Opinions on abortion differ between religions

• For decades, the anti-abortion movement has been fueled by Christian leaders, who say life begins at conception.
• Judaism and Islam prioritize the life of the mother and support abortion.
• About 49% of Americans said abortion should be “legal and accessible,” according to a poll in April.

When does life begin? This is the central disagreement that fuels the half-century debate over abortion rights in the United States.

For many Americans, the answer lies in their faith. The problem is that three of the biggest religions in America disagree.

Because Christian teachings state that life begins at conception, different denominations such as Catholicism and Southern Baptists oppose abortion. Meanwhile, Judaism and Islam prioritize the life of the mother and support abortion.