Taoism:
Taoism is a religion that originated from East Asia over two thousand years ago. Their religious rules cover ethics, ‘the personal values of the individual,’ and morality, ‘the communal norms and social values of the organization.’ They have rules that range from the basic moral rules against murder and theft to how to eat, bow, and wash. Taoism also teaches its followers how to have altruistic thoughts and how to think the Dao. Taoists are big believers in following the natural order of things and living in harmony with all the universal elements. To ensure that their desires and compulses do not push them into doing something, Taoists do not initiate any actions. I like the Taoist ideal that a person should take action to change themselves and therefore becoming an example of the good life to others. I agree with this idea. This idea doesn’t require you to preach to random strangers or go door-to-door saving people. I believe that what you do and how you act is a better way to show your moral standing than by the number of individuals you can convert to your religion.
Buddhism:
Buddhism is a religion based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha who lived circa the fifth century BCE. There are two major schools of Buddhism: Mahayana and Theravada. There are also several schools under these two main ones, which makes trying to pinpoint their ethical views difficult. Most traditional Buddhists believe that abortions are immoral because it involves deliberately destroying a life. Buddhists believe that the act of the abortion will bring both the mother and the doctor bad karma. The website also explains that bad karma is brought to the baby as well because it does not have a chance at an earthly life. Buddhists teach the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth which can only be broken through enlightenment. I have never thought of an abortion bringing bad karma onto the baby, but I understand that from their point of view, the fetus was returned to the death phase. I’m not a big supporter of abortions but I can understand special circumstances like rape and serious birth defects. I’m not a very religious person but I heard a pastor say something once that has stuck with me so far. He said, “How do you know that the baby you are aborting wasn’t meant to be the next Einstein or find the cure to cancer or AIDS.” I really liked how Buddhists believe that souls are reborn as animals because of their past misdeeds. Does that mean that the jerk that cut you off on the freeway is going to come back as a snail?
Hinduism:
Hinduism is on of the oldest religions which has nearly 900 million members and started in modern day Pakistan. They believe in a universal eternal soul called Brahman, who has several different forms. Hindus believe that the sour passes through a cycle of successive lives and your life is dependent on your previous life. Like with Buddhism, Hinduism has branched many different directions, so not all schools will have the same ethical beliefs. In regards to abortions, many Hindus would choose the action that will do the least harm to the mother, father, the fetus, and society. We can look at this in modern day terms. Would you rather have a crack-whore have a baby who will also be addicted to crack and most likely suffer birth defects, or allow her to abort it? I really like the program that was started in San Francisco where crack-whores are given money to have their tubes tied. Our society will benefit from this in the long run. Hindus like to take the route of least harm but they believe that the fetus and its soul are joined at conception. Reading the war section in Hinduism was quite interesting to me. The idea of Karma is kind of like an excuse for violence. They believe that any unkindness a person carries out will return to them in the future because it is the natural law of the universe. This makes it okay for them to attack someone who has been unkind to them. However, Hinduism has the first written record about peace.
Sikhism:
I felt really ignorant when I opened the website on this religion because I have never heard of it. Sikhism is a religion with about 20 million members, most of whom live in the Punjab province of India. It was founded in the 16th century by Guru Nanak and his nine followers. Sikhs are against any form of interference with God’s creative work, such as abortions, euthanasia, and suicide. I think it’s a bit contradictory that they would be against those ideas yet not have an objection to birth control. I mean don’t get me wrong, I think birth control is great! Many Sikhs still have abortions and it is often female fetuses because of the cultural preference of having sons. I don’t want to have any girls either and I want at least three boys but I still wouldn’t abort a female fetus. Then again I was raised in a different culture and can not pass judgment on them. I like the fact that this religion does not set down detailed answers to ethical questions but sets the general principle and framework so the Sikhs can answer the questions for themselves.
Judaism:
Judaism has 12 million followers worldwide and it originated from the Middle East over 3500 years ago. They only believe in abortions for serious reasons and it can only take place after a rabbi is consulted. Judaism is very concerned with the sanctity of a human life. Many Jews would like to see abortions banned since killing the fetus would break God’s command to populate this world; it also kills something God imagine and created. Judaism looks at animals as God’s creation and should be treated with compassion. The Talmud specifically instructs Jews not to harm animals. It does however allow the killing of animals to fulfill the essential human need of nutrition. I do disagree with the Jews on the idea of circumcision. I don’t mind the actually idea of it but I don’t think it should be a public event. I think it should be done the day of the birth, in a sterile environment, without an audience. I don’t think this is a celebration. The portion on Tay Sachs disease was really interesting to me. Tay Sachs disease is a common genetic disorder in Jewish children which causes the progressive destruction of the central nervous system and eventually leads to death. I don’t like the idea that Judaism discourages couples from getting married because they are both carriers of the disorder. These couples just shouldn’t have children together; they should take advantage of adoption services.
Islam:
Islam started over 1400 years ago in Mecca and is the second largest religion in the world with over a billion followers. Islam actually means ‘submission to the will of God.’ This phrase has been skewed in awful ways be people looking for power and control over Muslim countries. Muslims believe that abortions are wrong and they forbid them except for serious circumstances. The only reason that a fetus can be aborted after day 120 is if the mother’s life would be put in danger. The Muslim religion is big on family and thinks of children as gifts from God. Most of the schools permit contraceptives. The Muslim population is the largest religious group to circumcise boys and they think of it as an introduction to faith and a sign of belonging. I read Kite Runner earlier this summer and I didn’t really catch it then but that was one of the insults the bullies used against the servant. It really makes sense now. The fact that he wasn’t circumcised enforced the idea that he was from a lower class. Muslims do not believe in euthanasia because God chooses how long each person should live, therefore, we can not interfere with this process.
Christianity:
Christianity is the biggest religion in the world with over 2 billion followers. They believe that Jesus Christ was the son of God who was sent to the earth to save humanity from the consequences of our sins. Christians believe that there is one God but three parts to this one God: Father, Son, and The Holy Spirit. There are many schools of Christianity all differing in their opinions about ethical issues. The Church of England strongly opposes abortions but recognizes that there are severe circumstances which require it. The Roman Catholic Church’s opinion on abortion is that it is ‘gravely contrary to moral law.’ In recent years the Christian Church has changed its position on capital punishment and no longer supports it stating that Christianity supports life. I like the fact that the Christian Church supports organ donations, since they see it as being helpful and charitable. I didn’t know this, but Quakers have allowed same-sex marriages since 1987 and now the Methodist Church has opened up the debate again. I think the rest of the Christian Churches should re-evaluate their stance and accept the fact that times have changed and we need to be more open-minded on this issue.
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