Unit 3.2 - Matters Of Life And Death Flashcards
As Catholics believe in the sanctity of life, what do they also believe in?
1) Life is God given “in the image of god he created them”
2) Human life is precious and must be protected.
3) Life should not be destroyed “you shalt not murder”
4) All life has worth and deserves respect
What is the law on abortion?
The law says that abortion is only allowed if two doctors agree that:
1) The mothers life is at risk.
2) The mothers physical health or mental health is at
3) The child is very likely to be born severely handicapped
4) There would be a serious effect on other children in the family
Why abortion is a controversial issue
1) Many people believe that life begins at conception (when the sperm meets the egg). Therefore abortion is taking a human life
2) Many people believe that life begins when the foetus is able to live outside the mother. Therefore abortion is not taking life.
3) Many non religious people believe that a woman should have the right to do what she wants to do with her own body. They might argue that the unwanted foetus is no different from an unwanted tumour.
4) Many religious people believe that the unborn child’s right to life is greater than the mothers rights.
5) There are also arguments about whether medical staff should have to carry out abortions.
Reasons FOR abortion
1) It’s a woman’s right to choose what happens to her body
2) It may be the kindest thing to do if a foetus is known to have severe disabilities
3) Every child has the right to be wanted. Abortion saves children from feeling unwanted.
4) If conception happened due to rape then surely continuing with the pregnancy would only cause more distress to the woman
Reasons AGAINST abortion
1) The foetus should be valued as a life, not just an inconvenience
2) Any people with disabilities have productive lives e.g Mozart
3) Abortion seems to be treated as contraception
4) Even if the woman is raped, it is not the foetus’ fault and it is still a part of her
Liberal protestant attitude to abortion
They agree with abortions because they believe:
- The sanctity of life can be broken in things such as war, so why not abortion?
- Life doesn’t begin at the contraception.
- Abortion may be the most loving thing to do at the time.
Catholics attitude to abortion
They disagree with abortions because they believe:
- All life is sacred, every life has a purpose.
- From the moment of contraception, human life begins to grow and develop.
Church of England attitude to abortion
- Abortion is always wrong and only God can give and take a life
- Abortion is murder (thou shalt not kill)
- They believe that Jesus taught us to ‘love our neighbour’ and so sometimes abortion is the most loving thing
- Jesus taught compassion and sometimes abortion is the lesser of two evils such as when someone has been raped
Many people want euthanasia to remain illegal because:
1) There is always likely to be doubt that its what the person really wants
2) If you kill the person a cure may be found
3) It is the job of a doctor to save a person’s life not end a person’s life. Would patients trust their doctors?
4) People might change their mind and then its too late
Many people want euthanasia to be made legal because:
1) Discoveries in modern medicine mean that people are being kept alive, often in agony and should have the right to die
2) You can stop the suffering of your pet so why not your loved one
3) People have the right to commit suicide so why not have the right to euthanasia
4) A person should be allowed to die with dignity when they want to die
Catholic views AGAINST euthanasia
- The UK has hospices where people can go die. They have excellent pain relief programmes
- Not all terminally ill people die. If it was legal then some people may make the decision too quick
- When they qualify doctors have to promise that they will do ‘no harm’ and euthanasia kills
- Pressure may be put on patients who do not want to die but don’t want to be a burden to their families
Catholic views FOR euthanasia
- It could stop many people dying an agonising death which is a kind thing to do
- It would give the patient control over their life – if they choose it, what is the problem?
- It would save the NHS millions of pounds on treatments for people who will die any way
- Surely god wouldn’t want us to suffer.
How beliefs about life after death affect the lives of Catholics?
1) Catholics believe that they will be judged–> They will try to do good deeds in order to go into heaven.
2) Living a good Catholics life means following scripture and the teachings of the Church–> They will follow the teachings of god. go to church/mass. they will love god by prayer
3) The parable of the sheep and goats–> Give to charities and those in need.Give food, money…
4) Catholics believe that sin prevents you from getting onto heaven–> Catholics will try not to sin and they will do confession to get rid of their sins.
Why Catholics believe in life after death?
- “he is not here, he has risen”
- “i tell you, today you will be with me in paradise”
- “the one who believes in me will live, even though they die”
- ” whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”
Non religious reasons for believing in life after death.
- Near death experiences
- Evidence of a spiritual world
- Reincarnation
