3.2 Matters of life and death Flashcards
1
Q
Abortion- controversy
A
- Differing opinions of when life begins
- Is it the mother’s right to chose or the baby’s right to live?
- Limit is 24 weeks but babies were born earlier and survived
2
Q
Abortion- for
A
- Legal in UK if:
- Mother’s life is at risk
- Risk of injury to mother’s physical or mental health
- Risk to an existing child
- Substantial risk the baby may be born handicapped
- Saves a child from feeling unwanted
3
Q
Abortion- against
A
- Everyone has a right for life
- Where do we draw the line if abortion is acceptable?
- The child could be adopted and given a chance at life
4
Q
Abortion- Catholic view
A
- All life is sacred
- Aborting babies due to disabilities is prejudice
- Catholics believe life begins at conception
- “Thou shall not murder”
- “You yourselves are God’s temple”
- “God created mankind in his own image”
- Doctrine of double affect means if the foetus is terminated as a consequence of another action it is permitted e.g. chemotherapy
5
Q
Abortion- Liberal view
A
- Jesus taught Christians to love their neighbour, and it might be the most loving thing to do
- People kill at war so if the sanctity of life is broken then, why not at abortion as well
- Life begins when the baby is viable, so it’s not killing it
- If abortion was illegal, rich women would go abroad and poor women would risk their lives in back-street abortions
6
Q
Euthanasia- for
A
- It puts an end to pain
- It frees up a hospital bed or life support machine
- Provides control over death
- Their life, so their right to chose
7
Q
Euthanasia- against
A
- Diagnosis may be wrong
- Family could pressure them into it
- Doctors save lives, not end them
- People may change their minds when it is too late
8
Q
Euthanasia- Catholic view against
A
- Sanctity of life
- CCC says “the use of painkillers to alleviate the suffering of the dying, even at the risk of shortening their days, can be moral”
- “Thou shall not murder”
- Life becomes devalued
9
Q
Euthanasia- Catholic view for
A
- Jesus taught Christians to love their neighbour, and it might be the most loving thing to do
- Choosing uses free will that God gave us
- Should be able to die with dignity
10
Q
Life after death- why Catholics believe
A
- Jesus was resurrected from the dead
- The creed says “I believe in the resurrection of the body and life everlasting
- Jesus told robber next to him on the cross he would be with him in paradise
11
Q
Life after death- what and how this affects Catholics
A
- Judgement- want to do what is right and will repent
- Sin prevents getting into heaven- follow Ten Commandments
- Life after death- gives life purpose and meaning
- Sheep and goats- want to be better than your neighbours
12
Q
Life after death- non religious for
A
- Near death experiences- light and the end of a tunnel
- Paranormal- beyond scientific explanations
- Reincarnation- some people have memories of previous lives
13
Q
Life after death- against
A
- So many ideas about life after death, they can’t all be right
- Only evidence is holy books, and if you don’t believe in them, there is no proof
- No material place for life after death to take place
- Could have just been brought up not to believe in it
14
Q
Media criticism on religion- for
A
- Human right to give our opinion
- Religious leaders criticise media
- Can bring to light extremist views to stop their expansion
- Religions don’t need to react in the way they do
15
Q
Media criticism on religion- against
A
- Religion is personal, but the media isn’t
- No such thing as right and wrong in religious beliefs
- Often blown out of proportion
- Cannot respond in the same way the press can comment
