An essay comparing the issue of abortion from the religious views of Catholics, Jews, and Buddhists.

Essay by kg517High School, 11th gradeA+, January 2004

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Fate of the Unborn

Throughout history, there has been a diversity of opinions regarding induced abortion from various religions and countries. To this day, there is no unified agreement within different religions and law authorities concerning the morality of abortion. Looking at abortion throughout time and around the globe provides an enlightening perspective on this important issue. Catholicism, Buddhism, and Judaism emphasize on the importance of human life and oppose abortion with respect to their religious laws and beliefs.

Roman Catholics, Jews, and Buddhists have scriptures and laws that emphasize on the importance of human life. According to Roman Catholics, the fifth divine commandment states, "Thou shall not kill" (Ex. 20:13: Dt. 5:17). This suggests that human life is sacred because, since its beginning, the loving and creative action of God has been involved with the making of humans. Number 2270 of the Catholic Catechism states, "From the first moment of existence, a human being must be recognized as having the rights of a person- among which is the inviolable right of every innocent being to life."

(Catechism of the Catholic Church, author unknown). God has given life to mankind and it is crucial for them to take good care of this precious gift. By supporting abortion, one is opposing the fifth commandment and the laws of God.

Not only does Catholics believe that God gives life, but the Jewish sacred scripture, the TaNak, also agrees on this subject matter. In Isaiah 49:15-16, a line states, "The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother's womb he name me." This suggests that the Lord had known mankind before one was born. The Lord loves His creations and does not want any harm cast upon them. The Mishnah emphasizes this point with the quote that reads,