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Anti-abortion feelings declining – poll Anti-abortion feelings declining – poll
(35 minutes later)
Anti-abortion sentiment in Britain is declining, according to a YouGov poll which also found that support for keeping or even relaxing the current 24-week limit on terminations is on the rise.Anti-abortion sentiment in Britain is declining, according to a YouGov poll which also found that support for keeping or even relaxing the current 24-week limit on terminations is on the rise.
The percentage of the population wanting a ban on abortion has fallen from 12% in 2005 to 7% today, the survey found. In contrast, support for keeping the current limit on terminations has risen by about one third to a clear majority (57%) among those who expressed a view. The percentage of the population wanting a ban on abortion has fallen from 12% in 2005 to 7%, the survey found. Support for keeping the current limit on terminations has risen by about one third to a clear majority (57%) among those who expressed a view.
The survey for the Westminster Faith debates, a series of events designed to bring academic research into public debate, also found that there was no marked difference between the views of people with religious affiliations and everybody else. The survey for the Westminster Faith debates, a series of events designed to bring academic research into public debate, found there was no marked difference between the views of people with religious affiliations and everybody else.
Among those identifying with a religion, 43% were in favour of keeping or raising the 24-week limit, compared with 46% of the general population. Thirty percent wanted to see it lowered (compared with 28% while 9% supported a ban (compared with 7%).Among those identifying with a religion, 43% were in favour of keeping or raising the 24-week limit, compared with 46% of the general population. Thirty percent wanted to see it lowered (compared with 28% while 9% supported a ban (compared with 7%).
Factors such as gender, age and voting preference did not make much difference to attitudes on abortion. People who were most likely to be hostile towards it were those who believe in God with most certainty, rely most strongly on scripture or religious teaching for guidance, and whose religion has a strong anti-abortion message. Only 8% of the population fits this profile, according to the research, and one third of this 8% support a ban on abortion.Factors such as gender, age and voting preference did not make much difference to attitudes on abortion. People who were most likely to be hostile towards it were those who believe in God with most certainty, rely most strongly on scripture or religious teaching for guidance, and whose religion has a strong anti-abortion message. Only 8% of the population fits this profile, according to the research, and one third of this 8% support a ban on abortion.
Of the religious people who were surveyed, Catholics, Muslims and Baptists are the most hostile to abortion, but only half said that they wanted to see the law changed.Of the religious people who were surveyed, Catholics, Muslims and Baptists are the most hostile to abortion, but only half said that they wanted to see the law changed.
Although the Catholic church teaches that abortion is always wrong, just 14% of Catholics supported a ban, while 33%would like to see the 24-week limit lowered. Among Muslims, 30% supported a ban while 16% would like to see the 24-week limit lowered.Although the Catholic church teaches that abortion is always wrong, just 14% of Catholics supported a ban, while 33%would like to see the 24-week limit lowered. Among Muslims, 30% supported a ban while 16% would like to see the 24-week limit lowered.
In other findings, 44% of those polled believe that human life begins at conception, but most of this group believe that abortion should be legal.In other findings, 44% of those polled believe that human life begins at conception, but most of this group believe that abortion should be legal.
Linda Woodhead, a professor in the department of politics, philosophy and religion at Lancaster university and an organiser of the Westminster debates, said the main finding was that the numbers of those opposed to abortion were "tiny".Linda Woodhead, a professor in the department of politics, philosophy and religion at Lancaster university and an organiser of the Westminster debates, said the main finding was that the numbers of those opposed to abortion were "tiny".
"The second finding is that it's really only religious people who are seeking to ban abortion, yet even within that group the numbers who want a ban are quite small," she said."The second finding is that it's really only religious people who are seeking to ban abortion, yet even within that group the numbers who want a ban are quite small," she said.
"The impression one gets from many religious leaders and spokespeople is that most religious people are opposed to the liberalising trend in society. That is just not true and statistics like this give the lie to that view.""The impression one gets from many religious leaders and spokespeople is that most religious people are opposed to the liberalising trend in society. That is just not true and statistics like this give the lie to that view."
She added that the poll found that when it came to guidance about abortion, most people, including religious people, rely on their own judgment or feelings, or the advice of family and friends. She said the poll found that when it came to guidance about abortion, most people, including religious people, rely on their own judgment or feelings, or the advice of family and friends.