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Buddhism

Buddhists are expected to take full personal responsibility for everything they do and for the consequences that follow. Therefore, Buddhists believe that life should not be destroyed but they regard causing death as morally wrong. The First Precept is a moral principle that all Buddhists should try to keep as far as they are able. It is "I will not harm any living creature." If it is accepted that the fetus is alive, it should not be harmed. Also, traditional Buddhists reject abortion because it involves the deliberate destroying of a life. Buddhists believe that human life begins at the moment of conception, at which point consciousness enters the womb, and therefore abortion would be seen as an act of killing going against Buddhist precepts. Buddhist belief in reincarnation leads to belief that life begins at the moment of conception. As a result, this naturally inclines Buddhism against allowing abortion; taking the life of any living thing is generally condemned in Buddhism, so of course killing a fetus would not meet with easy approvals. The general Buddhist belief about rebirth is that at conception three things come together - the sperm, the egg, and the karmic force that is the effect of a previous life. In addition, this means is that a human life begins at the moment of conception. Traditional Buddhists do not agree with abortion but it has been argued by some Buddhists that if the child would be so severely handicapped that it would undergo great suffering, abortion is permissible. In 1993, the Dalai Lama spoke in favor of abortion and stated "Of course, abortion, from a Buddhist viewpoint, is an act of killing and is negative, generally speaking. But it depends on the circumstances. If the unborn child will be retarded or if the birth will create serious problems for the parent, these are cases where there can be an exception." Most Buddhists would feel that in principle abortion is wrong, or at least very regrettable, but one should always examine the circumstances and allow for exceptions, and not be condemning of those who arrive at a different conclusion.

Hinduism

Hindu scriptures and tradition from the earliest times have condemned the practice of abortion, except when the life of the mother is in danger. The Hindu way is to choose the action that will do least harm to all involved: the mother and father, the fetus and society, by this it will benefit everyone. One of the main teachings of the Hindu religion is to "do no harm". Hindu medical ethics stem from this principle of non-violence. Gandhi perhaps the most respected Hindu of the twentieth century, said: "It seems to me clear as daylight that abortion would be a crime." Abortion tends to be disapproved of as Hindus believe that both physical and spiritual life enter the human embryo at the moment of conception. All methods of contraception are permitted. Classical Hindu texts demonstrate strong opposition to abortion; one text compares abortion to the killing of a priest, while another considers abortion a worse sin than killing one's own parents.

Judaism

The Torah or Jewish law forbids the taking of innocent life and stresses that human beings are made in the image of God. Jewish tradition allows for abortion for the sake of the mother because there is no soul in the first 40 days, and even in the latter stages of pregnancy, the fetus has a lower moral status than the mother. Like other religions, the only exception was if the mother's life was in danger. However some rabbis would give permission in such a case if it is argued that the prospect of having a deformed and suffering child is causing the mother severe mental distress. They do this on the grounds that continuing the pregnancy is a threat to the mother. The danger to the mother must be clear and substantial, and the abortion cannot be done in the very last stage of pregnancy.

Islam

Islam teaches that life begins at conception and is created by God. The unborn child has certain rights such as the right to care, protection and life. If a motherʼs life is at risk by pregnancy then abortion is permitted, as her life is considered to be more significant than that of the embryo. Islam views the ideal expression of sexual love as being within marriage. These are usually to do with protecting the life of the mother when preventing a pregnancy. There is also the belief that the soul does not enter the fetus until the 120th day of gestation.The Islamic view is based on the very high priority the faith gives to the sanctity of life. Islam's approach to the issue of birth control and abortion is very balanced. It allows women to prevent pregnancy but forbids them to terminate it. The Qur'an states: "Whosoever has spared the life of a soul, it is as though he has spared the life of all people. Whosoever has killed a soul, it is as though he has murdered all of mankind."(Qur'an 5:32). The Qur'an makes it clear that a fetus must not be aborted because the family fear that they will not be able to provide for it - they should trust Allah to look after things: "Kill not your offspring for fear of poverty; it is We who provide for them and for you. Surely, killing them is a great sin."(Qur'an 17:32). Similar texts also ban abortion on social or financial grounds relating to the mother or the rest of the family; for instance, if the pregnancy was not planned or if the baby would interfere with the mother's life such as her career or lifestyle.

Christianity

Sees unborn children as human beings not as a choice. The Bible states in One of the earliest Christian writings, the Teaching of the Twelve Apostles states: "You shall not kill the child in the womb or murder a new-born infant." Mother Teresa said "Any country that accepts abortion, is not teaching its people to love, but to use any violence to get what it wants." God places high value in each person,"It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish." In Genesis 1:15 it states, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." Psalm 139 describes the development of the unborn baby: "For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body." "You shall not murder" in Exodus 20:13. Christians believe that killing another is wrong, it is not in God's plan.