1. ABORTION
1.1. Non-Religious attitudes
1.1.1. UK Law legal if....
1.1.1.1. mother's life at risk
1.1.1.2. risk of injury to physical or mental health of mother
1.1.1.3. up to 24 weeks
1.1.1.4. two doctors agree
1.1.1.5. substantial risk that baby would be severely handicapped
1.1.2. Most believe that a baby is not a seperate life until it is capable of living outside of the mother
1.1.3. Many believe that a woman should have the right to do what she wants with her body
1.1.4. Abortion is a medical procedure like any other
1.2. Religious Attitudes
1.2.1. Christian attitudes
1.2.1.1. Catholic & Conservative Protestant
1.2.1.1.1. always wrong
1.2.1.2. Liberal Protestant eg Methodists/Anglicans
1.2.1.2.1. allowed in certain circumstances
1.2.2. Jewish attitudes
1.2.2.1. Some Jews believe it is wrong no matter what the circumstances
1.2.2.1.1. Ten Commandments
1.2.2.1.2. life is holy
1.2.2.1.3. life begins at conception
1.2.2.2. Many Jews believe it is wrong, but if the mother's life is at risk then it's OK
1.2.2.2.1. Ten Commandments
1.2.2.2.2. life is holy
1.2.2.2.3. Torah permits killing in self defence
1.2.2.3. Some Jews believe that any abortion is permissible under UK law
1.2.2.3.1. Taroah says life does not begin until the foetus can survive on it's own
1.2.2.3.2. Torah says that Jews must prevent avoidable suffering
1.2.2.3.3. Torah permits killing in self defence
2. EUTHANSIA
2.1. Non-Religious Attitudes
2.1.1. For
2.1.1.1. advances in medicine have kept people alive that might have died otherwise
2.1.1.2. development of life-support machines
2.1.1.3. judges have said that doctors can stop treatment
2.1.1.4. basic human right, to have control over ending your own life
2.1.2. Against
2.1.2.1. relatives might want to get people's money
2.1.2.2. a cure might be found
2.1.2.3. doctors should save lives, not end them
2.1.2.4. people might not be in their right mind when they ask for euthanasia
2.2. Religious Attitudes
2.2.1. Christian Attitudes
2.2.1.1. Most Christians believe that euthanasia is wrong
2.2.1.1.1. Sanctity of life. It is up to God when life ends.
2.2.1.1.2. It is a form of murder: the 6th commandment is 'Do not kill' HOWEVER:
2.2.1.2. Some Christians believe that any form of euthanasia is wrong (p.61)
2.2.1.2.1. Bible is taken literally. It bans suicide (in any form)
2.2.1.2.2. Switching off life support of giving high dose of painkillers is murder.
2.2.2. Jewish Attitudes
2.2.2.1. Most Jews are against it in any form
2.2.2.1.1. The Torah says that any form of suicide is wrong
2.2.2.1.2. Sanctity of life says that only God can give and take life. (Tenakh)
2.2.2.1.3. It is banned in the 10 commandments 'Do not kill'
2.2.2.2. Some Jews allow it in certain circumstances
2.2.2.2.1. Rabbis agree that life support machines can be switched off if docs agree that life has ended
2.2.2.2.2. Efforts should not be made to deliberately keep the patient alive (eg by Chemotherapy), this prevents God from receiving their soul.
3. THE AFTERLIFE
3.1. Christian Beliefs about Life After Death
3.1.1. Main beliefs
3.1.1.1. Resurrection of the Body
3.1.1.1.1. Main belief of Evangelical Protestants
3.1.1.1.2. Body and soul will be raised from the dead when God ends the world.
3.1.1.1.3. Everyone will be judged by God
3.1.1.1.4. They believe this because
3.1.1.2. Immortality of the Soul
3.1.1.2.1. Soul is immortal - it does not die
3.1.1.2.2. Many Christians believe that when we die our soul goes to be with God
3.1.1.2.3. Generally, good people's souls go to heaven, bad go to hell.
3.1.1.2.4. They believe this because
3.1.2. Reasons for the different beliefs
3.1.2.1. Interpretation of the Bible, each person reads it differently
3.1.2.2. Christians put an emphasis on God's love - would he let people go to hell?
3.1.2.3. Some Christians don't believe that non-Christians would go to hell
3.1.2.4. Immortality on the soul seems more believable than resurrection
3.1.3. Why all Christians believe in some form of life after death
3.1.3.1. Jesus rose from the dead. This is the MOST IMPORTANT belief in Christianity.
3.1.3.2. All churches teach that there is life after death in some form or other
3.1.3.3. Many Christians believe that life after death gives their life more meaning and purpose. Ortherwise, what's the point?
3.1.3.4. Some Christians believe in it because of the evidence from the paranormal
3.2. Jewish Beliefs
3.2.1. Main beliefs
3.2.1.1. Main teaching is resurrection
3.2.1.2. Torah and Tenakh state that God will end the world when he chooses
3.2.1.3. All Jews will be resurrected and judged
3.2.1.4. Good Jews will live in a rebuilt Jerusalem in a new world created by God
3.2.1.5. Many Jews make a deathbed confession to ensure God treats them well
3.2.1.6. There are some differences of belief about this.
3.2.1.6.1. Some Jews believe that only Jews will have an afterlife
3.2.1.6.2. Most Jews believe that there will be an afterlife for everyone
3.2.1.6.3. Some Jews believe that evil people will go to hell
3.2.1.6.4. Many Reform Jews believe in the immortality of the soul, rather than resurrection
3.2.2. Why they believe in life after death
3.2.2.1. It is the teaching of the Tenakh and Talmud
3.2.2.2. It is one of the Thirteen Principles of Faith, the Jewish 'creed'.
3.2.2.3. It gives their lives meaning and purpose
3.2.2.4. Some Jews believe it because of evidence of the paranormal
3.3. Non-religious Beliefs
3.3.1. Some people do believe in a non-religious life after death
3.3.1.1. Near death experiences
3.3.1.2. Evidence of a spirit world
3.3.1.3. Evidence of reincarnation
3.3.2. Some people do not believe in life after death
3.3.2.1. No God, no spirit world
3.3.2.2. Different religions have different ideas about life after death. Can they all be right?
3.3.2.3. There is no clear evidence for life after death - the only evidence is based on holy books or the paranormal
3.3.2.4. Where would life after death take place?
3.3.2.5. How would we recognise each other in heaven without our bodies?