QUESTIONS ABOUT GOD SANCTITY OF LIFE AND THE
AFTERLIFE
KEY QUESTIONS:
 What do believers mean when they talk about 'God'?
 Why do people believe in God or not?
 How do Christians and Muslims believe that God can be
experienced?
 How do these believers try to describe/explain the nature of the
God in which they believe?
 What is meant by the term 'sanctity of life'?
 How does the belief in the sanctity of life affect attitudes to issues
such as IVF suicide and euthanasia?
 Can these ever be considered right?
 Is there any evidence that there is life after death?
 What do Christians and Muslims believe about death and a lie
beyond death?
 Why do they hold these beliefs?
 How might such beliefs affect he way a believer lives life?
SOME KEY WORDS DEFINED:
ATHESM: The belief that there’s no God An atheist believes that there is no God.
AGNOSTICISM: the belief that it is not possible to know whether or not God exists.
An agnostic is a person who believes that it is not possible to
know whether or not God exists.
THEISM: The belief that there is a God who can enter into a personal relationship with
a person. A theist believes that there is a God.
FAITH: A (religious) belief in which a person fully trusts and which is put into practice.
It is more than believing that God exists but is believing in God in
the sense of putting one's trust in him. Acting upon the belief.
AWE: Involves being filled with wonder or admiration; overwhelmed by the sense of the
presence of God/the Divine. A feeling of being humble and
insignificant in the presence of someone (something) more
powerful and much greater. A mixture of fear and respectful
reverence.
REVELATION: Showing or making known; usually with reference to God making
himself known to human beings. This might be through a holy
book, or an action or some special person or some other
experience a person under goes in which something of God is
shown is also believed that God is revealed through the world
created by God.
RELIGIOUS TRADITION - CHRISTIANITY
THE NATURE OF GOD
Christians believe that the ONE God has revealed himself through THREE
different 'persons'. Each of these 'persons' is an aspect of God's nature.
Christians try to explain this difficult idea of the TRINITY using symbols.
(SYMBOLS have to be used when talking about/describing God because he is
believed to be so far above human understanding. Symbols point to truths and
ideas about God but do not describe him completely.) One symbol is the triangle
- three sides but one triangle. Another is the three-leafed shamrock which is one
yet in three distinct parts. A third example is the three distinct properties of H2O
(gas - steam; solid - ice; liquid - water) yet all being one and the same thing.
GOD THE FATHER
The creator and giver of life. Revealed in the world and life he created.
GOD THE SON
God in human flesh in the person of Jesus. The word incarnation is used to
describe this. Incarnation means becoming flesh.
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
The power of God at work in individuals and the world
Christians believe that they can experience God in each of these
‘persons’.
 They believe that God has revealed himself to humans in these three
ways:
 Through the world that he created;
 Through the person of Jesus
 In the person of the Holy Spirit - God's presence in the world today
perhaps revealing himself through a person's conscience.
Christians believe that in Jesus, God reveals himself: Jesus is given the following
titles each of which expresses Christian beliefs about Jesus:
JESUS is LORD. This shows that Jesus is the one to whom Christian allegiance
is owed. The one who should direct (control or guide) the believer’s
life. The one who is the ruler, the one with authority over the world
(heaven and earth). That Jesus is equal or one with God the Father.
JESUS is THE SON OF GOD. By using this of Jesus, Christians are showing that
they believe that there was (is) a special relationship between Jesus
and God; that Jesus was sent from God and represents him; that
Jesus is in some way divine.
JESUS is THE REDEEMER. The redeemer is the one who brings freedom to a
person enslaved or in debt. By using this of Jesus, it shows the belief that he is
the one who pays the ransom to free people from sin and death. This allows the
believer to be with God permanently (and thus enjoy life after death with God).
He enables a believer's sins to be forgiven and so the believer can be set free to
live a fulfilled life. Those things which limit or mar a person's life (sin) can be
removed and enable the person to live as God wants.
The only adequate response to God whom Christians believe has shown himself
(revealed himself) as such a powerful, awesome, loving and caring God is to
worship him. This involves recognising the right (worth) of God to be the object
of human devotion and to offer that devotion and respect to him in the way life
is lived and in special acts of worship. It is in worshipping God and responding to
him in the right way, that a person will be able to be truly human. Since humans
were made to have a relationship with God, it is only when people respond to
him in the right way (worship him and accept him as God) that they will find
fulfilment.
Some Christians believe that God has shown that he wants believers to live in
or follow a particular way of life. They believe that they have received a vocation.
This is a calling (from God) to do a particular job or fulfil a particular role. It is
seen as the right thing for the person to do; what the person was meant to be,
their 'life's work.' Priesthood is considered to be a vocation - a calling from God
to serve him and his people. By responding to this calling, a person will find
fulfilment, will find his/her purpose in life.
LIFE AFTER DEATH
NB. Christians do not all share the same beliefs about Heaven, Hell and
Judgement but the following are some traditional Christian beliefs.
NB. Christians believe in RESURRECTION - that is a person is brought back
from the dead. The one who is alive after death is the same person who was
alive on earth.
The traditional Christian belief is that when a person dies, his or her soul does
not cease to exist. The person is resurrected. The soul moves on to another life
in heaven or hell.
HEAVEN: is being in the presence of God. This means that heaven is already
present in believers during their lives on earth. However, at death, the believer
will fully enter into Heaven. It is a state of being with God eternally, where there
are no more tears and sadness.
HELL: is a state of being separated from God through a person's own deliberate
choice of rejecting God and his ways whilst on earth.
A person's destination is determined by two things:
 A person's response to Jesus and his teachings
 The way a person responded to those in need on earth.
People will be judged. Whether this judgement happens at death or some final
judgement day at the end of the world is a matter of discussion. However, those
judged righteous, those who have been redeemed, will be able to enjoy living in
the presence of God and worshipping him for all eternity.
Christians will have a variety of reasons for believing that there is a life after
death. They may point to the resurrection of Jesus which shows that death has
been defeated both for Jesus and those who believe in him. They may also point
to some scripture passages which talk about life after death (e.g. the Parable of
the Last Judgement) and words of Jesus such as "There are many rooms in my
Father's house, and I am going to prepare a place for you." Also since Christians
believe that nothing can ever separate them from the eternal love of God and
that God has promised to be with for ever, then death cannot be allowed to
separate the believer from God.
"In his [God's] hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all
mankind"
(Job 12:10)
Christians believe in the SANCTITY OF LIFE. This expresses the belief that
human life is special, is holy. This is because it was created by God in his image
and given to people by him. It could be taken to mean that God has a purpose
for each life he make It should therefore be treated with respect because it has
value. This means that lives should be lived in accordance with the wishes of the
one who gave it. This belief affects how Christians respond to issues such as IVF
and Euthanasia.
NB IVF will not be examined in the GCSE paper.
IVF (in vitro fertilisation) involves doctors fertilising a woman's egg with a man's
sperm in a 'test tube'. The resulting embryo is put in the mother's womb to
grow. However, doctors might need many attempts before an embryo actually
implants. They therefore freeze embryos for future use. NB. the sperm and the
egg might be from the couple who will be the child's parents but need not be.
This issue is opposed by many Christians. Some of the reasons are:
embryos and sperm are human life created by God and so sacred. It is God who
decides when a child is to be born and humans should not interfere. If God
intended a couple to have children they would. The process is not natural and
takes place outside of sexual activity (it separates the unitive and procreative
aspects of sex) and could involve people other than the couple if the sperm/egg
is not from one of the married couple themselves. This might also endanger the
marriage. It is claimed that it will also lead to children being treated as "objects"
to be designed and bought rather than gifts. The wasting of 'spare' embryos that
is involved is unacceptable because it is destroying a sacred human life. This also
means that experimenting on unused embryos is also unacceptable.
Some Christians may not be opposed as long as only the couple themselves are
involved. It would be a way of bringing happiness to the couple, fulfilling one of
the
purposes of marriage. It's a way of showing love to the couple. It could be
argued that scientific advances are a gift from God, he has given people the skills
to develop such techniques therefore they ought to be used for the good of
couples. (Against this it could be argued that it is possible to misuse techniques
and so bring about harm.)
Euthanasia usually refers to 'mercy killing" or helping someone to die
painlessly. It involves taking active steps to allow or bring to end a life when the
quality of that life seems to have disappeared and there is no hope of it being
recovered.
Christianity is generally opposed to euthanasia because a person's life is in the
hands of God. It is he who should decide the time of death. All human life is
sacred and belongs to God, therefore to take it away, whatever the
circumstances is unacceptable. Taking life is against the commandment, "Do not
kill". Hospices are available to help cope with death in a positive and meaningful
way. The final stage of life, provided pain and discomfort are suitably controlled
or eased, may be very important to the individual, their family or carers. Some
would argue that allowing a person to die is acceptable but actively ending life is
wrong. However, some Christians might support euthanasia because it could be
considered the most loving and caring thing to do for both the patient and the
family - it is not loving to allow a person to suffer with no hope of recovery.
Suicide is also seen as being against God's will. It is against the commandment
not to kill. It is to reject the gift of life that God has given the person. Only God
should take life away. Whatever the circumstances a person faces in life, God is
with them. To commit suicide is to show a lack of faith in God's promise. It is
recognised that a person contemplating suicide needs help and support to find a
value and purpose in life. That is why some Christians have set up organisations
such as the Samaritans. The person has someone to turn to and to talk to, and
so, hopefully find value in life again.
CHRISTIAN BELIEFS IN FREEWILL.
Since a person's 'fate' is decided on the response made to Jesus, his teachings
and the response made to those in need, it would follow that individual's have
the freedom to choose. They must have the free will to decide to follow Jesus
or not. Thus many Christians believe that human have free will. They can
control their own lives. This free will was given to them by God so that they can
choose whether to obey him, worship him. In Genesis chapter 2, in the Garden
of Eden, humans are given a choice as to whether they will eat from the tree of
the knowledge of good and evil or not. If humans have free choice and choose
to do what is against God's will, then they must be responsible for the
consequences. No-one else can really be blamed. Thus, if suffering is brought
about because of human greed, selfishness, pride, hatred etc., then that
suffering cannot be anyone's fault but human beings. It could be said that it is
not God who causes such suffering but people.
There are those who claim that human freedom is limited. That our choices are
the results of many influences and pressures. These include laws and rules,
parental and family background, traditions, culture, peer pressure, media,
advertising, hereditary, genetic make-up, experiences. Some may believe in
predestination - that an individual's life has been mapped out, and there is no
choice. If there is no choice, there can be no responsibility and thus no blame
or praise. If there is limited choice, then responsibility is limited.
It would seem that while there are limits on freedom and influences on people to
make particular choices, in the end we are the ones who choose how to live and
what to believe and so are responsible for the path our lives take. Christians
believe that the power of the Holy Spirit can help them make the right choices
and overcome those influences that stop them serving God and doing his will.
Paul wrote: "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God
is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the
temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure
it." (I Corinthians 10:13)
RELIGIOUS TRADITION – ISLAM
"He is Allah, The One and the Only; Allah, the Eternal, Absolute; He begot none,
Nor was He begotten; And there is none like Him."
The fact that God is called Allah (the God) in Arabic tells us a lot about the
Muslim concept of God. Firstly, Allah is simply the Arabic word for God and is not
the same for some other being. Secondly, Allah has no plural in Arabic. It cannot
be made to refer to more than one and so the very fact that the Qur'an says
Allah means that there is only one God.
Tawhid is the belief in the unity of God. Tawhid means 'the Oneness or Unity of
Allah'. Allah is the one and only, universal God of all humanity. He is all-powerful,
transcendent, beyond anything human beings can ever imagine.
Allah is greater than anything people could ever imagine. He created the
universe, ordered and arranged it. The greatness of the universe is much less
than the greatness of Allah. Allah created the earth and humans for a purpose.
Humanity was created by Allah. This means that all people are equal before Him.
There should be no barriers of gender, race or religion to divide from one
another. There is only One God and one humanity. The purpose of humanity is
to worship the One God. There is a plan for every person's life. All people are
part of Allah's plan and should live their lives accordingly. This one being sees all
that they do and after death the same one being will judge them.
In the face of Tawhid, an individual must be in awe, overwhelmed, obedient, full
of respect for the one all-powerful, all-knowing, transcendent Allah who sees and
judges every move. The only acceptable response is to submit. The word Islam
means "submission to Allah". A Muslim is one who submits to Allah. All humans
should submit to Allah.
Many different 'names' are used to describe Allah. These are sometimes referred
to as 'ninety-nine names of Allah'. By reciting the names Muslims can come
to a fuller awareness of Allah. Allah cannot be completely described by any, or
even all, of these names, but they help Muslims think about Allah's unknowable
nature. The names help get over some of Allah's qualities. Allah is beyond
human understanding, but the names help Muslims glimpse something
of what God is like. Some of the names are: The Creator, The King, The
Protector, The Compassionate, The Merciful, The Judge, The Friend. A
Muslim would never draw a picture of Allah because people may be tempted to
worship the picture and idolatry is strictly forbidden in the Qur'an.
Allah is revealed to human beings through revelation. The natural world points
towards Allah, Since He created the universe, studying it can guide to truth
about Allah. However, this general revelation is not enough. A special revelation
from Allah is needed. The Qur'an is this special revelation. The Qur'an was
revealed to Muhammad Throughout the Qur'an the voice of Allah is speaking.
The Qur'an was given to all people for all time to guide them to worship Allah.
The Qur'an is central to the life of all Muslims. They refer to it for answers to
moral or theological questions.
Twenty-five prophets are named in the Qur'an. The Qur'an teaches that the
prophets bring God's message to that people know how to behave. These
prophets are humans who receive a message from God through an angel. Each
prophet was given God's word for their generation (therefore each prophet
brought Islam) but their words were either ignored, forgotten or distorted so
that God had to send a new prophet with the original message. These prophets
include Adam, Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses), Isa (Jesus). Muhammad was
Allah's final prophet. 'the seal of the prophets'. His responsibility was to carry
Allah s final revelation; the Qur'an.
MUSLIM TEACHING ON FREE WILL
Muslims believe that everything that happens, including suffering, is part of
Allah's plan. This belief is called QADR (predestination). Allah knows everything
that has happened and that will happen in the future. Nothing can happen unless
Allah wills it. He created people and their actions. Nothing happens without
Allah's knowledge. This means those things which human's experience must all
be part of a bigger plan that the human mind cannot understand. Whether it is
caused by human actions or natural disasters it is still part of Allah's plan.
However, every person, Muslim or non-Muslim, has free will to choose whether
or not to obey Allah. This seems to conflict with the idea of predestination.
Muslims believe that when they make moral decisions, they make them freely,
even though Allah knows what the final outcome will be.
Allah wants people to follow the right path willingly not because they are forced.
Without free will, people would be nothing more than robots. If Allah stopped
people doing wrong, it would not be a test of their desire to do right. People
learn from their mistakes. Some people will choose to follow the straight path of
Allah but others will not. Humans will be held responsible for the decisions they
freely make and will be judged on them after they have died.
MUSLIM BELIEFS ABOUT LIFE AFTER DEATH
There is a life after death - called akhirah. Life on earth is a preparation for the
life to come. At death the soul is taken by the Angel of Death to a state of
waiting for Judgement. The angel will ask three questions: Who is thy God?
What is thy religion? Who is that man who was sent among you?
"The unbelievers of the People of the Book and the idolaters shall be for ever in
the fire of hell. They are the worst of creatures. But those who believe and do
righteous deeds are the best of creatures Their reward is with their Lord Gardens of Eden, underneah which rivers flaw, where they shall dwell for ever.
Allah is well pleased with them and they are well pleased with Him. This is for
those who fea heir Lord." (Surah 98: 5 -8) . t r t
On the Day of Judgement, life on this day, life on earth will come to an end. All
people who have ever lived will be raised from the dead (there will be a
resurrection of the body) and judged by Allah. Each person will be judged
according to the extent they have followed the Qur'an and Shari'ah, and their
actions towards other humans and animals; but repentance can bring
forgiveness. Those who performed ibadah (worship - the main actions of ibadah
are the five pillars of Islam) and so obeyed Allah's will, will be rewarded with
Paradise (a beautiful garden with rivers of milk and honey), whilst the rest will be
in hell (a terrifying place of heat and torment).
THE SANCTITY OF LIFE
"Do not kill anyone whom Allah has forbidden you to kill; except for a just cause.
If anyone is killed unjustly, we have given his heir authority, but let him not carry
his revenge too far: he will be helped. “(Surah 17:33)
"No one dies unless Allah permits. The term of every life is fixed." (Surah 3: 145)
Muslims believe that life is holy or sacred. Life is a gift from Allah. Each human
being is His creation. He alone decides if and when someone will be born and
when they will die. Human life belongs to Him.
This belief in the sanctity of life will affect Muslim attitudes to issues such as IVF,
euthanasia and suicide.
EUTHANASIA
Muslims are reluctant to go against nature and are expected to look after, as a
duty, any elderly or sick persons. Muhammad prohibited the practice of killing
baby girls, and many Muslims use this as an argument against abortion and
euthanasia. Besides, if it is the will of Allah that a person's life continues, then
none should try to bring it to an end. Since Allah has a plan for each individual,
euthanasia would disrupt that plan. Allah's plan might involve suffering. This
does not mean that Allah
is cruel (He is Compassionate) for He will know the reasons for the suffering and
tests individuals go through. Good things can come out of suffering. A person
making a decision about euthanasia is, in a way, claiming to know better than
Allah that a person is ready for death. Only Allah knows. It is not merciful to kill
a person before their appointed time; you could be destroying Allah's plan. All
Muslims should obey Allah's will and should trust in Allah's mercy.
Many Muslims would regard voluntary euthanasia as suicide. Suicide is
condemned in Islam. Muhammad said; "Whoever commits suicide with
something will be punished with the same thing in the (hell) fire".
IVF
The pursuit of pregnancy is legitimate and individuals may resort to the
necessary means provided that they do not violate the Shari'ah. Artificial
Insemination is only allowed if the sperm belongs to the husband. Donor's semen
may not be used since procreation is legitimate only within the marriage contract
and the couple that are party to it.
"Test tube baby technology" (IVF) is acceptable as long as it is between husband
and wife - that is within the bounds of the marriage contract. The contract must
be valid and live - which means that the sperm of an ex-husband (divorced or
dead) cannot be used. Intervention of a third party is not permissible because
this would be an intrusion into the marriage contract.
Surrogate Motherhood is unacceptable. Motherhood should not be separated into
genetic and biological. It would break the legitimacy of the marriage contract.
The baby is treated as a commodity. Motherhood is reduced to a price.