Matters of life and death

• Big Bang Theory


  A scientific theory about the origin of the universe which suggests the universe is expanding away from a single point which started around 13.7 billion years ago. It was proposed by Georges Lemaitre in 1927 and supported by scientifical evidence
• Scientific explanation for the Big Bang Theory

  1. 13.7 billion years ago, all matter in the universe was concentrated in a tiny, dense, very hot mass

  
  

  2. A huge explosion took place and the condensed matter was flung in all directions

  
  

  3. As the matter expanded, it started to cool. Particles and atoms formed and were grouped together into stars and galaxies

  
  

  4. Once the Earth had cooled, life began to develop on it
• Christian responses to the Big Bang


  God created the universe but not with the Big Bang:

  - The Bible is the word of God and should be taken literally

  - The Genesis creation story says God created the universe in 6 days

  - Scientific theories are being updated and may not be correct

  
  

  God created the universe with the Big Bang

  - The creation story is a metaphor. Its main message is that God created the universe

  - It is possible for God to have created the universe through the Big Bang

  - Georges Lemaitre didn't think his theory disapproved God's existence
• Value of the universe


  - It is God's creation and he sustains it

  - It shows God's love and power

  - It is a gift from God to humanity

  'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky' (Genesis 1:28)

  A minority of Christians interpret it as the universe being a commodity to satisfy their wants and needs, so they can exploit the world's resources. Others believe that they have a responsibility to look after the universe on his behalf so they should use the world's resources respectfully and sustainably.
• Commodity


  A useful or valuable thing which satisfies particular wants or needs
• Sanctity of Life


  The belief that life is created by God and made holy by him.

  
  

  - Human life is sacred

  - Humans have intrinsic values as they are made in the image of God

  - Human life must be treated with care and respect
• Biblical teachings about the sanctity of life


  - Humans are made in God's image

  - God breathed life into humans

  - God planned each person before they existed

  - Every part of a person's life was designed by God

  - The human body was designed to be a special dwelling for the Holy Spirit

  
  

  Genesis 1:27 - "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them"

  It describes humans being made in the image of God but doesn't mention animals so most Christians believe in the sanctity of life for only people
• Importance of the sanctity of life for Christians today

  - God cares for humans who can form a relationship with him which is of central importance to the faith

  - All people are made in the image of God and loved by God unconditionally so all people should be treated with dignity and respect

  - Important decisions about life and death must be taken seriously including decisions about abortion and euthanasia
• Theory of evolution


  The process by which different species have developed from earlier forms.

  It suggests that:

  - Life started billions of years ago with single-celled creatures in the sea

  - Over millions of years, these organisms evolved into different species

  - This happened through a process called survival of the fittest
• Survival of the fittest


  1. The members of a species that survive are the ones that are best suited to their environment

  2. The features are passed on through generations

  3. Over a long period of time, a species evolves into a new one as it adapts to its environment
• Value of human life


  The theory of evolution suggests that humans share a common ancestry with apes

  - Some non-religious people use this to argue that humans are no more valuable than other animals

  - Other non-religious people disagree, arguing that humans have the superior ability to reason and feel
• Christian responses to the theory of evolution


  Disagree:

  - The creation story is the word of God and should be taken literally

  - The Bible says how God created humans on the 6th day in his own image and goes against the theory

  - Human life is holy and valuable to God which is undermined by the theory

  
  

  Agree:

  - The creation story is a metaphor and it main message is that God created the universe and all in it

  - God used evolution to create life

  - Even if God's creation developed through evolution, it is perfect and purposeful

  - Even if humans share a common ancestry with apes, human life is holy and valuable
• General Synod


  The national group within the Church of England that debates issues relating to Christian belief and practice. The Special Agenda IV Diocesan Synod agreed that the universe was designed by God through evolution and concluded that mainstream science and Christian belief are entirely compatible in 2010.
• The significance of Christian responses to scientific and non-religious explanations

  Many Christians believe it is important to respond to the challenges posed by scientific and non-religious explanations as:

  - There is strong evidence to support scientific explanations and ignoring this suggests Christians are not able or willing to respond to the challenges

  - Christians need to consider how scientific and religious views may be compatible

  - Christians can benefit from scientific knowledge as it helps to understand and appreciate God's creation
• Abortion


  Ending a pregnancy by deliberately removing a foetus by surgical or medical means. It is only allowed if 2 doctors agree that there is a risk to the mother, baby or existing children in he family during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy unless there is danger or the child may be severely disabled.
• Development of a foetus


  Conception: Sperm and egg fertilise

  0-5 weeks: Fertilised egg becomes an embryo (collection of cells)

  6-8 weeks: Embryo becomes a foetus as the heart is formed and can beat

  9-12 weeks: Foetus becomes fully formed and moves in the womb

  13-24 weeks: Foetus grows and matures. Towards the end of this period, the foetus may survive out of the womb

  25-28 weeks: Foetus grows and matures and responds to touch, sound and moves vigorously

  29-36 weeks: Foetus' bones harden

  37-40 weeks: Foetus is fully developed and ready to be born
• Conception


  The moment when a sperm fertilises an egg, creating an embryo that can develop into a baby
• Christian attitudes to abortion


  Catholic and evangelical protestants are pro-life and believe:

  - Sanctity of life means human life is sacred and holy

  - All human life should be protected and valued as God has a plan for all human life

  - Life begins at conception

  - This means abortion is wrong and a form of murder which is forbidden

  "all direct abortion [is] to be absolutely excluded as lawful means of regulating the number of children" (Humane Vitae, 14)

  The Church of England and some non-conformist churches oppose abortion but accept it in certain situations such as rape.

  Some liberal Christians are pro-choice and could argue that:

  - Jesus stressed the importance of behaving with love and compassion

  - There are other situations where Christianity allows the sanctity of life to be disregarded like in a war

  - It is not clear that life begins at conception
• Pro-choice


  Holding the belief that the mother should be able to choose whether to have an abortion
• Pro-life


  Holding the belief that the foetus has a right to life
• Pro-choice arguments for abortion

  - A foetus isn't a person until it can survive outside the womb so abortions before 24 weeks are not taking life

  - A woman should have the right to choose what to do with her body

  - If a baby won't be wanted when born, it is better for it to not be born at all
• Pro-life arguments against abortion


  - Each foetus has the potential for life so thanks to modern medicine, babies can survive outside the womb at younger ages

  - The woman's rights shouldn't outweigh the rights of the foetus

  - Adoption is an alternative and the baby could be happy with a different family
• Situation Ethics


  Ethical decisions made according to the specific context of the decision
• Christian beliefs about life after death

  - The Bible promises an afterlife

  - God created life to have a purpose and significance and would want humans to continue to live beyond the grave

  - Jesus' resurrection demonstrated that there is life after deaath and guaranteed for those who believe in him

  
  

  "God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly ralms in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6)
• Arguments for life after death- Remembered lives


  Explanation: Some people claim to remember a past life which supports the idea of reincarnation (the soul being born into another body)

  
  

  Christian responses: Most Christians believe everyone lives on life and disagree with reincarnation
• Arguments for life after death- Paranormal


  Explanation: Communicating with the dead in the spirit world

  
  

  Christian responses: Most Christians don't believe in the paranormal but there is a spiritual element to life
• Arguments for life after death- Logic


  Explanation: Some think it is logical to believe in life after death and near death experiences are proof

  
  

  Christian responses: Many Christians are weary about near-death experiences and may argue that it is logical to believe in life after death as God is eternal and loving so he want people to join him when they die
• Arguments for life after death- Reward


  Explanation: People believe in an afterlife so good people are rewarded

  
  

  Christian responses: Christians believe God will reward those who live good lives by judging them on Judgement Day
• Arguments for life after death- Comfort

  Explanation: Provides comfort for those mourning the loss of loved ones

  
  

  Christian responses: Christians also believe that there is better life to come and take comfort in difficult times
• Arguments for life after death- Meeting loved ones


  Explanation: People sense their deceased ones with them so they must 'live on' in the afterlife and when they die, they can meet them

  
  

  Christian responses: Many Christians also believe they can meet deceased people when they die and they base it on the Bible describing being together with Jesus and other followers in heaven
• Significance of life after death to Christians


  - Life after death was a core reason why Jesus came to Earth. His death and resurrection freed humanity from sin so people can live forever with God

  - Brings joy for the hope and future in difficult times

  - God will judge Christians on how they lived their lives and it impacts everyday decisions
• Resurrection


  Rising from the dead; also the view that after death God recreates a new body in a heavenly place
• Spiritualist


  Someone who believes that spirits of dead people can communicate with living people
• Response to life after death as a source of comfort


  - Some non-religious people argue that the afterlife is made up to comfort people who have lost loved ones

  
  

  - The Bible proves he afterlife is real

  -Belief in the afterlife can bring comfort but it doesn't mean that the afterlife was invented for this reason
• Response to life after death due to lack of evidence


  - Many non-religious people argue that there is no proof for the existence of the afterlife

  
  

  - Science isn't able to prove everything

  - Certain beliefs require faith

  - Bible passages like 1 Peter 3:21-22 prove the afterlife

  "[You are saved] by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand" (1 Peter 2:21-22)
• Response to life after death to fradulent accounts


  - Many mediums have been exposed as frauds so people don't believe in the afterlife and the mediums are exploiting people who are bereaved

  
  

  - It is wrong for mediumd to mislead and exploit bereaved by pretending that they can communicate with the dead

  - Many mediums being exposed doesn't dismiss the idea of an afterlife
• Response to life after death to social control


  - Some people argue heaven and hell were created to control people's behaviour

  
  

  - Even if heaven and hell control people's behaviour, it doesn't mean they don't exist

  - Some conservative Christians argue that warning people about hell is the loving thing to do. Others use it to frighten people to be a Christian which Jesus wouldn't approve
• Euthanasia


  The deliberate administering of life-ending medication by a third party. It can also be called active euthanasia
• Voluntary euthanasia


  Ending someones life painlessly at their own request
• Non-voluntary euthanasia


  Ending someones life painlessly because there are reasonable grounds for doing so but they are unable to ask themselves