Unit 1- The Right To Life Flashcards
If one believes in the sanctity of life- what does mean?
It means they believe that every individual human life is precious and sacred( because it is God-given) ; it has a special value beyond all price. It cannot be traded, ignored or sacrificed for other good.
What is meant by the sanctity of life?
Sanctity of life means that life is sacred, this means it is precious and holy. It is given by god and should therefore be treated with great respect.
What do Christians believe the right to life to be?
Christians believe the right to life is a moral principle based on the belief that a human being has the right to live and life should not be taken away from another human being, no matter what.
What sort of issues are arise during debates about the “sanctity of life” and the “right to life”?
Capital punishment, abortion and euthanasia
What do Christians believe life is ?
They believe that life is a gift from god, they believe they should treat it with respect especially if it is God given. They also believe they should do something useful with their lives , rather than wasting them.
What do some Christians believe is an example of ungratefulness of gods gift?
Unhealthy activities such as smoking and over eating - are wrong because you are destroying your life which is sacred.
Define the right to life
The principle in which Christians believe in, is to not take away any humans life as it is sacred and God- given.
Do Christians believe every human is special to god?
Yes, regardless of gender, age and ability.
Why do Christians believe human life is sacred?
5
- They believe that there is something of god in every human being. They believe god created man in his own image. And by taking away a human life is to kill a god like creature, you are essentially taking away a part of the image of god.
- They believe god is the giver of life. Therefore he chooses when to start and end a life. It is not for human beings to decide when to end someone’s life.
- Every life has a purpose. God destined for each of us to be born. He took care when crating us. Christians believe all life is important and shouldn’t be wasted.
- God decides when life begins and ends. Murder is forbidden in the 10 commandments. It isn’t acceptable to kill someone and taking your own life is not considered a good thing either.
- Christians believe in compassion and love, and the taking of a life isn’t compassionate and loving. It is wrong.
What quote matches the statement:
God created humanity and all human life is a reflection of god.
So god created man in his own image, in the image of god he created him; male and female he created them.
What quote matches the statement:
God plans every persons life before they are born and even before conception.
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.
Which quote matches the statement:
Only god can decide when life begins and ends- life is sacred, holy and blessed by god.
Naked I came from my mothers womb, and naked I will depart, The Lord gave and The Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.
Which quote matches the statement:
God knows and plans the existence of each individual from the very beginning of life in the mothers womb.
For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mothers womb.
Which quote matches the statement:
The human body should be respected and that people have responsibility to take care of their bodies they are like a temple and sacred to god.
Don’t you know that you yourselves are gods temple, and that gods spirits lives in you? If anyone destroys gods temple, god will destroy them; for gods temple is sacred, and you are that temple.
Which quote matches the statement:
Must not take a life
You shall not murder
Which quote matches the statement:
Life is so sacred that you forfeit your own life if you kill
Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of god has god made man.
Definition of abortion
Premature expulsion of the foetus from the womb, an operation to cause this.
What are the Christian attitudes towards abortion in the Church of England?
The life of the foetus must be respected and protected, unless the life of the foetus is not absolutely sacred if it endangers the life of the mother, then and only action can be taken.
What are the Roman Catholic Church’s attitudes to abortion?
They believe they have been made like god. God plans the birth of all babies and makes them with the parents. In every foetus god has made a completely new human being. Human life is given by god. Therefore all people must realise only god can end life.
What are humanists attitudes towards abortion?
Abortion is better than bringing unwanted babies into the world.
In what situations to Methodist church’s believe abortion to be permissible?
- When the life of the mother is in danger
- When the baby will be born with a severe handicap.
- When the children the mother is already bring up might suffer badly if a new baby arrives.
What conditions are abortions permitted under ?
- Two doctors must agree
- The mothers health might be at risk if she has the baby. (Mental or physical)
- The arrival of another child might harm the health and well being of other children in the family.
- There is a good chance that the baby is severely handicapped.
- The operation is carried out before the 28th week. ( now 24th)
Give biblical quotes about the teaching of abortion.
‘You are gods temple’
‘ The Lord gives and The Lord takes away.
‘You created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mothers womb’
‘Do not commit murder’
Give 5 arguments for abortion:
- Mother incapable- some women may be unable, either physically(could be very young) or mentally( tormented especially if a rape attack caused this problem).
- Compassionate killing- it is more loving to abort the severely disabled embryo who will not survive for long outside the womb rather than putting them and the mother through childbirth and the sad decline to death of the baby.
- Women in hardship- a poor single mother with no support and with other children to care for should be also treated with compassion.
- Abortion is not murder as it only destroys a collection of cells which cannot survive before 24 week outside the womb.
- The pregnancy may lead to the woman who is at risk of dying. Having that baby inside her may make her feel extremely unwell and lead to serious health issues. Then two human beings will die.
Give 3 arguments against abortion
- An abortion is infanticide. A human life is created and is a human person in the eyes of god. You are killing a life that god created.
- Human life is sacred, you are destroying gods temple.
- If abortions are easily obtained, they may be used as another form of contraception, encouraging people to have a causal attitude towards sex.
When was the abortion act passed?
1967
Define euthanasia
The inducing of a painless death, with compassionate to relieve suffering from an incurable illness. It is done by giving a lethal injection.
Why do some people want euthanasia?
Terrible pain
The loss of quality of life
Terrible illnesses
Paralysed
Arguments for euthanasia
God is love. Christianity is all about love and compassion and forgiving, they believe that keeping someone in pain and suffering is not loving, but evil. Euthanasia can be the most loving action and best way of putting agape love into practice.
There are some examples of euthanasia in the bible in Samuel. And therefore Christians believe that god would only teach good things and thus some will end the lives of suffering.
Arguments against euthanasia
Life is a sacred gift from god, and you should not kill a god given life.
What is voluntary euthanasia?
When a terminally ill person asks a doctor or friend to help them die peaceful with dignity.
How can you help a person to have euthanasia?
Providing the medicine or lethal injection
What year was the Diane pretty case?
2002
What disease did Diane pretty have?
Motor neurone disease
What was Diane pretty like with her disease?
She was wheel chair bound
Unable to control her bladder
Fed through a tube
Could Diane pretty communicate?
No
Did Diane lose the case?
Yes, she lost in court
When did Diane die?
May 2002
What else can voluntary euthanasia be called?
Assisted suicide
One thing that a Christian would say about euthanasia(hint:Jesus)
Jesus brought healing and life to people, not death
On the other hand what would people think about euthanasia if they like to help people?
They’d think helping people who are suffering to die is a way of showing love and mercy
Blessed are the merciful