Contrasting Religious Beliefs on Abortion

Another disagreement concerns when unborn life should receive the same moral protection as a person who has been born. Those who believe this protection begins at conception often oppose abortion. Others distinguish between the rights of the embryo or foetus—the developing unborn child—and those of the pregnant woman. These are moral disagreements, not simply disagreements about biological development.

Catholic Christianity: protecting life from conception

Catholic teaching holds that human life begins at conception and that unborn life has the same fundamental right to life as the mother. Because God is the giver and Lord of life, humans should not deliberately take innocent human life.

The commandment ‘You shall not murder’ (Exodus 20:13) supports this position. The argument connects a teaching with a belief about unborn life: if the unborn child is an innocent human being, deliberately ending its life breaks the commandment. Pope John Paul II described direct abortion as ‘the deliberate killing of an innocent human being’ and a grave moral wrong.

This opposition applies to direct abortion, where ending unborn life is intended either as the goal or as the means of achieving another goal. Catholic teaching distinguishes this from treatment intended to save the mother's life which has an unintended loss of unborn life. For example, removing a fallopian tube affected by an ectopic pregnancy may be permitted even though the embryo cannot survive. This does not mean that Catholic teaching generally permits direct abortion whenever the mother's life is at risk.

Other Christian views: exceptional permission

The Church of England also strongly opposes abortion, but recognises that, under ‘strictly limited’ conditions, it may be ‘morally preferable to any available alternative’. This allows an assessment of circumstances rather than treating every case in exactly the same way.

Some Christians argue that abortion can be the lesser of two evils, for example when continuing a pregnancy threatens the mother's life. They may believe that protecting the mother is the most compassionate available response, while still regarding the loss of unborn life as serious.

Some Christians also point out that the Bible does not explicitly address abortion. However, this does not settle the issue: Christians still interpret broader teachings about life, love and moral responsibility. The contrast is therefore partly about how shared teachings should be applied, not whether one group values life and another does not.

Islam: sanctity of life and ensoulment

Muslims also believe in the sanctity of life and generally oppose abortion. The Qur'an states: ‘Do not kill your children … We provide for them and for you. Indeed their killing is ever a great sin’ (17:31). Muslims who oppose abortion apply this protection of children to unborn life. It also challenges the idea that fear of being unable to provide for a child is sufficient justification for ending its life.

Ensoulment means the belief that a soul enters the developing unborn child. Many Muslim traditions place this at 120 days of pregnancy, making abortion particularly serious after this point. This timing is not a universal Muslim view, and being before ensoulment does not automatically make abortion acceptable.

Some Muslim scholars permit abortion before ensoulment where the unborn child has a serious congenital condition. Saving the mother's life is also widely recognised as a reason for permission, including after ensoulment: her established life takes priority over the unborn child's developing life. Different scholars and individual Muslims may reach different judgements about acceptable circumstances. Some Muslim women also emphasise their right to make decisions about their own bodies.

Contrasting arguments in contemporary society

Pro-choice arguments emphasise the woman's control over her body, health and future. Supporters may argue that denying abortion after rape lacks compassion, or that continuing a pregnancy could seriously harm the woman or her existing family. They also argue that restricting legal abortion can lead to unsafe abortions and further suffering. Supporting choice does not necessarily mean regarding every abortion as desirable.

Pro-life arguments emphasise the unborn child's right to live and develop its potential. Supporters argue that unborn life should not become disposable because a pregnancy is unwanted or difficult. They also challenge assumptions that disability necessarily prevents a full and happy life. These arguments can be held for religious or non-religious reasons.

Adoption is an alternative when someone does not wish to raise a child. Christians may support it as an expression of agape, or unconditional love, because it protects unborn life and can provide a loving family. However, adoption does not remove the need to undergo pregnancy and birth, so it does not answer every concern raised by supporters of abortion.

The central comparison is between how different views balance protection of unborn life, the woman's rights and welfare, and compassion in exceptional circumstances.

• Catholic: protect human life from conception; direct abortion is wrong. Exodus 20:13: ‘You shall not murder’.
• Life-saving treatment with unintended loss of unborn life is distinguished from direct abortion.
• Church of England: strong opposition, but strictly limited circumstances may make abortion morally preferable to alternatives.
• Some Christians permit abortion as the lesser of two evils, such as when the mother's life is threatened.

Islam

• Sanctity of life supports general opposition. Qur'an 17:31 forbids killing children.
• Many traditions place ensoulment at 120 days; views vary.
• Some permit abortion before ensoulment for a serious congenital condition.
• Saving the mother's life can justify abortion, including after ensoulment.

Main contrasts

• Pro-life: unborn life, right to life, adoption, protection regardless of disability.
• Pro-choice: bodily choice, health, compassion and avoiding unsafe abortions.
• Adoption avoids abortion but does not avoid pregnancy and birth.