Daniel Beck_Week 8_ Final Essay
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Week 8 Assignment: Final Essay
Daniel Beck
College of Arts & Sciences, Regent University
GENE 250:
The Making of the Christian Life
Dr. Michael L. Davis
10/10/2023
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Week 8 Assignment: Final Essay
A woman who has learned that her unborn child is suspected of having Down syndrome
and is considering an abortion is facing a difficult decision. She already has three small children,
and she feels the strain of having a child with special needs would be more than she could bear.
This complex issue raises questions about the Bible, morality, and utilitarianism. The decision to
terminate a pregnancy is an overwhelmingly personal one, and it is vital to consider all the
factors involved. While some people believe that it is biblically and morally wrong to terminate a
pregnancy due to a Down syndrome diagnosis, others argue that it is a woman’s right to choose.
They may also use utilitarian reasoning to support their argument. In this essay, I will explore the
arguments for and against terminating a pregnancy due to a Down syndrome diagnosis. I will
explore both religious and secular perspectives, as well as utilitarian reasoning. Ultimately, I will
argue that terminating a pregnancy due to a diagnosis of Down syndrome is the wrong decision
from all perspectives.
Biblical Reasons
The woman’s unborn child having Down syndrome is undoubtedly not good news. The
Bible's first book clarifies that humans are made in the image of God (
English Standard Version
,
2020, Genesis 1:27). This verse highlights God’s love for humanity by emphasizing our inherent
worth and equality as human beings, deserving of love and respect. Humans are to reflect that
love and respect towards one another with the last six of the Ten Commandments, which
“concerns our relationships with one another” (Ryken, 2010, p. 15).
The most apparent commandment that would be broken if she had the abortion would be
“you shall not murder” (
English Standard Version
, 2020, Exodus 20:13). Abortion is a direct
attack on the life of an innocent human being. It violates the right to life that every human being
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possesses from the moment of conception. The woman’s fear does not justify the taking of an
innocent life. The unborn child is still a human being with dignity and worth, and that child
deserves to be protected and cherished just like any other human. The woman is responsible for
caring for her children, including those in her womb, and providing them with the love and
support they need to thrive. Abortion would be a violation of the Fifth Commandment because it
would be the intentional killing of an innocent human being, and it would be an injustice against
the child in the womb. Instead of resorting to abortion, the woman should seek out resources and
support to help her care for her child. Inclusively, she should trust that God will give her the
strength and peace to face the challenges ahead.
The pregnant woman is in an apparent predicament between potential hardship and taking
the easy way out with an abortion. The Fifth Commandment is a “perfect, negative duty, or moral
absolutes”
(Regent University, 2023). The perfect duty of this moral absolute means that the duty
must always be followed no matter the circumstance. Also, the negative part of this moral
absolute is the Fifth Commandment, “You shall not murder” (
English Standard Version
, 2020,
Exodus 20:13).
Non-Biblical Reason
Moral law is a set of principles that guide our actions and decisions. It is essential to
consider the moral implications of abortion before deciding to go through with an abortion.
Natural law is within the Moral law and is the primary focus. Natural law is “written on the
hearts of humans” (Regent University, 2023b). In this case, why is murder wrong? How do you
know it is wrong? It is not something that is taught but rather just known by instincts. Regarding
the pregnant woman who is considering an abortion because of a Down syndrome diagnosis, she
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is going against the Natural law of what is normal for humans because “the law in nature
commands whatever conserves human life and opposes death” (Aquinas, 1989, p. 287).
It is morally wrong to terminate a pregnancy because it denies the unborn child the right
to life. The unborn child is a human being with a future that is cut short by an abortion. The lack
of justice for the unborn child is a tragedy that cannot be ignored. It is essential to consider the
ethical implications of abortion and work toward a society that values the sanctity of life. When
the child is deceased because of the abortion, that child will never be able to seek justice on its
behalf.
Utilitarian Reasoning
The pregnant woman diagnosed with a Down syndrome unborn child who is considering
an abortion could be addressed with utilitarian reasoning. “Utilitarianism is both a system of
ethics and a method of moral reasoning, which many people find attractive” (Regent University,
2023c). The pregnant woman could decide to terminate the pregnancy because of her three small
children and not have to worry about suffering more than she could bear by having a special
needs child. Terminating the pregnancy would allow the woman to live an everyday life.
On the contrary, the situation could be addressed in a different way with utilitarianism.
The pregnant woman could keep the child and have resources and help lined up before the birth
to help with childcare with the kids who do not have a mental illness. On this path, the woman
would not break the Fifth Commandment, would be able to love and care for the child, and
would not have so much stress on her. The idea of utilitarianism is that there is something that is
sacrificed for a benefit. Both situations would address how she could use utilitarianism for her
situation. In the first situation, the pregnancy would be terminated for the benefit of not having
so much stress with the other three children. In the second situation, the pregnant woman would
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be giving up time with her other children as childcare of some form would be keeping the other
three kids so that she could keep the Down syndrome child and give the child the love and care it
needs until she could adjust to the new lifestyle of having a special needs child.
Counter Arguments and Response
Pro-choice advocates argue that women should have the right to make decisions about
their bodies. They believe that the government should not have the power to dictate what a
woman can or cannot do with her body. They also argue that making abortion illegal would not
stop women from seeking abortions but would only make it more dangerous for them. However,
taking an innocent baby’s life because they cannot speak or stand up for themselves is taking
away their rights, and that should not be done either, so someone must speak on their behalf.
Conclusion
I have argued that terminating a pregnancy due to a diagnosis of Down syndrome is the
wrong decision from all perspectives.
Even though the concern raises questions about the Bible,
morality, and utilitarianism, the right to life is a fundamental human right that should not be
violated. Terminating a pregnancy due to a diagnosis of Down syndrome violates the right to life
that every human being possesses from the moment of conception. Therefore, it is essential to
respect the inherent worth and dignity of every human being, regardless of their abilities or
disabilities.
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References
Aquinas, T. (1989).
Summa Theologiae: A Concise Translation
. Christian Classics Inc.
https://regent.instructure.com/courses/5532/pages/week-2-study-aquinas-reading?
module_item_id=288903
English Standard Version
. (2020). Bible Gateway.
https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/English-Standard-Version-ESV-Bible/
Regent University. (2023a, June 30).
Perfect and Imperfect Duties: A Brief Introduction
. CAS - Central
Authentication Service. Retrieved November 7, 2023, from
https://regent.instructure.com/courses/5532/files/1075867/download?wrap=1
Regent University. (2023b, June 30).
The Moral Law and Natural Law
. CAS - Central Authentication
Service. Retrieved December 5, 2023, from
https://regent.instructure.com/courses/5532/pages/week-2-study-the-moral-law-and-natural-law?
module_item_id=288909
Regent University. (2023c, June 30).
The Problems of Utilitarianism
. CAS - Central Authentication
Service. Retrieved December 6, 2023, from
https://regent.instructure.com/courses/5532/pages/week-2-study-utilitarianism-reading?
module_item_id=288885
Ryken, P. G. (2010).
Written in Stone: The Ten Commandments and Today’s Moral Crisis
. P & R
Publishing.
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