Religion and Life

Why Chrsitians believe in life after death:

• Resurection of Jesus, proves there is life after death 
• Jesus tells Christians that they will be brought back to life 
• St Paul teaches about life after death and how the body will be transformed from a physical body to a spiritual one
• Gives life meaning and purpose 
• There is evidence of the paranormal 

How these belifes affect Christians:

• Day of Judgement 

Why Muslims believe in life after death:

• Qur'an and Muhammad state that it exists
• One of the 'six Fundamnetal beliefs' of Islam 
• Life is a test, reward/punishment comes in the next life

How these belifes affect Muslims: 

• Live a good life, so they go to heaven 
• Gives meaning and purpose to life

Abortion laws:

•  Allowed if: two doctors that the mothers life is at risk or there is a health risk to an already living child or the baby is severly disigured 
• Can't take place after 24 weeks of pregnancy

In favour of abortion:

• A woman has a right to chose
• A child's quality of life is important
• A mother's health and welfare is more important than the unborn child's 

Against abortion:

• Its a form of murder 
• Everyone has the right to be born
• All life has value 

Christian views:

• Life begins at conception, therefore abortion is muder and murder is sin
• 'Sanctity of life' means every human has the right to life 
• In some circumstances  it may be the most loving thing, Jesus' teching situation ethics

Muslim views:

• Some allow abortion to up to 120 days, this is when the gets its soul
• Some say its always wrong, Qur'an condemns murder 
• Others say it is ok if the mothers life is at risk, Shari'ah (law) says the mothers life is more important 

Arguments in favour:

• Suicide is legal, so why not help someone who can't commit suicide without help
• If an animal is suffering we put it down as it's the most humane thing to do 
• It is their life they should have the choice as to whether or not they wish to end it 
• it isn't fair for the relatives to have to watch their loved one dying painfully

Arguments against:

• Drugs canbe used for pain control
• Euthanaisa is just a fancy word for murder
• Doctor's take an oath to save life, it is wrong to ask them to end  it
• People can get better, medical science may find a cure

Christians are against euthanaisia:

• Life is holy, 'Sanctity of life', only God should take life 
• Jesus accepted his suffering and death and never tried to escape from it 
• Ten Commandments, do not kill
• The Bible condems suicide 

Some are for euthanasia when:

• It is in the form of swithing of a life machine, if they are 'brain dead' they believe God has already taken that person

Others don't agree with euthanasia:

• Seen as suicide, which is condemned in the Qur'an 
• Only God can decide when we die

Christian beliefs:

• Jesus allows divorce as he recognises that some situations are severe enough for divorce
• Lesser of two evils

Roman Catholic Church:

• Jesus siad it is wrong 
• The couple can live apart if the marriage has broken down but remain together as a couple 
• In few cases an annulment is permitted 

Allow divorce:

• Qur'an and Shari'ah law allows divorce
• Lesser of two evils 

Against divorce:

• Muhammed- 'the most hated of lawful things' 
• Lots of family pressure due to marriages being arranged
• Will be judged on how they treated their children, divorce harms children 

Christians techings:

• Family was created by God as the best environment in which a couple can live and raise children 
• The Old Testement refers to the importance of family
• The Gospels show Jesus was a member of a family, cared for his mother and father 
• Having children is one of the purposes of Christian marriage 

Muslim teachings:

• Muhammad had a family and Muslims should follow his example 
• Family is where children learn right from wrong 
• Children are seen as a gift from God 
• Qur'an states that the family is created by God