Life and Death Flashcards
(23 cards)
What are Sikh beliefs about the creation?
Sikhs have no creation story but they believe the universe was created by God (Waheguru).
Before creation there was nothing, only WAHEGURU.
“Waheguru spoke once and there was creation” (GGS).
Sikhs accept THE BIG BANG THEORY as Waheguru willed evolution.
Without the HUKUM (Gods will) nothing could exist, change or evolve.
What are Christian beliefs about the creation?
Literalists: Earth created in 6 days with 7th rest day, don’t accept any scientific reasoning for the creation.
Non-Literalists: Believe Genesis is a myth (story with truths), main point is God created the world.
What are Humanist beliefs about the creation?
Adopt scientific reasoning.
What are Sikh beliefs about the sanctity of life?
Life is sacred and all life is equal and valuable.
Every atma contains the spark of Waheguru, thus has a divine purpose.
Goal of life is to achieve Mukti.
What are Christian beliefs about the sanctity of life?
Life is a gift from God: unique and priceless.
God is interested in every individual life.
Only God can give and take life.
What are Humanist beliefs about the sanctity of life?
Life is precious because you only have 1 life.
Life isn’t ‘sacred’ but is worthy of the greatest respect.
What are Sikhi views on animal rights?
All life is sacred, thus animal life is important.
It is good karma to be a good steward to animals.
Khalsa: are vegetarian
What are Christian views on animal rights?
All life is a sacred gift from God so should be respected.
However, God gave us dominion to rule over the world - so nourishment on animals is allowed.
What are humanist beliefs about animal rights?
Animals feel pain, just like humans.
However, it is a natural instinct to eat meat and the human species is at the tops of the food chain.
What are Christian views on abortion?
Catholics: forbidden, terminating a pregnancy is a great moral evil and against the 10 commandments: “do not kill”.
CofE and Liberals: allowance for abortion in some contexts, compassion should always be shown.
What are Sikh views on abortion?
No specific verses in GGS.
Not encouraged, allowed in extreme cases - children are a blessing and sex is for procreation.
Choosing whether to abort based on the baby’s gender is very wrong.
What are Christian views on Euthanasia?
Catholics: not acceptable as all life is sacred and anyone to assist is going against the 10 commandments (“do not kill”). Hospices offer treatment and death with dignity (palliative care). Suffering is a test from God.
Liberals: may be acceptable if the person is brain-dead, it’s the most loving thing to do (compassion should be shown).
What are Humanist views on abortion?
Morally acceptable as long as all effects are considered.
Quality of life is valued over preservation of life.
What are Sikhi views on euthanasia?
Life is a gift a blessing from Waheguru, we have a duty to use life responsibly.
Euthanasia is an interference in God’s plan for you.
GGS says: “They come when the Lord sends them and go back when the Lord calls them”
Sikhs should pray for strength and courage when dealing with suffering as suffering is part of Karma - they hope for a cure.
However it is not humane or loving to allow someone to suffer unnecessarily if there is no option of a cure.
Families and medics should make the decision.
What are Humanist views on euthanasia?
They believe it is acceptable to stop any pointless suffering.
Being able to die with dignity, for a Humanist, is a fundamental human right.
What are Sikhi views on the afterlife?
Sikhs believe in life after death and that we are all on a spiritual journey.
The final goal is Jeevan Mukti.
Good Karma, as a result of being Gurmukh on Earth, will reunite you with Waheguru.
What are Christian views on the afterlife?
After death, we rise up from the dead to be judged by God (Judgement Day).
Heaven: in God’s presence, state of pure bliss - people who believe that Jesus cleanses our sins on the cross.
Hell: constant torment - sinners or people who have harmed others.
What happens at a Christian funeral?
Held in a Church.
Dualist: separate soul and body - cremation allowed.
Non-Dualist: soul and body are one so no cremation or the body cannot rise from the dead.
What are Humanist views on the afterlife?
Materialistic: no soul, all is matter and will die.
Nothing survives death.
We must make the most of our 1 life.
What is the symbolism at a Christian funeral?
Last rites: helps to ease the dying into the afterlife, having asked for God’s forgiveness.
“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust”: Begin with God, return to God.
Candles are lit: Symbolises Jesus’ light of the world illuminating the path into Heaven.
What happens at a Sikh funeral?
Ultimately all Sikhs want their soul to be re-united with Waheguru and released from Samsara (rounds of births and re-births).
Upon death an Akand Parth would take place in the home of the bereaved (reading of the whole GGS).
GGS readings offer spiritual support and consolation for the family.
Sikhs practise cremation as the body is just a vessel for the atma, hence mourners wear white/pale.
colours as the soul lives on.
What is the symbolism at a Sikh funeral?
Ashes should be scattered on moving water: idea of cycle of life/death.
Sikhs are not permitted to erect shrines in memory of their loved one: belief in the soul living on - idea of ‘moving on’.
What happens at a Humanist funeral?
Informal, personal ceremony.
Reflection on the person’s life and their effect on the world around them.
Services includes: music, poetry, reminiscences (memories) of the person, lighting candles (represent happy memories).
