As discussed in my previous thread regarding Duty Ethics and Christian ethical theory, I
truly believe that from a society perspective Duty Ethics remains stronger. Society has a stigma
on things such as abortions, which pits both the Christian ethical theory and Duty Ethics against
one another. From a Biblical worldview, murder is murder and there is no justification for taking
an innocent life. Whereas, from a Duty Ethics perspective, while still deemed wrong, there is “an
exception to permit abortion in cases of rape and incest. Biblically, it seems that God is working
1
hard to make Christian ethical theory stronger and an example of this is the case of Roe v. Wade
being overturned. Unfortunately, this case being overturned only made it where the State itself
can make the law, therefore proving Duty Ethics to be stronger in this instance. Although
overturned, states have their own right to keep things as they had them before. For example,
“Alaska, , , , , Colorado New Jersey New Mexico Oregon Vermont, and the , District of Columbia
abortion is legal at all stages of pregnancy.2
Duty Ethics, being principle based, aids in being a security blanket for those who have to
make this life changing decision. Even those who have a strong Christian ethics stance, have
expressed their pro-choice stance, not in an effort to increase abortions, but to increase
reproductive aid to women in need. As stated, “If we really want to decrease abortion rates, we
would increase funding for Planned Parenthood, improve access to birth control and more
comprehensive sex education, create universal reproductive health care, overhaul foster care and
adoption systems, instate paid maternity leave, subsidize universal child care and focus on
ending sexual violence Upon reading
”. 3 this article, it was apparent that the focus should not
just be on the blatant act of abortion, but on protecting women in general. God would not
want women to be denied resources that could aid in decreasing the abortion rate. Roe v.
Wade being overturned was great in the eyes of the church, but when it comes to
reproduction rights for women it actually hurt more than helped. Therefore, even Christians,
have to hold their stance in a more Duty Ethics approach to aid in helping those who do not
have the means to help themselves. After all, God’s directs us to help and love our neighbors
in need.
As Christians it is hard to see how a thing such as abortion could be looked at as a
justified act, but as stated above, the fairness to the woman comes into play. It is a hard question
to look at, but is it fair to make a woman carry a child that was conceived by rape and/or rape by
the hand of a close relative? This argument will be one until the end of time, and while the act of
murder is not God’s way, at the end of the day, it is not our judgement to give. As God’s Word
states, “Judge not, that you be not judged”. In closing, we as Christians have a duty to come
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from a place of love, understanding, and compassion which is something we as a society need to
get back to.
Bibliography
1 Scott Rae, Moral Choices 4 Edition, (HarperCollins Christian, 2018), 143.
th
2 Laura Temme, “Why Was Roe v. Wade Overturned?,” Findlaw, July 6, 2022,
https://supreme.findlaw.com/supreme-court-insights/could-roe-v--wade-be-overturned-.html.
3 Laura Ellis, “Why I'm a pro-Choice Christian and Believe You Should Be Too,” Baptist News Global, May 6,
2022, https://baptistnews.com/article/why-im-a-pro-choice-christian-and-believe-you-should-be-
too/#.Y4TtsffMKUm.
4 Matthew 7:1 (New King James Version)
Rae, Scott. , 4 Edition. HarperCollins Christian, 2018.
Moral Choices th
Temme, Laura. “Why Was Roe v. Wade Overturned?” Findlaw, July 6, 2022.
https://supreme.findlaw.com/supreme-court-insights/could-roe-v--wade-be-
overturned-.html.
Ellis, Laura. “Why I'm a pro-Choice Christian and Believe You Should Be Too.” Baptist News
Global, May 6, 2022. https://baptistnews.com/article/why-im-a-pro-choice-christian-and-
believe-you-should-be-too/#.Y4TtsffMKUm.
