Year 11 - Religious education
Contrasting views on abortion
Issues of life and death
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will focus firstly on the relationship between religion and science - looking at ideas of creation. They will examine how Christians and non-religious people view the world. Finally they will examine how people speak about the sanctity of life.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain different ethical arguments and Christian views on abortion.
Key Notes
- In the UK, the 1967 Abortion Act legalised abortion under certain conditions.
- Jeremiah 1:5 suggests abortion is wrong, while Matthew 22:39 could support it as a loving choice in certain situations.
- Most Christian denominations are pro-life, but some may accept abortion in specific circumstances.
- Pro-choice arguments support a woman's right to choose
- Pro-life arguments oppose abortion, focusing on the intrinsic value and right to life of the foetus.
Vocabulary To Learn
- abortion: the deliberate ending of a pregnancy so it does not result in the birth of a child
- foetus: the developing human from around eight weeks of pregnancy until birth
- pro-choice: generally support a woman's right to choose to have an abortion
- pro-life: generally opposed to abortion and in favour of the life of the foetus
- sacred: something that is considered holy, divine or deserving of great respect
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Abortion debates are always clearly pro-life vs. pro-choice.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
In the UK, the 1967 Abortion Act legalised abortion under certain conditions. Jeremiah 1:5 suggests abortion is wrong, while Matthew 22:39 could support it as a loving choice in certain situations.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'abortion'
the deliberate ending of a pregnancy so it does not result in the birth of a child.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Abortion debates are always clearly pro-life vs. pro-choice. Correction: Many positions are more nuanced, e.g., some people who identify as pro-life accept abortion in certain circumstances, and some who are pro-choice may personally oppose abortion but support the legal right to choose.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Christian and humanist funerals Study Guide
- Christian and non-religious beliefs about creation Study Guide
- Christian attitudes to human life Study Guide
- Christian beliefs about death and the afterlife Study Guide
- Contrasting views on euthanasia Study Guide
- Dominion, stewardship and environmental responsibility Study Guide
- Non-religious attitudes to human life Study Guide
- Non-religious beliefs about death and the afterlife Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 11 Religious education guide library.