Matters of life and death (N)

Question 1

Origins and value of universe

Answer 1

Science, Big Bang, universe expansion. Bible, created 6 days. Literalists, Creation story is 100% right, religion > science. Non-literalists, no conflict, God made Big Bang, caused universe expansion, God’s plan.

Question 2

Sanctity of life

Answer 2

Life special/sacred, God made humans in image, different from rest of Creation. Gift from God. Sanctity important, determines belief about euthanasia/abortion, values human life, determines moral decision.

Question 3

Human origins

Answer 3

Evolution, adaptation to humanity. Literalists, evolution conflicts with Creation, not compatible with faith, rejected. Non-literalists, no conflict, part of God’s plan, Creation story used metaphorically.

Question 4

Abortion

Answer 4

Abortion, law 24 weeks, doctoral consent. Literalists, life sacred, begins conception, life valued, God’s plan, murder. Liberals, ‘lesser of two evils’, after conception, necessary for rape, preventing painful life, mother’s health.

Question 5

Life after death

Answer 5

Christianity, Bible talks of Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus taught for humanity to achieve afterlife. Arguments, remembered lives (Christians, heaven/hell), paranormal events (Christians, no evidence), comfort (Christians, comfort + resurrection). Non-religious, false comfort, body decays, evidence lacks, fraudulent accounts, social control. Responses, Jesus evidence, faith is uncertain, God loves creation. Significance, Christians live well to achieve heaven, comforted that loved ones live, giving life purpose, coping with death.

Question 6

Euthanasia

Answer 6

Euthanasia, assisted dying. Voluntary, requested end. Assisted, given means to end. Non-voluntary, decided for them. Many against, sanctity of life, considered murder. Some for, allows painless death, honourable death, saves medical costs, relieves burden. Non-religious, situation ethics, sometimes justified.

Question 7

Issues in natural world

Answer 7

Threats, pollution, global warming, depleting resources. Teachings, care for world, sacred gift from God, judges after death on Earth treatment (stewardship). Acceptable to eat animals (dominion). Only humans have souls, animals less important. Some vegetarian, animal God’s creation.