Christian Beliefs and Abortion Essay -- Papers

Christian Beliefs and Abortionthis essay has problems with formatAbortion What is meant by 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 arrive independently (around 28 weeks). This simply means the foetus is removed by either a natural or medical procedure before the conviction of the natural birth would have occurred, before the foetus could support its own life. Their are in fact three types of abortion. They are Voluntary - when the commence decides to have an abortion out of choice, Therapeutic - carried out when the mothers health is in danger and Spontaneous - when the foetus dies during the pregnancy (the same as a miscarriage). The Abortion Act is what is used to determine whether an abortion is justified, it was passed in 1967 and then amended in 1990. Currently it states that 1967 Abortion Act An abortion whitethorn be performed legally if cardinal or more doctors cer tify that 1. The mental and physiologic health of the woman, or her existing children, will suffer if the pregnancy continues. Or. 2. The child, if born, would be seriously physically or mentally handicapped. 1990 amendment As the 1967 Act, except that the time limit for when an abortion can be carried out was reduced to 24 weeks. This Act means a pregnant woman has the right to an abortion if 1. Upon keeping the pregnancy, and therefore having the child, the mother and/or any children she already has would be harming their physical or mental well being. 2. The foetus has been shown to have either a physical or mental disability and therefore would be born handicapped. If two doctors both agree that the woman suffers from either of the points, then abortion is a ... ... relieve this pain. I do not think that people will perpetually see eye to eye on this controversial issue, there will always be those who believe in choice and those who believe in life, the and way people can de cide, is to listen to each side of the argument and make up their own minds.Bibliography Bible Contemporary Moral Issues New form - Jenkins Introducing Moral Issues Religion & Ethics Various Websites www.bbc.co.uk / www.abortionfacts.com / www.re-xs.uscm.ac.uk Pro Life campaign material Church of England Reports Christianity in Todays World - Lynch Christianity and well-disposed Issues - Keane Ethics and Religion - Jenkins One World, Many Issues - Williams Daily Express 11/10/99 BBC Matters of Belief - Abortion, Abortion - Whose quality?, Education and Choice and Doctors Dilemma TV programmes.