Abortion in Judaism, Christianity and Islam

According to researches, abortion seems less common among women with strong beliefs. Our purpose on this study is to give information about abortion in Judaism, Christianity and Islam as much as we can. Abortion is to throw the undeveloped and uncompleted embryo or fetus out of the womb by doctor and another one before its time. With another expression abortion is termination of unwanted pregnancy before its time. Abortion is an English word but origin of it is curtage in France and ichad ( ？？？？？ ) in Arabic. Actually abortion is a medical /surgical practice. It has been practiced since early time as preventive measure of birth. There is phrase regarding to abortion in Hippocratic Oath which has been sworn since Socrates; so this is proof that abortion has been practiced since early time. Abortion is practiced in Turkey as in all countries of the world. There are different reasons for abortion, such as number of children, gender discrimination, economical problem, woman’s work, changing of life style and deterioration of woman’s aesthetic etc. The question of whether abortion is within the sphere of freedom of the woman, or that she completely takes over the rights of another entity has been debated. In the present day, abortion is accepted as maternal preference until a certain period of pregnancy through legal regulations in many countries, but after a certain period, the right to life of the fetus is considered. However, abortion is destruction the life of another one. Therefore, abortion has been discussed religiously, legally and morally. The main point of these discussions is when the embryo or fetus is biologically alive. Holly books of Judaism, Christianity and Islam don’t say anything directly about the problem of contraception and abortion; however, the decision regarding to abortion is given on the basis of the value attributed to the mankind. According to Judaism and Christianity, God created mankind in His own image. Therefore, man is very important and killing him/her is forbidden. One of the commandments that are the basis of Judaism and also accepted as “Noah Laws” that is not to kill. There are a lot of expression about not to kill innocent and righteous human in holly books of Judaism, and Christianity and Islam. All of these expression have been associated with abortion in terms of killing. At the same time, abortion is an obstacle for reproduction. Whereas the marriage and reproduction have been centered in Jewish scripture. Also a child was regarded as God’s gift because of the continuity of generation and sweetness and so the