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]
