PAPER 2: LIFE AND DEATH Flashcards
RESURRECTION
Resurrection is the raising of the body to life again after death. Christians believe that Jesus resurrected and that all people will experience it at the end of time.
“He is risen” - Gospels
Catholics would pray to God, thanking Him for sending his son Jesus so they can have the chance for an eternal life forever in Heaven.
SURVIVAL OF THE SOUL
The belief that the soul does not die. Catholics believe that the soul lives after death and that it is reunited with the body for final judgement, when resurrection of the body (combined with the soul) will happen
“God breathed life into Adam’s nostrils” - God giving Adam his soul in Genesis
Catholics will attend funeral services, praying for their dead loved ones in the hopes that they are spending eternal life in Heaven with God
CATHOLIC BELIEFS - THE AFTERLIFE
Catholic Christians believe that the soul will live on after death and go on to the afterlife. Although physical death occurs, those who believe in Jesus and live good lives will be rewarded with eternal life in Heaven.
“Our Father, who art in Heaven” - the Lord’s prayer
Catholics will try to follow the teachings of Jesus such as “love thy neighbour” in their everyday lives to ensure that they have a positive judgement by God
PURGATORY
Catholic Christians believe in purgatory, which is the place where people who have sinned are purified in a cleansing fire, after which they are accepted into Heaven.
“After death, you have purification” - the Catechism of the Catholic Church
Catholics will pray to God for their loved ones’ souls, in the hope that if they are in purgatory, they are reunited with God soon
THE IMPORTANCE OF DYING WELL
Many people agree that it is possible to have a ‘good death’ that keeps a person’s dignity until their physical life ends. For example, making sure the person is free of pain and given proper pain medication, such as within hospices which are places that care for people with life limiting conditions.
“Blessed are the peacemakers” - the Gospels
Catholics will try to support hospices by donating their time, resources or money.
PALLIATIVE CARE
Palliative care is often linked to end of life care, as it is focused on helping the person to have the greatest quality of life possible until their natural death. As palliative care is focused on the dignity and care of the person, it does not hurry death and shows respect for the person’s sanctity of life.
“God made mankind in his image” - Genesis
Catholics would campaign for euthanasia to remain illegal in the UK and instead want more funding to go into palliative care as it is focused entirely on the person who is unwell and their needs
SANCITITY OF LIFE
Sanctity of life is the belief that life is holy, sacred, and belongs to God. This is a religious teaching held by Catholic Christians that since life was given by God, only He can decide when it ends.
“God made mankind in his image” - Genesis
Catholics would campaign for euthanasia to remain illegal in the UK and would instead want more funding to go into palliative care as it is focused entirely on the person who is unwell and their needs
QUALITY OF LIFE
This is the Humanist belief that life should be worth living. If a person believes that they have a poor quality of life, then some would argue that euthanasia might be acceptable as their life does not have enough positives to make it worth living (considering doing everyday activities and pain)
“My life, my body, my choice” - Humanist slogan
Humanists would campaign for the UK law to be changed and euthanasia made legal so people can have a choice in how their life ends
CATHOLIC CHURCH - EUTHANASIA
Euthanasia is a Greek word meaning “good death”, referring to the idea of a merciful, easy, and gentle death, ending someone’s pain and suffering. Catholics disagree with euthanasia due to their belief in the sanctity of life. In Genesis, God makes mankind in his image, so human life is special as it is a gift from God.
“God made mankind in his image” - Genesis
Catholics would campaign for euthanasia to remain illegal in the UK, and would instead want more funding to go into palliative care as it is focused entirely on the person who is unwell and their needs
JUDGEMENT - UNMERCIFUL SERVANT
Judgement KC
In the parable of the unmerciful servant, Jesus explains the importance of forgiving others, so we can be forgiven ourselves. The master is merciful to the servant and cancels his debt, but the forgiven servant does not pardon another man who is in debt to him. When the master discovers this, he punishes the servant.
“I tell you, seventy-seven times” - Jesus on forgiveness
Catholics will try to live out the example of Jesus, by showing forgiveness to those people who may have wronged them
JUDGEMENT - RICH MAN AND LAZARUS
Judgement KC
In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus explains the message of showing mercy to others as well as meeting their needs and makes it clear that God’s final judgement after death cannot be changed. The rich man never helps a beggar called Lazarus who lives by his gates. Once both men die, Lazarus lives with Prophet Abraham in Heaven, but the rich man goes to Hell, where he asks Abraham to help him. Abraham reminds him that he received good things during his earthly life without helping Lazarus, so the beggar would receive comfort in Heaven.
“During your lifetime, you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing” - Jesus on forgiveness
Catholics will try to help people in need by donating their time or money to charities like CAFOD who help people after disasters such as flooding
HUMANISTS - THE AFTERLIFE
Humanists have no belief in God, do not follow any religious and do not believe in any form of afterlife. Humanists do not believe that Jesus rose from the dead, because a person ceases to exist at death, so the resurrection cannot happen. Since they do not believe in God either, they do not believe that life after death is guaranteed.
“For the one life we live” - Humanist slogan
As Humanists believe that we only have one life, there are no opportunities for second chances, so they try to make the most of this life by making a positive impact on the world through charity work.
JEWISH VIEWS ON LIFE AFTER DEATH
Many Jews believe that God’s judgement will determine their fate in the afterlife, and that they will either be rewarded or punished accordingly. Orthodox Jews think that there will be a physical resurrection of the body which is why they bury their dead rather than cremating them. Reform Jews believe that the resurrection will be a spiritual one, and the body will not be needed as it is simply a vessel of the soul.
“Dust you are, to dust you shall return” - the Torah on your body returning to the ground after death
Jewish people will try to live in a way which pleases God by following the mitzvot rules such as “do not kill” which were given directly to Moses by God
THE MAGISTERIUM
The Magisterium is the Council of the Catholic Church made up of the Pope and the bishops. Catholics believe that the Pope continues the succession from St Peter and the bishops continue the work of the disciples. This gives them a connection to Jesus’ teachings, meaning that they have the authority to teach others.
“And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church” - Jesus to Peter when he was made the first Pope in the Gospels
Catholic Christians will look to the teachings of the Magisterium to fully understand the message of God in our modern day lives
ORDINARY MAGISTERIUM
The Ordinary Magisterium is when Popes and Bishops preach and write letters to people in their diocese (the Laity). These are aimed at encouraging faith, clarify a point of faith, or give instructions. It is important that the Church can respond to issues that were not considered by the writers of the Bible.
“Care for our common home” - Laudato Si, a letter written by Pope Francis
