Section 2 - Matters Of Life And Death Flashcards
What do Protestants believe happens after death
- Jesus told a thief on the cross that he would be in heaven that day
- Jesus said his fathers house had many rooms
- the church teaches that all Christians, dead and alive, belong to the church
- some Christians think the paranormal (e.g. Ghosts and mediums) is evidence if an afterlife
What do all Christians believe after death
All Christians believe that there is an afterlife for those who believe in god
Most Christians believe that after death the body stays in the grave and the soul goes to god for judgement. Those who have been good will go to heaven, and the sinners will go to hell.
Catholics believe in purgatory and that the body will be resurrected
What do Evangelical Christians believe happens after death
- Jesus body was raised from the dead
- the creed (St. Paul ): ‘I believe in the resurrection of the body and everlasting life’
What do Roman Catholics believe happens after death?
- resurrection of Jesus
- teachings of the New Testament e.g. The book of revelation
- teachings of the catechism of the Catholic Church
- the creed which says Jesus ‘is seated at the right hand of the father and will come again to judge the living and the dead.’
What are the differences in belief
Protestants: some Protestants believe there is no hell
Roman Catholics: believe in purgatory, where the souls of sinners are sent to be cleansed. The souls of those who do not believe in god or who have committed unforgivable sins will go to hell. When the world ends, Jesus returns to earth to raise the dead (resurrection), god will make a new heaven and the souls still in purgatory will go to heaven
What are the effects of belief in the afterlife on Christian lives
- we should try to live within the guidelines of the bible and the church because we will be judged by god
- heaven offers comfort when our loved ones die
- we must try to live a good life and treat others as we would like to be treated
- the afterlife shows that we should try to repent and to forgive
- we can cope with sufferings when we know heaven awaits us
How do Christians respond in their lives to the belief of afterlife?
- Confession - repent for their sins.
- Prayer - praying more regularly and communicate more frequently with god.
- Doing good work - because they know god is watching over them, they will try to live life how he wants them to by helping others.
- Teachings into actions - they will follow gods commandments and the example of Jesus through ‘ treating others as they would like to be treated.
- Vocation - they may choose to dedicate their lives to god through jobs such as a nurse or doctor and helping others or by becoming a priest or minister, nun or monk
Why do some non religious people still believe in afterlife
- Near death experiences
- Paranormal activity
- Reincarnation
Say about near death experiences
Near death experiences are reported by patients pronounced dead for a short time.
They describe leaving their bodies and seeing themselves outside of their body
Sometimes people have reported seeing dead relatives or a bright light
Say about paranormal activity
Ghosts are thought to be spirits of dead people who have not travelled to ‘the next place’. Evidence can be a physical presence that cannot be seen or a feeling of something being in the room with you.
Mediums claims to be able to contact the dead. You can attend meetings (séances) where people believe this happens.
Some people claim these are not real
Say about reincarnation
Reincarnation is the belief that a persons soul is reborn into another body or form after death.
An idea believed by Sikhs and Hindus but also by many non-religious people because of memories from the past or déjà vu.
Other reasons why people believe in an afterlife
The idea of death is difficult to deal with
Belief in an afterlife seems to make life fairer
Sometimes people feel their loved ones who have died are still with them
It makes sense that those who have led a good life should be rewarded and those who have not should be punished
What are the different opinions at when does life begin?
- at fertilisation - when the egg and sperm meet
- when the fertilised egg is implanted into the womb
- when the foetus is developing in the womb
- when the foetus is capable of living independently of the mother
- at some other point
What is the U.K. Abortion law?
- 2 doctors must agree
- if there is a physical or mental risk to the woman’s health
- the child born would be severely disabled
What are the arguments for abortion? (Pro-choice)
Woman should have the right to choose it is their body
In cases of rape, abortion should be allowed
It is kinder to allow abortion if the child will be severely disabled
Babies have the right to be loved and cared for and the woman cannot always provide this
What are the arguments against abortion (Pro-life)
Life begins at conception
An embryo has the potential to be a human and should have the right to life
Even disabled children have the right to life
Adoption is an alternative
What are the Christian attitudes to abortion?
Christians may hold different views about abortion, although most will not support abortion because of the ‘sanctity of life’
What are the passages in the bible that says abortion is wrong?
‘So god created man in his own images’ - Genesis 1:27
‘Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit’ - 1 Corinthians 6:19
‘You shall not commit murder’ - Exodus 20:13
What are the Christian arguments against abortion?
- Abortion is viewed as murder
- Life is sacred gift from god
- God has plan for every human
- All life has a value even if a child may be born disabled
- Life begins at conception
What are the Christian arguments for abortion?
- Jesus taught about compassion towards others
- we cannot be sure if life begins at conception
- In cases of rape or incest, it is the kindest action
- Medical technology allows us to identify problems with the foetus
- Abortion is the best choice if the mothers life is at risk
What is the law on euthanasia in the U.K.?
All forms of euthanasia are against the law
What are the arguments for euthanasia?
- Allows patients to die a gentle pain-free death
- The patient dies with dignity
- medical staff can focus on patients with more chances of recovery
- It relives the family burden
What are the arguments against euthanasia?
- Life is sacred and special
- If euthanasia were legalised, it would lead to other things being made legal which would lessen the value of life
- Some people may be pressurised into choosing euthanasia
- Hospices provide alternative palliative care for patients so euthanasia is not needed
- Doctors can be wrong about a diagnosis
- Helping someone to commit suicide means living with what you have done for the rest of your life
What are the Christian attitudes to euthanasia?
It goes against the sanctity of life argument
It is seen as a murder because it takes away human life
Only god has the right to take away life
Euthanasia could be used for evil purposes
Life should be valued even when someone is in pain
No person should value themselves as so worthless that it would be better to die
No one should be able to make a judgement about the value of another persons life
Doctors or relatives may make the decision without involving the patient
Is euthanasia ever right though?
Some Christians are more accepting of euthanasia. They support the view that god intends people to have a good quality of life, which people considering euthanasia often do not have. Some might argue that euthanasia in this case is the lesser of the two evils
Why is issues such as abortion discussed in the media?
- They affect everyone
- People hold strong opinions and it is important to be aware of different view
- They are controversial with many different views
- There are developments and the law may change which people need to know about
What are the arguments for the media criticising religious views?
A variety of views are held and no views should be exempt
Religious views may be wrong or seen as out of date
It is important to debate views because they are constantly changing
What are the arguments against the media criticising religious views?
Religious views should be respected as they’ve been around for a long time
They are based on traditional teachings such as those in the bible
The media should present a range of ideas but not criticise them
