Matters of life and death

1. Matters of life and death Keywords: Paranormal- unexplained things which are thought to have spiritual causes, e.g. ghosts and mediums Heaven- a place of paradise where God rules Hell-a place of horrors where Satan rules Immortality of the soul- the idea that the soul lives on after the death of the body Resurrection- the belief that, after death, the body stays in the grave until the end of the world when it is raised Abortion- the removal of a foetus from the womb before it can survive Assisted suicide- providing a seriously ill person with the means to commit suicide Euthanasia- an easy and gentle death Non-voluntary euthanasia- ending someone’s life painlessly when they are unable to ask, but you have good reason for thinking they would you want you to do so, e.g. switching of a life support machine Voluntary euthanasia- when someone dying in pain asks a doctor to end his/her life personally Sanctity of life- the belief that life is holy and belongs to God Purgatory – a place Catholics believe you go to so as to work of sins before going to heaven Quality of Life – the idea that life must have some benefits for it to be worth living Reincarnation – the belief that after death souls are reborn in a new body Near death Experience (NDE) – when someone about to die has an out of body experience • Why Christians believe in life after death • The resurrection of Jesus for Christians proves that there is life after death. • Jesus tells Christians they will be brought back to life in John 11:25. • Jesus teaches that he is the key to eternal life. (John 3:16-17) • St.Paul teaches about life after death and how the body will be transformed from a physical body to a spiritual one when it is raised. (1 Corinthians 15:20, 35-8, 42-4) • How these beliefs affect Christians • Some Christians believe in the Resurrection, that after death the body stays in the grave till the Day of Judgement. When everyone will be raised from the dead and be judged by God. As such they want to lead good lives so they can get to heaven. • How these beliefs affect Muslims • To get to heaven they will lead a good life – following the 5 Pillars is a way to do this – also follow Shari’ah law – all this gives meaning and purpose to their life and so they would be less likely to commit suicide. • Why Muslims believe in life after death • The Quran and Muhammad state that it exists. • It is one of the ‘6 Fundamental beliefs’ of Islam • Life is a test reward/punishment can only come in the next life • Non-Religious reasons for believing in life after death • Near-death experiences- people who have had these say that they were travelling through a tunnel or toward a light. • Existence of the spirit world/ghosts - who are thought to be the spirits of the dead that are sometimes visible to the living. Use mediums and Ouija boards. • Reincarnation – people claim they can remember previous lives. • The case against life after death • Scientific evidence shows that when the body dies, everything decays. • No one has returned from the dead to tell us. • The end of life means exactly that, it is illogical to speak about life after death. • Life-support machines prove the brain dies before the body

2. Abortion • The Law (1967 Abortion Act) • 2 doctors agree that mother’s life at risk OR risk to health of already living children OR baby is severely disabled. • Can’t take place after 24 weeks of pregnancy (1990 Abortion Act) • Christian Teachings • Roman Catholics and some Evangelical Christians believe that life begins at conception so abortion is murder and a serious sin. • Christian teachings on the Sanctity of life means every human has the right to a life (even a foetus). • Some Christians, such as Liberal Christians, believe that abortion in certain circumstances may be the kindest and most loving action. They refer to Jesus’ teaching that love is the most important thing. • Non-religious arguments in favour • A woman has the right to chose. • A child’s quality of life is important. • A mother’s health and welfare are more important then that of her unborn child. • There are too many people on the planet. • Non-religious arguments against • Its a form of murder. • Everyone has the right to be born so they can reach their full potential. • All life has value. • Muslim Teaching • Some allow it up to 120 days. Hadith says the baby gets its soul at this point. • Some say it is always wrong. Quran condemns murder. • Some say it is OK if the mother’s life is at risk. Shari’ah says that the mother’s life takes precedence over the child’s. • Christian teachings • Wrong but do not want people to suffer. • Christians believe that God created everything and that humans were created in his image. So life is holy, this is known as the Sanctity of Life. Only God should end life. • Jesus accepted his suffering and death and never tried to escape from it, so Christians believe that this teaches them to preserve and cherish life. • God tells us not to kill in the Ten Commandments. • Evangelical Protestants believe it is wrong in every circumstance • Bible condemns suicide and they follow it literally • God tells us not to kill in the Ten Commandments. • Liberal Protestants allow limited use of euthanasia • Jesus said ‘love thy neighbour’. Helping someone to die might be the most loving thing to do. • Non- religious arguments in favour • Suicide is legal, so why not help someone who cannot commit suicide themselves, • If animal were suffering, we have it put down as its the most humane thing to do. • It is their life they have should have the right to end it if they want to. • It’s not fair for the relatives to have to watch their loved one dying painfully. • Non- religious arguments against • Drugs can be used for pain control. • Euthanasia is just a fancy word for murder. • Doctor’s take an oath to save life, it is wrong to ask them to kill people. • People can better or medical science might find a cure for them. Euthanasia • Muslim Teachings • All are against euthanasia but 2 attitudes exist. • Switching off a life support machine is NOT euthanasia. • If they are ‘brain dead’ then God has already taken that person. • Others see turning the life support machine off as BEING euthanasia. Against it because… • See it as suicide which is condemned in the Quran • View voluntary euthanasia as suicide as well • See life as a test. Only God can decide when we die.

3. Notes • Life and Death in the Media • Media should NOT criticise religious beliefs on life after death because… • Might stir up religious hatred • Might be offensive to religious believers • Criticising what the Pope says could be seen as blasphemy • Religious attitude based on God’s teachings. God is beyond human criticism • Media SHOULD be allowed to criticise religious attitudes because… • A free media is a key part of democracy • If religions want to be free to say what they want then the media should also have that right. • Life and death is such an important topic all people should be made aware of the arguments • Freedom of expression is essential for society to make progress.