Matters of life and death

Abortion: The removal of a fetus 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 somebody who is about to die has an 'out of body' experience. 

Non-voluntary euthansia: Ending someones life painlessly when they are unable to ask, you have good reason for thinking they would do so

Paranormal: Unexplained things which are thought to have spiritual cause 

Quality of life: The idea that life must have some benefits for it to be worth living.

Reincarnation: The belief that, after death, our souls are reborn into a new body.

Resurrection: The belief that, after death, the body stays in the grave until the end of the world when it will be risen.

Sanctity of life: The belief of that life is holy and belongs to God.

Voluntary euthanasia: Ending the life painlessly when someone in great pain asks for death.

Why Christians believe in life after death

The view of what happens after life is very varied but all christians believe there is something; the basis being that Jesus rose from the afterlife, the many verses of the bible that suggest the afterlife, the Churches teaching of afterlife and the claims of paranormal experiences. It gives meaning and purpose to life.

How Christian beliefs about life after death affect the way they live

Christians believe they will be judged by God after death, so they live within the guidelines given in the bible and by the church. This affects their lives and how they treat others. 

The fact that Jesus rose from the death gives them hope that they will rise and be rewareded. 

The promise of afterlife means forgiveness is more comprehensible and so those who sin can be repented. 

It offers comfort for those who suffer and gives a chance of being united with loved ones who pass away. 

Why some non-religious people believe in life after death

Near death experiences- Have been reported by patients who have been proclaimed dead for a short period of time. They 'leave their bodies' and claim to see 'the light' or other deceased family members.

Ghosts: Many people claim the sense of presence of spirits that have 'not moved on'.

Contacting the dead: People such as…