Religion and Life

• Religious Truth


  Beliefs and values considered sacred, revealed, or authoritative by a particular religion or faith, often based on scripture or tradition.
• Scientific Truth


  Beliefs and values being based on experimentation; evidence and repeatable testing, supported by evidence.
• Quality of Life


  How good life is for the person who is living it
• Value of Life


  The factors that make a human life important
• Sanctity of Life 


  The idea that all human life is sacred and therefore cannot be taken for any reason
• UK Abortion laws


  Abortion Act 1967 - Legalised Abortion

  Embryology Act 1990 - Amended 1967 Law
• Conception 


  Fertilisation of the egg, and so the beginning of the pregnancy
• Pro-Life 


  A political or ethical view that is against abortion
• Pro-Choice 


  A political or ethical view that is for abortion
• Doctrine of Double Effect 


  The catholic position that although it is wrong to directly kill, if death is a side effect of an action, it may be justified.
• Euthanasia


  The killing of a patient suffering from a terminal, incurable or painful disease, as per their request
• Voluntary/Involuntary Euthanasia


  Is the patient able to decide, or will the family?
• Active/Passive Euthanasia


  Is the patient directly killed or just not given treatment and left to die?
• Suicide/Physician-Assisted Suicide 


  Does the patient or the doctor do the killing?
• Buddhist Position on Euthanasia


  Might allow euthanasia to alleviate suffering, but may also prioritize the concept of Karma and the impermanence of life. Compassion and mindfulness are key considerations.
• What is the Catholic Christian stance on euthanasia?

  Firmly against euthanasia in all cases.
• Under what condition might euthanasia be permissible according to Catholic teaching?


  It might be permissible as a side effect due to the Doctrine of Double Effect.
• How does the Church of England's view on abortion differ from that of Catholic Christians?


  Makes exceptions for abortion when the life of the mother is at risk.
• What is the Buddhist perspective on abortion and euthanasia?


  Buddhists believe these are complex questions and do not have a firm rule either way.
• What does the Catholic Church say about human life?

  Human life must be respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception.
• Why do Catholics oppose abortion and euthanasia?


  Both involve the taking of a human life, which is considered a grave sin.
• What commandment do Catholics believe abortion and euthanasia violate?


  “Thou shall not kill.”
• What is the Catholic position on abortion when the mother's life is at risk?


  Abortion is still not allowed, but it can be permitted if it is a side effect of treatment to save the mother's life.
• How does the Church of England view abortion?


  It is considered a “great moral evil” but justifiable when done to save a life.
• What alternative to euthanasia does the Church of England promote?

  Hospice care.
• What is the purpose of hospices?


  • Provide specific medical care for terminally ill patients
  • Distinct from hospitals, focusing on comfort rather than cure
  • Aim to make patients comfortable as they die
• What is the belief regarding the quality of care in hospices and euthanasia?


  If the care is of high quality, euthanasia would become unnecessary.
• What does the First Moral Precept in Buddhism state?


  It states to never kill.
• How does the Dalai Lama view abortion?


  He believes abortion should be approved or disapproved according to each circumstance.
• What is the Buddhist view on active euthanasia?


  Active euthanasia involves taking life but could be seen as a compassionate action.
• What is the ideal way to face death according to Buddhist traditions?


  The ideal is to face death with calm acceptance.
• What is conservation in environmental terms?


  The attempts to preserve or repair a single environment or species.
• What is the goal of sustainable development?


  To find long-term general solutions to environmental problems.
• What does the term 'Dependent Arising' refer to in Buddhism?


  The belief that everything in the world depends upon everything else.
• What do Young-Earth Creationists believe about the Bible's account of creation?


  They take the Bible absolutely literally.
• How do Young-Earth Creationists interpret the "six days" of creation in Genesis?


  They interpret it to mean exactly six twenty-four hour periods.
• What do Young-Earth Creationists do with scientific evidence that contradicts their beliefs?


  They discard any science that contradicts their view.
• How do Young-Earth Creationists calculate the age of the earth?


  By counting generations since Adam and Eve and multiplying by average lifespan.
• What significant biblical events do Young-Earth Creationists believe to be real historical events?


  They believe in the flood of Noah’s Ark and the Garden of Eden as real events.
• What is the main difference between Old-Earth Creationists and Young-Earth Creationists regarding science?


  Old-Earth Creationists accept more scientific knowledge than Young-Earth Creationists.