Issues of Life + Death

• Genesis 1

  God created creates the world in 7 days - each day, something new is created

  7th day God rests - Shabbat (day of rest)

  God says it is all good
• Genesis 2

  Adam is created from clay

  Eve is created from Adams rib

  At the end, God says "it is very good"

  Human life is better than anything created
• Genesis 3

  Adam and Eve sin - eats the forbidden fruit

  Become aware as they realise they are naked

  They were tempted by the serpent

  God punishes the serpent

  God banishes them and close off the Garden of Eden
• Literalists: believe in both Genesis 1, 2 and 3. They do not believe in science. E.g evolution
• Non-literalists: believe in both science and religion. Think Genesis is a myth but believes God started the big bang
• Christianity - environment sustainability

  God told them to look after the planet

  Have power to look after the animals and Earth so they can pass it on to the next generation
• Dominion: literalists think we have the right to use the Earths resources
• Stewardship: Liberals think we have a duty to care for the planet we live on
• Judaism - environment sustainability

  Torah says animals are important to G-ds creation

  Believe to not exploit animals

  Happy to eat meat as they were killed for kosher food laws
• Tu B'shevat: New years to celebrate trees and plant new ones
• Humanist - environment sustainability

  Do not believe in God

  Agree with stewardship but without the need for God

  Want to cause as little damage as possible to preserve the Earth

  Believe we only have one life so we need the best environment for life
• Christianity - abortion

  They argue that abortions should not be allowed since it is considered as murder

  Goes against 10 commandments - "thou shalt not kill"

  God is the creator so only he can take life

  Catholics believe that from conception that a new life is born

  Anglicans accept certain situations to allow abortions - if the mothers life is at risk
• Judaism - abortion

  Does not forbid abortion but does not advise on it

  Argue that life is not legitimised until actual birth, so they do not consider it murder

  Only G-d can take a life

  Orthodox disapprove abortions since life is considered a gift and is sacred

  Reform and some orthodox would allow it if the mothers life is at risk - Pikuach Nefesh
• Humanism - abortion

  They focus on the quality of life and not the sanctity of life since there is no God

  They focus on the health of the mother and child

  Consideration of everyones rights and wishes

  Humanists believe in free choice

  They believe that it is a personal choice
• Sanctity of life: Human life is sacred since it is Gods creation. Life should not be taken
• Quality of life: People are given free will to choose. Life should be meaningful and pleasurable.
• Christianity - Euthanasia

  Life is a gift from God

  The Bible has no clear teaching about Euthanasia

  God gave life so only God can take away life

  Goes against 10 commandments - "Thou shalt not kill"

  Roman Catholics teach the importance of respecting all life and opposes euthanasia
• Judaism - Euthanasia

  Many see euthanasia as murder

  Goes against the importance of Pikuach Nefesh and saving a life

  Life is a gift from G-d

  Torah states G-d being the creator of all and only him can take away life

  They do consider the Doctors views and wishes of the patient
• Humanism - Euthanasia

  Believe in free choice

  They provide advise to anyone considering it

  Give access to good quality end-of-life care and expert information an end-of-life options

  Have no God, so they do not consider life sacred or holy
• Christian beliefs about death and afterlife

  • There will be a judgement day when the quality and sanctity of life will be judged by God
  • Some believe that the soul goes to heaven with God
  • Christians will be judged by their faith and their deeds in life
  • Catholics believe if you are very good - you will go to heaven straight away but if not then they will go to purgatory for cleansing (a place between heaven and earth)
  • Bible states that there will be a resurrection as spiritual bodies
  • Some believe heaven is a physical place
  • Some believe heaven is a spiritual dimension
  • Hell separates christians from God
  • Christians believe hell is a physical place and others a spiritual place
• Judaism - Death and afterlife

  All jews focus on life rather than death - this is because the Torah does not state a lot about the afterlife

  After life is called Olam-ha-ba (the world to come)

  Some jews believed the dead went to Sheol (a shadowy underworld of existence)

  Orthodox jews believe the body and soul will resurrect on Judgement Day

  Reform jews believe that only the righteous will be resurrected, however some Reforms believe that memories of people will live on rather than believe in resurrection