Religion and Medical Ethics (attitudes to euthanasia and suicide)

Question 1

What is euthanasia?

Answer 1

It is the word is used when someone helps another person die, usually because they are terminally ill. In other words mercy killing

Question 2

What is active euthanasia?

Answer 2

Giving someone something to help or make them die E.g. drugs to make the heart stop

Question 3

What is passive euthanasia?

Answer 3

Allowing someone to die or not helping them to stay alive e.g. turning off life support

Question 4

What is a voluntary euthanasia?

Answer 4

When somebody gives permission asking for someone to help them die

Question 5

What is non-voluntary euthanasia?

Answer 5

When people make a decision for someone to die, as they cannot make the decision themselves

Question 6

Are Roman Catholic Church opposed to euthanasia? If so why?

Answer 6

Yes because it is seen as murder

Question 7

Are most Christians four or against euthanasia? And what do they support as an alternative?

Answer 7

Against euthanasia – support the hospice movement they believe a good death can be achieved without killing

Question 8

Finish the quote “you shalt….. is it for or against euthanasia/suicide?

Answer 8

… not murder” -against euthanasia/suicide

Question 9

Finish the quote “all life is……. Is it for against euthanasia/suicide?

Answer 9

…..is a gift from god” -against euthanasia/suicide

Question 10

Finish the quote “the Lord giveth……… is it for or against euthanasia/suicide?

Answer 10

……The Lord taketh away” -against euthanasia/suicide

Question 11

List another 2 reasons why Christians would be against euthanasia?

Answer 11

1) sanctity of life

2) it’s a selfish easy way out

Question 12

Finish the quote “the body is the temple….. is it for or against euthanasia/suicide

Answer 12

….of the Holy Spirit” -against euthanasia/suicide

Question 13

Give for reasons/quotes for why some Christians may be for euthanasia? (Quality v sanctity)

Answer 13

1) “Love thy neighbour as you love yourself”
2) “Your laugh is better than life “
3) AGAPE -selfless love
4) God gave us free will

Question 14

What is the slippery slope theory?

Answer 14

Legalising euthanasia will eventually lead to in voluntary – excuse to kill people

Question 15

What is a hospice?

Answer 15

A place where terminally ill patients are cared for

Question 16

Who was hospices started by?

Answer 16

Christian nuns

Question 17

How many people are cared for by hospices pay year in the U.K.?

Answer 17

360,000 people per year

Question 18

What is palliative care?

Answer 18

Care given to a terminally ill patient to help them die in as much comfort as possible

Question 19

What is the broad idea of what a Quaker approach would be to suicide or euthanasia?

Answer 19

What would Jesus do – the most loving thing to do

Question 20

What is the broad idea of a Baptist approach to euthanasia and suicide?

Answer 20

Baptists might see euthanasia as the lesser of two evils

Question 21

What is the broad idea of C of E approach to euthanasia and suicide?

Answer 21

Sanctity of life is important but also try to abide by the “law of the land”

Question 22

What is suicide?

Answer 22

When a person and his or her own life

Question 23

In the UK how many deaths per year are a result of suicide?

Answer 23

Less than one in 100 deaths per year as a result of suicide

Question 24

In the past of what was suicide considered?

Answer 24

A serious crime and Christian church treated it as a sin

Question 25

Finish the quote “your love….. is it for or against euthanasia/suicide?

Answer 25

….is better than life” for

Question 26

What did Judas do in the Bible thatmight make Christians be for suicide?

Answer 26

Judas committed suicide in the bible it was seen in a positive light

Question 27

What was the first hospice?

Answer 27

St Christophers Christian

Question 28

Who and when was the first hospice found by?

Answer 28

Dame Cicely Sanders in 1967

Question 29

What is the Samaritans?

Answer 29

National charity with helpline for emotional support

Question 30

Who was the samaritans founded by and when?

Answer 30

Vicar Chad Varah in 1953

Question 31

How many volunteers are there for the Samaritans?

Answer 31

17,000 volunteers and zoo branches

Question 32

What does the assisted dying bill say? (Being debated in parliament)

Answer 32

1) safeguard includes six months to live
2) 2 doctors have to agree
3) A period of thought and reflection about option