Abortion, Religion and Womens Rights

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nIntroduction

nAbortion is a process used to terminate a pregnancy aiming to prevent birth. Abortion can be performed either via surgical procedure or through medication. However, the ways of conducting abortion are dependent on the duration of pregnancy. Abortion is different from miscarriage, which refers to loss of pregnancy via natural means. In addition, this loss happens without any interventions from medical practitioners (Pazol, et al., 2012). There are various circumstances, which forces a mother to have an abortion. For instance, when the life and wellbeing of the mother is at risk, she is allowed to have an abortion. Secondly, a woman may decide to perform it due to personal reasons such as dangers to the welfare of current children (Hauerwas, 2010). Some legislation also allows abortion when the baby is likely to develop critical abnormality either physical or genetic. Furthermore, abortion is acceptable in some jurisdiction when rape leads to pregnancy (Waind, 2016). The concept of human dignity plays a critical role in determining the reproductive freedoms and rights with regard to abortion.

nAbortion, Religion and Sexual Ethics

nIn the contemporary society, abortion is a controversial issue, which leads to varied argument on it legality, and sexual ethics. People use their religious beliefs and human dignity issues to provide conflicting reasons on abortion. All religions across the globe have provided strong arguments on the ideas of abortion (Hauerwas, 2010). They consider it as an issue of wrong and right, nature and societal relationships, and death and life. Therefore, the issue produces critical concerns (Waind, 2016). Persons engaged in abortion are affected both spiritually and emotionally. Moreover, abortion is relevant to abortion because people often seek comfort and advice from the religious persons in order to be able to deal with the emotions and feelings (Pazol, et al., 2012).

nAbortion is also a religious issue due to the fact that it has a spiritual conviction. Therefore, these convictions are linked to moral argument, which are aimed at creating varied ideas that are meant to solve public policy via public policy (Hauerwas, 2010). The issues of abortions immorality or morality affect the decision making when formulating a public policy. In this respect, policy makers are unable to determine the extent or degree at which abortion should be permitted in their societies (Pazol, et al., 2012). In contrast, they are faced with conflicting perspectives on individuals rights and freedoms. The moral stand does not serve as an efficient determiner on the legality of abortion. Some religious principles also provide an association between abortion and contraception (Waind, 2016). In other words, abortion is a matter of understanding or interpretation.

nRoman Catholicism, Buddhism, Islam, Protestants, Judaism, Hinduism among other provides varied stands and teachings on abortion. Most Christians argue that abortion is a killing or murder sin hence they are against it. On the side of Roman Catholicism, abortion is unacceptable under all situations (Waind, 2016). Catholicism argues that life start at conception. Therefore, they consider abortion as immoral. They also argue that life is inviolable and sacred. Protestants Christianity offers a wide-spectrum of teachings, thoughts, and positions regarding abortion. Several Protestant faiths are against abortion (Hauerwas, 2010). Nonetheless, some protestant religions support abortion to a certain extent. For instance, the Church of England (Anglican) argues that unborn babies have right to life since there are Gods creations.

nNevertheless, the church also teaches that abortion is morally tolerable in some occasions when expected baby is likely to suffer from critical abnormality and disability (Pazol, et al., 2012). Some of the evangelical Protestants also support the pro-choice thoughts. For instance, Lutheran Church, United Church of Christ, and Methodist Churches are supportive of abortion. Mormons Church supports pro-life teachings. It allows abortion in various instances, such as in case of rape or incest, handicapped babies, and when the life of a woman is at risk (Waind, 2016). However, Mormons provides an argument, which states that life is sacred, and is a Gods gift.

nBuddhism does not provide a formal stand on the issue of abortion. However, some ideas suggest that abortion is discouraged since life begins at conception. Hinduism also does not support abortion. However, it is acceptable when the life of a mother is at risk. In terms of Islamic faith, life begins at conception (Hauerwas, 2010). However, a foetus starts to be a living soul after four months (120 days) after conception. Therefore, abortion is unacceptable after four months of conception since the fetus is a living soul. Therefore, Islamic thinkers suggest that abortion can be allowed during the first 120 days of gestation. In addition, abortion is tolerable in Islam if the pregnancy was because of rape or when the mother life is in danger (Waind, 2016).

nMuslim legislations allow abortion in the initial seven weeks of gestation while others allow it in the initial sixteen weeks of gestation. According to the Quran teachings, there is no mention on the terms abortion but it is against deliberate murder (Hauerwas, 2010). With regard to Judaism beliefs on abortion, the Jewish thoughts on the issue are that abortion is permissible way of protecting the well-being and life of a woman. In this respect, the Jewish teachings suggest that a fetus is not regarded as being until he/she is delivered (Waind, 2016). Moreover, according to Judaism law, it is not a crime to have an abortion.

nWomens Right

nFor a long time, women have been denied access to their reproductive rights due to public policies that concentrate on morality rather than individual choices. In this case, they lack access to safe and economic abortion options because states funding does not meet their needs (Nussbaum & Dixon, 2012). Additionally, anti-abortion comments and discussions also limit the reproductive rights of women to use abortion in their lives. As a matter of fact, the government should remove all barriers that disrupt attainment of these rights. Moreover, the state should offer support to women so that their lives have dignity. In this regard, every central capability of women would be protected up to the required level (Pazol, et al., 2012). Most importantly, the opportunities of women to access abortion services should be exercised freely and without discriminations.

nBased on Capability Approach, there should be a close association between women health reasons with her autonomy to access abortion services. Similarly, women should be allowed to make their own decision regarding health and well-being during pregnancy. Policy makers in their work to articulate human dignity and access to abortion services can also use the capability approach. For instance, in the US, most of the poor women experiences huge barriers in abortion access in majority of states. In particular, the Medicaid program under federal healthcare system hampers access to abortion in all conditions (Nussbaum & Dixon, 2012). Fortunately, the Supreme Court ruling in 1980 provided that it is unconstitutional and discriminatory for women to be restricted from accessing abortion in the US.

nIn spite of this ruling most women in the country experiences challenges to acquire medical services that would help them in having abortion since there are no legal provisions aiming to enhance women right on abortion. They also continue to face anti-abortion concepts, which contribute to public policies that do not support abortion. In fact, abortion procedures involving use of D&X are illegal in the US aiming to help women in late abortion (Nussbaum & Dixon, 2012). All process and procedures intended to assist women to procure an abortion are prohibited in approximately eight states unless the life of a mother is in danger. In the recent past, women were denied access to medical abortion or RU486 drugs, which assist them to perform early-term abortion (Pazol, et al., 2012). Fortunately, these limitations were recently permitted in the US, which offer an advantageous choice for majority of mothers. In other parts of the world, women face huge challenges in their pursuit of safe abortion option. Although some countries provide legal rights and funding to abortion, there exist gaps in access to these services. Arguments against abortion have increased in the recent past in most countries especially in the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and EU Parliamentary Assembly. Such arguments tend to prevent women from enjoying access to safe abortion (Nussbaum & Dixon, 2012).

nConclusion

nAbortion is a controversial issue in the contemporary society. The argument for or against abortion are based on religious ideas on the issue. Religious teaching, thoughts and beliefs provide a wide range of argument on abortion. Therefore, public policies in most parts of the world tend to reflect the religious beliefs and morality. The moral concept of abortion influences the degree or extent of formulation of policies on the issues (Pazol, et al., 2012). Nonetheless, women have a special role to play in the matter since they should have reproductive rights. In this regard, government should support the reproductive rights of women with regard to making a choice on whether they can have abortion or not.

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nReferences

nHauerwas, S. (2010). Why Abortion is a Religious Issue. Notre Dame, Ind.: University of Notre Dame Press.

nNussbaum, M., & Dixon, R. (2012). Abortion, Dignity, and a Capabilities Approach. Feminist Constitutionalism: Global Perspectives.

nPazol, K., Creanga, A. A., Zane, S. B., Burley, K. D., Jamieson, D. J., & Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2012). Abortion surveillance—United States, 2009. MMWR Surveill Summ, 61(8), 1-44.

nWaind, J. (2016). Abortion/Sex Work. New York: Macmillan Reference USA.