Religioners syn på abort? : Hvilken betydning har denne kunnskap for norske leger?

Abstract

What are the religious views on abortion of the Catholic Church, the Sunni Islam and Judaism? And what challenges may arise for a religious doctor if compared with the Norwegian laws on the matter? This has been the student project which I have tried to answer. The main target has been to improve the communication between a religious patient and the doctor. But also a religious doctor’s view has been one of my focuses. Induced abortion is by the Catholic Church not only prohibited, but also seen as a grave sin which may lead to excommunication. The Sunni Islam view is that after 120 days of pregnancy, abortion is prohibited except when the mother’s life is threatened. Before that it’s required a good reason, and the views differ between the religious law schools. Judaism does not recognize a fetus as a person until after conception. Before 40 days of pregnancy, the fetus is considered merely as fluid. The main view of the rabbis is that abortion is prohibited except if the mother’s life or health is threatened. Some rabbis are more liberal and accept abortion of other reasons. The relevant paragraphs of the law are examined and compared with the religious views. Finally the discussion takes on differences and similarities between the religions. Do the laws on the matter match a religious doctor’s point of view? This and other questions are being highlighted in my discussion.