Religion+and+the+abortion+debate+-+the+fetus+as+an+ambiguous+body

= **__The Abortion Debate__** =

Abortion in Christianity:
Church of England- Roman Catholic- Protestants-
 * anti-abortion
 * recognizes sometimes abortion is "morally preferable to any available alternative"
 * abortion is against God's will
 * strongly anti-abortion
 * life begins when egg is fertilized
 * abortion= automatic excommunication
 * few exceptions
 * varied positions
 * some believe abortion is immoral
 * others do not take a stance on the rights of the fetus-Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and United Church of Christ

Judaism:

 * Each case of abortion should be determined individually
 * The fetus is not a human life until birth, however it has great value for its potential to be human life
 * Abortions are not permitted on the grounds of imperfection of the fetus
 * Abortions are permitted to save the mothers life or for other health risks
 * Judaism in general supports abortion access for woman - however Orthodox Judaism does not
 * Tay Sachs disease, German Measles and prenatal confirmed Down Syndrome are the only arguable case in which abortion can sometimes be acceptable with in the religion for purpose of fetal defect
 * Tay Sachs disease is a gene, thought to be passed through Jewish blood, that will kill a child by the age of four years old.

Arguments from the Bible:
 * "Thou shalt not kill"- Exodus 20:13
 * "If men strive and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine. And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life." -Exodus 21:22-23
 * in reference to John the Baptist, "even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit."- Luke 1:15
 * "For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy."- Luke 1:45
 * "Children are a gift of the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward."-Psalms 127:3

Central Questions to the Debate:

 * When does life start?
 * Is abortion ever moral?
 * Right to choice vs right to life

Supporting Video for Pro-life media type="youtube" key="cWOUVpMRfs0?fs=1" height="385" width="480"

Supporting Video for Pro-Choice media type="youtube" key="hym1BW7Ep2A?fs=1" height="385" width="640"

Abortion in the U.S. and Around the World:
Statistics on American abortions:
 * 1.21 million abortions in 2005
 * By age:
 * under 15: 0.4%
 * 15-17: 6%
 * 20-24: 33%
 * 25-29: 24%
 * 30 & older: 36.6%
 * Each year, 2% of women age 15-44 will have an abortion
 * By religion:
 * Protestant: 37%
 * Catholic: 28%



Sources: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/christianethics/abortion_1.shtml http://www.enotes.com/science-religion-encyclopedia/abortion http://www.covenantnews.com/cspa990830.htm http://www.prolifeforum.org/churches/bible/morecraftholocaust.asp http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_induced_abortion.html http://www.religioustolerance.org/jud_abor.htm http://www.aish.com/ci/sam/48954946.html