The Church of England

Views on Abortion & Human Life

byRichard Collier, Prayaag Solanki, Umar Ahmed,

Jonny Lloyd-Evans and Peter Smith

When Does Human Life Begin?

• The Church Of England believes that life begins at conception.

• Although, unlike the Catholic Church, the Church of England believes that abortion may still takes place.

Is Human Life Special?

• C of E believes that human life is very special.

• According to the bible, God had said that ‘All Human Life Is Sacred’

• Life is sacred for many reasons:1. God created it,2. It is protected by God,3. It is valued by God,4. God has a plan for human life.

What is The Church of England’s view on abortion?

• The church of England believes that abortion is wrong, although they believe that in some instances the circumstances permit it as it is the ‘lesser of two evils’.

• It opposes abortion as the foetus is a God given life.

• It believes abortion rates are far too high- 170 000 per year.

Are there circumstances where abortion is permitted?

• The church believes that there are only three circumstances in which abortion may take place.

• Abortion is the lesser of two evils in some circumstances so sometimes abortion is the more morally acceptable option.

What alternatives are there to abortion?

• Adoption- many people willing to adopt

• You may regret aborting it in the long run- if you had kept it you may have turned out to cherish it deeply

• The church of England is willing to help- clothes, general support for the mother

• Child help services/ orphanage