Abortion Flashcards
abortion
The deliberate termination of pregnancy
viability
The point in development at which a baby could be born with some chance of living independently
Foetal rights
The rights of the foetus/fetus
Maternal rights
The rights of the mother/pregnant women
Autonomy
The right to make decisions for yourself
Pro-choice
Supporting the mothers/pregnant women to decide for themselves
whether or not to have an abortion
Pro-life
The anti-abortion view that the foetus/fetus has absolute right to life
arguments for abortion
The embryo/foetus is just a clump of cells or at best only a potential life
It is cruel to make a woman go through childbirth if she does not want the child
A teenage girl is not ready for the responsibilities of motherhood
A woman who has been raped should not have to cope with the product of
rape growing and moving inside her
arguments against abortion
Life begins at conception so the embryo should have equal rights with the mother from the start. It deserves special protection because it is defenseless and vulnerable
Effective methods of contraception are available
Abortion may lead to terrible feeling of guilt
Abortion can cause long-term medical problems
christian arguments against abortion
Abortion is a grave sin meriting excommunication, much the same as murder. It is against God’s Law to kill. (Exodus 20:13)
From conception a human being is unique and infinitely precious in God’s eyes. The bible says, ‘When my bones were being formed…. You knew that I was there – you saw me before I was born’ Psalm 139:15-16
Whether or not the embryo is fully a person at conception, it is entitled to full rights in view of the person it will become.
Every life is equal value and has potential and that it is not for humans to pass judgement on quality of life for a disabled foetus
christian arguments for abortion
In some circumstances, abortion is the lesser of two evils. They think this especially if the mother’s life is in danger, and in cases of risk to the existing family like great poverty
Many see it as justified in cases of extreme distress, such as rape
The official line on disability is that abortions after 24 weeks should only take place
where the child would die soon after birth
Some Christians accept other types of severe disability as grounds for abortion up to
24 weeks if the mother feels it to be in the child’s best interests
