This paper discusses the abortion controversy in the United States. It analyses the influence of the Christian Church on the debate whether abortion should be legal or illegal. This question is especially interesting because, even though the constitution requires a separation of church and state, the US government was in its origin partially defined by Christian values. Furthermore, while in other Western countries the importance of religion is declining, the United States is still a very devout country.
The discussion, whether abortion should be legal or not, is a never-ending topic all over the world. In America, it has been debated for decades. In presidential campaigns, it is always addressed, but never as much as in the 2020 race with the possible re-election of Donald Trump. Especially concerning the new seat in the supreme court, which was highly disputed.
Recently it was confirmed that the conservative judge Amy Coney Barrett will replace Ginsburg. This could mean that the judiciary branch of the federal government would develop to be more conservative. This could maybe even result in a re-discussion of Roe versus Wade. This would not only affect abortion policies strongly but moreover would be a huge occurrence for American Politics in general.
Even though the majority of the American population is positioned in the middle of both political positions, the extreme opinions of Pro-life and Pro-choice have dominated the discussion. Some people are even so involved or even obsessed (some even feel offended in their religious belief) that protests or smaller gatherings in front of abortion clinics are not uncommon. While Pro-choice believes in the option to decide, Pro-life thinks abortion is murder.
In general, pro-life tends to be the more conservative view on that topic as it is developing out of the traditional biblical opinion. In the past this had a clear influence on the political decisions concerning the abortion policies. The reason for this is, as we will see, the connection between the strictly believing evangelists and the republicans. How strong was the influence the Church took in this political debate if abortion should be legal or not?
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Place of religion in US politics
3. Abortion in the US
4. Pro-Life vs.Pro-Choice
5. Church and Abortion
5.1 Position of the church on abortion
5.2 Influence of the churches on the abortion debate
6. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Key Topics
The primary objective of this work is to analyze the historical and contemporary influence of the Christian Church on the political landscape of the United States, specifically focusing on the polarizing and ongoing debate regarding abortion policies.
- The intersection of religion and government in the United States.
- The ideological conflict between "Pro-Life" and "Pro-Choice" movements.
- The theological and institutional justifications of the Church regarding the abortion debate.
- The role of the Republican Party and white evangelical voters in shaping abortion legislation.
- The correlation between religious demographics in individual U.S. states and their respective abortion policies.
Excerpt from the Book
5.1 Position of the church on abortion
As life in the eyes of the Roman Catholic Church "involves the creative action of God" Catholic Christians think it is "sacred from conception until death"(Saunders). Intentionally ending an innocent life, even though it's not fully developed yet, is therefore ethically unacceptable. They furthermore argue that only God has the right to decide about life, which is why "no one can under any circumstance claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being"(Saunders ). Due to this point of view, the church is openly criticizing abortion for decades.
But what exactly manifested this perspective? On the one hand, the Jewish roots of Christianity created an opposing position towards abortion. The reason for this is that in the original Jewish faith the suppressing Palestine methods, like sacrificing infants or abortion, had been very present.
Furthermore, the Old Testament is stating that the life in the mother's body is just as sacred as every other life by using the words: "Blessed be the fruit of your womb" and "May you be blessed in your coming in and blessed in your going out" (Saunders). Besides that, the old testament argues that humankind was created from god with the intention of building the leaders of this world during their entire life, from the very beginning to the last second. Another argument many faithful Christians as well as the Church is bringing up is based on the story of Jesus Christ. According to the Bible, God himself had been the Vater of this holy child therefore Jesus was sacred since his conception. Humankind is visualized as sons of God so according to the Bible, every life is sacred from the moment of conception in the eyes of every believing Christian, which is part of the reason why they view abortion as morally unacceptable (Saunders).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction outlines the persistence of the abortion debate in American politics, highlighting the influence of Supreme Court appointments and the stark divide between pro-life and pro-choice perspectives.
2. Place of religion in US politics: This chapter examines the historical foundation of religion in the U.S. and its integration into the political system, despite the constitutional mandate for the separation of church and state.
3. Abortion in the US: This section defines the medical and legal parameters of abortion while analyzing how various states implement vastly different policies based on local political and ideological convictions.
4. Pro-Life vs.Pro-Choice: This chapter dissects the two dominant, contradictory belief systems, exploring how their lack of shared terminology and fundamental moral disagreements fuel the emotional nature of the debate.
5. Church and Abortion: This chapter investigates the theological stance of the Church on abortion and evaluates how religious institutions indirectly influence political decision-making and voter behavior.
6. Conclusion: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, asserting that while a formal separation exists, religious institutions remain a decisive factor in shaping public consensus and political outcomes regarding abortion in the U.S.
Keywords
Abortion, Religion, United States Politics, Pro-Life, Pro-Choice, Christian Church, Evangelicals, Roe v. Wade, Supreme Court, Separation of Church and State, Moral Values, Legislation, Political Activism, Public Opinion, Constitutional Rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the intersection of religion and politics in the United States, specifically exploring how Christian values and religious institutions influence the national debate and legislative policies surrounding abortion.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The central themes include the historical role of religion in U.S. politics, the moral divide between pro-life and pro-choice ideologies, and the strategic relationship between the Republican Party and religious voters.
What is the main objective of the study?
The objective is to understand why the abortion debate is so uniquely pervasive in American politics and to what extent religious influence dictates the legislative outcomes in different U.S. states.
Which methodology is employed in this work?
The author uses a descriptive and analytical approach, synthesizing existing literature, historical context, and demographic data to examine the connection between religious belief and political decision-making.
What is discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body explores the constitutional separation of church and state, defines the pro-life versus pro-choice conflict, details the specific theological arguments against abortion, and analyzes the indirect political power of churches.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include abortion, American politics, pro-life, pro-choice, Christian church, evangelical influence, and state-level policy variations.
How has the historical foundation of the U.S. contributed to the current abortion debate?
The paper argues that the country's early politics bore the imprint of religious backgrounds, and that Christianity remains deeply anchored in the American system, influencing moral values that translate into contemporary political stances.
Does the author suggest that the abortion policy is directly controlled by the church?
The author clarifies that while "dictated" may be too radical a term, the enormous influence of churches on the political process and their role in mobilizing voters cannot be denied.
How do educational institutions play a role in the church's influence?
The author notes that churches gain significant power through educational institutions, which allow them to shape the ideologies of students, who represent the future electorate.
- Quote paper
- Mira Pölzer (Author), 2020, Abortion Controversy and the Influence of the Christian Church. Religion and Politics in the US, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1006674
