Religion and Life

Abortion

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." (Jeremiah 1:5);Life is sacred and known by God before birth. "You shall not murder." (Exodus 20:13);Used by Christians to argue against abortion. "Do not kill your children for fear of poverty..." (Qur'an 17:31);Islam forbids abortion for financial or selfish reasons.

Euthanasia

"There is a time to be born and a time to die." (Ecclesiastes 3:2);Suggests that life and death are determined by God. "You shall not murder." (Exodus 20:13);Often cited by Christians to oppose euthanasia. "Do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right." (Qur'an 17:33);Islam forbids taking life except under divine law.

Animal experimentation

"The righteous care for the needs of their animals." (Proverbs 12:10);Christians are called to treat animals kindly. "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God." (Luke 12:6);Shows animals are valued by God. "Whoever is kind to the creatures of God is kind to himself." (Hadith - Bukhari);Islam encourages compassion to animals.

Origins of the universe

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1);God is the creator of the universe. "By His command, the heavens and the earth were created." (Qur'an 7:54);Islam teaches that God created the universe. "Let there be light," and there was light." (Genesis 1:3);Religious creation can coexist with the Big Bang metaphorically.

Stewardship and the value of the world

"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." (Psalm 24:1);Humans are caretakers of God's world. "God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." (Genesis 2:15);Humans are responsible for looking after the earth. "It is He who has made you successors upon the earth..." (Qur'an 6:165);Islam teaches stewardship (khalifah) and responsibility.

Use and abuse of the environment

"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." (Psalm 24:1);Abusing nature is disrespecting God's creation. "You shall not pollute the land in which you live." (Numbers 35:33);Biblical support against pollution. "Do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption." (Qur'an 2:60);Islam prohibits environmental damage.

Use and abuse of animals

"Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you." (Genesis 9:3);Animals may be used for food. "The righteous care for the needs of their animals." (Proverbs 12:10);Supports ethical animal treatment. "Whoever kills a sparrow without a just cause, Allah will hold him accountable." (Hadith - Al-Nasa'i);Islam opposes unnecessary harm to animals.

Origins of human life

"Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life..." (Genesis 2:7);Life originates from God. "He created man from clay like [that of] pottery." (Qur'an 55:14);Islam teaches humans were created by God from clay. "So God created mankind in his own image..." (Genesis 1:27);Highlights human dignity and divine purpose.

Sanctity and quality of life

"So God created mankind in his own image." (Genesis 1:27);Human life is sacred because it reflects God. "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you." (Jeremiah 1:5);Life has purpose before birth. "Do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden..." (Qur'an 17:33);Islam teaches life is sacred and must be protected.

Abortion (risk to mother's life)

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." (John 15:13);Some interpret this as valuing sacrifice and preserving life. "Do not kill your children for fear of poverty..." (Qur'an 17:31);Islam forbids abortion but allows it if mother's life is at risk. "Necessities overrule prohibitions." (Islamic legal principle);Permits abortion if mother's life is in danger.

Ethical arguments on abortion

"You shall not murder." (Exodus 20:13);Used to argue that abortion ends a life. "God created mankind in his own image." (Genesis 1:27);Emphasizes the value of all life. "Whoever saves one [life] - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely." (Qur'an 5:32);Protecting life is a priority in Islam, supports nuanced debate.

Euthanasia (ethics)

"There is a time to be born and a time to die." (Ecclesiastes 3:2);Only God should decide when life ends. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil..." (Psalm 23:4);God's presence in suffering may offer comfort. "Do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden..." (Qur'an 17:33);Islam teaches only God gives and takes life.

Beliefs about afterlife and value of life

"I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die." (John 11:25);Christian hope in eternal life gives value to earthly life. "The dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it." (Ecclesiastes 12:7);Life has spiritual purpose beyond death. "Every soul will taste death. Then to Us will you be returned." (Qur'an 29:57);Islam teaches life is a test for the afterlife.