and religion

• The way people are brought up also shapes their views towards the topic of human life.

What age is the youngest surviving pre - term baby

20 weeks

2 Key features of Abortion

1. Abortion is a moral issue

2. Abortion is a social issue

Key features - Abortion is a moral issue

• Contains opposing viewpoints such as ‘pro - life’ and ‘pro - choice’

• Primarily revolves around the debate of:

  • The meaning of ‘human rights’ (can we agree)

  • Whether some human rights really are “rights” (legal idea of rights vs moral idea)

  • The order in which legitimate human rights should be granted to people at all stages of life

Reasons why Abortion is a moral issue:

1. Moral choice:

   • Pro choice: Believe the moral choice is to uphold the rights of the women, such as the right to a career, the right to do with one’s body what one likes, and the right to psychological wellness.

   • Pro life: Believe the moral choice is to uphold the right to life of every human person (including those in womb). this comes before any other personal or perceived human right. The right to do with ones body what one likes is viewed as a false right because no women is given her body at birth.

2. Beginning of life:

   • Pro choice: Human beings do not being to exist until; implantation, they can feel pain, they have a heartbeat, they look like a human being

   • Pro life: Human beings exist as human beings at any stage of human development.

3. Use of Abortion:

   • Pro choice: Abortion should only be used in exceptional cases such as rape.

   • Pro life: The killing of a human being at any stage of development is never morally justifiable. Each person has a right to life, whether a product of rape or not.

Key features - Abortion is a social issue

• Abortion is a social issue that affects individuals and groups for different reasons.

• Reasons are used to serve one of two purposes:

  • To prove abortion is necessary

  • To prove abortion only harms people

• Affected people include the pregnant woman, the father and the unborn child

Reasons why Abortion is a social issue:

1. The pregnant woman:

   • Abortion can be seen as necessary if a women is, for example, in fear of her husband finding out she is pregnant because he will beat her (PC)

   • Abortion should not be advocated for because pregnant women can feel pressured into having an abortion against her will, eg her partner doesn’t want the responsibility of caring for a child and pressures into getting an abortion (PL)

2. The father of the unborn child:

   • Abortion should not be advocated for because the father of the unborn child may not get a chance to save his baby from being aborted being largely perceived as a women’s issue/rights (PL)

   • Abortion can be seen as necessary if the man refuses to stay in the relationship with the pregnant woman and support her in the raising of the child (PC)

3. The unborn child:

   • Abortion should not be advocated for because it takes the right to life away from an unborn human being (PL)

   • Abortion should not be advocated for because botched abortions can result in the unborn child being delivered alive but left to die, or with disabilities (PL)

   • Abortion can be seen as necessary especially if the unborn child has a serious deformity or down syndrome (PC)

Levels the Catholic Church has interacted and responded on the topic of abortion

1. Locally

2. Nationally

3. Internationally

The response of the catholic church in two main ways:

1. Written

   • School teachings, Catholic schools

   • National Bishop conference

   • Publication of church documents (bible)

2. Action-based

   • Crisis pregnancy support systems , charities

   • Protests, lobbying governments

   • Global catholic charities (Caritas)

Australian action based responses - The work of individuals

• Dr Joanna Howe

• Aims to shed light of the horrific procedures and nature of abortions

• She uses science, philosophy and human rights to describe why abortion is wrong, instead of using her religion.

• Fights for free speech rights surrounding the topic of abortion, known for fight in court against her speech and research on topic of Abortion.

• Attends public protests, and aims to raise up a new generation of pro life leaders.

Australian action based responses - Pregnancy assistance

• Main objective:

  • To support those after a loss of pregnancy

  • Providing a safe place where loss and grief is validated and offered support

• When does it happen? Is there a leader?

  • After someone loses a child during pregnancy by (abortion, miscarriage, still birth, ectopic IVF loss)

• Activities:

  • Provides professional counselling for women and men affected by pregnancy loss

  • Pregnancy testing

  • Practical material support

  • Accommodation advocacy

  • Budget assistance