All Themes-Tricky topics Flashcards
‘Abortion should only be allowed when the mother’s life is at risk [12]- Evaluate this statement.
FOR:
- Doctrine of double effect (Roman Catholics)
- although it a direct
contrary to the natural law? most loving thing to do if mother’s life is at risk- ‘love thy neighbour’
AGAINST:
- abortion should never be allowed because it can be viewed as murder because some Christians argue that life starts at conception- Jeremiah 1:28, ‘thou shalt not kill’
- Although most Buddhists see abortion as unskillful because it breaks the first moral precept, it should be allowed in cases such as rape or if the child has a poor quality of life, because that is the most compassionate thing to do- link to karuna.
- abortion should never be allowed because everyone has a purpose and are made in the image of God- God cares about everyone indivual: ‘yet not one sparrow is forgotten by God’.
‘Death is not the end; there is an afterlife’
FOR:
- parable of the sheeps and goats
- ‘If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile’- 1 Corinthians 15:17
DIFFERENT:
- Humanists believe ‘death is annihilation’ because, there isn’t scientific evidence there is an afterlife, but science shows that when the body dies, everything decays.
- Buddhists don’t believe in an afterlife but don’t believe that death is end- cycle of samsara.
The death penalty should never be used [12]
FOR:
- it’s murder because it breaks the Ten Commandment ‘thou shalt not kill’- all life is sacred and God- given (sanctity of life).
- not compassionate (karuna) because it prevents something from escaping cycle of samsara.
DIFFERENT:
- most loving thing to do, because it protects society from dangerous offenders. ‘Love thy neighbour’ in Mark 12 (principle of utility)
- If someone takes a life, we should get revenge on them because of Genesis 9:6- ‘Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed’.
Religious believers should never agree with corporal punishment [12]
FOR:
- Jesus taught that God is love, but how is causing psychological harm loving?
- unskillful because it contradicts first moral precept + furthers suffering, so it’s undignified.
DIFFERENT:
- Most ‘loving’ thing to do, if it teaches someone not to repeat their mistakes. ‘Love thy neighbour’ in Mark 12
- In Proverbs, it states ‘He who spares the rod, hates their children’- should be used to help people learn- ‘I will punish transgressions with the rod’.
It is possible to believe in both the Big Bang theory and religious teachings about the origins of the universe [12]
FOR:
- Liberal Christians view the creation story as symbolic- some may interpret ‘let there be light’ to the Big Bang, In this view, God created the Big Bang.
- Buddhism doesn’t conflict with evolution.
DIFFERENT:
- Fundamentalist Christians would argue that ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth’.
‘There is nothing wrong with sending a criminal to prison’.
FOR:
- most loving thing for victim
- Buddhism teaches everyone can change and prison provides time for: offender to learn from their mistakes, providing time and space for reformation.
DIFFERENT:
- Jesus taught to ‘love your enemies’- there are alternatives to prison (it can cause mental health issues)
- Story of Amgumalia
- principle of kamma teaches that offenders will be punished in their rebirth, so we shouldn’t punish them in this life.
‘Deterring people from crime is the best aim of punishment’ [12]
‘Animal experimentation is always wrong’ [12]
‘It is not reasonable to believe in life after death’ [12]
‘It is not reasonable to believe in life after death’ [12]
Religious believers should not eat meat [12]
In the UK, the law should be changed to make it easier for women to have abortion [12]
‘Humans should use the earth’s resources however they wish’. [12]
‘Is it right to forgive all offenders whoever they are and whatever they have done’ [12]
‘There is no good reason why anyone should commit a crime’ [12]
‘Corporal punishment can never be justified‘ [12]
Give one reason why Christians may break the law.
We must obey God rather than human beings’- Acts 5:29 teaches Christians that it may be acceptable go against a law that contradicts the teaching of God. For example- discrimination. This is because Genesis 1:29 teaches Christians that they’re all made imago dei (in the image of God) as it states ‘in his own image’.
Give one reason why Christians may break the law.
We must obey God rather than human beings’- Acts 5:29 teaches Christians that it may be acceptable go against a law that contradicts the teaching of God. For example- discrimination. This is because Genesis 1:29 teaches Christians that they’re all made imago dei (in the image of God) as it states ‘in his own image’.
