Theme B part 3
- Created by: Sia11
- Created on: 08-05-21 13:37
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- Theme B
- The sanctity and quality of life
- All Christians believe in the sanctity of human life. This is the belief that life is sacred, holy and specially planned by God.
- Human life is seen as sacred in Christianity because God gave us souls, made us ‘in His image’ and the Bible teaches that ‘your body is a temple, whoever destroys it God will destroy them’ and that ‘there is a time to live and a time to die’ which God controls.
- This leads many Christians to argue that all human life is valuable and should never be ended.
- Human life is seen as sacred in Christianity because God gave us souls, made us ‘in His image’ and the Bible teaches that ‘your body is a temple, whoever destroys it God will destroy them’ and that ‘there is a time to live and a time to die’ which God controls.
- Hindus also believe in the sanctity of life. They believe that every life has a soul (an atman) and each life hasn’t just been given a soul by God but rather your soul, in Hinduism, is apart of God (Brahman).
- Each soul has a set karmic debt and kala is a timely death. They believe in the concept of ahimsa as a result of this which means it is wrong to harm any living thing. Unlike in Christianity, animals also have souls in Hinduism.
- Muslims believe the same principles about the sanctity of life as Christians except they don’t think we are made in the image of God. All humans have a soul (rouh) and a fixed time span set by Allah. “To save one life is as if you saved all mankind.”
- Some Christians, and many non-religious people, argue that it is the quality of life that matters. This means how happy, comfortable and meaningful a life is.
- It asks ‘how much quality does this life has.’ Christians like Fletcher would argue that considering what is most loving is more important than protecting all life.
- This is supported by the Two Great Commandments ‘love thy neighbour.’
- Non-religious people might say that some lives have much lower quality than others. EG Humanists argue for euthanasia to reduce pain.
- It asks ‘how much quality does this life has.’ Christians like Fletcher would argue that considering what is most loving is more important than protecting all life.
- All Christians believe in the sanctity of human life. This is the belief that life is sacred, holy and specially planned by God.
- Abortion
- Christians who emphasis the sanctity of life principle as outlined above would argue that abortion is always wrong, even if the mother’s life is at risk. They use scripture like “before I formed you in the womb I knew you”.
- There have been cases in places where it is illegal of mother’s dying because of this.
- Catholics believe that since we cannot be sure when ensoulment occurs, we need to presume it happens from conception and therefore they protect the life of embryos from when an egg is fertilised. They say adoption is the best alternative for women who have been *****.
- Hindus are strongly against abortion. They believe it creates a lot of bad karma as you are breaking the principles of ahimsa and also blocking the karmic path of the soul towards moksha (liberation).
- Each soul has a debt to pay and its journey shouldn’t be altered. Some scriptures say those who have abortions will experience it themselves in a future life.
- When a woman’s life is at risk abortion is often allowed as it is believed that this may create good karma and her life takes priority.
- Each soul has a debt to pay and its journey shouldn’t be altered. Some scriptures say those who have abortions will experience it themselves in a future life.
- The Church of England take a more relaxed approach to abortion.
- They still argue against it in most circumstances but would allow it if the child is going to be severely disabled, if the woman has been ***** or if her life is at risk.
- They would argue that the unnecessary suffering of a child who will be born only to be very ill, the emotional trauma of **** victims or the loss of two lives goes against principles of agape.
- They would look at the negative quality of life in all as outweighing the sanctity of the lives involved. Muslims allow it before 120days (when ensoulment occurs.)
- They would argue that the unnecessary suffering of a child who will be born only to be very ill, the emotional trauma of **** victims or the loss of two lives goes against principles of agape.
- They still argue against it in most circumstances but would allow it if the child is going to be severely disabled, if the woman has been ***** or if her life is at risk.
- Christians who emphasis the sanctity of life principle as outlined above would argue that abortion is always wrong, even if the mother’s life is at risk. They use scripture like “before I formed you in the womb I knew you”.
- Euthanasia
- Christians who emphasis the sanctity of life principle as outlined above would argue that euthanasia is always wrong. One should suffer as Jesus did and will be rewarded in heaven.
- The only type of euthanasia which may be allowed is passive euthanasia (where treatment is withdrawn) as this may be seen as a natural death.
- Hindus are also generally against active euthanasia. This prevents kala– the concept of a time span for the soul on its journey to moksha.
- The action of taking a life would lead to bad karma.
- Muslims are also against it due to their belief in the sanctity of life, the supremacy of Allah’s will/ plan and the belief life is a test.
- Some Christians allow active euthanasia in extreme cases – this would be when the quality of life of a person is extremely low and will not improve.
- This is seen by a minority as putting agape into practice and being compassionate as most would say the most loving thing to do is to provide palliative care, this provides people with a relatively pain free death
- Christians who emphasis the sanctity of life principle as outlined above would argue that euthanasia is always wrong. One should suffer as Jesus did and will be rewarded in heaven.
- The sanctity and quality of life
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