Bioethics research task

STUDIES OF RELIGION
RESEARCH TASK

Name: David Tuitupou

1) Construct a grid that demonstrates an understanding of the sources of ethical views for Christians. Students need to identify two ethical issues, the variant or denominational viewpoint, the source of ethical teaching and an example or quote. (see grids below)

ABORTION:
Definition: Abortion is the deliberate termination of a pregnancy by medical or surgical means.

Variant
Teaching
Source of Teaching
Quote or Example
Catholic
•Opposed under all circumstances – but, see also, the principle of double effect.
•The first right of the human person is his/her life.
•The life of every human being is to be respected in an absolute way from the very instant of commencement of life.
•Life is assumed to begin at fertilization.
•Catechism of the
Catholic Church

•The Bible

•Church leaders
•Catechism of the
Catholic Church (2270
– 2276).

•The Bible - see handouts. •Church leaders –
Humane Vitae (13 &
14)

•Veritatis splendor (80)

•Evangelium Vitae (58 -64)
Orthodox
•Opposed under most circumstances. •Believes that life begins at conception and that abortion is the taking of human life.

•However, if there is a direct threat to the life of the mother, especially if she has children, it is recommended to be lenient in the pastoral practice. •The Basis of the
Social Concept of the
Russian Orthodox
Church.

•The Bible.

•Church Fathers.
•The Basis of the Social
Concept of the Russian
Orthodox Church -
Problems of bioethics:
XII. 2.

•Church Fathers -
St Basil the great,
Tertulian and Gregory of Nyssa.

•The Bible - Psalm 139:
13, 15-16 and Job 10:8-
12, 18.

Variant
Teaching
Source of Teaching
Quote or Example
Protestant
•Opposed under most circumstances. •Human life, including life developing in the womb, is created in God’s image and should be protected.

•However, abortion may be deemed morally legitimate if the mothers life is in danger, she has been raped or the foetus is handicapped. •General Synod of the