Myth-Busting Monday: Do religious people have abortions?

Every Monday EFC busts myths and takes names, cutting through the misinformation, disinformation, and straight up nonsense to bring you the facts.

Women from every community around the world have abortions. About 4 million abortions are carried out in Latin America each year, despite the fact that the vast majority of the region is Roman Catholic. A woman’s faith, the legality of abortion and her community’s beliefs about abortion may feed into the decision-making process. However, women may also need to weigh up their own feelings, consider their material circumstances and the impact continuing this pregnancy would have on their lives and the lives of those around them. Sometimes these practical considerations outweigh religious ones and women choose abortion in spite of their religion.

Myth-Busting Monday: Do all religions oppose abortion?

Every Monday EFC busts myths and takes names, cutting through the misinformation, disinformation, and straight up nonsense to bring you the facts.

Only the Catholic Church and some evangelical Christian churches oppose abortion in all circumstances. Most religions allow for some circumstances under which an abortion might be acceptable, for example to save a woman’s life.  Many religions, including Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and the Church of England, arguably allow for abortion under some circumstances – some stricter than others. Many other religions and ethical systems, for example humanism, believe that the women herself is the only person who can weigh up her beliefs and circumstances to come to the right decision.  Despite religious doctrines, religious individuals also vary widely in their beliefs.  For example, Catholics for Choice is an organisation for Roman Catholics who are pro-contraception and pro-choice, despite the teachings of the Church.  For more on religion and abortion, visit the EFC website.