POR Unit 1 Section two

POR Unit 1 Section two

1. Christian beliefs in life after death

   • Protestants evidence- Jesus told a thief he would be inn heaven that day. Jesus said his fathers house has many rooms. Paranormal could be proof.
   • Evangelical evidence- Jesus' body was raised from the dead. The creed says 'I believe in the resurrection of the body and everlasting life.
   • Roman Catholics evidence- Resurrection of Jesus. Teaching of the new testament e.g. book of revelation. The creed 'Jesus is seated at the right hand of the father and will come again to judge the living and the dead.
   • Differences in beliefs- Protestants believe there is no hell, Catholics believe in Purgatory where the souls of sinners can be cleansed.

2. The effect of belief in the afterlife on Christians lives

   • Why should they live within the guidelines- 'Judged by god, live a good life and treated others as we would like to be treated, heaven offers comfort when loved ones die, way of coping with suffering, shows we should repent and forgive.'
   • How might Christians respond to their lives- Confession, prayer, doing good work, Putting Christian teachings into action, Vocation (dedication)

3. Islamic beliefs about life after death

   • Akhirah- After death angel will take soul to barzakh the stage between death and judgement - Allah judges each individual - Day of judgement body is resurrected - Two angels will open the book which contains the record of the persons lifetime - Right hand side they go to al'Jannah (paradise) - Left side Jahannam (hell)
   • Why do muslims believe in the afterlife? The Qur'an says we came from Allah and should return to him. Surahs 11 and 56 teach that those that are good go to al'Jannah and that Allah is powerful and merciful. The teachings and practice of the prophet.
   • Judgement- The Qur'an and Shari'ah law teaches that Muslims will be judged by Allah and their actions will determine their afterlife. Islam teaches that good is rewarded and evil is punished. Qur'an teaches that gods judgment is final. Only the judgment of Allah puts the wrongs of life right.

4. Non-religious beliefs in life after death

   • Near death experiences- Reported by patients pronounced dead for a short period of time. They describe leaving their bodies and seeing themselves from outside their bodies. People report seeing dead people or a bright light.
   • Paranormal activity- Unexplained events that have spiritual causes. Ghosts are thought to be spirits of dead people. Mediums claim to be able to contact the dead.
   • Reincarnation- The belief that a persons soul is reborn into another body. This is also believed by Sikhs and Hindus.

5. Non belief in life after death

   • Evidence- No evidence, mediums could be tricking people.
   • Humans are mortal- Body decays, impossible.
   • Religion is outdated- People say heaven and hell were just ways of controlling others, no evidence offered, bible isn't relevant today, some argue god isn't real.
   • Science- Can explain most of the things in the world

6. Abortion

   • When does life begin?- The issue of abortion is controversial because there are so many views about when life begins.
   • The UK law- Agreed by 2 doctors, physical mental problem, disabled, after 24 weeks if there is a risk to the mother, the child is deformed, injury to the mothers physical and mental health.
   • For- Right to choose, rape it should be allowed, baby might not get the love it deserves.
   • Against- Life begins at conception, an embryo has the potential to be human and has the right to life, disabled people have the right to live, adoption is an alternative.

7. Christian attitudes to abortion

   • Against- Murder, life is a sacred gift from god, god has a plan for everyone, all life has a value, life begins at conception.
   • For- Jesus taight about compassion towards others, can't be sure life begins at conception, rape or incest it is the kindest action, technology allows us to identify problems with the foetus, best choice if the mother's at risk.
   • Quotes- 'So god created man in his own image', 'Your body is a temple of the Holy spirit', 'You shall not commit murder.'

8. Muslim attitudes to abortion

   • Sanctity of life- Life for Muslims is sacred and a gift from god. Abortion takes life away and so it is wrong.
   • Ensoulment- Life begins when the soul has entered the foetus at 120 days. Some Muslims claim this happens earlier, after 40 days.
   • Muslims generally believe that abortion is wrong but can be allowed in some circumstances such as the mothers life being in danger, this is because: The foetus wouldn't exist if it wasn't for the mother, the mother's life is established and she hahs responsibilities to carry out.
   • Different- Abortion in first 16 weeks other only in first 7 weeks, before Ensoulment a foetus with a severe disability, rape, incest, never allowed if parents say its just because they can't look after child, After 120 days if mother's in danger, not allowed if adultery, not allowed for unplanned pregnancy, should be allowed to choose what happens to their bodies.

9. Euthanasia

   • Types of euthanasia- Voluntary means a persons life is ended deliberately and painlessly at their request. Assisted suicide means providing a seriously ill person with the means to commit suicide. Non-voluntary means ending someones life painlessly when they are unable to ask but you have a good reason for thinking they would want you to do so.
   • ways it is carried out- Active euthanasia is carried out by a doctor performing a deliberate action such as lethal injection. Passive euthanasia is when medical treatment or life support is withdrawn or when a severely ill person isn't given treatment to help them survive.
   • For- Gentle painfree death, dignity, medical staff can focus on patients with a higher chance of recovery, relieves the family burden.
   • Against- Sanctity of life, slippery slope, pressurized into it, doctors can be wrong about diagnosis , others have to live with it for the rest of their lives.

10. Christian attitudes to euthanasia

    • Against- goes against sanctity of life, murder, only god has the right to take away life, could be used for evil purposes, no person should value themselves as so worthless that it would be better to die, decisions might be made without involving the patient, life should be valued.
    • For- It would allow people to have a better quality of life in heaven, lesser of two evils.

11. muslim attitudes to euthanasia

    • Against- human life is sacred as it was given by Allah, Allah chose how long everyone lives, part of Muslims duty to care for the sick and elderly, suffering is a test of faith and part of life, no one knows Allah's plans for his creation and humans shouldn't interfere, suicide which is not permitted, human life is valuable even if the person is suffering.
    • For- Terminally ill patients may be allowed to use it, can choose not to continue with treatment.

12. matters of life and death in the media

    • why is it important that issues are discussed?- people hold strong opinions and it is important to see them, they are controversial with many views, there are developments and the law might change.
    • For- A variety of views are held and no view should be exempt, religious views may be wrong or seen as out of date, it is important to debate views because they are constantly changing.
    • Against- Religious views should be respected, based on traditional bible teaching, media should present a range of ideas but not critisise them.
    • How views are presented- Newspapers, Internet, Radio, Television news, Television documentaries, Soap operas, Television dramas, Situation comedies, Cartoons, Films.

13. keywords

    • Abortion- The removal of the foetus from the womb before it can survive.
    • Assisted suicide- Providing a seriously ill person with the means to commit suicide.
    • Euthanasia- The painless killing of someone dying from a painful disease.
    • Immortality of the soul- The idea that the soul lives on after the death of the body.
    • Near-death experience- When someone about to die has an out of body experience.
    • Non-voluntary euthanasia- Ending someone's life painlessly when they are unable to ask.
    • Paranormal- Unexplained things that are thought to have spiritual causes.
    • Quality of life- The idea that life must have some benefits to be worth living.
    • Reincarnation- After death souls are reborn into a new body.
    • Resurrection- The body stays in the grave until at the end of the world it is raised.
    • Sanctity of life- The belief that life is holy and belongs to god.
    • Voluntary euthanasia- Ending life painlessly when someone in great pain asks for death.