Life and Death Flashcards
Afterlife:
life after death; the belief that existence continues after physical death.
Environmental Sustainability:
the ability to maintain an ecological balance in our planet’s natural environment and conserve natural resources to support the wellbeing of current and future generations.
Euthanasia:
From Greek, eu ‘good’ + thanatos ‘death’. Killing or permitting the death of a person who is suffering from a serious/terminal illness.
Abortion:
When a pregnancy is ended so that it does not result in the birth of a child.
quality of life:
the extent to which life is meaningful and pleasurable.
Sanctity of life:
Human life is precious, holy and made by God so therefore deserves the ultimate respect and protection.
Soul:
The spiritual aspect of a person; that which connects someone to God. Often regarded as non-physical and as living on after physical death, in an afterlife.
christian beliefs about abortion:
Catholic - Abortion is wrong - Life begins at conception. Life should not be destroyed as it is created by God. Sanctity of life - all life is special and sacred as humans are made ‘in the image of God’. However is exceptional circumstances abortion may be acceptable - if mother’s life is in danger (situation of double effect).
CofE - Abortion not encouraged as life is a gift from God and all life is sacred. However, in some circumstances abortion may be the most loving action - following Jesus’ teaching of agape. E.g. mother’s life in danger, child or mother would have poor quality of life.
religious vs non religious funerals:
Christianity - Church, priest, burial (especially if believed that body is resurrected) or cremation (if soul goes to heaven), eulogy, candles symbolise Jesus as light of the world.
Black often worn to represent mourning.
Buddhism - Depends on country and culture. Mourning stages - involve offerings of food to family. Body wrapped. Cremation - reflects view that mental energy is released into new life as part of samsara. Tibetan sky burial - ceremony - vultures eat body of deceased.
Non-religious - crematorium, eulogy, burial or cremation. Black sometimes worn to represent mourning, however often now people choose bright colours to celebrate life.
Buddhist and Humanist views on abortion:
Buddhism - 5 Precepts - do not harm any
living thing and life as sacred - abortion
may be seen as wrong. However,
teachings such as karuna and metta may
suggest abortion is acceptable if the most
loving or compassionate action.
Humanist - Humanists believe that
abortion can be morally acceptable. The
Humanist movement fought for the legalisation of abortion in the 1960’s and
they don’t believe that all life is sacred.
They believe that quality of life is more important than a right to life.
can you believe in science and religion when it comes to the creation of the universe?
Yes - Non-literal Christian view - Theistic Evolution - Creation did not happen exactly as the Bible states.
Creation is more likely to have been 7 ages of time. This fits with the scientific theory of evolution over time, but caused by God.
Yes - Buddhism - No creation story, we should be concerned with resolving suffering now rather than focussing on questions without answers. Therefore acceptable to follow scientific views on creation.
No - Literal Christian view - Bible is 100% accurate - creation in 7 days.
Christian beliefs about life after death
Soul - All humans given soul by God.
Genesis - God breathed the ‘breath of life’ (soul) into Adam.
Judgement - God will pass judgement on humans upon death or on judgement day and decide whether they go to heaven on hell based on actions in life.
Heaven - Afterlife - place people will go if they have been good in life, followed God’s teaching and believe in Jesus. Some Christians believe it is the state of being with God rather than a place.
Hell - Afterlife - place people go who have been bad, not believed in Jesus, fire and punishment. Some Christians believe it is the state of being without God.
Purgatory - Afterlife - Catholic belief - A place where people go for soul to be cleansed before going on to heaven to be with God.
non religious views about how the universe was created
Big Bang Theory -The universe was created 13.8 billion years ago. Universe started as a singular point and expanded over time.
Eventually galaxies, stars and planets formed. Evidence to support this theory can be found through red shift and cosmic background radiation.
non religious views about how mankind came to exist:
Evolution - Charles Darwin put forward the theory that all living creatures that exist today, including human beings, have evolved from primitive life forms over a period of millions of years.
Natural Selection - mechanism of evolution.
Organisms more adapted to environment are more likely to survive and pass on the genes.
christian and buddhist beliefs about the creation of the universe
Literal view - Bible is 100% accurate
- God created the world in 7 days with humans created on day 6.
Non-literal view - Bible can be interpreted. God created universe but not in 7 days, more likely over 7 ages of time. Can fit with evolution.
(Theistic evolution)
Parable of the Arrow - If you were hit by an arrow would you first ask
‘who shot me, with what was the arrow made etc’ OR ‘where can I find help?’ Buddhists believe the second, therefore showing bigger questions of life such as creation are less important than what’s
happening now. Focus should be on stopping suffering.
