According to almost all Christian denominations, abortion is considered a sin, as it goes against the biblical command that children are a gift from God. It is a complex issue that goes beyond a simple yes or no answer. While some denominations are completely against abortion, others are more open to the notion of it in certain cases.
The Roman Catholic Church as the largest Christian denomination of all views abortion as a form of murder. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, later Pope Benedict XVI, argued in 2004 that life begins at conception and that “direct abortion, that is, abortion willed either as an end or a means” is a murder. Ratzinger also stated that “any action which seeks to prevent procreation, whether permanently or temporarily, is intrinsically evil”.
However, when it comes to abortion, other Christian denominations are more open. For instance, the United Church of Christ, The Episcopal Church and the Presbyterian Church (USA) believe that access to safe and legal abortion should be accessible and widely available. Methodist and Lutheran Church opinions vary from one church or congregation to another, however, all denominations are against abortion in cases of sexual misconduct.
Some denominations believe that the continuous growth of abortions should be addressed by providing emotional and financial support to the pregnant woman and by increasing the awareness of the influence of religion in such issues. Many denominations provide crisis-pregnancy counselling in order to provide expectant mothers with the necessary knowledge and emotional support in order to make an informed decision.
Aside from religion, the moral and ethical debate on abortion is a controversial one. While many argue that life begins at conception, and that a foetus is legally alive and entitled to life, others believe that the physical and mental health of a woman is a priority when it comes to choosing whether to have an abortion or not.
Many experts argue that in the case of a sexual assault or when a woman’s life is endangered by continuing a pregnancy, women should not be denied access to abortion services. There are also situations where medical recommended abortion is necessary: Down Syndrome, any form of disability or malformation of the foetus and genetic diseases.
At the end of the day, a woman’s right to choose if, when and how to be a parent is a complex decision that should be respected, regardless of all arguments from experts and influencers. A woman should have the agency to make decisions concerning her body and her health without any kind of oppression.
Mental Health
Apart from physical health, mental health should also be taken into consideration in regards to the debate about abortion. Aborting a foetus without any medical reason or following a traumatic event such as rape or incest can have a major impact on the mental health of the woman in question. Statistics from the American Psychological Association and the World Health Organisation claim that denying women access to safe abortion services can lead to anxiety, depression, and guilt.
For instance, in countries where abortion is illegal and cannot be accessed, medical professionals cannot provide the necessary counseling required to understand the implications of such a decision. Nevertheless, when there are no clear and objective guidelines, the decision on either accepting or denying an abortion should be taken with caution and respecting all points of view.
Consequences of Illegal Abortions
As aforementioned, in countries where abortion is illegal, the consequences can be damaging. Unsafe and illegal abortions can be life threatening to the woman in question as well as for the foetus. Infections, hemorrhages, and punctures to the uterus can be some of the consequences of this practice.
Medical professionals are in constant risk of prosecution or being morally judged by their colleagues and public opinion if they perform an illegal abortion. As a result, many doctors are reluctant to provide their services or the necessary information that a woman needs in order to take such a decision.
Government Policies
It is up to the governments to create laws and policies that protect the right of women to access safe and legal abortion services, in accordance with the ruling of the Supreme Court of the United States in the Roe v. Wade ruling of 1973, which affirmed the right to an abortion of a pregnant woman.
Nevertheless, in some countries there are movements lobbying against the right to choose and the rights of pregnant women and women in general. It is up to the authorities to mediate between different interests and protect the right
of women to access abortion services if they decide to go ahead with it.
Changing Attitudes
Attitudes towards abortion have been changing over the last century and different interpretations have been presented as the result of this debate. Women today can access more information and be more informed with regards to the possibilities available to them than ever before. There are organisations and support networks that can provide them with knowledge, counselling and guidance in order to make an informed decision.
In any case, a woman should assess all perspective moments before making such a decision and consulting various professionals in the field for guidance. The decisions concerning a woman’s body should not be taken lightly, and a sense of responsibility should be taken in making the right decision.
