Abortion is one of the most controversial issues today. It has become a question
of not only ethics, but morals. In the 1973 case of Roe v Wade the Supreme Court ruled
that a woman has the right to terminate a pregnancy by abortion within the first six
months of the pregnancy. However, conservative Presidents have changed the legislation
enough to allow states to restrict abortion in various ways (Practical Ethics, Peter
Singer). In the following paper, I will summarize the views on abortion of Pope John
Paul II and philosopher, Peter Singer. These two men have very conflicting opinions
This argument is very adamantly against abortion. It is also a religiously based
argument. He uses exerts from the Bible and other religious documents and quotes many
different clergymen and priests to help defend his position.
He starts by explaining how you must follow the ten commandments to live a
good life and have eternal life. "Jesus replied, 'If you would enter life, keep the
commandments'" (Mt 19:17). The first of these ten commandments is "You shall not
kill". On the contrary, you should 'love respect and promote life' (The Gospel of Life,
Paul II). In order to do this, one must carry out God's plan of procreation with love and
intentions to multiply. By having an abortion, one is doing the exact opposite. Not only
are they killing an innocent human being, but they are killing a child of God. Also, man
is not the final judge in matters such as life and death, he is only a 'minister of God's
plan' (Humanae Vitae, Paul VI).
Paul II goes on to explain how human life is 'sacred and inviolable'. Life is
sacred because it is a gift from God and man was created in the image of God. God
overlooks our lives from birth to death, and no one else has the right to destroy an
innocent human being, especially one as inno...