Matters of life and death
KEY WORDS
Resurrection the idea that dead people stay in their grave until they are raised when the world ends
Immortality the idea that the soul lives forever
Paranormal things that can’t be explained like ghosts or mediums (who say they can contact the dead)
Abortion removing an unborn baby from its mothers womb before it can survive on it’s own to end its life
Sanctity of life life is holy and belongs to God
Euthanasia an easy and gentle death
Assisted suicide giving a person the things they need to commit suicide
Voluntary euthanasia when someone who is dying a painful death asks a doctor to kill them
Non-voluntary euthanasia when someone who is dying can’t ask anyone to help them die, but you think that is what they would want (e.g. switching off a life support machine)
BACKGROUND NOTES
Why do some people NOT believe in life after death?
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- When the body dies, how can the brain stay alive?
- No one has definitely come back from the dead
- There isn’t a place where heaven could exist
- There is no evidence for it
Abortion
Abortion is only allowed in the UK if 2 doctors agree that
The mother’s life is at risk
The mother’s mental or physical health is at risk
The baby will be handicapped
Other children already in the family will be affected badly
Abortions can only be carried out before 24 weeks of pregnancy (unless it is life threatening)
People argue about abortion because of when they think life begins:
- Some say it is when the egg is fertilised in the womb
- Some say it is when the baby gets a soul (app 15 wks)
- Some say it is when the baby can survive on it’s own
Euthanasia
It is against the law to help someone end their life so doctors’ are not allowed to commit euthanasia.
They are allowed to switch off life support machines and stop feeding people who don’t have much quality of life and have no chance of recovering.
LIFE AFTER DEATH
Christian Ideas
All Christians believe that there is
some kind of after life.
They believe that heaven will be a reward for the people who have lived good lives on earth.
There are 2 views
1. Some believe in RESURRECTION OF THE BODY-the idea that dead people stay in their graves until they are raised at the end of the world.
They believe this because:
- St Paul teaches this
- Jesus rose from the dead
- It is in the Christian Creeds (statements of belief)
2. Others believe in IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL- the idea that the soul lives forever and goes straight to heaven when you die.
They believe this because:
- Jesus told a criminal he would go straight to heaven after he died.
- They believe in things like ‘near death experiences’
LIFE AFTER DEATH
Muslim Ideas
Muslims believe in
RESURRECTION OF THE BODY-
the idea that dead people stay in their grave until the end of the world (the Last Day).
Then God will raise everyone and judge them on how well they have lived a good Muslim life.
The good will go to heaven and the bad will go to hell.
Muslims believe that life is a test- without a reward or punishment at the end it would not make sense.
They believe this because:
- The Qur’an teaches this.
- The Qur’an is the word of God so it must be true.
ABORTION
Christian Ideas
There are 2 views
- Abortion is always wrong
They believe this because:
- Sanctity of life – life is holy and belongs to God
- God creates babies and stopping it being born is going against God
- Life begins in the womb and ending it is murder
- Abortion is OK in certain situations
They believe this because:
- They don’t believe that life begins in the womb
- Sometimes having an abortion will cause less suffering than having the baby (the lesser of 2 evils)
- Jesus said love was the most important thing
- Christians should try to stop suffering
ABORTION
Muslim Ideas
There are 3 views
- Abortion should never be allowed
They believe this because:
- Sanctity of Life- life is holy and belongs to God
- The Qur’an says people should not kill their children
- Abortion is only allowed if the mothers life is at risk
They believe this because:
- the Shari’ah says the mothers life is more important then the unborn childs
- Abortion is only allowed before 120 days of pregnancy
They believe this because:
- Muslim lawyers say the foetus becomes a child when it is 120 days old
EUTHANASIA
Christian Ideas
All Christians think euthanasia is wrong.
Some Christians believe giving pain killing drugs that will shorten the patient’s life is ok.
Some Christians think it is ok to turn off life support machines if there is no sign of life.
They believe this because:
- God gives life so life can only be taken by God
- The 6th commandment says “Do not murder”
- The Bible says only God decides if someone dies
- Doctors should save lives not end them
Muslim Ideas
Muslims do not agree with euthanasia.
They believe this because:
- The Qur’an bans suicide and says no one can die without God’s permission
- Muhammad said a Muslim soldier who committed suicide when he was dying a painful death on the battlefield would not be allowed into heaven
- Muslims believe committing suicide is cheating the test of life
Muslims do allow life support machines to be turned off if there are no signs of life