9.4.2 Religion & Abortion

Sanctity of Life:

Key Points:

• Life as a Gift from God: Many religious traditions, such as Christianity and Islam, view life as a divine gift that humans are entrusted to preserve.
• Intrinsic Value: Life has inherent worth, regardless of the circumstances surrounding its beginning (e.g., the means of conception) or the quality of life the individual might experience.
• The "Slippery slope" argument: Once you start to allow acts such as abortion, you start to risk allowing more dangerous situations whereby abortion under the wrong circumstances is justified, it makes life appear cheap and disposable.
• Absolute Moral Prohibition: The sanctity of life perspective often leads to a moral prohibition against abortion, euthanasia, and other acts that deliberately end human life, arguing that humans should not 'play God' by deciding when life should end.

Quality of Life:

Key Points:

• Well-Being and Suffering: Quality of life considers the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of individuals. If a person is likely to experience extreme suffering or has little to no chance of living a life with dignity, some argue that abortion or euthanasia may be morally permissible.
• Autonomy and Choice: The quality of life argument often supports the right of individuals, particularly the mother in the case of abortion, to make decisions based on their assessment of potential suffering or hardship. A woman has the right to choose whether or not she wants to have the baby. It is her body.
• Pragmatic Considerations: This view considers the potential impact on existing family members, the mother's future, and society at large, suggesting that in some cases, abortion may prevent greater harm or suffering.

Application to Religions: Christianity and Islam

Christianity:

Sanctity of Life:

General Christian View:

The concept of the sanctity of life is central to many Christian denominations, particularly Roman Catholicism. This belief holds that all human life is sacred because it is created by God. Christians believe that life begins at conception, and therefore, any deliberate termination of this life through abortion is considered morally wrong. Abortion is often seen as a violation of the intrinsic value of life that God has granted to every human being.

Biblical Basis:

The Bible is a key source for Christian beliefs on abortion. In Genesis 1:27, it is stated that "God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." This verse is often interpreted to mean that human life is inherently valuable because it reflects God's image. Additionally, Exodus 20:13, part of the Ten Commandments, commands, "Thou shall not kill." This is frequently cited as a direct biblical prohibition against abortion, as it is seen as the taking of innocent life.

Roman Catholic Church:

The Roman Catholic Church holds an absolute position against abortion, viewing it as inherently wrong in all circumstances. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception. The Church teaches that every human being has the right to life from the moment of conception until natural death.

This strict stance includes opposition to abortion even in cases of rape, incest, or severe fetal abnormalities. However, the Church does allow an exception under the principle of "double effect". For instance, in the case of an ectopic pregnancy, where the mother's life is at risk, a medical procedure that indirectly results in the loss of the fetus may be permissible if the direct intention is to save the mother's life, not to terminate the pregnancy.

Alternatives to Abortion:

The Catholic Church advocates for alternatives to abortion, such as adoption. The Church encourages providing support to women facing difficult pregnancies, emphasizing that every life, no matter the circumstances of conception, is valuable and deserving of protection.

Quality of Life:

Church of England's View:

The Church of England takes a more nuanced approach compared to the Roman Catholic Church. While it upholds the sanctity of life, it also considers the quality of life and the well-being of the mother. The Church of England allows for abortion in certain cases, such as when the pregnancy poses a serious risk to the mother's physical or mental health or when the fetus is diagnosed with severe abnormalities that would lead to significant suffering. This perspective seeks to balance the inherent value of life with compassion for the mother's situation, acknowledging that in some cases, abortion might be considered the lesser of two evils.

Balancing Act:

The Church of England's position illustrates the tension between upholding the sanctity of life and addressing complex, real-life situations where the quality of life for the mother or child might be severely compromised. The Church does not advocate for abortion as a preferred option but recognizes that in certain tragic circumstances, it may be the most compassionate choice.

Islam: The Sanctity of Life and Abortion

Sanctity of Life:

• Islamic View: In Islam, the sanctity of life is a fundamental principle. Life is viewed as a sacred gift from Allah, and only Allah has the authority to give and take life. The Quran, the holy book of Islam, emphasizes the importance of life and the prohibition against unjustly taking a life. For example, in Quran 17:33, it states, "Do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed] except by [legal] right." This verse is often interpreted to mean that taking a life, including through abortion, is a grave sin unless justified by serious circumstances.
• Stages of Pregnancy and Ensoulment: Islamic teachings differentiate between the stages of pregnancy. A key concept is the idea of ensoulment, which is believed to occur at around 120 days (approximately 4 months) after conception. Before ensoulment, the fetus is considered a potential life rather than a fully ensouled being. After ensoulment, abortion is generally viewed as equivalent to taking a human life and is almost entirely forbidden unless the mother's life is in grave danger.
• Moral Considerations and Preservation of the Mother's Life: While the sanctity of life is a strong guiding principle in Islamic ethics, there is also significant emphasis on the preservation of the mother's life. If a pregnancy poses a serious threat to the mother's life, abortion may be permitted even after the point of ensoulment. Islamic scholars argue that saving the mother's life takes precedence because she is already a living, ensouled being with established rights and responsibilities.

Quality of Life:

• Permissibility Under Certain Conditions: Before the 120-day mark, Islamic law (Sharia) may allow for abortion under specific circumstances, such as when the fetus has severe abnormalities or when continuing the pregnancy would cause extreme hardship for the mother, both physically and mentally. This reflects an understanding that while life is sacred, the context and conditions of each situation must be carefully considered.
• Ethical Flexibility and Compassion: Some Islamic scholars emphasize that Islam's core values of mercy and compassion can allow for abortion in situations where the quality of life for the child would be extremely poor, or where the mother's well-being is severely threatened. This perspective aligns with the broader Islamic ethical principle of preventing harm (known as the "no harm" principle), which seeks to minimize suffering and ensure the overall well-being of both the mother and the family.
• Balancing Principles: Islamic teachings on abortion involve balancing the sanctity of life with the principles of mercy, compassion, and the prevention of harm. While life is deeply valued, Islam also recognizes the complexities of human existence and the need for ethical flexibility in difficult situations.

Summary:

• The Sanctity of Life argument emphasizes the inherent, inviolable value of life, often leading to a strong opposition to abortion.
• The Quality of Life argument considers the conditions under which life is lived, allowing for more nuanced positions that might permit abortion in cases of severe suffering or threat to the mother's well-being.
• In Christianity, particularly in Roman Catholicism, the sanctity of life is a dominant principle, leading to a general prohibition of abortion, while more moderate denominations like the Church of England allow for exceptions based on quality of life considerations.
• In Islam, life is also sacred, but there is some flexibility before ensoulment occurs, allowing for abortion in cases where the mother's life is at risk or where the fetus has severe abnormalities, balancing the sanctity of life with considerations of quality of life.