Death and the Afterlife

Philosophy and Ethics- Death and the Afterlife.

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  • Created by: Jen
  • Created on: 16-05-10 15:03

Body and Soul

For Christians, the soul is the non-physical thing, it is immortal, "immortality of the soul".

They believe that the soul will go onto Life after Death.

How you behaved during your life will affect the judgement placed on you after death (Heaven, Hell or Purgatory).

'Sanctity of Life' - That all human life is sacred and of value to God, because they were created in God's image.

It is not only Christians who believe in Life after Death.

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The Case For Life After Death

- Every religion gives evidence for something beyond this world and life after death.

- Our minds are not just physical, self awareness seems to have a quality that is more than merely chemical and electrical activity.

- Over 70% of people who are resuscitated claim to have had experiences while dead.

- There are lots of accounts of ghosts and contact with the dead.

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The Case Against Life After Death

- Death is the end of life, to live beyond death is illogical.

- Our minds work because our brains do, when the brain ceases to function, you no longer think, feel or exist.

- There is no scientific proof of life after death.

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Heaven, Hell and Purgatory

- Some Christians believe that when they die, they do not need their old body anymore, but will have a new perfect body when they will be resurected.

- Others believe in a continous spiritual life in a non-physical heaven.

- Though they accept that they cannot know what Heaven is like, they believe it will be 'an eternity with God, when suffering no longer exists'.

- Roman Catholics teach that those who are not ready to go to Heaven, will go to Purgatory, and will stay there until they are free from sin. They will often pray for those in Purgatory.

- They believe that if they are willing to turn to a life with Jesus, they can be saved and forgiven.

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Funerals

- Christians are encouraged to think about the promise of resurection and eternal life for the person who died.

- They will ask God for comfort and thank Him for the good qualities of the person.

- The vicar will begin with reminding the congregation of Jesus' words, and stresses the hope of going to Heaven through Jesus' sacrifice.

- There may also be hymns.

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