Choose 1 or 2 of the following, abortion, euthanasia, contraception, and capital punishment.
Explain how Christians would respond to the issues you have chosen. In your answer you should refer to different attitudes that Christians have to the selected issues as well as to the practical ways that Christians might offer support. For my coursework I have chosen to discuss abortion and euthanasia. I will be explaining how Christians respond to the both these topics, and their different attitudes they have towards both abortion and euthanasia.Also I will be explaining the practical ways that Christians might offer support.
Abortion is the deliberate expulsion of the foetus from the womb. Roman Catholics believe this is wrong and is going against the 10th commandment "thou shall not kill". Also Catholics believe that life has begun at conception. This affects the attitude that a Catholic has on abortion, if they were to think it was right they would be going against what they are supposed to believe is right.
The Pope Paul VI said "Abortion has been considered murder since the first centuries and nothing permits it to be considered otherwise" Catholics would not go against what the pope has stated. Catholics also will try to encourage people to see their local parish for help and guidance if they are unsure. Many other denominations, such as the Church of England are also against abortion but only to the extent that it would cause any harm to the mother or if the child had been conceived under rape. They do not believe that you should kill if you are unsure about something but only for genuine reasons.
Church of England would offer support to those who needed help. Other denominations think that life begins at 18 days, this is the first time the foetus heart beats, but they also accept if the child would be poorly cared for or would have any danger to them, then abortion should go ahead. Many denominations feel that an abortion should no take place anytime after 24 weeks, as it is now developing into a child. The practical ways, in which Christians may offer support, is by having websites, which offer advice and can allow people to read personally in the privacy of their own home.Charities are also there for people, such as, SPUC this a charity that campaigns to the parliament and it speaking the words that the unborn are saying, to try and help people save them, they are unable to speak and tell everyone they want to live, so SPUC is designed to act as the unborn child.
Also there is LIFE, this charity is designed to offer support for those going through abortion or thinking about one, and will help and guide anyone through it. There are also books and phone numbers that are available too, this can help and guide a person.Euthanasia means killing someone painlessly to relieve suffering, especially from an incurable illness, it is often called Mercy killing. There are two forms of euthanasia Involuntary and Voluntary.
Involuntary euthanasia is when an ill person actively requests for someone to help them to die or asks to be taken off a treatment, which is keeping them alive. Voluntary euthanasia is when a patient is not able to ask for death, and so the decision is made be close family members or doctors.Catholics are very much against euthanasia as they believe that god gave them life and he should be the one to take it away, when the time is right god will tell us when to die. Also just like abortion, Catholics agree with the 10 commandments, one of which is "thou shall not kill".
The Hippocratic oath is said by all doctors, the solemnly promise that they will do no harm, this is at the doctors graduation. Catholics also know that taking someone's life is against gods will.However, some denominations think that people should have the right to die with dignity and to know they will not suffer at the end. Also they believe that you should be able to die with your family and friends. Euthanasia is illegal in the UK. All Catholics believe that it is wrong and anyone who does it is going against what god would have wanted.
The practical ways in which Catholics deal with euthanasia are hospices; a hospice is a loving home to any suffering person, who is terminally ill and will stay with the hospice till they die.All the doctors and nurses are there for there patients at all time, they will prepare them for death and make them unafraid, they will let them know that god will be with them right to the end. Also a person's family and friends can come and visit them, to make sure they are ok and they have everything they need. Just by being with a person who is terminally ill, its shows how much support and love a person has, this will lift their spirits and understand they are not alone.
A person will always have someone to talk to if they have any problems, priests will come and visit and bless them.
