Abortion and Euthanasia

What is abortion

When a pregnancy is terminated so that it does not result in the birth of a child

What are some pro choice arguments

• too old or too young

• not in a stable environment or relationship

• genetic or physical abnormality (the baby - e.g downs syndrome)

• Financially unstable

• government guidelines

• war

• too protect a women’s right to choose

• too preserve the life of the mother

• Pregnancy could have been caused by rape or sexual assault

What are some religious views on Abortion

• Protestant churches say it is undesirable but acceptable in some situations

• Roman Catholics believe that life must be preserved as it is sacred

What are some Pro Life arguments

• could be seen as killing a child

• killing one of God’s children

• life is sacred

• It is not natural to terminate a pregnancy

• The baby could be adopted

• we are Gods stewards we have a responsibility to protect life not destroy it

What are some Quotes from the Bible that are Pro life

“It was you who created my inmost self and put me together in my mothers womb” - Psalms

“Let us make a man in our own image” - Genesis

“Didn’t you realise you were God’s temple”

What is a Charity that supports Abortion

Voice for choice

• Is a pro choice charity which offers info, help and support to anyone looking for guidance about a termination

• The service is free and non-judgmental

What does the sanctity of life mean?

• all life should be preserved

• all life should be protected

• all life is God given

• Life is sacred and holy

What is the law in the UK about abortion

The law sates

• abortion can be carried out during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy

• 2 doctors must agree that an abortion would cause less damage and stress to a women’s physical or mental health than continuing with the pregnancy

Under UK law a women can have an abortion if….

• risk to her well-being or existing children

• health risk to the mother

• high chance of miscarriage

• high chance of serious genetic or physical disability

What is Euthanasia

The practice of intentionally ending somebody’s life to end pain and suffering of that individual

What is the UK law about Euthanasia

It is illegal and punishable by law (around 14 years in prison)

assisted suicide is also illegal in the UK

What are some arguments in favour of Euthanasia

• Most loving response, act of compassion. Agape ​

• It offers people the opportunity of autonomous decision and dying with dignity ​

• Empathise and put ourselves in their shoes. What if we were dying a long, slow, painful death? Golden Rule ​

• An individual should have true freedom to choose their own destiny. Autonomy (right to decide) ​

• Everybody deserves a peaceful, humane, pain-free death ​

• It allows the individual to prepare for their death and helps them face death with dignity ​

• A basic right? ​

• It is a natural step; as medical science develops, the new knowledge should be used to our advantage ​

• An advanced directive could be made when the individual wasn’t suffering or depressed to ensure it was acceptable for all ​

• Keeping people alive unnecessarily (55% of NHS budget is spend on over 85s) is a huge drain on the NHS, and surely the funding would be better spent elsewhere ​

• It can quickly and humanely end a patient’s suffering. We would put an animal down/let it die peacefully and without pain. Surely we deserve the same? ​

• It can help shorten the grief and suffering of the patient’s loved ones​

What are some arguments against Euthanasia

• We shouldn’t play God, God decides when we are born and when we die ​

• “Temple of the Holy Spirit” ​

• Life is a sacred, gift from God. It should be respected and treated with dignity. ​

• We are made in ‘God’s image’. ​

• You don’t have to kill to care, the entirety of the person’s needs should be met ​

• Death is an event in life, not the end of life ​

• Things like depression are medical conditions and should be treated ​

• It may put pressure on people if they feel that they ought to die to save others the trouble of looking after them ​

• Unfair pressure on doctors, as they would be the ones administering the drugs, and the relationship between the doctors and patients could be destroyed ​

• Doctors could make an incorrect judgement ​

What are some Biblical arguments against Euthanasia

'Let us make man in our own image' (Genesis)​

'Do not kill' (Exodus)​

'It was you who created my inmost self and put me together in my mother's womb' (Psalms)​ 'Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you' (Jeremiah)​

'Didn't you realise that you were God's temple and that the spirit of God was living among you? If anyone should destroy the temple of God, God will destroy him' (1 Corinthians)​

What are some Christian teachings about Euthanasia

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that no person has the right to deliberately end the life of another person, or his or her own life. However, it also teaches that it is not acceptable to unquestioningly prolong the life of a dying person.​​​

Most Protestant denominations also teach that euthanasia and assisted suicide are unacceptable solutions to the problem of suffering.​

Some Christians, however, accept that if a person is terminally ill and in extreme pain or distress, euthanasia may be an act of compassion, provided the dying person requests it and fully understands the consequences of their request. They may also use the teaching on free will to justify the right to choose to die. However, those Christians who support euthanasia only do so if it is voluntary and passive, and never if it is involuntary or active.​

What is active Euthanaisa

is brought about by an act, e.g giving somebody an overdose of morphine

What is passive Euthanasia

letting that person die —> removal of life support/ antibiotics

What is voluntary Euthanasia

Is the persons decision to end their life

What is involuntary Euthanasia

When someone makes the decision for an individual to end their life