S2 - Matters Of Life And Death

Question 1

Explain the Christian beliefs about life after death

Answer 1

1. Christians believe in life after death because they believe that Jesus rose from the dead
2. The bible claims that there is life after death
3. The church teaches that there is life after death
4. Christians believe in a soul which is something that can never die so there must be life after death

Question 2

Define immortality of the soul

Answer 2

Belief that the soul lives on after the death of the body

Question 3

Explain the Muslim beliefs about life after death

Answer 3

1. Muslims believe in life after death because it is taught in the Quran
2. The prophet Muhammad taught that there was life after death in the Hadith
3. Islam teaches that heaven and hell exists as punishments and rewards after death
4. Life after death is needed to give life purpose

Question 4

Explain the non-religious reasons for believing in life after death

Answer 4

1. Near death experiences - when people see things they cant explain
2. People claim to have seen ghosts and spirits
3. Evidence of incarnation

Question 5

Define near death experience

Answer 5

When somebody is about to die has an out of body experience

Question 6

Explain why some people do not believe in life after death

Answer 6

1. They do not believe in God
2. There is no scientific evidence
3. They do not see where life after death can take place
4. Different religions disagree about life after death so they are probably made up

Question 7

Define abortion

Answer 7

The removal of a foetus from the womb before it can survive

Question 8

Define sanctity of life

Answer 8

The belief that life is holy and a gift from God

Question 8

Explain the Christian attitudes to abortion

Answer 8

1. Catholics
   - Against because it goes against the sanctity of life
   - Life begins at contraception so abortion is murder - the bible and the Ten Commandments say murder is wrong
2. Liberal protestants
   - Jesus taught live thy neighbour - can be the more loving thing to do
   - They do not believe that life begins at contraception or that the mother has a right to choose

Question 9

Explain Muslim attitudes to abortion

Answer 9

1. Some think it should not be allowed because the Qur’an says killing is wrong
2. Some modern Muslims think abortion should only be allowed if the mother is in danger
3. Abortion is allowed until 120 days because this is when the soul enters the body

Question 10

Define Euthanasia

Answer 10

The painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease

Question 11

Define voluntary Euthanasia

Answer 11

When the person who is killed requested to be killed

Question 12

Define Non-voluntary Euthanasia

Answer 12

When the person who is killed made no request and gave no consent

Question 13

Define involuntary Euthanasia

Answer 13

When the person who is killed made an expressed wish to the contrary

Question 14

Define assisted suicide

Answer 14

The act of deliberately assisting or encouraging another person to kill themselves

Question 15

Explain the Christian attitudes to Euthanasia

Answer 15

• Most Christians are against it because life is a gift from god and is sacred (Sanctity of life)
• The bible teaches against killing
  1. Catholics only agree if the person is brain dead then turning off life support systems are okay
  2. Liberal protestants may accept because it can be the more loving thing to do and we have a human right to decide when we should die

Question 16

Explain the Muslim attitudes to Euthanasia

Answer 16

1. The majority
   - Life is sacred and is a gift from God
   - The Qur’an says that suicide is wrong
   - Islam teaches that life is a test and is like cheating
2. Some
   - Is someone is brain dead, God has already taken their life
   - Muslim lawyer have agreed to switching off life support systems

Question 17

Define multi faith society

Answer 17

When many different religious groups live together