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Abortion

 

            
             Abortion is defined in the dictionary as, "The expulsion of a foetus (naturally or by medical induction) from the womb before it is able to survive independently (around 28 weeks)." This simply means the foetus is removed by either a natural or medical procedure before the time of the natural birth would have occurred, before the foetus could support its own life.
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             'You shall not murder' (Exodus 20:13 The Holy Bible New International Version).
             Within the Christian Church there is generally a keen desire to follow and apply the teachings of the Bible. However this in not easy and a number of alternative readings of Scripture have lead to a variety of viewpoints concerning the moral implications of abortion. Generally the Church is united in its condemnation of abortion. Most Christians believe abortion violates the sixth command which prohibits murderous acts. However there is a keen debate concerning the moment a human embryo/foetus becomes fully human (i.e. when, according to Christian teaching, it has both body and soul). The Catholic Church teaches that ensoulment takes place at the moment of conception and this has been a key reason for their refusal to condone abortion (although Thomas Aquinas taught that the soul of girls was implanted by God at 90 days and the soul of boys at 40 days). Another key factor is Natural Law which Catholics believe shows that the natural consequence of the woman becoming pregnant is to give birth.
             Both the Catholic and the Protestant Churches accept abortion when the life of the mother is in danger as a result of her being pregnant.
             There are some Christians who believe the Bible says nothing about abortions. In one sense this is true. There is no direct teaching that says 'You shall/shall not allow a woman to have an abortion' despite the fact that abortions did happen in biblical times (there was a high infant mortality rate).
             'Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness".


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