Technically speaking, no woman has entirely that right even now, since doctor's consent must be given in order to permit a legal abortion even at the earliest stage.



I agree entirely on this.

But in a secular state laws ought not to be framed on religious basis. The only large group of people I know of who want abortion abolished are people who take a particular religious rather than ethical view. In that sense I don't think its right to say their ethics are influenced by their religion because they aren't expressing an ethical view but a religious one.

Isn't it more the case (as with gay marriage and whatnot) that these people have a view, then they look (very selectively) for scripture to justify their views, rather than the other way around. I mean, you don't see these same people campaigning to ban shellfish or mixed-fibre clothing, do you?

Granted you wouldn't make law purely on the basis of what it says in a holy book but I'm not sure how you could avoid/prevent a person's religious views influencing their ethical outlook.


Whilst I wouldn't claim that to be the case universally, I do believe it is very often as you say.
Indeed, how many times have we seen it on this very forum where people can't back up their unthinking prejudice with a real reason.