[BenKenobi]

“I am reading something that seems to suggest that the RCC hasn’t always held the stance on abortion that she does today. Seems she has changed her mind often through the years.”

Well, the Didache teaches the following:

“And the second commandment of the Teaching; You shall not commit murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not commit pederasty, you shall not commit fornication, you shall not steal, you shall not practice magic, you shall not practice witchcraft, you shall not murder a child by abortion nor kill that which is born.”

Didache was written around the time of the first century. It was known to Eusebius and was cited by the early church fathers.

Abortion has always been banned by the Catholic church. The debate has been, “when does pregnancy begin”? “when does personhood begin”? “when does the unborn child go from being part of the mother to being an independent entity.”

As you’ve noted, Aristotle’s understanding was the best science at the time. We’re talking about a time when they knew very little about the body, and even less about pregnancy.

As technology has progressed and demonstrated that Aristotle was wrong, the doctrine has changed to reflect this greater understanding of the unborn child.

As you’ve noted, this was a significant scientific debate, one that wasn’t set to conception, (because conception wasn’t properly understood), until then.

Even so, the debate was never that abortion was permissible, only over when pregnancy begins and how it works. Do note that by the early 16th century, it was set to 40 days, and no later, IOW all abortion after 40 days was banned outright.

[smvoice]

IOW, abortions BEFORE the 40 day cut-off were NOT BANNED. And therefore could be considered a form of contraception.?

[presently no screen name]

Didache was written around the time of the first century. It was known to Eusebius and was cited by the early church fathers.....Abortion has always been banned by the Catholic church. The debate has been, “when does pregnancy begin”? “when does personhood begin”? “

The result of not believing God's Word is The Final Authority.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." Jer 1:5

"For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:13-16

Catholicsm - relying on science to teach them - relying on 'man' for truth. While ignoring It Is Written.

Do you get it now? We left the RCC because God's Word is the ONLY TRUTH.

[metmom]

Excuses, excuses......