Christinaity - Maters of Life and death (pg 27-34) Flashcards
christian responses to scientific explanations for the origins of the universe
- believe in the story of Genesis, first book in the Bible. gift from God created in 6 days
- some christian reject scientific theories of Creation, believing the story in the bible is literally true, science is wrong
- some believe there is no conflict between science and religion.Bing bang caused the world and evolution exists but its all part of Gods plan
sanctity of life
human life is special and holy, given to by God
teachings in the bible that teach life is special
‘you shall not murder’
‘you’re bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit’
importance of sanctity of life today
- determines beliefs about issues life abortion/euthanasia
- they will value human life
- guide them when making moral decisions
Theory of evolution
Darwin’s theory that overtime human species changed to fit the environment ‘survival of the fittest’, life evolved with only desired characteristics
problem fo evolution for christians
- some believe evolution conflicts with the idea that Go=d created everything. Also cooked be used as evidence that God doesn’t exist.
christian responses to evolution
- some believe it is not compatible with the Bible and reject it
- others see no conflict between religion and science and view evolution as part of Gods plan
nature of abortion
- deliberate termination of human pregnancy so a child is not born. Uk law states abortion is legal within 24 weeks of the pregnancy and the contest of tow doctor
Arguments against abortion (pro-life)
- life is a sacred gift from God
- life begins at conception
- all life has value, even if disabled
- God has a plan fro every human
- abortion is viewed as murder and this is in the Ten Commandments
Arguments fro abortion (pro-choice)
- Jesus taught compassion towards others
- we cannot be sure life begins at conception
- in case of rape of incest abortion may be the kindest action
- medical equipment can identify problems with the foetus so children don’t need to be born with severe disabilities that will affect their life - abortion is best it the mothers life is at risk
non religious arguments towards abortion
- woman’s right the choose
- rights of the mothers outweigh those of the foetus
- abortion is wrong but not for religious reasons
Christian beliefs about life after death
- Bible and Gospels talk of the death and resurrection of Jesus
- Jesus taught Christians there is an afterlife “I am going there to prepare a place for you’
- Jesus taught God sent hum so humanity may have eternal life in heaven
Non-religious arguments for life after death
- remembered lives
- paranormal events
- logic
- reward
- comfort
- meeting passed loved ones
significance of belief in life after death fro Christians
- try to live a good life and please God, to achieve eternal life in heaven
- comforted that their loved ones live on after death
- purpose in life
- come with death
no-religious arguments agains life after death
- comfort (false sense of
- lack of evidence
- fraudulent accounts
- social control, coping mechanism
- humanists believe after death the body decays and there is nothing else
euthanasia
painless killing of someone who is dying
voluntary euthanasia
person life is need deliberately and painlessly at their request
assisted suicide
where a person if given the means to end their own life
non-voluntary euthanasia
ending a persons life when they are unable to ask but there is good reason for thinking they would want it. e.g. if on life support with no chance of recovery
Christian arguments agains euthanasia
- sanctity of life, all life is sacred
- slippery slope if legalised could possibly lead to infanticide
- hospices provide palliative care to relieve symptoms
- it is murder and against the 10 commandments
- story of Job shoes that suffering may be purposeful
arguments for euthanasia
- allows a gentle painless death
- dies with dignity
- can save medical costs
- relieves a burden on the family and society
- abiding by the person wishes
non-religious arguments about euthanasia
- may be the kindest thing to do if this is what they want are in pain
- argue using situation this, each situation is judged differently
christian responses to issues in the natural world
- bible teaches to care for the world
- see the world as a sacred gift from God
- teaches that Christians will be judged by God on how they treat the earth
- God gave humans the responsibility of caring for the earth for future generations
uses of animals for food
- tend to agree it is acceptable because God gave animals fro this purpose
- one;y humans were given souls and were ‘made in the image of God’ so animals aren’t as important
- some choose to be vegetarian as God created animals so they are important and must be looked after
- utilitarianism, greatest happiness to the greatest number
