3.2 Unit Chapters Flashcards
1
Q
3.2.1. Explain why Catholics believe in life after death.
A
- main belief is Jesus rose from dead (Gospels); NT refers to resurrection
- St Paul: people will resurrect like Jesus; spiritual resurrection body given by God
- taught in the creeds
- most believe in immortality of the soul; death: soul leaves body to live with God
- CCC, Church & Magisterium teach
- gives life meaning & purpose; judged then rewarded/punished
2
Q
3.2.1. Explain how beliefs about life after death affect the lives of Catholics.
A
- judged by God after death (go to heaven, hell or purgatory) & a good life=heaven
- follows scriptures, tradition & teaching authority of Church; Jesus’ 2 greatest comms. love God & others; try to love & worship God & go to Mass
- try to love neighbour as yourself: Sheep & the Goat/Good Samaritan=help those in need; why give to charities (ie CAFOD)
- sins prevent going to heaven, unforgiven sins=purgatory for purification to go to heaven; avoid sins to go to heaven
- gives life meaning & purpose; Catholics=lower negativity eg depression+suicide than agnostics/atheists etc.
3
Q
3.2.2. Explain the non-religious reasons for believing in life after death.
A
- Near death experiences: clinically dead + come back to life; often have similar experiences
- Spirit world: ghosts+Ouija boards, evidence souls live after death; closest evidence from mediums (can speak to spirit world from material world); often publicized i.e on TV
- Reincarnation: Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists believe in reincarnation
4
Q
3.2.2. Explain the Catholic viewpoint to non-religious reasons for believing in life after death.
A
- Rejects all evidence of mediums, ghosts etc as superstitions
- Rejects reincarnation
- Both issues’ viewpoint explained in CCC
5
Q
3.2.3. Explain why some people do not believe in life after death.
A
- If no God, nothing non-material; no heaven after death
- Different religions have different ideas; i.e. Sikh=reincarnate, Islam=hell/heaven
- Belief based on holy books; unsure which to believe or paranormal as criticized by scientists
- Most beliefs assume mind/soul can live without body; science disagrees (mind developed as brain grew)
- Nowhere for life after death; space exploration shows no heaven; physics shows no non-material world on Earth
- Can only recognise people through body; if LAD, no way to contact other souls so not really LAD
- Brought up not to believe; parents not religious or experience of loved ones death
6
Q
3.2.4. Explain the UK law on abortion.
A
- (1967 Act) Can happen if 2 doctors agree: mother’s life at risk; risk of injury to mother’s physical/mental health; risk to health of existing children; risk baby may be seriously handicapped
- (1990 Act) Only before 24 weeks unless mother’s life gravely at risk/foetus born with severe abnormalities
7
Q
3.2.4. Explain why abortion is a controversial issue.
A
- Many believe life begins at conception so takes life
- Many believe can only be separate life when can survive on own so not taking life
- Many think women have right to decide with their body+can cause problems to women
- Many think unborn child’s rights=mother’s rights=father’s rights
- Foetuses born at 22-24 weeks can survive so abortion time should decrease to 18-20 weeks
- Medical staff should not act against their conscience or just a medical procedure
8
Q
3.2.5. Explain the Catholic and Evangelical Protestant attitude to abortion and why they think this.
A
- Wrong; based on scripture, Apostolic Tradition+Magisterium
- Life is holy, belongs to God so only He has right to end pregnancy
- Life begins at conception so abortion takes life
- 10 Commandments teach it’s wrong to take life so abortion is wrong
- Church uses evidence that women who have abortions can suffer traumas leading to guilt/mental illnesses
- Every person has a natural right to life, abortion destroys this
- Adoption is a better solution to unwanted pregnancy as preserves life+bring joy to new family
- Use doctrine of double effect: chemo is ok as killing foetus is secondary+not intended so no abortion occurred
- Not even ok after rape; can use contraception to prevent fertilisation
9
Q
3.2.5. Explain the Liberal Protestant attitude to abortion and why they think this.
A
- Wrong but ok in certain situations (ie rape, mother’s life at risk, handicapped foetus - qol)
- Jesus: love neighbour as yourself; may be most loving thing
- Life does not begin at conception
- Sanctity of life can be broken in was so why not in just abortion
- Should accept medicine advances; amniocentesis tests detect diseases
- Rich would get abortions abroad, poor would use back street abortionists; unjust, against Christianity
10
Q
3.2.6. Explain why euthanasia is a controversial issue and people want it to remain illegal.
A
- Doubt if what person really wants; may be forced for money in will by relatives
- Cure may be found for the disease/remission
- Problems for doctors; meant to save lives; loss of trust for doctors
- Those euthanised may have changed their mind but too late
- Difficulty deciding whose decision it is and boundaries of when needed
11
Q
3.2.6. Explain why euthanasia is a controversial issue and people want it to be made legal.
A
- Medical advances keep alive when would’ve died, QOL?; doctor/relatives should have right to give patients painless deaths
- Can switch off life support machines; NHS cannot afford when no chance of recovery
- Doctors can stop treatment as life support machines can be switched off
- Basic human right to control end of life as can commit suicide; should be helped if unable
12
Q
3.2.7. Explain the Catholic attitude towards euthanasia.
A
- All are wrong (vol+non-vol, ass sui); CCC; can turn off life-support/take of painkillers
- Sanctity of life; created by God so his decision; it puts one in par with God; against Bible
- Consider it murder; against 10 C
- Can take painkillers even if shorten life; intention is remove pain (doctrine of double effect)
- Not giving extraordinary treatment permitted by CCC
13
Q
3.2.7. Explain the attitude of some Christians towards euthanasia.
A
- All wrong, even life-support machines off
- Bible is literal, bans suicide; ass+vol are forms of suicide
- Life-support/lots of painkillers is euthanasia as ended by humans
- It is murder; against 10C
- Sanctity of life; created by God so his decision; it puts one in par with God; against Bible
14
Q
3.2.7. Explain the attitude of a few Christians towards euthanasia.
A
- Limited use is ok when people say how they want to die
- Modern medical science=unsure about God’s wishes for our death
- Jesus; love neighbour+help those in trouble
- Living wills: people in control=human right
15
Q
3.2.8. Explain why the media should not be free to criticise what religions say about matters of life and death.
A
- Stirs religious hatred (banned by Racial+Religious Hatred Act, 2007)
- Can cause offence
- Some say criticising religious leaders (ie Pope) is close to blasphemy; can condemn Cath Church
- God is beyond human criticism+base religion on what God says
