religion and life

Question 1

sanctity of life

Answer 1

the belief that all life is holy as it is created by God; human life should not be misused or abused due to this

Question 2

quality of life

Answer 2

a phrase that describes the general wellbeing of a person, in relation to their health and happiness

Question 3

arguments for abortion

Answer 3

-right to choose, her body
-rape
-circumstances, too young
-her health is more important
-the quality of life for both parties
-stopping legal abortions would return to back street abortions

Question 4

arguments against abortion

Answer 4

-life begins at conception
-alternatives, adoption
-unborn child is denied a choice
-abortion makes life seem cheap and disposable

Question 5

roman catholic view on abortion

Answer 5

-forbids abortion
-regard abortion as murder of life and is punishable by excommunication
-all life is created by God
-“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb
-doctrine of double effect - only allowed if mother in danger

Question 6

other views on abortion

Answer 6

-church of england: strong opposition with recognition of two lesser evils; life of foetus is not absolutely sacrosanct
-quakers: support a women’s right to choose
-pro-choice

Question 7

scientific accounts of creation

Answer 7

• big bang theory, gigantic explosion 14 bil years ago
• darwin’s theory of evolution, natural selection, survival of the fittest
• richard dawkins

Question 8

religion accounts of creation

Answer 8

-fundamentalist like Paul Taylor: created world in 6 days, believe in Adam and Eve, faith itself is evidence
-theistic evolutionist Alister McGrath, suggest Big Bang created by God, God is designer, intelligent design behind it all

Question 9

voluntary euthanasia

Answer 9

when a person asks a doctor to end their life

Question 10

non-voluntary euthanasia

Answer 10

when the person is too ill to request to die, so a doctor thinks its in their best interests

Question 11

active euthanasia

Answer 11

when active steps are taken to end a life (injection)

Question 12

passive euthanasia

Answer 12

when doctors stop providing treatment

Question 13

arguments for euthanasia

Answer 13

• (self-determination) human beings should have the right to be able to decide when and how they die
  -euthanasia enables a person to die with dignity
  -it is expensive to keep people alive
  -family and friends would be spared the pain of seeing their loved one suffer
• society permits animals to be put down as an act of kindness

Question 14

arguments against euthanasia

Answer 14

-it would weaken society’s respect for the value and importance of humans
-proper palliative care is available
-it would put too much power in the hands of doctors
-pressure to request it by family
-discourage the search for new medicine
-some people unexpectedly recover
-some people change their mind

Question 15

christian views for euthanasia

Answer 15

-some christians would support euthanasia
-God is love, christianity is love and compassion
-humans were given dominion (Genesis 1:28)
-Jesus came so that we can have life “in all its fullness” (quality of life)
-free will “do to others as you would have them do to you”

Question 16

christian view against abortion

Answer 16

-“thou shall not kill”, it is wrong to take away God’s sacred gift
-we cannot do God’s job “God gives and God takes away”
-Jesus healed the sick and dying, he did not kill them
-chrsitian duty to help others

Question 17

roman catholic church on euthanasia

Answer 17

-totally against euthanasia, any act which deliberately brings about death is murder
-does accept using pain killing drugs
-ordinary treatments must always continue but extraordinary treatments (surgery) are not necessary
-euthanasia is a grave violation of the law of God

Question 18

church of england views on euthanasia

Answer 18

-sanctity of life is very important, but doctors should not have to keep people alive for the sake of it, regardless of the quality of life
-making the old and the ill feel wanted and valuable is more important