Christianity - Matters of life and death Flashcards
What is creationism
This is the belief that the Bible is wrong and that all scientific theories can be explained by the Bible. For example they believe that Noah’s Ark caused rock formations and fossils to be made.
What is the Apparent Age theory
It says that everything looked like it was millions of years old when in fact it was only some days old
What is Intelligent design
It is the theory that says that the world is so complex that it could not have been made by chance so they believe God designed the world
What is the compatibility response
it says that science and the Bible go together as they believe that the creation story is a metaphor for God creating everything. They believe in the Big Bang
What does Genesis say about God creating everything
“God saw what he had made and it was very good”
Why is it important for humans to respect the earth
- As God created everything humans should respect his creations
- The environment is a gift from God so humans must care for it
- The bible teaches that the humans will be judged on the final day on how well they have looked after Gods earth
What supports the view that humans were created in Gods image
“So God created mankind in his own image” Genesis
Why do Christians believe human life is special
“… breathed into his nostrils the breath of life” Genesis
What does St Paul teach about the sanctity of life
“Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit” 1 Corinthians
What is the Christian teaching about killing in self defence
The teaching is that sanctity of ones won life takes priority over someone else’s life so they believe it is allowed to kill in self defence
What are the different Christian views on killing in war.
Give SOWAA’s
Some christian’s are pacifists so they are against killing in war. “love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you” Matthew
Other christian’s believe that they should fight in wars if it is to protect the innocent from an aggressor. “Legitimate defence can be not only a right but a duty” Catechism of the Catholic Church
What are the different christian views on capital punishment
Many christian believe it is un christian and should never us it because all human life is sacred
Other christian’s would allow it because there are many cases in the Bible where capital punishment is used”
What does the Catechism of the Catholic church say about capital punishment
It teaches that it should only be used as a last resort after all other options have been taken into account”
Why would evolution cause issues for Christians
- It challenges the authority of the bible as if it is real then all the Genesis stories must be wrong
- Christianity is bases on the idea of original sin and Adam and Eve so if evolution is correct there was no original sin and no fall and no need for the atoning death of Jesus
- Christianity is based on the fact that God is good and that all his creations are good so if evolution is correct then it operates on violence and suffering so that means all of Gods creatures cant be good
What is the Roman Catholic and Evangelical Protestant view on abortion
They believe in pro life and believe that all abortion is wrong. This is because they believe that life begins at conception so having an abortion is murder.
Why do Catholics have a pro life attitude
- Life begins at conception so abortion is murder
- Adoption is always a better option as it can bring happiness to another family
- Life is holy and belongs to God so only God has the right to end an pregnancy
What is the doctrine of double effect in relation to abortion
For example if a pregnant women has cancer and chemotherapy will cure the cancer, but the treatment results in the death of the baby, it is allowed to carry on with the treatment as the death of the baby was only a side effect.
What is the liberal protestant view on abortion
They belief that abortion is wrong but can be permitted in certain situations
Why do liberal protestants believe in that attitiude
- Jesus said love your neighbour so sometimes abortion may be the most loving thing to do
- They believe life does no begin at conception
- Christians should accept technological advancements , therefore if a diseases in the baby the parents should have the option to an abortion
What is the atheist and humanist view on abortion
They believe that life does not begin until the baby can live outside its mother. They also believe that a women has the right to do what she wants to her own body. Humanists will believe that it depends on the quality of life of both the mother and the baby
Why do Christians believe in life after death
- Jesus rose from the dead so if he roes from the dead life after death must exist
- St Paul in 1 Corinthians says that everyone will have a resurrection like that of Jesus
- Jesus taught that he would come back at the end of the world for a final judgement
What are three ways for why non religious people believe in life after death
- Near death experience
- Mediums
- Remembering a past life
Why do people believe in life after death
- It gives their life meaning and purpose
- It gives them comfort when their loved ones die
- It seems to be demanded by the nature of justice
What is the acceptance of passive euthanasia view
Many Christians including Catholics believe only passive euthanasia is allowed which includes switching off life support machines or giving a patient pain killers which will reduce life length.
Why do Catholics have this view
- God created life so only He has the right to end it.
- They regard any form of euthanasia as murder and murder is forbidden in the ten commandments
- If the person is brain dead God has decided that they are dead so it is allowed to switch off life support machines
What supports this passive euthanasia view
The Catechism of the Catholic church says that painkillers which shorten life should be given if death is inevitable so the patient can die with dignity
What is the Evangelical Protestant view on euthanasia
They believe that all euthanasia is wrong because :
- The book of Job tell Christians to accept suffering as a part of Gods will
- Switching off life support machines means humans are trying to play God and so is forbidden
- They believe in the sanctity of life which means life is holy and only God has the right to end it
Why do some Christians believe in limited use of euthanasia
- Modern medical advances means we cannot be sure about God’s wishes about someones death
- Jesus taught love your neighbour so sometimes ending someone life who is in pain is correct
- Living wills give people a way of telling doctors of what they actually want
Why are some atheists and humanists against euthanasia
- There is always doubt about if it is what the person actually wants
- There is always the problem of whether the disease is terminal as a cure could be found
- People may want to change their mind about wanting euthanasia but by then it would be too late
Why are some atheist and humanists for euthanasia
- They would apply situations ethics to the situation as the person could not have a good quality of life
- Doctors and relatives have a right to give the person a painless and dignified death
- Keeping someone on a life support machine who will not survive is pointless as the machine could be used to save someone else’s life
- If judges can switch off life support machines they should be allowed to end treatment
How do Christians try and reduce pollution
- Recycling
- Encouraging people not to drop litter
- Reporting any area where it is badly littered to their local council
How do Christians try and reduce carbon emmissions
- Using energy efficient technologies
- Using renewable energy resources
- Opposing tropical deforestation
Why are most christian’s in support of animal research
- Only humans were made in the image of God
- According to Genesis God made humans in charge of animals and to use for their benefit
- They believe only humans have souls so have more rights than animals
Why are some Christians opposed to animal research
- They believe animals were also made by God so are equal
- They believe all animals have souls
- They believe that some experiments are only done for curiosity or cosmetics
