Unit 4 - Matters of Life and Death

What is the Big Bang Theory?

The idea that all matter and energy in the universe began in an unimaginably dense state, 13.7 billion yeard ago, then space itself began expanding and then cooled, allowing the formation of particles and atoms

Who was Georges Lemaître?

The first person to write about the Big Bang theory in 1927.

What is the Christian belief about creation?

God created the world and everything on it in seven days, as seen in the book of Genesis ('let there be light')

Why do some Christians reject scientific theories about creation?

They believe the creation story in the Bible is true in all detail.

Why do some Christians believe there is no conflict between science and religion?

Lemaître didn't come up with his theory to disprove the Bible. They believe the Big Bang and evolution are part of God's plan

SOWA that shows that the universe reflects God's power and love

‘When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers...what is mankind that you are mindful of him, human beings that you care for them?'

SOWA that shows that the universe is given to humanity as a gift for them to steward

‘The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it’ Genesis

‘Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air and over the cattle and over all the wild animals of the earth ‘ Genesis

SOWA that shows God created the universe and continues to sustain it?

'...all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together' Colossians 1

What is the sanctity of life?

The belief that life is holy and belongs to God

SOWA that teaches Christians that God made them in his image?

'So God created mankind in his own image' Genesis 1

What does 'So God created mankind in his own image' teach?

God chose what he wanted us to be like and made no mistakes in creation - we are all spiritually similar to him

SOWA that teaches that God created us out of nothing and took the time to make us perfect - God is the reason we are here

'Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground' Genesis 2

SOWA that teaches that we matter from the day we are conceived and that we are intrinsically valuable?

'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart' Jeremiah 1

SOWA that teaches that we are all planned and intrinsically valuable (psalms)?

'you knit me together in my mother's womb' Psalm 139

SOWA that teaches that the human body was designed to be a special dwelling for the Holy Spirit?

'Do you not know that your bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit' 1 Corinthians

Why is the sanctity of life important for Christians today?

*shows God cares for humans *shows that all humans are equal because God loves all people, we should treat each other with respect and dignity *teaches that decisions about life and death are very important eg. abortion or euthanasia *teaches that human life is sacred from conception - we are all intrinsically valuable because we are created by God

What is the theory of evolution?

All of today's species have evolved from simple life forms that first started to develop over 3 billion years ago

Evolution - if God was all knowing...

He would have made fully evolved versions of creatures when he first created them because he would have known wha they'd need to survive

Evolution - if God was all loving...

He wouldn't allow natural selection because God loves all creation and wouldn't allow a survival of the fittest scenario

Evolution - if God was all powerful...

He would have stopped natural selection and made them all suitably adapted for survival

How do Christians respond to evolution?

Some feel that it isn't compatible with the Bible and reject it Others see no conflict, viewing evolution as part of God's plan

Why should Christians consider evolution?

*Strong evidence to support evolution, to ignore them suggests Christians aren't willing to respond to challenged *Christians can learn and be enriched by shared knowledge *They need to consider scientific religious views that may be compatible

What do Christians believe will happen when you die?

*upon death - paradise *When Jesus returns - the dead will rise *then - he will separate people into 2 groups *finally - there will be a new heaven and a new earth

SOWA to show that God sent Jesus so humanity could have eternal life in heaven?

'For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life' John 3:16

SOWA that gives evidence for resurrection & Bible story?

'look at my hands and my feet...a ghost does not have flesh and bones!' Luke 24 The Bible says Jesus appeared to over 500 people.

Why do Christians believe in life after death?

*God promises an afterlife and God keeps all his promises *Christians believe that God is eternal and created life to have a purpose *When Jesus came back from the dead he proved to the world that death wasn't the end

What do Christians learn about humanity?

It can be saved from the punishment and consequences of sin, as proved by Jesus' death and resurrection

What do Christians learn about where God is?

There is a place where God dwells 'the heavenly realms', which is stated through the Bible

What do Christians learn about pain?

There will be no more crying, mourning or pain

What do Christians believe will happen to them when Jesus comes back?

They will get new bodies, as Jesus got a new one when he was resurrected

What is the non religious belief about life after death - Remembered lives?

People may believe they have flashback memories of previous lives, suggesting that death is not the end

Christian response to remembered lives?

Christians believe that life after death is in heaven or hell, so memories of previous lives are mistaken

What is the non religious belief about life after death - Paranormal events?

They are unexplained events with a spiritual cause eg. ghosts which some people consider to be evidence of life after death

Christian response to paranormal events?

Christians do not accept these as evidence of life after death as nothing in the Bible supports ideas of souls coming back to Earth after death

What is the non religious belief about life after death - Logic?

Some may think it is logical there is an afterlife, to give life meaning

Christian response to logic?

Christians might respond that it is more than logic, as evidence is given in the Bible

What is the non religious belief about life after death - Reward?

It makes sense to many people that there should be a reward after death for living a good life on Earth, but this would not be with God

Christian response to Reward?

Christians agree that good deeds may be rewarded in heaven, but that it is only through having faith in Jesus that we are reconciled with God

What is the non religious belief about life after death - Comfort?

The idea of life after death can give people hope and make them less afraid of death

Christian response to comfort?

Christians agree, but also believe they will be reunited with God in heaven

What is the non religious belief about life after death - Meeting loved ones who have passed on?

Meeting loved ones who have died is a key reason people believe in the afterlife

Christian response to meeting loved ones who have passed on?

Views of heaven differ, but most Christians believe that we will be reunited with loved ones in heaven

Why is belief in life after death important for Christians in terms of living a good life?

Christians believe that what happens to them after they die will be determined by how they have lived in this life. Therefore Christians try to live a good Christian life by following the teachings of the Bible and Church.

Non religious arguments against life after death - comfort?

Some people believe that holding beliefs about an afterlife provides false comfort, and they consider that is the reason that it is a popular, yet misguided belief

Christian response to comfort?

The feeling of comfort is not proof of the afterlife, Christians believe there is evidence in the Bible and that there is comfort in those beliefs.

Non religious arguments against life after death - lack of evidence?

There is no evidence of an afterlife - no one has ever returned to prove it exists. No scientific evidence has proved it so it is just wishful thinking

Christian response to lack of evidence?

Science isn't able to explain EVERYTHING. Some beliefs require you to trust what God says, that is faith. Christians trust the evidence of the Bible and the resurrection of Jesus, which is proof to life after death.

Non religious arguments against life after death - fraudulent accounts?

Concern that mediums and people who apparently communicate with the dead may just be exploiting people who are already grieving. Many mediums have been exposed as frauds.

Christian responses to fraudulent accounts?

Also concerned about those people who communicate with the dead, as they are exploiting people. An important principle in Christianity is integrity and so Christians shouldn't purposefully mislead anyone

What is abortion?

termination of pregnancy

How many week is it legal in the UK to have an abortion at?

24 weeks with the consent of 2 doctors

What is a reason to be pro choice for abortion?

A woman has a right to choose what happens to her

Why would people seek abortion?

*health with suffer *cannot support the child *child likely to be severely disabled and have a long quality of life

What are reasons to be pro life for abortion?

*A foetus is a life that already possesses the full DNA *The woman's rights shouldn't outweigh the foetus's rights *Adoption is an alternative method

Why is the Catholic Church pro life?

The Bible teaches 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you' which means God creates life and has a plan for every life even before they are born, meaning abortion is man destroying God's creation and going against God's wishes

What was condemned in the Humane Vitae about abortion in 1968?

The Catholic Church condemned abortion, and prevented women from having abortions or using birth control

Why might Protestant Christians be pro choice?

The Bible teaches 'love thy neighbour', meaning we must show compassion to other humans so if a woman has been raped she may suffer mentally if she carries the child, so although abortion is evil (taking a life), it is less evil than forcing the woman to keep the baby, so abortion can occasionally be the most loving thing to do

Why else might Protestant Christians be pro choice (sanctity of life)?

Religion sometimes allows the sanctity of life to be broken (eg war), so if war can be accepted which kills millions, abortion should also be accepted, especially as the woman should have the choice

Why are some evangelical Christians pro life?

If they believe life begins at conception, the Bible teaches 'Do not kill', meaning abortion is wrongfully killing life and therefore going against God's wishes.

Ethics - the Doctrine of double effect?

Doing something morally good may have a bad result eg. If the woman's life is at risk

Ethics - situation ethics?

Applies to what is the most long thing to do in the circumstances. May not always fit with Christian principles but it acknowledges the circumstances in which difficult decisions need to be made

What do humanists believe about abortion? SOWA

'There is not one correct humanist view on abortion.' 'Society should provide safe legal facilities"

What is voluntary euthanasia?

Ending life painlessly when someone in great pain asks for death

What is non-voluntary euthanasia?

Ending someone's life painlessly when they are unable to ask, but you have good reason for thinking they would want you to do so

What is active euthanasia?

When a 3rd party administers a drug which will ultimately end the patient's life

What is non-treatment euthanasia?

When a doctor chooses to withhold treatment from a patient as they believe they won't get any better

Arguments for euthanasia?

Mercy Relieve pain and suffering Saves medical costs Allows a gentle death Allows them to choose hoe and when they die Patient dies with dignity rather than slowly deteriorating

Arguments against euthanasia?

A doctor might be wrong in concluding someone can never recover The patients, family, and friends might have just as much agony if they don't try every option The sanctity of life is absolute with no exceptions

What is the story of Job?

God wants to test faith Job looses everything and everyone he cares about He gets very ill Loses all his wealth Wife tells him to 'Curse God and die!' Never loses faith and remains faithful to God and is then rewarded

What does the story of Job teach about euthanasia?

He as able to recover despite losing everything, therefore proving recovery is possible

What is the Hospice movement?

The gradual change in medicine from seeing death as a failure to catering to the dying and terminally ill.

What will most Christians argue about euthanasia?

No one has the right to end their lives and real compassion is sharing the pain in a comforting way

Why does ‘Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air and over the cattle and over all the wild animals of the earth ‘ cause so much debate?

There a different interpretations of the word ‘dominion’