|
|
How might the Bible influence a Christian’s attitude towards abortion? Abortion is a very controversial subject, and Christianity does not have one specific stance on it, because the bible doesn’t refer to abortion directly. However different churches have opinions on abortion, due to related issues in the bible. Life is sacred, and in Genesis it states ‘be fruitful and increase in number, fill the Earth and subdued it. Rule over the fish of the sea, and the birds of the air, and every other living creature that moves on the ground. Therefore holding back the growth of the population would be against God’s will. This is one reason why many Christians oppose abortion. Also it breaks the sixth commandment, which is ‘do not kill’. This causes a debate as to whether the foetus is actually living or not. Catholics believe that the baby is alive independently at the moment of conception. Some believe that it is alive when its heart starts beating. Some Christians, such as Methodists or Anglicans, believe that life does not begin until the baby has a chance of surviving outside of it’s mother’s womb. These Christians however don’t think abortion is a good thing, and they believe that it should only be used if it avoids greater evils. For example if the baby were conceived by rape they would understand if it was aborted. The Bible would certainly change a Christian’s attitude to abortion. However the message or opinion they develop from reading the Bible depends on their own perception of it. Fundamentalists, who take the Bible as the direct word of God, would most likely be opposed to abortion as a result. More liberal people would most likely still be opposed to abortion, but to a lesser extent, and might support it if greater evils are avoided. Most Christians who read the bible will probably develop the opinion that abortion is an evil, and is a sin, but to different extents. |