Miracle of Life (MOL)
The miracle of life is the idea that life is wonderful, amazing or special. People call the creation of a baby a miracle because it helps the human race to continue. People find it amazing that a tiny sperm can join with an egg and provide all the information needed to develop into a unique human being. The creation and arrival of a baby is very special and many parents say that it's the best moment of their lives. Some take fertility for granted but there have to be a lot of factors that have to be just right. Some people find it difficult to start a family a family and a couple who have been trying to have a child finally conceive, they truly believe it is a miracle of life.
Blessing
People call pregnancy a blessing because it is the idea that God has favoured a couple with a child.
When pregnancy may not be a blessing
Reasons why someone might not see their pregnancy as a blessing and want an abortion:
- Not fit to raise a baby - May be unwell.
- Severe Disability - Baby born with severe mental or physical disabilities, may live a life of suffering a pain.
- Finance - They may be very poor and unable to afford the cost of raising a child OR might not have financial ability OR may be selfish and not want to drain their money on the child.
- Unplanned/Accidental/Unwanted Child - The parents may be young or the circumstances might not be suitable, for example the father may not want to be involved with the child's life.
- Rape - An unwanted or forced baby with someone who the mother did not want to have a child and did not give consent to have a child. The baby may be a reminder of the rape event and be emotionally devastating.
- Physical/Mental Risk - Post/Pre-natal depression worry OR might not be safe for the woman to have a child (e.g. if they have a severe mental illness).
- Gender of the child - For example, in China, males are economically preferred for different reasons.
Religious Beliefs
Belief in the Sanctity of Life may affect someone's decision about abortion because all religions teach that life is special and precious, this idea is known as the sanctity of life.
Christians, Jews and Muslims believe that life is sacred or holy because it comes from God. God created life and gave us the natural means to reproduce. As life is God-given and precious, it should be valued and cherished, not damaged. Only God has the right to take life away and we do not have the rights to end a life for this reason.
Christians, Jews and Muslims believe that life is sacred or holy because it comes from God. God created life and gave us the natural means to reproduce. As life is God-given and precious, it should be valued and cherished, not damaged. Only God has the right to take life away and we do not have the rights to end a life for this reason.
Tough Question: Should this baby be aborted?
Q: If a poor pregnant mother in 1769 who has syphilis and the father is also infected and they already had many kids who are deaf and mentally retarded and the next child would suffer from a severe form of tinnitus, would this justify an abortion? (Note: There were no benefit systems at the time)
This is a question against abortion (pro-life), but many say that this case would justify an abortion. If you answered yes you would have killed the famous composer, Beethoven!
This is a question against abortion (pro-life), but many say that this case would justify an abortion. If you answered yes you would have killed the famous composer, Beethoven!
Christian Beliefs
Christians believe there is something special or holy about human life. Every human, Christians believe, is special to God.
Christians also believe that human life begins at the moment of conception, when the sperm meets the egg and becomes fertilised.
Christians also believe that human life begins at the moment of conception, when the sperm meets the egg and becomes fertilised.
- This is when DNA is fixed - the baby's hair colour, eye colour, certain gifts and talents are all established.
- At this point, the human life receives a soul-ensoulment.
Disagreements with Christian Belief
Some people disagree with the Christian belief that human life begins at conception, they argue that:
- It begins when the heart beats for itself,
- It begins when the baby is 'viable'; able to survive independently outside the womb,
- It begins when a baby can feel and respond to pain or other stimuli,
- It begins when the baby is fully formed in the womb.
Buddhist, Hindu and Sikh Beliefs
Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs believe life should be valued as every person deserves a chance to do good and build up good Karma. Karma affects what happens to a person either in his life or in a future one. Respecting life creates good Karma, but destroying life creates bad Karma. Hindus believe in non-violence and Buddhists follow the precept to refrain from taking life. They consider that life is sacred and should be preserved.
Buddhists Belief about human life (Case study)
Tibetan Buddhists show their belief in the value in the value of human life by using 'The Blind Turtle 'Analogy. The Buddha used the metaphor of a blind turtle in a vast ocean to explain how difficult it is to be reborn as a human being and at the same time to have the chance of hearing the Dharma....
A blind turtle is swimming in a large ocean and comes to the surface once every 100 years. Being reborn as a human is as likely as that turtle putting its head through a small golden ring that is floating on the surface of the water.
The Blind Turtle argument shows that Buddhist beliefs of life as sacred and precious. You can't choose whether a baby lives or dies, as it is their opportunity of life, their chance, not your decision.
A blind turtle is swimming in a large ocean and comes to the surface once every 100 years. Being reborn as a human is as likely as that turtle putting its head through a small golden ring that is floating on the surface of the water.
The Blind Turtle argument shows that Buddhist beliefs of life as sacred and precious. You can't choose whether a baby lives or dies, as it is their opportunity of life, their chance, not your decision.