Religious Attitudes On Matters of Life and Death

Religious Attitudes On Matters of Life and Death

1. Christianity

   • Purgatory
     • Roman Catholics believe in Purgatory where people wait to remove al tehir sins before entering heaven
   • Jesus was Resurected
     • Proves life after death
   • I think therefore I am
     • Soul exists and is eternal
       • burial/ cremation allowed
   • Heaven
     • being united with God
     • Physical Place
   • Hell
     • Not able to unite with God
     • Spiritual Place
   • Second Coming
     • Messiah
       • Jesus will come again

2. Why Believe in life after death?

   • Evil and suffering- Unfair
     • Makes sense of life
   • Gives support and comfort for families who have lost loved ones
   • Provides a Purpose to life

3. Euthanasia

   • Banned in the UK
   • Assisted Suicide
     • patient is helped with euthanasia
   • Painless Death
   • Involuntry
     • Decision made by close relatives
   • Voluntry
     • Patient asks for it themselves
   • Christianity
     • For
       • Ends Suffering
       • Double effect
         • Intention was not to kill the patients with large doses of medicine, but to stop pain
       • should not be kept alive against all odds
     • Against
       • Only God can take away life
       • not meant to choose when they die
       • Life is sacred
       • Hospices
   • Islam
     • For
       • Stops suffering
       • Gods will for them to die
     • Against
       • God has the right to give and take away life
       • ask God for help
       • cant decide when to die

4. Abortion

   • UK Laws
     • limit of 24 weeks
     • Life or physical health of mother is in danger
     • Existing family will suffer
     • Seriously Disabled Child
   • removal of the foetus before a certain time
   • Roman Catholic Church
     • against natural laws
     • Life is a sacred gift of God
     • Double effect is allowed
       • when life saving technology saves a pregnant mother- baby dies in the process
     • Foetus is a human being
       • Right to life
     • Pro-Life
       • everyone has a right to live
       • life from conseption
   • Protestant Church
     • responsible family planning
     • Pro-choice
       • other has right over her body
       • permits abortion as life is given later on to the zygote
   • Islam
     • For
       • soul enters body after 120 days
       • Mothers life is at risk
     • Against
       • Killing is wrong
       • God provides

5. Islam

   • Life is a test
     • Test of FREE WILL
       • our choices
     • everyone will be judged
   • Heaven
   • Hell
   • Eternal life called Akhirah
   • Judgement day for deeds done on earth
   • Tawhid- belief in the oneness of God
   • Go is merciful and Forgiving
   • Cremation is not allowed- physical resurection