Christianity and Islam on abortion

Interesting post Keltoi.
Its true that in christian world, true christians dont vote for those who support legalizing abortion or legalizing homosexual relationships. Evangelical christians in USA are active in pro life movements and catholics bishops say not to vote on those who support anti christian things. John Kerry was even threatened not to get comunion for his abortion stance.
Meanwhile muslims especially in Europe are somehow forced to vote on those who support abortion (as well as homo marriages). Muslims in old continent vote mostly for those who arent harsh on immigration and multiculturalism, which is ussually Left. the right doesnt support legalizing abortion, but they are in same time more critical to immigration, and even called as islamophobes. Thats why muslims ussually vote for "lesser evil", like they did in last London elections, choosing massivly Ken Livingstone, gay and lesbian enthusiast and feminist supporter.

format_quote Originally Posted by Serving Islam

Bismillah: Assalamo Alikum.



abortion is not allowed in Islam unless it is a matter of rape and incest, and if the pregnancy would threaten the life of the mother. other than the above mentioned cases, abortion is not permitted in Islam. Allah said:

Kill not your children for fear of want: We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you. Verily the killing of them is a great sin Qur'an 17:31

I hope this answers your question.

Salam
Serving Islam.

So how important is the issue on a political level? Would you vote for a candidate who supported abortion rights?

format_quote Originally Posted by Keltoi

So how important is the issue on a political level? Would you vote for a candidate who supported abortion rights?

Wow, I didn't think that far, but then again I don't vote.

format_quote Originally Posted by Da'watul-Allaah

Wow, I didn't think that far, but then again I don't vote.

Do you not vote because you are too young or because you simply choose not to vote?

I know many Muslims choose not to vote.

format_quote Originally Posted by Keltoi

Do you not vote because you are too young or because you simply choose not to vote?

I know many Muslims choose not to vote.

I choose to vote and then something comes up... Why don't they vote?

Hmm...

format_quote Originally Posted by Da'watul-Allaah

I choose to vote and then something comes up... Why don't they vote?

Hmm...

Yeah, I've been known to miss a few votes for the same reason.

format_quote Originally Posted by Pygoscelis

Related question: Where in the bible does it forbid abortion? I know it says "thou shalt not murder" but is there anything more specific to abortion?

Obviously abortion has always existed in one form or another, usually done by herbal means in the ancient world. While the Bible does not directly make use of the term "abortion" or the practice of killing an unborn child, there is enough information in the Bible to understand abortion is not God's will.

(Jeremiah 1:4-5) “Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying: ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you"

(Isaiah 49:1) “Listen, O coastlands, to me, and take heed, you peoples from afar! The Lord has called me from the womb; from the matrix of my mother He has made mention of my name”

These verses and others, from a Christian point of view, clearly show that human life, even while in development in the womb, is sacred.

format_quote Originally Posted by Serving Islam

Bismillah: Assalamo Alikum.



How about the life of the mother? Isn’t sacred too? So why should we not abort a fetus that has not come to life yet and let the mother die who could produce more children in the future??? I mean who gives the right to the mother to kill herself to save a child while her entire life is not belongs to her???

Do you mean to say that abortion in all cases is prohibited in Christianity?

Salam
Serving Islam.

All life is sacred. Your scenario about a mother's life being in danger if the pregnancy is carried through is one of those difficult ethical questions. Personally I believe the procedure of abortion should be an option in that situation. The primary concern for Christians, and I would hope Muslims as well, is the use of abortion as a form of birth control. The termination of unwanted pregnancy. Threats to the life of the mother make up a very small percentage of abortion cases. I don't think many Christians would blame the mother in those situations for choosing abortion over death.

Abortion is wrong. A life is a life. There's plenty of people that can't have kids, that would do anything to be blessed with a child.

format_quote Originally Posted by Whatsthepoint

Keltoi, do protestants condone contraception?

Most Protestant denominations don't have a major concern with family planning. Meaning methods to prevent fertilization. The Catholic Church rejects birth control by any method of course. The issue for Protestants is what happens to the fetus(which to a Christian IS a child) after fertilization.

To answer Keltoi's question, I don't think that there are Islamic AND laïc countries. Since they use the Chari'aa in their ruling, abortion is considered as illegal and anyone who practises this act is susceptible to be punished by the law.
Since abortion is the result of some taboos such as zinah, adultery and incest, it's very rare to hear leaders give opinions about it.

format_quote Originally Posted by AntiKarateKid

Timeout, see heres the problem with the Muslims answering so quickly on this thread.

I read a completely different answer than simply it is not allowed. There is a specific timetable for when it is allowed i believe. A point is mentioned int he Quran where the child gets it soul, before that it is permissible, after that is murder. There are other rules regarding this as it isnt so simple, this is simply off the top of my head.

So please, if you would like to know about abortion in Islam, please seek out scholars opinions and NOT random people on a forum. This is assuming your search is serious.

I wasn't so much looking for a religious ruling. I was more interested in individual Muslim perspectives on the issue, how important the issue is for them, and what if any impact it has on their political choices.

format_quote Originally Posted by Keltoi

I wasn't so much looking for a religious ruling. I was more interested in individual Muslim perspectives on the issue, how important the issue is for them, and what if any impact it has on their political choices.

Keep in mind that individuals here may be speaking without knowledge of their religion. What matters is what the religion we believe in says, not our own opinions because they are subject to error and bias. God gives us truth, we follow it.

I may think today that during prayer we should be allowed to talk and joke etc but tomorrow when I read the words of scholars who have proof that Allah has forbidden such a thing from the Quran/hadith, i abandon it. Take what you hear here about Islam with a grain of salt until you see its proof.