WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? 7

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?

Session 7: Conversations about Ethics

1. Abortion and Contraception

► Catholics: Sanctity of Life

 The conservative Christian position is that life begins at conception.

 To eject any life form from the womb at any point of pregnancy is homicide.

 Pregnancy arising from incest or rape has no bearing on the quality of a potential life.

 The lone exception is a mother requiring an urgent life-or-death procedure.

 The use of contraception is equal to abortion - both being seen as a "culture of death". Condoms are permitted for couples if one partner is HIV positive.

► Orthodox: Sanctity of Life

 Orthodox Christians may never destroy human life in any form.

 At no time may they secure an abortion, assist another in obtaining one, or support causes which promote abortion as a right of the parents.

 In the case of rape or incest, the Church does not accept the idea of abortion as a solution to the problem because there is an alternative of adoption.

 Different opinions exist within the Orthodox Church regarding the question of birth control and contraception.

► Protestants: Varied Positions on Abortion, Yes to Contraception

 Most Protestant denominations are against abortion. Some of these denominations make exceptions for abortion performed to save the life of the mother, and in cases of pregnancy as a result of rape or incest. The more liberal Protestants (particularly Western Mainliners) are generally pro-choice.

 Contraception is almost always permitted.

2. Divorce and Remarriage

► Catholics: Marriage is Indissoluble

 Divorce is a grave offense against the natural law.

 Remarriage adds to the gravity of the rupture: permanent adultery.

 Divorce is immoral also because it introduces disorder into family and society.

 The separation of spouses while maintaining the marriage bond can be legitimate in certain cases provided for by canon law.

 In certain cases, civil divorce for ensuring certain legal rights can be tolerated.

► Orthodox: Divorce and Remarriage Permitted

 Divorce is permitted within the Church and remarriage may be allowed.

 The Church is compassionate as regards situations where two people can no longer live peacefully or provide children with a nurturing home life.

► Protestants: Varied Positions

 Marriage is a union between a man and a woman, which is ordained by God.

 Divorce is permissible, if at all, only in very specific circumstances. But divorce is seen as a more serious issue among conservative Protestants.

 For the more liberal Protestants, remarriage following a divorce is acceptable, but not for conservative Protestants.

3. Homosexuality

► Catholics: Acts of Depravity

 Homosexual acts are contrary to the natural law.

 Homosexual persons are called to chastity.

 Homosexuals must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity.

► Orthodox: Contradicts Moral Law

 Homosexuality is forbidden by the Church as contrary to moral law.

 But we must never withhold our love for those who struggle with it.

 Sexual intercourse is to be protected as a sacred expression of love within the context monogamous marriage given for human sanctification.

► Protestants: Varied Positions

 Conservative Protestants are against same-sex unions and see them as a perversion of the natural order of human relationships.

 Liberal Protestants have varied views on such unions. Some will bless same-sex unions in the church, and some even ordain homosexuals as ministers.

4. Active and Passive Euthanasia

► Catholics: Sanctity of Life & Human Dignity

 Preservation of life by any artificial means (e.g. feeding tubes) is obligatory.

 A patient in a "permanent vegetative state" is a person with fundamental human dignity and must receive ordinary and proportionate care.

 When inevitable death is imminent, it is permitted in conscience to take the decision to refuse forms of treatment.

► Orthodox: Sanctity of Life

 Euthanasia is murder. Life must be protected as a sacred gift from God.

 We trust in God to care for us in good times and in bad. To take one's life is to show contempt for God, as a Father, who cares for us with an infinite love.

 Personal suffering has a place in life. Adversities are for our spiritual benefit.

 Like the Catholic position, Orthodox can decide to not use extraordinary means to maintain life in those instances when a person is hopelessly ill.

► Protestants: Quality of Life

 Conservative Protestants believe in the sanctity of life and often have less exceptions than the Catholic position does.

 While liberal Protestants are largely opposed to euthanasia, many advocates (e.g., Joseph Fletcher) and activists have been Protestant clergy and laity.

 Some liberal Protestant denominations support limited forms of euthanasia.

 In the final analysis, one major factor in Protestant life ethics is quality of life.

5. Complexity of the Modern World

► Besides these ethical issues which have been discussed, the modern world presents us daily with many other practical choices to be made about popular culture, marginalised people, environmental concerns, etc.

► One challenge we face is that of forming young people to become a responsible humanity, to see themselves as participants in the Kingdom of God, and to make correct choices in a complex world.

► We must raise them to be godly, and to be able to think and feel with the Church.