Matters of life and death

Subdecks (1)

Cards (41)

  • Jesus' resurrection was seen as proof of his divine nature and proof in life after death
  • The death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus demonstrate his true nature as God
  • "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die" --> Catholics believe in eternal life
  • "you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28) --> human rights
  • "When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to the evildoers" (Proverbs 21)--> importance of justice
  • "Someone who defends his life is not guilty of murder" --> Catechism
  • Liberal Protestant Pro-choice attitude:
    -abortion is wrong, but must be permitted in certain circumstances
    -"Love your neighbour as yourself." (Matthew 22) --> situation ethics
    -justice; unfair situations --> rich women would go to different countries, poor women would get "back-street" abortions
    -believe doesn't begin at conception
  • "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you" -Jeremiah 1:5
  • Why people believe in life after death:
    -gives their lives meaning and purpose
    -gives comfort when a loved one dies
    -nature of justice --> evil is punished in hell; good is rewarded in heaven
  • Against Euthanasia:
    -Most Christians, including Catholics, believe all forms are wrong. However modern medicine has introduced new issues; if patient is brain-dead, it's okay- relieves family's suffering
    -Sanctity of life: it's up to God when people die
    -"Do not murder"
    -"Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?" (Job 2:10)
  • For Euthanasia:
    "Discontinuing medical procedures... can be legitimate." -Catechism
    -situation ethics
  • Evangelical Protestants --> believe any form of euthanasia is wrong
  • Christian responses to those who are dying:
    -pallative care, reduces pain and improves quality of life for those who have terminal illnesses
  • Animal Testing:
    -God is the creator of animals as well as humans, created them with love --> "God looked at all he had made and it was very good" (Genesis 1:31): stewards
    -"Let us make man in our image... and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air" --> dominion
    Church of England--> "The Church recognises the need for animals to be used in certain research"
    "...however, stewardship... requires all animals to receive careful and sympathetic treatment."
  • jesus' resurrection is highly significant as:
    -all four gospels have accounts of Jesus' resurrection
    -shows Jesus' divine nature/ Son of God
  • Against Euthanasia --> as it can lead to a slippery slope
  • Nature of Euthanasia:
    -Voluntary
    -Assisted Suicide
    -Non-voluntary
  • "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." (Genesis 2:15)
  • "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12)
  • Parable of the Sheep and the Goats --> God will judge people on whether they helped those in need
  • Punishment --> "Do to others what you would have them do to you" (Matthew 7)
    "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful"
  • Punishment:
    -Protection
    -Retribution
    -Deterrence
    -Reformation
  • Treatment of criminals:
    -Human Rights --> "you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3)
    -Fair trial --> "When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to the evildoers" (proverbs 21)
    -Use of torture --> "...handed him over to the jailers to be tortured" (Matthew 18)
  • "Do to others as you would have them do to you." (Matthew 7) --> Jesus as a peacemaker
    The Christian Church uses Jesus' teachings to show Christians should strive for peace
    "Love your enemies"
  • The Quakers --> opposed to violence
    -believe God is in every person
    -believe they should act in the world against injustice
  • Many Christians believe Jesus was a pacifist as many of his teachings were about peace
    "Blessed be the peacemakers" (Matthew 5)
  • Just War Theory:
    -must be a reasonable chance of success
    -its aim is to bring peace
    -it is used after diplomatic solutions have failed
    -methods are fair
    -cause of war is just
  • Jesus --> called "Prince of Peace" in Isaiah 9
  • Responses to Holy War:
    -Quakers, pacifist --> completely opposed to War
    -Jesus taught peace
    -however some passages suggest war may sometimes be the right action as justice
  • WMD:
    -opposed as problems outweigh benefits
    -Bible focuses on peace
    -high loss of life
    -Bible says not to destroy women, children, livestock and trees
  • Revelation:
    -Noah
    -God spoke to Noah and made a covenant to never send a worldwide flood again. Rainbows are a sign of this covenant, a reminder of God's faithfulness
    -Abraham
    -God made a covenant to Abraham that he would give him a son if he and his descendants worshipped God; God stopped Abraham in the last minute explaining it was a test of faith.
    Jews see the covenant as evidence that they are "God's chosen people"
  • Visions:
    -Saul/ St Paul
    -was a persecutor of Christians, saw a bright light and head the voice of Jesus. He was temporarily blind, this experience made him convert
    -Joseph
    -received a dream in which he learned Mary was pregnant. Received two more dreams: to flee from Herod, that it was okay to return after Herod was dead
  • Visions:
    -believe God is contacting them/ passing on a message
    -connects them to God/ closer
    -understand God better
  • Miracles:
    -healing Miracles
    -Jesus' miracles + his resurrection
  • Old Testament --> teaches to treat animals humanely, and treat the land kindly
  • "The dust returns to the earth, and the spirit returns to the God who gave it."
  • Humanists believe life starts once the foetus is viable (can survive outside of the womb, after 24 weeks)
  • Abortion:
    -Liberal Protestant:
    -Pro-choice; "Love your neighbour", quality of life
    -Quakers
    -believe mother's life is more valuable