Catechism G1 - 8, and Religion G9 - 12 were required in my private Catholic school education. I stopped 'believing' at age 14. Debate in class of 40 boys taught by Xaverian brother: "Should priests be allowed to marry?" with I and four others in favor, was first inkling that most others thought differently. Was dating the daughter of the pastor of All Soul's Unitarian Church at the time . . . In truth, belief in the Resurrection had been become a problem before that. (If he was seen walking around, was physically touched/examined, more believable that he didn't die . . . got married, relocated to Italy, etc.)Malcolm wrote: ↑Sun May 16, 2021 3:40 pm . . . Buddhists should not get all worked up about abortion the way Christians do, because we accept rebirth and karma, and they do not. They use language like "a new life," "innocence," etc., because they have a one and done view of birth. One is only born once, with a soul given to one by God, and when one dies one ultimately goes either to heaven or hell forever.
I am of the so-called one-and-done view. (Extra motivation to be 'fully alive'.) Except: I believe a type of rebirth occurs moment-to-moment, if one realizes it. As Goethe wrote: "So long as you do not know how to die and be reborn, you are but a sorry traveler on this dark earth", which I interpret as being in line with my belief.
In school (early 60's), we never heard 'one-and-done'. Abortion was a mortal sin. Murder.
In college my girlfriend went off the pill during the summer while we were apart, but did not go back on after returning to school, and did not tell me. Pregnancy ensued as did an abortion, and I have private personal feelings about both still. I am late to this thread, but I believe that 1. ability of the fetus to experience physical pain, and/or 2. ability to experience consciousness, are the criteria where a line may be drawn.