May 28, 2024
Religion and Controversy: When Does Life Begin? Abortion and Contraceptives: A questão do início da vida é um tema que mistura filosofia e ciência, sendo debatido desde os primórdios da humanidade. A vida começa na concepção, no nascimento, ou em algum momento intermediário? Com a introdução da religião nessa discussão, o ingrediente da fé influencia as interpretações e as implicações morais e comportamentais impostas aos seguidores. A questão central é o momento em que a “alma” é concedida ao novo ser, mas as interpretações variam dentro do cristianismo e entre outras religiões importantes.
Especialistas foram consultados para trazer os entendimentos da Igreja Católica Apostólica Romana, igrejas cristãs protestantes e evangélicas, religiosidades indígenas e de matriz africana, espiritismo kardecista, judaísmo e islamismo. A partir desses entendimentos, cada credo traça suas normas morais para questões como sexo não reprodutivo, métodos contraceptivos, aborto e relações homoafetivas.
Catholic Church
According to Francisco Borba Ribeiro Neto, former coordinator of the Faith and Culture Center at PUC-SP, the concept of the origin of life in Catholicism has evolved with knowledge about fetal biology. Initially, it was believed that the soul was not incorporated into the fetus at conception, but with scientific advances, the Church has come to believe that the soul is infused at the moment of conception. This underpins the Church's condemnation of abortion, which sees conception as the beginning of a new life.
The Catholic Church allows natural contraceptive methods that monitor the female reproductive cycle, but condemns condoms, IUDs, contraceptive pills, tubal ligation and vasectomy, because these methods prevent God's free action. Non-reproductive sex is accepted for its unitive value, but it must be open to reproduction. Same-sex relationships are not accepted because they cannot generate children naturally.
Protestant and Evangelical Churches
Gerson Leite de Moraes, a professor at Mackenzie Presbyterian University, says that Protestant and evangelical Christianity, like Catholicism, believes that life begins at conception. A Bible é a principal fonte de orientação, especialmente o Salmo 139, que sugere que Deus conhece a pessoa antes de sua existência física.
Protestants are generally more open to the use of contraceptive methods, as long as it is within marriage, which is seen as a union blessed by God. Traditionally, abortion is condemned, but the right to choose is respected in cases of violence, risk to the life of the pregnant woman or fetal malformation. However, the rise of fundamentalist evangelical groups has led to a stricter stance against abortion.
Judaism
Rabbi Theo Hotz explains that, according to Jewish law, human life begins at birth. The fetus is considered potential life until it starts breathing after birth. However, Kabbalah suggests that life begins in the fourth month of pregnancy. Abortion is not fundamentally forbidden, but neither is it encouraged. Cases of risk to the mother or low viability of fetal life are accepted grounds for abortion. Contraceptive methods are analyzed on a case-by-case basis, but are generally not recommended.
Islam
For Islam, life begins 120 days after conception, according to the Koran. Before that time, abortion isn't so forbidden, but it is still avoided. Contraceptive methods are accepted, except permanent ones such as tubal ligation and vasectomy. At the time of prophet Maomé, já se praticava o coito interrompido.
Kardecist Spiritism
Célia da Graça Arribas, a professor at UFJF, explains that Kardec spiritism, being reincarnationist, sees the soul as immortal and life as a continuous evolution. Abortion is generally condemned because it interrupts the reincarnation of a spirit. Contraceptive methods are accepted, except for the IUD, which does not prevent fertilization and is seen as an impediment to the reincarnating spirit.
Indigenous Peoples
Giovani José da Silva, a professor at Unifap, points out that beliefs about the beginning of life vary among indigenous peoples, often influenced by Christian precepts. Some communities accept abortion and contraceptive methods without taboos, while others are more influenced by Christian moralism.
Candomblé
Rodney William Eugênio explains that in candomblé there are no moral impediments to abortion or contraception. Life begins before birth, with each person choosing their destiny in the spirit world before they are born. The termination of a pregnancy is seen as part of the destiny determined in the spiritual world, without moral condemnation.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/portuguese/articles/c4nn9r10w32o
