catholic views about the sanctity of life + humanist criticisms of this Flashcards
what would most people accept that human life is?
special and should be cared for
what do catholics believe each person is?
unique because God made them
why is the creation of humans was unlike the rest of creation?
they were made in a unique way and in the Image of God
what is the latin term for in the image of god?
Imago Dei
what does the catholic church teaches that all human life is?
sacred and that everyone has a right to life which should be protected and valued at every stage
what does the sources from st catherine of siena contain?
it’s a conversation between a soul and god
what does the “her” refer to from the st catherine of siena authority?
the soul
what is the soul made in?
in the image of god
what did st catherine had a faith of?
deep faith
how did st catherine spent her life with?
outcasts and sinners showing them that they were created and loved by God
why is her message, “Her dignity is that of her creation, seeing that she is in the image of God.” an important message?
Humans come from God - in the same way that children come from their parents or your reflection in the mirror shows you
why is her message, “You are taken with love for her, for by love indeed you created her.” an important message?
Love - God creates out of love. The fact that humans are made with dignity and in God’s image shows how much he loves them.
what does jews believe that god is?
God is creator, he alone gives and takes life
for jews, what does the genesis teach about humans?
are created in the image of God (Genesis 1: 26-27) and life is precious
what are the 2 references in the tanakh to a relationship with god even before birth?
“You formed my innermost being and knitted me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139)
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you” Jeremiah (1)
what do jews believe the 10 commandments were given to?
moses
what is the commandment that forbids the taking of life?
“do not kill”
why do jews believe in the pikuach nefresh?
should not stand back while their neighbour’s life is at risk.
They have a duty to break the laws of the Sabbath if a person’s life is in danger.
why has abortion been widely debated?
legalised in Britain in 1967
why are people against abortion?
think it is morally unacceptable to kill unborn babies
what do others argue that abortion is acceptable?
if a baby is going to be born with a severe illness or disability it would be kinder to permit an abortion
what is the key question of this debate?
“when does a person become a person?”
why do some people argue that terminating a pregnancy is the same as murder?
life starts at conception
why do some people argue that terminating a foetus is not the same as murder?
a person only “begins” when they are first aware of their own existence or when independent life is possible
what is pro-life?
The idea that abortion is always wrong and every human (including embryos) has a right to life
why do catholics take the pro-life approach?
because this approach is absolutist meaning they do not accept abortion in any situation or circumstance.
what is pro-choice?
The idea that a woman should be able to choose what happens to her own body. This includes choosing to end a pregnancy
why do liberal christians adopt a pro-choice approach to abortion?
because this approach is relativist meaning they will decide on abortion based on the specific circumstances.
why is the catholic church against abortion in all circumstances?
believe human life is sacred
why does the catholic church believe that life starts at conception?
It is God who gives life at this moment and it is the start of a human being’s relationship with God
what does the catholic church believe that abortion seen as?
murder
a great moral evil
which is against one of the Ten Commandments: ‘Do not murder
what does the catholic church believe that the foetus has a right of?
has a right to life and termination is a great moral evil
what would the church encourage instead of having an abortion?
those in this situation to give a child up for adoption
what does the catholic church believe when abortion is acceptable?
If a mother’s life is in danger during the pregnancy (for example ectopic pregnancy) then action to save the life of the mother even if it threatens or destroys the life of the unborn child is acceptable
what is the principle of the double effect relating to abortion?
The intention to save the mother, the effect on the child is a side effect
principle of double effect
sometimes it is permissible to cause a harm as an unintended action of bringing about a good result
what do fundamentalists believe about abortion?
never acceptable
what are church of england considered as?
liberal christians
why does the church of england believe in the “lesser of two evils”?
- If the pregnancy is the result of rape, an abortion might be the best option for the quality of life of the woman
- If continuing the pregnancy might be dangerous to the woman’s physical or mental health, then abortion should be allowed
- If the child is likely to be severely disabled and so effect its quality of life.
what do humanists value?
happiness and personal choice
what do humanists do when making a decision?
would look at the evidence, consequences and rights and wishes of everyone involved
what do humanists believe about life?
Life is not sacred but is worthy of the highest respect
would humanists be pro-choice or pro-life?
pro-choice
why did many humanists campaigned for abortion?
when they did this, abortion was legalised in in the 1960s so that unsafe illegal abortions shouldn’t take place
what does humanists believe at the heart of the debate?
whether the rights of the foetus outweigh the rights of the mother
what do humanists believe about the quality of life?
as more important than preserving life at all costs.
what do humanists believe that abortion is?
often the most morally acceptable choice to make
why do humanists believe that abortion is ultimately is?
personal choice which should be made considering all the facts and consequences
what is peter singer considered as?
humanist and has some controversial ideas in relation to Abortion and the value of life
what does peter singer argue about human life?
though all human life has value, it is not of equal value. If person has no ability to think, relate to others or experience then their life has limited value
what does peter singer believe about embryos (new born babies)?
examples of biological, but ‘non-human persons’.
Therefore it is morally acceptable to take the lives of these ‘non-human persons’ if it will bring about less suffering and greater happiness
why does peter singer believe that euthanasia is acceptable?
Brain dead person has no real value
what does peter singer argue about a conscious animal such as a dog?
has more mental capacity and is more of a ‘person’ than an baby or an elderly person with dementia.
what does peter singer argue which animals have similar responses to humans?
that they feel pleasure and pain and therefore their interests must be taken in to account
Therefore arguing that human life is more important than any other type of life is wrong. This is the same as being racist. It is discriminatory and speciesist
what would catholics argue to singer’s views about humans?
remain a ‘person’ whether they are conscious or not, even when they are asleep, in a coma or haven’t yet been born
what do catholics agree that animals should be treated with what?
care and looked after. As stewards of creation they have an obligation to do this.
why do catholics believe that animals does not have dignity like humans?
humans were made in the image and likeness of God
what do jews say that is not stated in the tanakh?
abortion
why do jews believe the concept of sanctity of life is an important one throughout Jewish teaching?
in Exodus, it states that an unborn child has equal right to the mother
what do jews apply key teachings linked to the sanctity of life?
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you” (eremiah)
“You created my innermost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139)
why does jews say that abortion breaks god law?
in Genesis which states that we are created in the image of God.
It also goes against the teaching in Genesis which is to “be fruitful and multiply”,
what would orthodox and reform jews apply to abortion?
pikuach nefesh
to decide if the action would save a life that was at risk
