 | The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (February 2019) |
Christianity and abortion have a long and complex history. Condemnation of abortion by Christians goes back to the 1st century with texts such as the Didache, the Epistle of Barnabas, and the Apocalypse of Peter. In later years some Christian writers argued that abortion was acceptable under certain circumstances, such as when necessary to save the life of the mother, but these views did not become accepted teachings until some denominations changed their views in the 20th century. The Bible itself does not contain direct references to abortion.[1][2][3]
Today, Christian denominations hold widely variant stances. Since the 20th century most mainline Protestant denominations support abortion legalization, while the Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodoxy condemn abortion under almost all circumstances. Since the late 20th century Evangelical Churches have condemned abortion.[4]
- ^ Frank K. Flinn, J. Gordon Melton, Encyclopedia of Catholicism (Facts on File Encyclopedia of World Religions 2007 Archived June 20, 2024, at the Wayback Machine ISBN 978-0-8160-5455-8), p. 4
- ^ Kristin, Luker, Abortion and the Politics of Motherhood (University of California Press 1985 ISBN 978-0-5209-0792-8)
- ^ John Noonan, Contraception: A History of Its Treatment by the Catholic Theologians and Canonists, Harvard University Press, 1965 (2nd edition 1986).
- ^ "USATODAY.com - Where does God stand on abortion?". usatoday30.usatoday.com. Archived from the original on June 27, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2023.