Matters of life and death. L/O – You will discuss issues concerning matters of life and death and life after death. Š H. R. Ashton
Arguments for an against life after death Arguments for the afterlife…. Ghosts and the paranormal suggests that there is an afterlife. Near-death experiences. If there is a God, then this suggests that there is an afterlife.
Arguments against the afterlife…. Death means the end of life. Life after death is a contradiction. Science suggests that the brain cannot survive death. Brain death implies that the mind cannot survive death.
Christian views on life after death
All Christians believe in life after death because they believe that Jesus rose from the dead. The Bible makes many references to the afterlife, but there are differences between the denominations.
Evangelical Christians believe in the resurrection of the body. This idea is based on Jesus rising from the dead and St Paul’s teachings. “The body that is sown perishable, it is raised imperishable.” 1 Corinthians 15:42
Protestant Christians believe in the immortality of the soul. This idea is based on Jesus saying to the criminal, “I tell you today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43
Catholic Christians believe in purgatory and the idea of heaven and hell. Some souls have to be purged before they are fit to go to heaven. “In my Father’s house there are many rooms.” John 14:2
Christian teachings on the sanctity of life All Christians would say that life is sacred and a gift from God.
“ Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit…you are not your own.“ 1 Corinthians 6:19
“Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it. “ Genesis 1:28
“You shall not murder.” Exodus 20:13
“If we live, we live to the Lord, if we die, we die to the Lord: so then whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.” Romans 14:8
Abortion – the context
Since 1967 two doctors must agree that: The mother’s life is at risk. There is a risk of injury to the mother’s mental or physical health. There is a risk to other children. The child might be born severely handicapped.
More women are having abortions. There are less women having children. In many Catholic countries such as Ireland, abortion is illegal.
The Christian perspective on abortion. Catholic and Evangelical
They believe in the sanctity of life. They believe that the unborn child is made in the image of God. They believe that every foetus has a right to life.
Jesus taught people to love their neighbour. The sanctity of life is broken in wars. Life does not begin at conception.
Other Protestants
Attitudes towards contraception. The teaching of the Catholic Church is that any artificial contraception is a sin. The view of other Christians is that contraception is acceptable to limit family sizes.
Because sex was given by God for reproduction. God told Adam and eve to “be fruitful and multiply.” Contraception can encourage promiscuity.
Because Christianity is all about love and justice. Contraception can improve a woman’s quality of life. God created sex for enjoyment in marriage as well as for reproduction.
Euthanasia – the essential definitions • Assisted suicide – providing a seriously ill person with the means to commit suicide. • Voluntary euthanasia – where someone dying in pain asks a doctor to end his / her life painlessly.
• Non – voluntary euthanasia – ending someone’s life painlessly when they are unable to ask, but you have good reason for it. • Living will or advanced directive – legal document expressing wishes.
Christianity and euthanasia. • All Christians would say that euthanasia is wrong. • There are clear issues for Christians between the sanctity and quality of life. Catholics would say that any omission or act to speed up death is wrong. It is a clear sin going against the teachings in the Bible.
Other Christians would say that turning a life support machine off is still leaving the decision to God.
Key words • Resurrection • Immortality of the soul • Purgatory • Heaven • Hell • Paranormal • Sanctity of life
• • • • • •
Abortion Contraception Euthanasia Assisted suicide Voluntary euthanasia Non – voluntary euthanasia
Examination question 2003 (a) (b) (c) (d)
Or (a) (b) (c) (d)
What is assisted suicide? (2) Outline different attitudes among Christians towards abortion.(6) Explain why some people do not believe in life after death.(8) “Only God has the right to take someone’s life, so euthanasia is wrong.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view. In your answer, you should refer to Christianity. (4) Give TWO examples of the paranormal.(2) Outline different attitudes among Christians towards life after death.(6) Explain why Christians believe that life is sacred.(8) “All good people will go to heaven. Whatever they believe.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view. In your answer, you should refer to Christianity.(4)