22 October 2007
Briefing paper on abortion from the Baptist Union, Methodist Church and United Reformed Church
The debate on the topical issue of abortion has been
joined by the Methodist Church, United Reformed Church and Baptist
Union of Great Britain, who have produced a joint briefing paper
for churchgoers. The 40th anniversary of the 1967 Abortion Act (on
October 27 2007) has led to calls for change, with some people
wanting stricter controls - whilst others would like abortion to be
made easier. The paper does not express a view, but provides
easy-to-read background information.
Graham Sparkes from the Baptist Union of Great Britain said: "It is
right that there should be public debate of this issue - and that
we should be involved in it. The arguments are complex and
sensitive; the briefing should help inform the discussion that
needs to take place.
Alison Jackson from the Methodist Church said: "For many people,
abortion is not a black and white issue, and there are many
Christians who do not sit comfortably on either side of the
argument. What most Christians want to see is greater moderation
and understanding of the issues. This briefing will help church
members engage thoughtfully with the debate".
Simon Loveitt, Church and Society Convenor for the United Reformed
Church, said: "Abortion is an important ethical and moral issue,
but we need to remember that for some people, it is also a painful,
personal issue".
The original time limit of 28 weeks was reduced by four weeks in
1990, with medical advances increasing the survival prospects of a
child born earlier. According to official statistics, the total
number of abortions in Britain in 2006 was 206,781, an increase of
more than 7,000 in a year.
The Churches have also set up a joint working group to look, not
only at abortion but at human embryology and early human life,
including therapeutic cloning and pre-implantation genetic
diagnosis. It will include people from across the Methodist church,
United Reformed Church and Baptist Union with a wealth of medical,
theological and practical experience.
The abortion briefing is available online at www.jointpublicissues.org.uk
and www.methodist.org.uk/downloads/pi_abortion_1007.pdf.