Matters of Life & Death Life After Death Abortion Euthanasia

Non-Religious Reasons for Believing in life after death Near Death Experiences Mediums Evidence for reincarnation – past lives, hypnosis Hope, comfort, fear of dying

Non-Religious reasons for not believing in life after death Not enough evidence Believe that there is a scientific explanation for all evidence. No belief in God

Christian beliefs about life after death ResurrectionImmortality of the Soul

Christian beliefs about life after death - Resurrection Judgement Day (God ends the world) Dead will be raised & join the living in resurrection bodies Heaven for Christians Judged based on beliefs & how lived our lives Hell for everyone else Die Body waits in the grave

Why Christians believe in resurrection Jesus rose from the dead Bible teaches resurrection Jesus taught that he would come again at the end of the world Creeds say that Christians believe in resurrection

Christian beliefs about life after death – Immortality of the Soul Go straight to judgement Some Christians Heaven for Christians Judged based on beliefs & how lived our lives Hell for everyone else Die Soul leaves the body Some Christians Heaven for good people Evil people - Hell Some believe no Hell Just stages of Heaven

Why Christians believe in immortality of the soul Bible –Gospels talk about Jesus talking to Abraham & Moses Paranormal evidence indicates immortality of the soul Jesus teaching –He told the thief next to him that he would go straight to paradise.

Muslim beliefs about life after death Last Day (God ends the world) Everyone resurrected Good Muslims pass Go before Allah & judged on the quality of our lives Hell for everyone else Die Body waits in the grave Heaven Some believe good non Muslims

Why? Qur’anMuhammad Life is a test Taught there is life after death He is the perfect example for Muslims so they believe what he taught Without death there is no punishment or reward Teaches there is life after death It is the word of God so Muslims must believe it

Abortion

Christianity & Abortion Roman Catholic No abortion ever –Sanctity of Life (life is holy & belongs to God, only God can give or take life). –Life begins at conception –10 Commandments “Thou shall not kill” –Everyone has a right to life The word of the LORD came to me saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1: 4-5

Christianity & Abortion Protestant Abortion wrong BUT should be allowed in some situations - can be lesser of two evils To love your neighbour as yourself means abortion may be the most loving thing to do sometimes Life does not begin at conception Christians should accept technological advances in medicine If we do not allow abortions, women may have dangerous back street abortions He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' and, 'Love your neighbour as yourself.’ “ Luke10: 27

Islam & Abortion Some Muslims –Abortion is a great sin –Allowed if the mother’s life is in danger Sanctity of Life (life is holy & belongs to God, only God can give or take life). Qur’an teaches if it is a choice between life of the mother and life of an unborn child then the mother’s life takes priority (lesser of 2 evils)

Islam & Abortion Some Muslims Abortion cannot be permitted at any time because the soul is given at the moment of conception & Qur’an teaches against abortion. Other Muslims Abortion permitted up to 120 days of the pregnancy but there must be a good reason e.g. health of mother –Some Muslim teachings say that the embryo is unformed & soulless up to 120 days, so abortion is permitted in Islam up to this point

Euthanasia Eu – Good Thaneos - Death

Euthanasia – Mercy Killing Assisted suicide –Providing someone with the means to commit suicide Voluntary euthanasia –A person who is terminally ill asks Non-voluntary euthanasia –Person who is ill cannot choose so a Dr or the family decide Other Key Terms –Doctrine of double effect –Quality of life –Loss of human dignity –Right to die

Christian views Most Christians –Euthanasia is wrong Sanctity of Life Principle 10 Commandments (Do not kill) BUT –Switching off life support is not euthanasia if the person is brain dead If someone is brain dead they have already died so switching off machine is accepting God’s decision –Not euthanasia to give dying people painkillers which will shorten their life (double effect) Some Christians All forms of euthanasia are wrong –Take the Bible literally & the Bible bans suicide –Assisted suicide & voluntary euthanasia are both forms of suicide –Switching off machines and giving large doses of painkillers = murder

Islam & Euthanasia All Muslims are against euthanasia, but… Completely against Qur’an bans suicide –Sanctity of life –Life is a test, ending it early is like cheating & leads to hell but some Muslims do not agree that switching off life support machine is euthanasia –Some Muslim lawyers have agreed this –If someone is brain dead they have already died so switching off machine is accepting God’s decision