Religion and Medical Ethics (attitudes to euthanasia and suicide) Flashcards
What is euthanasia?
It is the word is used when someone helps another person die, usually because they are terminally ill. In other words mercy killing
What is active euthanasia?
Giving someone something to help or make them die E.g. drugs to make the heart stop
What is passive euthanasia?
Allowing someone to die or not helping them to stay alive e.g. turning off life support
What is a voluntary euthanasia?
When somebody gives permission asking for someone to help them die
What is non-voluntary euthanasia?
When people make a decision for someone to die, as they cannot make the decision themselves
Are Roman Catholic Church opposed to euthanasia? If so why?
Yes because it is seen as murder
Are most Christians four or against euthanasia? And what do they support as an alternative?
Against euthanasia – support the hospice movement they believe a good death can be achieved without killing
Finish the quote “you shalt….. is it for or against euthanasia/suicide?
… not murder” -against euthanasia/suicide
Finish the quote “all life is……. Is it for against euthanasia/suicide?
…..is a gift from god” -against euthanasia/suicide
Finish the quote “the Lord giveth……… is it for or against euthanasia/suicide?
……The Lord taketh away” -against euthanasia/suicide
List another 2 reasons why Christians would be against euthanasia?
1) sanctity of life
2) it’s a selfish easy way out
Finish the quote “the body is the temple….. is it for or against euthanasia/suicide
….of the Holy Spirit” -against euthanasia/suicide
Give for reasons/quotes for why some Christians may be for euthanasia? (Quality v sanctity)
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
What is the slippery slope theory?
Legalising euthanasia will eventually lead to in voluntary – excuse to kill people
What is a hospice?
A place where terminally ill patients are cared for
Who was hospices started by?
Christian nuns
How many people are cared for by hospices pay year in the U.K.?
360,000 people per year
What is palliative care?
Care given to a terminally ill patient to help them die in as much comfort as possible
What is the broad idea of what a Quaker approach would be to suicide or euthanasia?
What would Jesus do – the most loving thing to do
What is the broad idea of a Baptist approach to euthanasia and suicide?
Baptists might see euthanasia as the lesser of two evils
What is the broad idea of C of E approach to euthanasia and suicide?
Sanctity of life is important but also try to abide by the “law of the land”
What is suicide?
When a person and his or her own life
In the UK how many deaths per year are a result of suicide?
Less than one in 100 deaths per year as a result of suicide
In the past of what was suicide considered?
A serious crime and Christian church treated it as a sin
