Moral Authorities, Euthanasia, and End-of-Life Ethics (Christian Perspective)

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms from the lecture notes on moral authority, abortion, euthanasia, and Christian ethical perspectives.

Moral authorities

Trusted sources that help people decide what is right or wrong; for Christians these often include the Bible, the teachings of Jesus, church leaders, and conscience.

Sanctity of life

The belief that all human life is sacred because it is created by God; only God has the right to give and take life (Genesis 1:27; Exodus 20:13).

Abortion laws in Australia

Abortion is legal within certain limits: usually up to 22–24 weeks depending on the state; after this time, allowed for serious medical, psychological, or fetal reasons with approval by more than one doctor; performed by a registered medical professional; treated as a healthcare matter with safe access zones around clinics.

Pro-life

Belief that life should be protected from conception; opposition to abortion except under various circumstances; emphasizes the sanctity of life.

Pro-choice

Belief that women should have legal access to abortion; abortion is a healthcare matter and a matter of women’s rights to choose.

Relative morality

Morality that depends on context, culture, or situation; not universal across all times and places.

Absolute morality

Moral principles that apply universally, regardless of context or circumstances.

Euthanasia

Deliberate ending of a person’s life to relieve pain and suffering; from a Greek term meaning “good death”; a highly debated issue in medical ethics and religion.

Voluntary euthanasia

When a person asks for their own life to be ended.

Involuntary euthanasia

When someone else (e.g., a doctor) decides it would be best to end the person’s life, often without their consent.

Active euthanasia

Actively causing death (e.g., lethal injection); illegal in many countries, though debated.

Passive euthanasia

Withdrawing or withholding treatment so a person dies naturally; legal in many places under certain conditions and not typically labeled euthanasia.

Assisted suicide

A doctor or another person helps someone end their life, but the person carries out the final act themselves; legal in some places and tightly regulated.

Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD)

Legal framework in Australia allowing terminally ill adults experiencing unbearable suffering to request medical help to end their life; conditions include being 18+, citizen/resident, terminal illness with less than 6–12 months to live (state dependent), and assessments by two independent doctors with voluntary, repeated requests.

Christian Principles Against Euthanasia

A set of reasons against euthanasia: Sanctity of life; Do not kill (Ten Commandments); suffering can have value; human dignity; slippery slope risk; preference for alternative care (palliative care).

Quality of Life

A measure of how good or worthwhile a person’s life is, based on health, happiness, independence, and ability to do meaningful activities; used in medical ethics to guide treatment decisions.

Hospice Movement

A movement started in the 1960s (Dame Cicely Saunders, UK) that focuses on comfort, dignity, and quality of life for terminally ill patients rather than curing the disease.

Palliative Care

Care for dying or seriously ill people that relieves pain and other symptoms without attempting to cure the disease; includes physical, emotional, spiritual support, and family involvement.

Hippocratic Oath

Ancient physician’s promise guiding ethical medical conduct; emphasizes “Do no harm” and avoiding giving a deadly drug when asked.

Do no harm

Medical principle from the Hippocratic Oath; central idea that doctors should not cause harm, though how to interpret this can be debated in discussions about prolonging life vs. causing death.

Ten Commandments – Do not kill (Exodus 20:13)

Biblical prohibition on killing; used by Christians to argue against euthanasia and some abortion scenarios.

Safe access zones

Protected areas around abortion clinics to protect patients and staff from harassment and interference.