icon-background-square
New
New
Year 10
Edexcel B

Christian responses to abortion

I can explain different Christian views on abortion, including key teachings and ethical approaches.

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 10
Edexcel B

Christian responses to abortion

I can explain different Christian views on abortion, including key teachings and ethical approaches.

warning

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you" (Jeremiah 1:5) suggests abortion is morally unacceptable.
  2. "Love your neighbour as yourself" (Matthew 22:39) could support abortion in some loving situations.
  3. 'Evangelium Vitae' outlines the Catholic Church’s pro-life stance, backed by Natural Law.

Keywords

  • Abortion - the deliberate ending of a pregnancy

  • Pro-choice - generally in favour of 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

  • Situation ethics - an ethical theory which argues that the most loving action should guide decisions in each situation

Common misconception

All Christians believe the same thing about abortion.

In reality, views vary between denominations, with the Catholic Church strongly opposing abortion, while the Church of England and Methodists allow it in some cases.


To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: Christian responses to abortion, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Abortion is a sensitive topic, so set clear expectations for a respectful and open discussion. Emphasise that students may have different views shaped by their backgrounds, beliefs or experiences.
speech-bubble
Teacher tip
equipment-required

Equipment

content-guidance

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
supervision-level

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

copyright

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Loading...

6 Questions

Q1.
Abortion is the ending of a pregnancy.
Correct Answer: deliberate, Deliberate
Q2.
The 1967 Abortion made abortion legal in the UK under certain conditions.
Correct Answer: Act, act
Q3.
The belief that a woman should have the right to choose whether to have an abortion is called pro- .
Correct Answer: choice, Choice
Q4.
What is the legal time limit for most abortions in the UK?
12 weeks
20 weeks
Correct answer: 24 weeks
there is no limit
Q5.
What is a key pro-life argument?
a woman should have the right to choose
Correct answer: a foetus has the right to life
financial issues justify abortion
Q6.
Match each stance about abortion to the correct argument.
Correct Answer:Pro-choice,a woman has the right to choose
tick

a woman has the right to choose

Correct Answer:Pro-life,adoption is an alternative to abortion
tick

adoption is an alternative to abortion

Correct Answer:Situation ethics,do the most loving thing in any situation
tick

do the most loving thing in any situation

6 Questions

Q1.
According to 'Evangelium Vitae', why must Catholics oppose abortion?
Correct answer: because human life is sacred from conception
because society allows it in some cases
because the Bible mentions that life has no value
Q2.
What does Natural Law argue about abortion?
Correct answer: it is always wrong because life should be preserved
it is acceptable if the mother’s life is at risk
it is a personal decision
Q3.
How might some Anglicans justify abortion?
life is sacred and should never be ended under any circumstance
Correct answer: the most loving action should be taken in difficult situations
abortion is always acceptable
Q4.
The belief that life is means it is given by God and deserves respect.
Correct Answer: sacred, Sacred
Q5.
According to 20:13, “You shall not murder” suggests that abortion is wrong.
Correct Answer: Exodus, exodus
Q6.
Which ethical theory argues that the most loving action should guide decisions in each situation?
Correct Answer: situation ethics, Situation Ethics