abortion and euthanasia

Question 1

catholic views on abortion

Answer 1

• abortion is forbidden in all circumstances
• life is sacred and God given.
• From conception a new and unique life begins so abortion is murder and against Ten Commandments. ‘thou shall not kill’
• The Didache states: ‘You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish’

Question 2

c of e views on abortion

Answer 2

• Abortion is not allowed for social reasons. However, if mother’s life is in danger, abortion is permitted but not encouraged.
• ‘quality of life’ reasons and out of compassion, means abortion is permitted if the female has been raped.

Question 3

for abortion muslims

Answer 3

• mother’s life is in danger
• child is likely to be deformed or diseased.

mother’s rights are greater than the embryos until 120 days after conception, which is when ensoulment happens. Islam allows abortion to save the life of the mother because it sees this as the ’lesser of two evils’

Question 4

against abortion muslims

Answer 4

• God creates life and only he can end it
• Abortion for economic reasons is forbidden- ‘do not kill your children out of poverty; We will provide for you and them.’
• taking of the life of a child is a sin, and on the Day of Judgement a child will have the right to ask why it was killed.

Question 5

general christian attitudes to euthanasia

Answer 5

Most Christians against euthanasia
• All life is sacred (sanctity of life) and taking any life
is wrong.
• Those who assist are involved in murder, which is against Ten Commandments.
• Hospices offer an alternative care and support

Question 6

liberal christian views on euthanasia

Answer 6

• Liberal Christians believe that its acceptable to turn off life-support if person is brain-dead.
• prolonging a painful illnes goes against jesus teachingn of acting out of love and compassion for a person ‘love thy neighbour’

Question 7

for euthanasia muslim

Answer 7

Muslim lawyers have agreed that it is acceptable for a person who is in a coma + has no hope of recovery to have the machines turned off.
because their life has already ended and the machine is of no real use as treatment.

Question 8

against euthanasia muslim

Answer 8

‘Suffering has a purpose and is part of God’s plan for you.’
emphasis on al-qadr

No matter what state the body is in, the soul is still perfect and that is what matters to God.