Religious attitudes to elderly and death

Question 1

Why life is sacred/special (3)

Answer 1

1. ‘There is no God besides me. I put to death and bring to life…no-one can deliver out of my hand’ (Deuteronomy)
2. ‘You shall not murder’ (10 commandments)
3. ‘Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him.’ (1 Corinthians)

Question 2

Why quality of life is important (2)

Answer 2

1. ‘Love your neighbour’ (Jesus)
2. ‘Love one another as I have loved you’ (Jesus)

Question 3

Death (3)

Answer 3

1. Death is not easy to define.
2. Definitions have changed, e.g. in the Bible the death of an animal was assured when it had no blood in it
3. In medicine death is the irreversible cessation of all vital functions, specifically the permanent stoppage of the heart, respiration and brain activity

Question 4

The problems old people face (4)

Answer 4

1. Issues the elderly face are loneliness,
2. a loss of dignity,
3. ageism,
4. loss of physical ability, illness

Question 5

How families can support their elderly relatives (3)

Answer 5

1. Many families prefer to have elderly members of their families living with them.
2. Community options—some elderly people move into sheltered housing*—where they may rent a small flat within a complex, which has a communal area for socialising; *residential homes*—provide security and care when people are no longer easily able to look after themselves; or_care homes_*.—elderly people who are unwell may move into a care home.
3. Visiting regularly, doing jobs for them

Question 6

How the state supports old people (4)

Answer 6

1. State pension (UK)
2. Benefits
3. NHS
4. The Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful to discriminate against employees, job seekers and trainees because of age

Question 7

Why we should look after the elderly in society (3)

Answer 7

1. (10 Commandments) Honour your father and mother
2. (Hadith) rub the nose of those who do not respect their parents in the dirt
3. They provided for us so we should provide for them

Question 8

What the law says about euthanasia (2)

Answer 8

1. Euthanasia is considered murder or manslaughter and thus illegal in the UK
2. Assisted suicide is illegal under the terms of the Suicide Act (1961) and is punishable by up to 14 years’ imprisonment.

Question 9

Whether it is OK to switch off life support (1)

Answer 9

1. Doctors have the Hippocratic oath – ‘I will prescribe for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgement and never do harm to anyone. To please no-one will I prescribe a deadly drug nor give advice which may cause his death.’

Question 10

Whether life support is ‘playing God’ – in switching off or keep on (1)

Answer 10

1. Listen to patients and respond to their concerns and preferences…Respect patients’ right to reach decisions with you about their treatment and care.(General Medical Council)

Question 11

Whether we should have the right to choose when we die (1)

Answer 11

1. some believe that people have a right to self-determination and dignity so they should have control over when their life ends.

Question 12

Who should be involved in decisions about death (2)

Answer 12

1. The person themselves wherever possible
2. The family – though they may not have the best wishes of the patient at heart

Question 13

The difference between active and passive euthanasia (2)

Answer 13

1. Active Euthanasia is administering the drug which kills the person
2. Passive Euthanasia is doing something which allows death to occur – i.e. withholding treatment or increasing use of painkillers

Question 14

Why some people want euthanasia (3)

Answer 14

1. They are in pain
2. Feel like a burden on their family
3. Want to die with dignity

Question 15

Why (religious) people agree/disagree with euthanasia (3)

Answer 15

1. Religious people might want to be compassionate (Buddhism)
2. The Dutch Protestant church allow euthanasia
3. But also believe life is sacred

Question 16

Organisations that help the elderly and dying (3)

Answer 16

1. The Hospice movement supports the dying by providing palliative care
2. Age concern support the elderly by providing services and social functions
3. Dignitas is a pressure group that also supports people who want Euthanasia

Question 17

Beliefs about life after death in at least one religion (5)

Answer 17

1. Christians believe in an eternal soul
2. (Jesus) you will be with me in paradise
3. There are also a lot of descriptions of hell in the Bible
4. Buddhists believe in a form of reincarnation
5. Muslims and Jews like to be buried ‘whole’ so that they can be resurrected