Unit 3 Section 2 Matters of Life and Death Flashcards
What do Catholics think happens in life after death?
God will reward the good and punish the bad
Why do Catholics believe in life after death?
1) Jesus rose from the dead
2) St. Paul said we will resurrect
3) The catechism teaches that there will be life after death
4) Catholics believe in the immortality of the soul
How does belief in life after death change the way Catholics live their lives?
1) They live a good life to be allowed into Heaven
2) They pray and attend Mass every Sunday to show love for God
3) They work for charities such as CAFOD
4) They avoid committing sins
What are the three forms of evidence which make non-religious people believe in life after death?
1) Reincarnation
2) Near-death experiences
3) Paranormal
Why do near-death experiences make people believe in life after death?
People who have experienced them remember things they wouldn’t if they hadn’t been to a life after death
What are the problems with believing in life after death because of near-death experiences?
- They could be lying
- No evidence
- Could be imagination
Why does paranormal activity make people believe in life after death?
If dead people can be seen or communicated with, it proves they are alive in another form
What are the problems with believing in life after death because of paranormal activity?
- No evidence
- Modern technology can forge things
Why does reincarnation make people believe in life after death?
There’s no other way that they could know details about their past life
What are the problems with believing in life after death because of reincarnation?
- Could be staged
- Greater access to information in the modern day
Why do some people not believe in life after death?
1) There’s no God so there’s no Heaven
2) If it were real, all religions would say the same thing
3) Science shows the mind can’t exist without the brain
4) There’s nowhere for it to take place
Define Pro-Choice
The name given to the movement which supports a girl or woman’s right to terminate a pregnancy
Define Pro-Life
The name given to those who support the foetus’ right to life and want abortion banned because it denies this
Reasons FOR abortion
1) Abortion isn’t taking a life because life begins when the foetus can live outside the mother
2) A woman should have the right to do what she wants with her own body
3) It’s not fair for the unborn child’s life to be more important than the mother’s
4) In some circumstances it should be acceptable
Reasons AGAINST abortion
1) Life begins at conception so abortion is killing
2) A foetus born at 22-24 weeks can now survive
3) The unborn child’s right to life is greater than the mother’s rights
4) Medical staff shouldn’t have to carry them out
4 Laws on Abortion
1) Abortion can’t take place after 24 weeks unless the mother’s life is in grave danger
2) Two doctors must give consent
3) Abortion can be carried out if there’s a risk to the mother’s physical or mental health
4) Abortion can be carried out if the child is probably going to be born seriously handicapped
Catholic attitude to Abortion (what and why)?
All abortion is wrong!
1) Life is holy and belongs to God
2) Life begins at conception
3) The Ten Commandments says it’s wrong
4) Everyone has a right to life
Liberal Protestant attitude to Abortion (what and why)?
Wrong except in some circumstances, eg. rape or health implications
1) Love your neighbour - it may be the most loving thing to do
2) Life doesn’t begin at conception
3) There is such thing as Just War so why not Just Abortion?
4) Doctors can now detect disease and suffering in a foetus
Why is Euthanasia controversial?
1) Nobody knows if it’s really what the person would want and there may be money involved £££
2) The disease may not be terminal/coma may not be permanent
3) Doctors are supposed to SAVE lives
4) People might change their minds too late
5) Who should be allowed to decide?
Why do people want Euthanasia to be legal?
1) People who should have died are being kept alive
2) Life support machines are already a form of this
3) Life may not be worth living
4) The pain and suffering may be too severe
Catholics think Euthanasia is wrong but don’t consider turning off a life support machine or giving life-shortening painkillers as Euthanasia.
Why’s this?
1) Life belongs to God
2) Euthanasia is murder
3) If someone is brain-dead, switching off their machine is accepting what God’s decided
4) The painkillers which may shorten a life were intended to help them
Some Christians believe all forms of Euthanasia is wrong.
Why’s this?
1) The Bible forbids suicide
2) Switching off a life machine is Euthanasia because it involves a human ending life
3) Murder is banned in the Ten Commandments
4) Life is sacred and belongs to God
A few Christians accept Euthanasia in certain circumstances.
Why’s this?
1) God may want someone to die but doctors are keeping them alive
2) Love your neighbour - may be most loving thing
3) It’s a basic human right
What are the 4 main causes of world poverty?
1) Natural Disasters - destroying land
2) Wars - destroying homes, schools, crops etc
3) Debt - the counties pay interest on loans
4) Others, eg lack of education, clean water
