Unit 1: Matters Of Life & Death Flashcards
Assisted suicide definition
Providing a seriously ill person with the means to commit suicide
Euthanasia definition
The painless killing of someone dying from a painful disease
Immortality of the soul definition
The idea that the soul lives on after the death of the body
Near-death experience definition
When someone about to die has an out of body experience
Non-voluntary euthanasia definition
Ending someone’s life painlessly when they are unable to ask, but you have good reason for thinking they would want you to do so
Paranormal definition
Unexplained things which are thought to have spiritual causes, for example, ghosts, mediums
Quality of life definition
The idea that life must have some benefits for it to be worth living
Reincarnation definition
The belief that, after death, souls are reborn in a new body
Resurrection definition
The belief that, after death, the body stays in the grave until the end of the world when it is raised
Sanctity of life definition
The belief that life is holy and belongs to God
Voluntary euthanasia definition
Ending life painlessly when someone in great pain asks for death
Why do Christians believe in life after death?
Some Christians believe in life after death because of evidence of the paranormal - unexplained things which are thought to have spiritual causes e.g. Ghosts
It gives their lives meaning. They feel that for life to end after death doesn’t make sense so that fact that you will be rewarded/punished after death encourages you to live a good life.
Jesus rose from the dead - the gospels record several ‘resurrection appearances’ of Jesus. Clearly, if Jesus rose from the dead, there is life after death.
All Christian churches believe in life after death, therefore Christians believe in life after death because this is what they’re taught.
Abortion definition
The removal of a foetus from the womb before it can survive
How do Christian beliefs about life after death affect their lives?
Christians try to follow the two greatest commandments: to love God and to love your neighbour as yourself, so that they go to heaven.
Christians try not to sin because they could go to hell if they do.
Christians try to be charitable e.g. By being part of charities such as CAFOD and Christian Aid.
Christians are less likely to suffer from depression because they believe that their life has meaning.
Why do Muslims believe in life after death?
The Quran teaches that there is life after death. The Quran is the word of God, so Muslims should follow it.
The prophet Muhammad taught that there is life after death. Prophet Mohammad is the last prophet & the perfect Muslim, so Muslims believe what he taught.
Muslims believe that life is God’s test. Muslims believe in life after death because it makes sense of this life being a test.
It gives Muslims’ lives meaning and purpose. If you are judged in your life, life after death makes sense.