Religious Attitudes Towards Death And The Elderly Flashcards
Define ‘Sanctity Of Life’
Christian and Muslim belief that all life is a sacred gift from God.
Define ‘Quality Of Life’
A measure of fulfillment.
Define ‘Death’
The end of life. When the brain stops functioning.
Define ‘Heaven’
A state of being with God after death.
Define ‘Hell’
A state of being without God (or with the devil) after death
Define ‘Purgatory’
A time of spiritual cleansing and preparation for heaven.
Define ‘Reincarnation’
Being born again in another form.
Define ‘Rebirth’
Continuing life in another form.
Define ‘Ageism’
Prejudice and discrimination against someone because of their age.
Define ‘Euthanasia’
Inducing a painless death to ease suffering.
Define ‘Voluntary Euthanasia’
A person gives consent to die.
Define ‘Non-Voluntary Euthanasia’
A person is unable to give consent to die.
Define ‘Passive Euthanasia’
When a patient dies because the medical professionals don’t do something necessary to keeping the patient alive or when they stop doing something that is keeping the patient alive.
Define ‘Active Euthanasia’
When the medical professionals, or another person, deliberately do something in order to end the patient’s life.
Define ‘Assisted Suicide’
A person gives someone the means to end their own life.
What is Dignitas?
A Swiss organization that helps people end their lives.
Define ‘Hospice’
A place where terminally ill people go for support and finish their lives.
Define ‘Palliative Care’
Care that focuses on a patient’s comfort instead of a cure.
Define ‘Ordinary Means’
Someone is kept alive using drugs, care and food etc.
Define ‘Extra-Ordinary Means’
Someone is kept alive on life support machines, expensive operations etc.
Give some problems faced by the elderly.
Often they rely on state pensions which can lead to financial difficulties. They may face loneliness. Many feel undervalued. Usually encounter health problems. Less mobile. Feel worthless.
Explain Islamic views towards caring for the elderly.
Muslims believe that caring for your elders is your duty as their child. It is a duty second only to prayer. “Cherish the elderly as they cherished you in childhood.” - Qur’an
Explain Christian views towards caring for the elderly.
Christians are taught to look after elderly and sick members of their family. “Honour your mother and father” - Bible
Explain Catholic views towards euthanasia.
They believe that euthanasia is a form of murder, so goes against the 10 commandments. They believe in the sanctity of life. Also, Christ suffered on the cross, we must accept suffering.
Explain Joseph Fletcher’s views towards euthanasia.
Fletcher believed that the quality of a person’s life is more important than the sanctity of life. If someone was in a great deal of pain and suffering then the most loving thing to do would be to end their life. Fletcher would agree with most cases of euthanasia but not all, he is a relativist. “Sometimes no life is better” - Joseph Fletcher
Explain Islamic views towards euthanasia.
Muslims believe that euthanasia is a form of murder “Only Allah can take life”. They believe in the sanctity of life. They believe that Allah may be testing a person through suffering. Muslims disagree with euthanasia because they are banned from killing themselves “Don’t destroy yourselves, Allah will always be merciful to you” - Qur’an
