Religion and Life Abortion: Agree Some foetuses are so damaged that it would be cruel to allow them to be born. Where a woman is pregnant as a result of rape or incest , it would be wrong to not allow her an abortion. If we banned abortions, women would still have them – but not in a safe way. We need to protect women. Up to a certain point, the foetus cannot survive outside the womb, so should not be thought of as a life in its own right. A woman should have the right to decide what happens to her body. If a child is going to put a woman’s life at risk, or is going to make her postpone medical treatment which she needs, then she should have the right to an abortion. Roman Catholics believe abortion is always wrong. They say life is sacred because it is created by God. They believe life begins at conception. Many Anglicans accept abortion as a necessary evil. If the mothers life is at risk, then it is acceptable as her life is also sacred. Key terms - Afterlife: beliefs about what happens after we die to our self/soul. Big Bang theory: the scientific view of beginning of the universe. Conception: when the sperm fertilises the female egg so allowing pregnancy. Conservation: To repair and protect animals and areas of natural beauty. Creation: The idea that God created the world from nothing. Dominion: The idea that humans have the right to control all of creation. Euthanasia: Mercy killing; assisted suicide for someone who is terminally ill or has degenerative disease. Evolution: change in inherited traits in a species. Hospice: a place that cares for the dying usually from an incurable disease. Pro-choice: pressure groups which campaign for the right of a woman to decide to have an abortion. Pro-life: Pressure groups which campaign against abortion/euthanasia. Sanctity of life: Life is special; life is created by God. Stewardship: duty to look after the world and life. Abortion: Agree Religion and Life The origins and universe of life: Abortion: Disagree The foetus cannot defend itself – so someone else has to. Abortion is the murder of another human being, Murder is wrong. God has created life, and as stewards of this world, humans have to protect life. I believe that all life is sacred, and must be protected. So, abortion is completely wrong. When a foetus will be born with disabilities, we cannot say what the quality of life would be, so should not decide to forbid it that life. The foetus has a right to life and not to be discarded as if it is just a waste. Creationism: If the Big Bang created the earth, who created the Big Bang? The creation story does not mean God literally made the world in 6 days. It could be a simplified version of 6 stages of evolution. The Bible is ‘God breathed’ so it is the truth. God is omnipotent so he can do anything. Evolution is still a theory and not proven fact. There is missing information in the fossil records. God created evolution. The Bible talks about the different stages in the right order: plant life, sea life, birds, mammals then humans. The Big Bang theory / Evolution: The account of creation in the Bible is around 3,000 years old it cannot possible be reliable. There is more evidence for evolution such as fossil records and genetics. When the Bible was written, no one knew about science so the writers just made up the easiest explanation. The earth and everything in it could not have been made in 6 days. The earth is billions of years old and humans have only existed for a fraction of that time. The idea of God creating the world does not make logical sense because there is no evidence.

Religion and Life Euthanasia: Disagree Everyone has the right to life It is illegal in Britain. Life is God-given and a blessing that must be treasured. People could get rid of a loved one as a matter of convenience or to acquire money Sanctity of Life – life is holy and only God can take it away. The very nature of the terminal illness may make some people make the wrong decision. People with illnesses which reduce their quality of life can receive treatment and palliative care to ease their suffering. Euthanasia: Agree People have the right to self-determination. A loving God would not want his people to suffer. It is an act of compassion and will prevent them from suffering any further. It allows a person to choose a dignified death. God-given freewill and intelligence give a person the right to choose to end their own life when its quality is greatly reduced. Religion and Life Religious views on euthanasia: Roman Catholics believe it always wrong. Life is sacred because it was created by God. The Old Testament says, ‘I your God, give life, and I take it away’. The 10 Commandments clearly state ‘Do not kill’. Dutch Protestant Church believes all life is sacred. However, for those with a terminal illness their life can become very undignified. In these cases, they believe God wants us to help the person from their suffering. Animal experimentation: The Roman Catholic church accepts experiments on animals ‘within reasonable limits’ and only if it is ‘caring for or saving humans lives’. Many Christians believe that testing such as for cosmetics is cruel and unnecessary bringing suffering to God’s creation. Christian attitudes towards the environment: Christians believe God created the world and gave humankind stewardship. ‘ God made the world and gave the duty of stewardship to humans’. (Genesis 1.28). Christians believe if they do not look after the world, or do nothing to stop its destruction, they should expect to be punished by God. Death and the afterlife: Christians believe in the physical resurrection of the body. At death the body waits until Judgement Day. Catholics call this Purgatory. At judgement everyone faces God and Jesus to evaluate their deeds. If they were good in life, they go to heaven, which is a paradise and wonderful forever. If they were bad they go to hell for eternal punishment.