Abortion

1. Michael Tooley and Peter Singer

   Annotations:

   • Ann embryo is not a human being but it has the potential to become one. Potentiality means that it has no expectation that it will achieve becoming a human being, so abortion is acceptable. HOWEVER an embryo hasn't had a choice in whether or not it reaches it's potential. Is this fair?
2. John Locke (1632-1704)
   1. A foetus is not yet a human being as it does not have he capability for rational thought.
   2. Human beings are sentient - we have freewill, individuality and a social nature.

1. No right to decide
   1. Christianity: Your body is a gift from God and life comes from God. Only God can give and take life away.
      1. Sanctity of Life
2. Right to decide.
   1. John Locke - A woman's body belongs to her and therefore it is her right to have an abortion if she chooses. A foetus is a part of her body.

Annotations:

• These help support the idea that life begins at conception or, at least, that the foetus is a person.

1. "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart"

   Annotations:

   • Jeremiah 1:5 God has a plan for every human being before they are born.
2. "You saw me before I was born"

   Annotations:

   • Psalm 139:16
3. "God...chose me even before I was born"

   Annotations:

   • Galatians 1:15

1. God made Adam and then "breathed into his nostrils the breath of life."

   Annotations:

   • Genesis 2:7 We are not human until we breathe.
2. If a woman is hurt and loses her child when men are fighting, but is otherwise okay the one who hurt her is to be fined.

   Annotations:

   • It is more serious to kill an already-born human being than it is to harm a foetus.
3. Jesus taught love. Sometimes abortion is the most loving thing.
4. It is better to have not been born than to suffer in life.