Religious Studies GCSE Cheat Sheet Religion and Life Origins of the world and life - The Genesis accounts of Creation (6 day Creation story, the creation of Adam and Eve) GENESIS 1 - Day 1 - God created light and separated the light from the darkness, calling light "day" and darkness "night.“ - Day 2 - God created an expanse to separate the waters and called it "sky." - Day 3 - God created the dry ground and gathered the waters, calling the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters "seas." On day three, God also created vegetation (plants and trees). - Day 4 - God created the sun, moon, and the stars - Day 5 - creatures of the seas and every winged bird, blessing them to multiply. - Day 6 - God created the animals to fill the earth. On day six, God also created man and woman (Adam and Eve) in his own image to commune with him. He blessed them and gave them every creature and the whole earth to rule over, care for, and cultivate. - Day 7 - God had finished his work of creation and so he rested on the seventh day, blessing it and making it holy. GENESIS 2 - God created man from the dirt - He then created animals as Man’s helper - They were not enough so he put the man in a deep sleep - Then he took his rib and made woman - He told them to multiply - The divine nature of the soul and the superiority of mankind - See end of life notes for belief about the soul. - Importantly, there is a distinction between humans and the rest of creation. - We were created with a soul (ensoulment) whereas other living things were not. - This gives us ‘intrinsic’ or built in value, not ‘instrumental value’ (where things are important because they can be used (like animals) - For many Christians, this means we have a higher moral status than anything else in the world as we are made in ‘God’s image’ or ‘Imago dei’. - Different understandings of the creation story (creationism) Fundamentalists – take all of the story literally and so believe that the world and humanity was created in 6 24 hour periods - Liberals believe that Bible stories are metaphorical – the days could be ‘God days’, or even represent millennia. The message could be that God was responsible for the world coming into existence and this is just a story to illustrate it to humans. Scientific ideas about the origins of the world and humanity - The Big Bang theory - The BIG BANG theory is the most widely accepted cosmological theory for the existence of the universe. - This states that the universe is 12-15 Billion years old, all the matter in the universe originates from a central point, the matter rapidly expanded and space-time began, stars formed which eventually grew old and died. When stars die they explode sending out matter into the universe. By the process of gravity, this material eventually condensed to form planets. Life evolved from the material available. - Many see this as contravening the ‘God Hypothesis’ which argues that the universe is a result of God’s deliberate act of creation. - Many would also debate whether or not the universe is even explicable. - Some have famously said that they believe that the universe is a ‘brute fact’(Bertrand Russell). They mean by this that the universe is necessary – it has to exist but it causes it’s own existence. It is not caused by God. - Many other religious people would claim that the Big Bang is too complex an explanation for the existence of the universe, rather, God is a better explanation. Evidence for the Big Bang • The universe is expanding • Galaxies are moving apart from one another • Red Shift • Background radiation How does the Big Bang challenge religion? • Different to Genesis account • Questions the age of the universe • Undermines the Bible • Suggests that the universe could be a cosmic accident rather than the result of loving design • Questions the relationship humans feel they have with God. • Explains the existence of the universe without need for God. - Dawkins would argue that there is no evidence for God’s existence or the notion that God created the universe. - He would argue that the universe can be explained by the Big Bang and Evolution. - He argues that as our scientific knowledge improves, eventually, we will be able to explain all of the universe and how it came into being. - Dawkins argues that human longing to believe in God can be explained psychologically. - He would argue that the idea of God is a meme – an idea that spreads from person to person within a certain culture. - Others claim that humans appeal to a ‘God of the Gaps’ type of theology wherein they rely on God only as an explanation for what science hasn’t discovered yet. - It is assumed by scientists such as Dawkins that there will one day no longer be a need for ‘God’ – this is sometimes termed the ‘atheist revolution’ - Swinburne and other theologians have rejected Dawkins’ views. Some even refer to him as a fundamentalist atheist as he is unwilling to change his views. - Swinburne reformulated the teleological argument to explain how the design argument can be adapted to utilise emerging scientific theories and also to deal with the overly complex Big Bang theory. - He argues that we can explain the existence of God through the universe by referring to spatial and temporal order. Darwinian evolutionary theory - Darwin posited in his book ‘the origin of species’ that all beings have a common ancestor - We have evolved or changed over a period of time to adapt to niches or habitats - The species that were best adapted, survived and passed on their genes - These strong genes were then passed on to offspring over millennia leading to ‘survivial of the fittest’. - Human beings share a common ancestor too and most recently were evolved from primates. - They were not the direct result of God’s creation How does Evolution challenge religion? • Undermines the Bible • Questions the special relationship and the ‘image of God’ • Purpose? (“Blind, unconscious, automatic process ...”) • Is there any need for God? ‘Intellectual suicide’? • Suggests that creatures have adapted to their environment, countering the religious idea that God loving crafted their environment. Intelligent design - Many questions have been raised about the verbal inspiration of the Bible – i.e. was the Bible directly verbally dictated by God/did he directly inspire the authors through the Holy Spirit. - If not then can we rely on the religious accounts of the origins of the universe? - Fundamentalist evangelical Christians tend to reject the theories of evolution on the basis that it undermines belief in the God of Classical Theism. - This is mainly because it questions the responsibility for human life, the origin in terms of animals and the timescale that it took. - Fundamentalists try to use science as a tool to explain the stories in the Bible (ironically making them seem less mystical) but when science contradicts religion, they reject the scientific theory. - What do Creationists believe? - Although there are different types, they generally believe in the verbal inspiration of the bible, the literal 7 day creation story, that ‘evidence’ from science is planted by God to test us, that humans did not evolve from animals and have special status. - They reject the Big Bang and Evolution because they are just ‘theories’. - Some are young earth creationists who argue that the earth was created only 4000 years ago. Old earth creationists argue that each ‘day’ in the narrative stands for thousands of years. - Many claim to believe in ‘intelligent design’ – complexities in the world such as DNA can only be explained by an omniscient designer/intelligent creator. People and animals - Christian ideas about what sets humans apart from the animals – the soul i.e. we have one and animals don’t Attitudes to animals and their treatment Uses of animals which Christians might find acceptable: • Companionship • Guides or helpers for the blind or disabled • Agricultural work • Medical testing. - Many Christians believe that God’s creations deserve respect, - Some Christians may interpret ‘respect’ to prohibit eating meat or wearing leather and fur, while others might focus on the ways in which animals are kept during their lifetime and whether they are humanely slaughtered. - Christians value kindness and compassion and would therefore be opposed to unnecessary cruelty and inhumane treatment of animals. - However the book of Genesis describes how humanity was given a soul, something no other animal has. - Christians believe that this sets humans apart from animals, as animals do not have an afterlife. - Human life is therefore more valuable to God and animals can be used to sustain and protect human life through animal testing, eating meat etc. - Christians believe that they were given stewardship over the earth by God, together with dominion over the animals. - we can therefore use animals as we see fit, as long as we act responsibly or for the greater good. - Many Christians would therefore oppose cosmetic testing and hunting for sport. - Medical testing however could be supported on the grounds that it is of benefit to humanity and therefore a ‘lesser evil’. - Some Christians are vegetarians and others are not; this is due to differing interpretations about stewardship and dominion. - However animals that are farmed should be treated humanely. Environmental issues - Religious teachings relating to environmental issues - Catholics may approach the environment that we have a right to do well and avoid evil and polluting the environment is seen as an evil act. - They believe in worshipping god, having an ordered society, reproduction and to learn and defend the innocent are to be followed. - Christians believe they see god’s creation an act of worship and treasure and preserve the universe as much as they can. - To destroy the earth that god gave to them is wrong - Everything is seen as having intrinsic value including all creatures and trees. - Therefore Christians are against damaging the environment in any way. - God has given them the land and we are to preserve it not to mistreat it. - Genesis 1:1 - The world is God’s creation. It is a good creation, and God “was pleased with what he saw”. This phrase is repeated 6 times. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1 - “….and God looked as everything he had made and he was very pleased.” Genesis 1:31 - Stewardship – humans were put on the planet to look after it on behalf of God. Genesis 1-3 - God put Adam in the Garden of Eden to look after it on behalf of God. Humans were created in the image of God, and told to be stewards of the earth – caretakers. God put humans in charge of all living things, to look after God’s belongings, not abuse them. - “God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to till it and keep it.” Genesis 2:15 - “You made him ruler of everything you made; you appointed him over all creation.” Psalm 8:6 - Human disobedience and sin is the reason why the earth is being abused. - Adam and Eve (all humans) deliberately disobeyed God and his laws. - They gave into temptation and did what they be wanted. - As a result destruction was brought to the Garden of Eden and sin and death entered into the world. - The following two phrases have often been used as an excuse to exploit the planet: 1. Human beings “will have power over the fish, the birds, and all the animals” – Genesis 1:26 2. God told humans “have many children so they their descendants will live all over the earth, and bring it under their control. I’m putting you in charge over the fishes, the birds at your wild animals.” - But many believe that 2 is wrong. - Humans are to be stewards of God’s creation, not abusers! - However, these 2 passages do show that humans are special, because they are made in the image of God, and can have a relationship with Him. - Many of the psalms praise God for the creation of the world… - The earth is the lords, and everything in it. Psalm 24:1 - “The heavens declare the glory of the Lord” Psalm 19:1-4 - In this Psalm, the writer looks at the night sky, and thinks about the enormous privilege and responsibility stewardship is! - The writer believes.. - a) Heavens and the earth were created by God. - b) Humans are special to God because they are stewards of Creation – they look after it for God. - When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him?…. You made him ruler over the works of your hands. Psalm 8:3-6 - God loves and cares for the whole world - not just humans Christians often thought that God made the world solely for them! But this is not found in the Bible. - Noah and the Flood, Genesis 9. God saved both humans and animals – not just humans. After the flood, God made a covenant (agreement) with humans and all living beings. 10 commandments – Deuteronomy 5:12-14 – every week, all animals must have a day of rest – not just humans. - Even the land must have a rest every seven years… - “The seventh year is to be a Year of complete rest of the land” Leviticus 25:4 - Some of the Old Testament rules are about good stewardship e.g., there are rules about harvesting. - In Old Testament times, “gleaning” was common. - After a field had been harvested, any grain which had fallen on the ground or had been missed by the harvest has was left for the poor who would be allowed to go and collect it for their use. - “When you’re harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf (some wheat), do not go back and get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the orphan and the widow, so that the lord your God may bless you.” Deuteronomy 24:19-22 - This reminds people not to take every last scrap for themselves; they should make sure they leave something behind for the people who will come after them - "The land is mine… .you are my tenants.” Leviticus 25:19-22 - The New Testament: there are passages which show the belief that God created every living thing: - “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or stow away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Jesus, Matthew 6:26-29 - However, the New Testament says that through his death, Jesus brought the whole of Creation back to God, not just humans. - “Through the Son, God decided to bring the whole universe back to himself. Of make peace through his son’s death from across and so brought back to himself all things, both on earth and in heaven. “ Colossians 1:20 - The early Christians used to share their resources with each other. - “The group of believers was one in mind and heart. None of them said that any other belongings were their own, but they all shared with one another everything they had……there was no one in the group who was in need. Those who owned fields or houses would sell them, bring the money received from the sale…………and the money was distributed to each one according to his need.” Acts 4:32-25 Responses to environmental issues - the current state of the environment is a result of a failure in our stewardship that can only be put right by becoming more focussed on the fact that the environment is not ours to exploit. - This view is complicated by belief in dominion, and the Biblical account of creation in which all living things are given to Adam for him to rule over. - Coupled with the Christian belief that human beings are God’s most important/beloved creation this could lead to the view that while gratuitous damage to the world is to be avoided damage incurred in attempts to improve human lives is a necessary evil rather than a breach of our stewardship. - The minority of Christians view that the Second Coming is so imminent (soon)nthat they believe they should be focussing on their spiritual lives and avoiding political involvement since ‘green issues’ are currently a political topic. - Some think they should be reducing their personal environmental impact and ensuring that they are not individually responsible for causing harm and suffering - These ‘engaged’ Christians might work for environmental charities or with community groups as well as focussing on their individual role. - Campaign groups e.g. Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth - They might also say prayers of intercession for world leaders to guide them in making the right decisions - They might also lead by example e.g. recycling Animal research More than 2.5 million live animal experiments were authorised in Great Britain in 2000. This number has halved since the 1970s Around the world, animals are used to test products ranging from shampoo to new cancer drugs. British law requires that any new drug must be tested on at least two different species of live mammal. One must be a large non-rodent. Almost every medical treatment you use has been tested on animals. Animals were also used to develop anesthetics to prevent human pain and suffering during surgery. Rodents (mostly rats and mice) - 84% Fish, amphibians and birds - 12% Other small animals (eg rabbits) - 1.5% Large mammals (eg shaap, cows) - 2.1% Dogs and cats - 0.3% Monkeys - 0.15% Arguments for animal research Animal research works because: Animal testing has helped to develop vaccines against diseases like rabies, polio, measles, mumps, rubella and TB Antibiotics, HIV drugs, insulin and cancer treatments rely on animal tests. Other testing methods aren't advanced enough Scientists claim there are no differences in lab animals and humans that cannot be factored into tests Operations on animals helped to develop organ transplant and open-heart surgery techniques Animal testing is morally right because: Human life has greater intrinsic value than animal life Legislation protects all lab animals from cruelty or mistreatment Millions of animals are killed for food every year - if anything, medical research is a more worthy death Few animals feel any pain as they are killed before they have the chance to suffer Arguments against animal research Animal research doesn't work because: Animal experiments can be misleading. An animal's response to a drug can be different to a human's Successful alternatives include test tube studies on human tissue cultures, statistics and computer models The stress that animals endure in labs can affect experiments, making the results meaningless Animals are still used to test items like cleaning products, which benefit mankind less than medicines or surgery Animal testing is morally wrong because: Animals have as much right to life as human beings Strict controls have not prevented researchers from abusing animals Deaths through research are absolutely unnecessary and are morally no different from murder When locked up they suffer tremendous stress. Can we know they don't feel pain? Christian responses to animal research Some Christians support animal research because: Humans have a unique status because of their relationship with God Mankind was "made in God's image" unlike other animal species God put mankind in charge of animals to "rule over them" Humans have souls, non-human animals don't Some Christians oppose animal research because: All animals are made by God and are intrinsically valuable Many experiments are performed for curiosity's sake, or cosmetic purposes Not all Christians agree that animals lack a soul “A man is worth many sparrows, but not one sparrow can die unnoticed in God's World” Matthew 10:29-31 Church teaching about animal research Church of England “The fact that animals may be used in scientific procedures for the benefit of people shows that we believe that human beings have more value than animals. But the fact that we minimise the pain, suffering, distress or lasting harm that animals may have to undergo shows that we regard them as having intrinsic value.” Our Responsibility for the Living Environment 1986 Abortion What is meant by the term ‘abortion’? The deliberate termination of a pregnancy Ending the life of an unborn foetus A miscarriage The Abortion Act 1967 legalised abortion in the UK in certain circumstances: Reasons which might be given for seeking a legal abortion in the UK. The foetus presents a serious threat to the life of the mother The foetus is likely to develop into a baby with serious disabilities If the pregnancy is the result of rape The baby could be a threat to existing children Abortions must have the agreement of two doctors and must be carried out in a licenced clinic. Abortion for non-life threatening reasons is legal until 24 weeks of the pregnancy. When does life begin? This is one of the major issues surrounding abortion as, once we establish that life has begun, then ending human life could be considered to be murder. There are many different attitudes about when life begins: Conception – when the sperm fertilises the egg. Many would argue that, if this process is left to nature, this will usually result in a successful pregnancy and therefore life has begun. Primitive Streak – 14 days the earliest trace of an embryo Embryo stage – from 2-8 weeks Foetus – from 9 weeks onwards Viability – 24 weeks, when the foetus can survive (with medical intervention) outside the womb Ensoulment – when the soul enters the unborn foetus. Different religions have differing views on when this occurs. Christian attitudes to abortion: Roman Catholic Church "Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception; abortion and infanticide are the most abominable of crimes." Second Vatican Council, Encyclical Gaudium et Spes Abortion is always wrong. Life begins at conception, therefore abortion is murder. - Unborn child is a sacred human life; it deserves the same respect as any other human being. - Rape: RC Church does not support abortion - the foetus is paying for someone else’s crime. “Humanae Vitae”, 1968: “Human life is sacred”. Pope John Paul II, 1985: “The unborn human being’s right to live is one of the inalienable human rights” “Declaration on Procured Abortion”, 1974: Abortion is a serious sin. Everyone, whether Catholic or not, should have a proper respect for human life. "From the time that the ovum is fertilised a new life is begun which is neither that of the father or the mother. It is the life of a new human being with its own growth. It would never become human if it were not human already" Declaration on Procured Abortion (1974) The Church of England Abortion is an evil to be avoided if possible, but can be justified in 3 circumstances: i) Risk to the mother’s life or her mental and physical health. ii) Baby likely to be deformed and mother feels she cannot cope. iii) Rape. Although the foetus is to be specially respected and protected, nonetheless the life of the foetus is not absolutely sacrosanct if it endangers the life of the mother. Church of England - Board of Social Responsibility Report 1984 CofE DOES NOT MORALLY AGREE with abortion, but often accepts it may be the only way forward for someone. They do not condemn someone who has an abortion, but would help a woman get through it, come to terms with it, and move forward. Women often feel they have done something very wrong, and need help. Sometimes abortion is the most loving thing to do. If Jesus forgives people, then so should Christians. “We affirm that every human life, created in the divine image, is unique… We therefore believe that abortion is an evil… and that abortion on demand would be a very great evil. But we also believe that to withdraw compassion is evil, and in circumstances of extreme distress or need, a very great evil… In an imperfect world the ‘right’ choice is sometimes the lesser of two evils.” Church of England 1988 “To regard the life of the mother as less valuable than that of the unborn child does not consider her 'right to life' in terms of her wider roles of wife or mother (actual or potential) of other children, as well in terms of her own person.” Abortion, an Ethical Discussion, Church information office 1965 Bible quotes used to argue AGAINST abortion “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born I set you apart” Jeremiah 1:5 God has a plan for every human being even before they are born Also: Before I was born, the LORD chose me and appointed me to be his servant. Isaiah 49:1 “You saw me before I was born” Psalm 139:16. “God… chose me even before I was born” Galatians 1:15 These help support the idea that life begins at conception or, at the very least, that the foetus is a person. Once Christians establish that the foetus is a human being, the sanctity of life teachings all apply: “In the image of God” – Genesis 1:26 “Do not kill” – Exodus 20:13 ”You yourselves are God's temple” - 1 Corinthians 3:16 Bible quotes used to argue FOR abortion Surprisingly. the Old Testament supports the idea that a human life is not as valuable before birth. God made Adam, and then “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.” Genesis 2:7 This suggests that we are not human until we breathe (i.e. we are born). However, more convincing arguments come from examples of how foetuses are treated in the Bible: “If some men are fighting and hurt a pregnant woman so that she loses her child, but she is not injured in any other way, the one who hurt her is to be fined whatever amount the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. But if the woman herself is injured, the punishment shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth.” Exodus 21:22-25 This suggests that causing the death of an unborn child is not as serious as killing someone who is already born. Also in Genesis 38:24 Tamar is ordered to be burnt to death because she committed adultery and became pregnant. Although her life is spared, this has nothing to do with the twin foetuses she carried which seem to be given no value or consideration. “If a man does not get his share of happiness……then I say a baby born dead is better off. It does that baby no good to be born…….It never sees the light of day or knows what life is like, but at least it has found rest.” Ecclesiastes 6:3-5 “But better off are those who have never been born, who have never seen the injustice that goes on in the world.” Ecclesiastes 4:3 These can be used to show that abortion is better than being born into a life of suffering, e.g. unwanted babies. Arguments in favour of abortion: Pro-choice means being in favour of the woman’s right to choose an abortion. Many would argue that the availability of abortion enables women to make decisions about her future without being forced to have an unwanted child. This can further equality by enabling women to access the same career opportunities as men without the expectation that they should be limited to bringing up children/completing domestic tasks Additionally, the family may already have existing children and another would put an unbearable strain upon the family The foetus might be severely disabled and therefore its quality of life would be significantly affected if the pregnancy continued The woman may have been raped and therefore did not choose to become pregnant. The baby might also be a continual reminder of a traumatic experience. The woman may be too young (physically/emotionally) to cope with raising a child. She may also wish to continue her education or not have the support of her family. The woman might be too old and to continue the pregnancy could endanger her life, the foetus is much more likely to be disabled, her life expectancy could be lower than a younger woman. From a woman’s point of view it is their body that carries the foetus and it is therefore up to the mother to make any decision. She will have to bear the consequences, physical, mental and emotional for the baby whether it is born or not. Provided the foetus does not suffer it is no one else business. Arguments against abortion: Pro-life means that a group or individual does not support abortion. Rather, they support the rights of the ‘Unborn Child’ (e.g. SPUC – Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child). It is important to note that, unlike the controversial comments made by 2016 Presidential candidate Donald Trump, Pro-life supporters do not condone punishing women who have abortions, although they may believe that the law should be changed. From a biological point of view, whilst the foetus is totally dependent on the mother for a major part of the pregnancy, it is a separate biological entity. It is not a part of the mother like one of her teeth or a kidney, so it is not hers to mess around with. From another point of view the foetus is a human life and just as sacred as that of an adult – the foetus has the right to life like any other person. From a religious perspective, many believe that life begins at conception and it is a sacred as any other human life, therefore it is not up to another human to take it away. Only God has the right to take life – it is not up to the mother. It has long term emotional effect and is not just like having a minor operation on another part of the body. So it is not the mother’s decision alone – society and the family have an interest in the fate of the foetus. In the view of many faiths the foetus is a human being as soon as conception has taken place so it has rights just like any other person. Its life is sacred and must not be destroyed. The mother should take care of it, not kill it. The woman may also come to regret her decision. She could opt for alternatives such as adoption or a family member fostering the child until she is able to look after it herself. Euthanasia Definition: “A good death” – from the Greek “eu” meaning good, and “thanatos” meaning death. Euthanasia is related to suicide because people choose how and when a human life should end, either their own or someone else who is unable to make the choice. Difference between euthanasia and suicide: Euthanasia involves more than 1 person. Someone else is needed to perform the killing, provide drugs, or withhold life-saving treatment because someone is unable to commit suicide on their own. Voluntary Euthanasia: “Assisted suicide”: Someone chooses to end their life but needs help to commit suicide. Nonvoluntary euthanasia: Other people decide it is best if someone’s life ends, because s/he can not make that decision. E.g. they have been in a coma for a very long time. Involuntary euthanasia: Taking someone's life against their wishes. E.g. Hitler euthanised people with mental illness. Active euthanasia: Action is taken to bring a life to an end, e.g. a lethal dose of drugs is given. Passive euthanasia: Decision is made to stop giving treatment, even though death will result. This happens often in hospitals. Many do not accept this as euthanasia, because all you’re doing is letting nature take its course. Euthanasia and the Law 1961 Suicide Act: Suicide became legal in UK, but it is still an offence to “aid, abet, counsel or procure” such an act. Anyone who helps a sufferer to end their life risks being charged with murder or manslaughter. In some cases, passive euthanasia may be allowed, but permission must first be obtained from the courts. Tony Bland, a teenager injured in Hillsborough 1989, was left in a Persistent Vegetative State. As there was no hope of recovery, the courts gave permission for his life-support machine to be turned off. However, Voluntary Euthanasia is not permitted in Britain. Diane Pretty, a 43 year old woman with motor neurone disease, has asked for legal permission to have help in ending her life. The courts in Britain said no, so she is taking her case to the European courts. In the Netherlands euthanasia is now legal, from 1.1.2002. For some time the courts in Holland have turned a blind eye to the practice of euthanasia and the law has been changed to acknowledge this – with the majority of the public in full support. Arguments for voluntary euthanasia Can quickly and humanely end a patient’s suffering, allowing them to die with dignity. Can help to shorten the grief and suffering of the patient’s loved ones. Everyone has the right to decide how they should die. Most people would have their pets put down if they were suffering – this would be regarded as kindness. Why can’t the same kindness be given to humans? Arguments against voluntary euthanasia Many pain killing drugs can now help a patient die with dignity. A dying patient may not be able to make a rational decision. A patient may have said they want euthanasia when they were nowhere near death; however, when faced with death they may change their mind but be incapable of telling anyone. Many people recover after being “written off” by doctors. Euthanasia makes life disposable – it could be the first step on a slippery slope. Hippocratic Oath: doctors must try to preserve life. If euthanasia was legalised, the relationship of trust between doctors and patients can be destroyed. If there were better facilities for caring for dying, there would be less need for euthanasia. People might be pushed into saying they want euthanasia by relatives who do not want to look after them. Christians for euthanasia Some Christians would support euthanasia. They might argue: God is love. Christianity is love and compassion. Keeping someone in pain and suffering is not loving, it is evil. Euthanasia can be the most loving action, and the best way of putting agape love into practice. Humans were given dominion over all living things by God (Genesis 1:28), i.e. we can choose for ourselves. Jesus came so that people could have life “in all its fullness” John 10:10: this means quality of life. If someone has no quality of life, then euthanasia could be good. God gave humans free will. We should be allowed to use free will to decide when our lives end. “ Do to others as you would have them do to you”. How would you want to be treated? Christians against euthanasia Other Christians are against euthanasia. They argue it is dangerous to make euthanasia legal. “ Thou shall not kill”. It is wrong to take away God’s sacred gift of human life. “ God made man in his own image” Genesis 1:27 – human life is a sacred gift from God. “ God gives and God takes away” Job 1:21, not us! “ Don’t you know that you are the temple of God?” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Jesus healed the sick and dying, he did not kill them. Christians have a duty to help others who are suffering, not kill them. Humans have a responsibility to use God’s gifts to the full, not end it! Suicide denies our responsibilities to our neighbours, society, family, etc.. Everyone is created by God and offered salvation through Christ – killing is always wrong. Killing a life opposes God’s love for that person. A challenging question Euthanasia raises some awkward questions for Christians: Is euthanasia sinful, or merciful and loving? If God decides whether we live or die, are we “playing God” just as much by healing people as by quickening their deaths? Church teaching about euthanasia The Roman Catholic Church 1. Totally against euthanasia. Any act which deliberately brings about death is the same as murder. 2. Does accept using pain killing drugs which are meant to relieve pain, but may shorten someone’s life. 3. “Ordinary” treatments, e.g. feeding a patient must always continue, but “Extraordinary” treatments such as a complicated operation that is unlikely to succeed need not be given. Euthanasia is always wrong, but it is also wrong to keep a patient alive at any cost. People should be allowed to die, but only when nature, or God, decides. ‘Euthanasia is a grave violation of the law of God’ Pope John Paul II, 1995 The Church of England The Church of England has been involved in discussions about euthanasia for 30 years, and has reported: Sanctity of Life is very important, but doctors should not have to keep people alive for the sake of it, regardless of the quality of life. Making the old and the ill feel wanted and valuable is more important. Church should do all it can to make the elderly feel important members of society. God himself has given to humankind the gift of life. As such, it is to be revered and cherished. Those who become vulnerable through illness or disability deserve special care and protection. We do not accept that the right to personal autonomy requires any change in the law in order to allow euthanasia. Church of England 1999 . Belief in the afterlife The concept of the soul and the relationship between the body and soul Christians believe that there are different interpretations of the soul, however they all agree that humans have a soul and this makes them unique and means that they can live after death They believe that it is the spiritual part of a human being and is given to them by God This was done when God ‘breathed the soul’ into Adam in Genesis 2. In Genesis 1 it describes God making humans ‘in his own image’ (imago dei) which is why they have a soul Is there a difference between the body and soul? They are not the same because of the different beliefs Christians have about the body and the soul. The soul is given to mankind by God and makes people unique. References in the Bible show that humans are different from animal species. The soul is distinct from the body and is the part that makes humans unique. It is the part of a human that lives on after death or that it is the part of a human that relates them to God. The body is the physical part of us that houses the soul and therefore is not the same. Christians believe the soul lives on after death and the body dies. This is the ‘divine spark breathed into the nostrils of Adam’ and shows that we should all be treated with respect. Many Christians believe there is a link to the earthly life and the heavenly life and that the soul carries on after death. Other Christians do believe in the resurrection of the body and the soul, so that although they are different, not one and the same, they both resurrect in the afterlife. However, the atheist’s view of body and soul is that the soul does not exist and therefore nothing will live on after death. Beliefs about heaven, hell and purgatory Heaven: Jesus refers regularly to the ‘Kingdom of God’ or ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ which he describes as a place where those who have lived good lives will be rewarded. Some Christians believe in a physical resurrection wherein the body actually resurrects and literally goes to heaven. Some artworks depict the Day of Judgement (end of the world) with people climbing out of their coffins to go to heaven. Some materialists see heaven as a peaceful garden where they will walk beside God and other Christians who have already passed into the afterlife. Other Christians believe in a Spiritual resurrection wherein their spirit alone rises out of the body at death. This then goes on to the afterlife. St Thomas Aquinas believed that the soul becomes one with the heavenly God which leads to complete fulfilment. Hell is traditionally seen as a place of punishment. This was used extensively in the middle ages as a source of social control. Flames would sometimes be put through the Holy Ghost holes in churches to symbolise torment (Holy Ghost holes were a feature of European churches which were a hole in the ceiling – to create imagery of heaven, doves would sometimes be let through them too). Jesus describes Hell as a place of ‘wailing and gnashing of teeth’ The Italian poet Dante created much of this imagery in his epic poem the Divine Comedy which describes his ‘Inferno’ Many modern interpretations see it as simply being separated from God Others see it as being incompatible with an omnibenevolent God. Purgatoryis described as a ‘Halfway house’ This means that it is between heaven and hell. Christians see this as a place for reflection on their venial sins – i.e. small sins. Bigger sins are called mortal sins – if there are confessed the individual will go to purgatory, if not they will go straight to hell. Is there any evidence for the afterlife? No: They could argue that religion instils fear and guilt into people about a future life and there is no evidence for life after death. There is no evidence to prove either way but that if there is another life after death it is irrelevant. Yes: Near death experiences, ghosts, apparitions may be used as evidence to support the idea that there is life after death. The Christian faith is built upon the central belief of the resurrection of Christ and that God wants people to believe in him to achieve eternal life. All four gospels record the story of the empty tomb, but the appearances of Christ following his crucifixion convinced people of his resurrection. In the book of Acts there are references to Jesus being raised up to be at the right hand of God Almighty, to be the victor over death and sin. The gift of new life after physical death was promised to all who profess the name of Christ. Subsequently, other people became convinced of the truth of the resurrection by the power of the Holy Spirit or faith in the New Testament as the truth. Other religions believe in life after death.
