Matters Of Life And Death (5 And 10 Markers)

Question 1

Outline some different types of Euthanasia. (5)

Answer 1

• active - direct and deliberate death
• passive - withdrawing or withholding treatment / food
• voluntary - by request
• non-voluntary - by request of a loved one (if person cant make the decision)
• involuntary - person wants to live, killed anyway

Question 2

Describe how religious faith can help someone suffering from a serious illness. (5)

Answer 2

Any 5 from:

• they feel support from God
• gives them hope of an afterlife
• hope for getting better
• no fear / less fear of death
• can give their suffering a reason - like carrying a cross
• some Christians see benefits in suffering - we become better people
• support from other members - e.g. anointing of the sick

Question 3

Why may a doctor help a patient die? (5)

Answer 3

Any 3 from

• personal request
• prognosis is poor - patient will die anyway
• life limiting conditions - patient loses autonomy and their quality of life is poor
• cost of treatment

Question 4

Outline church and biblical teaching on Euthanasia. (5)

Answer 4

Any 3 from

• Luke’s gospel - Jesus ‘of more value than many sparrows’
• ‘thou shall not kill’ - OT
• Catholic Church - a crime against humanity - supports hospices
• Presbyterian church - support hospices
• Church of Ireland - life is a gift, support for the dying is more important - hospice

Question 5

“Euthanasia should be allowed if people are dying in pain.” Do you agree or disagree? (10)

Answer 5

Any 6 from:

Yes:

• right to choose
• it is dignified death, not murder
• voluntary euthanasia can be a better option than pain with serious illnesses
• right to a good quality of life, if not, they should be allowed
• can allow loved ones to remember them as happy

No:

• Matthew - Jesus tried to prolong life
• we shouldn’t play God
• it breaks doctor-patient trust by killing them
• doctors do not join to kill
• life becomes disposable - perhaps due to money
• pope Benedict XVI - everyone is necessary
• hospice is better - life is valued

Question 6

“The quality of a person’s life is more important than its length.” Do you agree or disagree? (10)

Answer 6

Any 6 from:

Yes:

• 5 good months better than 20 of suffering
• independence can be limited, can feel like a burden
• better to die than live in pain
• family and friends would prefer not to see you suffer

No:

• hospices ensure a good quality of life
• all life is sacred, quality is an arbitrary concept
• in suffering we grow

Question 7

Why might a Christian be keen to support restorative justice? (5)

Answer 7

• reform - ‘turn the other cheek’
• closure for a victim
• offender has responsibility for their actions
• the offender can apply the concept of forgiveness to others

Question 8

What are the limitations of restorative justice? (5)

Answer 8

• puts pressure on both parties
• prisoner may prefer probation and prison time, therefore not agreeing
• causes emotional distress for the victim

Question 9

Explain some alternatives to abortion. (5)

Answer 9

• keep the child with support
• temporary fostering
• adoption
• give up legal rights of the child to a family member e.g. mother/grandmother