9 Issues of life and death (1)

Key Concepts

• Abortion: Ending a pregnancy by removing the fetus from the womb.

• Afterlife: The belief in continued existence after physical death.

• Environmental responsibility: The obligation to care for and preserve the natural environment; includes sustainability.

• Euthanasia: The act of ending a person's life to relieve suffering, sometimes referred to as mercy killing.

• Evolution: The process by which living organisms develop from simpler forms over time.

• Quality of Life: The degree to which life is meaningful and enjoyable.

• Sanctity of Life: The belief that human life is sacred and valuable because it is created in God's image.

• Soul: The spiritual essence of a being, connecting them to God, often considered eternal.

Core Questions

• Could life have developed by itself?

• Are there various interpretations of religious texts?

• Do humans possess an immortal soul?

• Are human lives inherently more valuable than animal lives?

• What does environmental stewardship entail?

• Does an unborn fetus have a right to life?

• Should assisted dying be permitted?

The Nature of the World

Interpretations of Creation

• Literal: Understanding religious texts word-for-word.

• Liberal: Interpreting texts flexibly and metaphorically.

Creation Stories

• Monotheistic beliefs (e.g., Judaism, Christianity, Islam): Believe in a singular, powerful creator God and creation narratives involving God commanding existence from nothing.

• Eastern religions (e.g., Hinduism, Buddhism): Have cyclical views of creation, seeing it as a process of continual formation, destruction, and reforming.

Evolution vs. Creationism

• Scientific understanding: Evolution is evidenced by fossils and genetic studies, while creationism interprets Genesis literally.

• Charles Darwin: Proposed natural selection; argued life evolves over millions of years.

Environmental and Stewardship Responsibilities

• Stewardship: The duty to care for the planet, viewing us as caretakers appointed by God.

• Environmental sustainability: Ensuring resources can meet present and future needs.

• Global citizenship: Recognizing our interconnectedness and responsibilities to the planet's health.

Christian Perspectives on Stewardship

• Diverse views on 'dominion' (authority over nature) vs. 'stewardship' (caring for creation).

Buddhist Perspectives on Stewardship

• Focus on Dependent Origination: Interconnectedness of nature, emphasizing compassionate actions toward the environment.

Sanctity of Life and Medical Ethics

Sanctity of Life

• Generally, holds that life is valuable and sacred, with vast implications for medical ethics (e.g., abortion, euthanasia).

• Different religions uphold varying views on the sanctity of life, impacting their stance on moral issues.

Euthanasia

• Diverse beliefs based on the sanctity of life, quality of life, and compassionate care.

• Christianity: Strongly opposes euthanasia, emphasizing suffering's purpose.

• Buddhism: Generally opposes but can allow for complex ethical considerations, eying compassion and alleviation of suffering.

Abortion

• Pro-life vs. Pro-choice debates exist, informed by beliefs about when life begins and the moral value assigned to the unborn.

Afterlife Perspectives

Views on Afterlife

• Atheists/Humanists: See death as the end, with no surviving soul.

• Religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism: Believe in resurrection and eternal afterlife, with Judgement Day determining one's fate.

• Buddhism: Focuses on the cyclical nature of existence, with rebirth rather than a fixed afterlife.

Funeral Rites and Beliefs

Rituals Reflecting Afterlife Beliefs

• Christian funerals: Emphasize resurrection and eternal life; rituals often include last rites, prayers, and communal support.

• Buddhist funerals: Aim to aid the deceased’s merit transfer to ensure favorable rebirth.

• Muslim funerals: Focus on returning to God, encompassing swift burial and simple rituals reflecting equality.

• Humanist funerals: Honor the life led without reference to an afterlife, focusing on memories and contributions.

Conclusion

Beliefs regarding life, death, and the afterlife are substantially influenced by one's religious or philosophical standpoint. Whether through environmental stewardship, perceptions of the sanctity of life, or differing attitudes toward death, each framework shapes individual and collective approaches to ethical dilemmas.