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Author(s): Abraham Olutoye Odeleye (Ph.D.).

Volume/Issue: Volume 9, Issue 2 (2026)

Page No: 42-51

Journal: African Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Research (AJSSHR)

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Abstract:

Life is a gift from God to humanity, and it must be preserved. The life of human beings begins at conception and develops through different stages before birth. When life is terminated in the womb, it is called abortion. The sanctity of life is a major tenet in Christianity that influences attitudes towards abortion and the attached moral responsibility that comes to bear. Despite the prevailing belief in the sanctity of life, there are youth who are struggling with the complexities surrounding unplanned pregnancies, often influenced by cultural, societal, and family factors. Stigmatization, shame, alienation, parenting pressure, and economic pressure are consequences of an unplanned pregnancy, which may bring about abortion. The work is analytical in nature, and the author employs a qualitative and persuasive approach that involves a combination of literature review, biblical analysis, and bioethical issues to address the subject of discussion. Abortion can come through health challenges of the mother or fetus, but the abortion that is under investigation is an elective abortion, which is intentional as a result of one reason or another. This paper argues that a comprehensive bioethical analysis of abortion among youth in the church in Nigeria is essential for understanding its complex moral problems. The gospel ministers have critical moral responsibilities of emphasizing the sanctity of life, human dignity and integrity, sexual ethics, youth moral responsibility, intentional and relational parenting, forgiveness and healing, and provision of counseling services to curtail the menace of elective abortion among the church youth.

Keywords:

Abortion, Bioethical Analysis, Youth, Church, Gospel Ministers.

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