I'm Etalie, I'm currently studying for my AS levels and will (hopefully) be posting revision entries on psychology and sociology.
I previously uploaded posts on GCSE revision. If it helps you then great! But I'm not an expert on anything AT ALL so don't rely on everything I post.
(Also, I'm not taking credit for any of the pictures or info here, it's all off google images, notes from BBC bitesize and CGP revision guides, textbooks etc)

(NB - GCSE: italics in the science subjects are things that are only in paper 2!)

Sunday 11 May 2014

RELIGION AND LIFE 

 2 - MATTERS OF LIFE AND DEATH 

 Abortion - 

 Law - only allowed if 2 doctors agree that: 

  • the mothers life is at risk 
  • the mothers physical/mental health is at risk 
  • the child is likely to be born severely handicapped 
  • would be a serious effect on other children in the family 
  • must be before 24 weeks of pregnant (unless mothers life at risk/severe handicaps) 
Why it is controversial - 
  • People believe life starts at the moment of conception - taking a human life 
  • Life begins when foetus is able to live outside mother - abortion = not taking life 
  • Non-religious - a mother should have the right to do what she wants with her body, unwanted foetus is no different from an unwanted tumour 
  • Religious - unborn child's right to life is greater than the mothers rights 
  • Time limit should be reduced to 18-20 weeks because of medical advances 
  • Arguments about whether medical staff should be allowed to carry out abortions 
Christian attitudes - 

1 - Catholic Church and Evangelical Protestant Churches 
  • All abortions (except medical treatments for the mother which unintentionally affect the life of the foetus) is wrong 
  • Life belongs to God - only he has the right to end a pregnancy 
  • Life begins at conception - taking life (banned in Ten Commandments) 
  • Teachings of Catholic Catechism (and Evangelical Protestant Churches) = all abortion is murder 
  • There are alternatives to abortion due to rape - counselling, adoption (good can come out of evil in a new life) 
2 - Other Christians (mainly Liberal Protestants) 
  • Disagree with abortion but think it must be allowed in some circumstances 
  • Life doesn't begin at conception 
  • Love your neighbour - remove suffering 
  • Sanctity of life can be broken in things like war - why not abortion? 
  • Should be allowed abortion if medical tests for serious medical problems are positive 
Jewish attitudes - 

1 - Can never be allowed (mainly Orthodox) 
  • Life begins at conception = murder 
  • Sanctity of life - only God has the right to take it 
2 - Abortion is wrong but if mothers life is at risk then it is permissible 
  • Sanctity of life - abortion is wrong 
  • Torah - permits killing in self-defence, abortion is self-defence if mothers life is at risk 
3 - Believe in UK law on abortion 
  • Believe Torah says that life doesn't begin until the foetus can survive on its own 
  • Torah - must prevent avoidable suffering 
  • Self-defence argument 
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