Unit 2

Question 1

Outline basic introduction:

Answer 1

• Give definition of abortion and laws in UK
• State how Christians see it as murder
• George Teller example
• State how feminists see it - women rights and the consequences

Question 2

Outline basic overview of the essay:

Answer 2

• It will consider and evaluate religious and moral principles and how …language of the question they are to the debate around abortion
• It will be about the sanctity of life, person hood and two differentiating Christian perspectives on abortion

Question 3

Give overview on Sanctity of life:

Answer 3

• Refers to life being sacred and must be respected as our lives belong to God.
• We are seen to be a product of God - demands same respect as him.
• Based on Bible, natural theology (reason) and church
• Natural theology is based on experience

Question 4

What is the Christian view on the sanctity of life?

Answer 4

• They believe that all life is sacred and hence abortion is immoral
• RCC: “men cannot do with it as he wills” - God has control and we do as he wishes of us.

Question 5

What is the feminist view on the sanctity of life?

Answer 5

• Feminists are against the sanctity of life as they believe that the women should have control of her own body and can do with it as she wills.
• Mary Anne Warren believes that a person should be respected and valued only if they have the capacity to think and the will to live.

Question 6

What is the Methodist church view on abortion?

Answer 6

• More liberal form of Christianity
• They see it as evil and support single pregnant mothers
• It can be seen a lesser evil if the foetus is handicapped, product of rape or the life of the mother is in danger
• They believe there is no definite starting point but says that it develops and the respect for it does also

Question 7

What is the Roman Catholic Church view on abortion?

Answer 7

• More conservative form
• Foetus is most innocent being
• They believe a foetus becomes a human at conception

Question 8

Outline what person hood is:

Answer 8

• Essential idea in the debate
• Abortion is seen to be wrong as many believe a foetus is a person
• Mahoney put forward the following criteria for a person: rationality, sentience, emotions, free-will, and continuity.

Question 9

What is the Christian view on person hood?

Answer 9

• They believe that a foetus becomes a person at conception
• Although they do not have the characteristics, they have the potential to develop.
• As they have the potential, they should be seen as valuable and and respected.

Question 10

What is the feminist view on person hood?

Answer 10

• Support Mahoneys criteria
• Believe they will only become a person when they are born
• Mary Anne Warren argues that person hood depends on moral reciprocity - the ability to respect another persons rights to life.

Question 11

Evaluate the sanctity of life:

Answer 11

• One hand the idea that human life is ‘set apart’ and needs preserving is a clear principle that endures and forms the basis of much decision making already.
• The Biblical basis for this position might put some off in an increasingly secular society
• Clearly there are exceptions to this principle both within & without the Bible

Question 12

Evaluate person hood:

Answer 12

• Lack of clarity and agreement around person hood means its not a useful guide
• Probably should not be used but does ask us to think about the moral status of the Foetus so still important

Question 13

Outline a conclusion:

Answer 13

• Approaches to abortion should not be guided by religious principles only - deontological and patriarchal which does not fit in with society.
• Useful in the sense that they reflect on importance of sanctity of life and loving actions.
• Liberal moral principles fit best with our developing secular society as this is how people live now.