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Home , Argument from miracles

How valid are visions?

0 They happen to an individual person 0 It comes from the outside 0 It isn't usually looked for by the person receiving it 0 A vision is startling and memorable 0 The "receiver" will want to tell others about it 0 Visions are hard to put into words 0 They only have meaning if they convey a deeper message 0 Visions could be the result of an overactive imagination - or drug or alcohol induced Find an example of a religious vision and explain what the vision was and why it is important

Assessment question.

"Visions are only important for the person who receives them." Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view.

I

25 Dreams are a series of thoughts, images and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep. Many people forget their dreams. However there are some dreams which can make a deep impression on the person dreaming and, as with visions, they might give the dreamer new insights into reality and into . Such dreams can give new direction to a person's life. For these dreams to be valid, they have to be free from any artificial stimulus, e.g. drugs!

You are going to research 2 dreams and explain their meaning by answering the following questions: hlow valid are dreams? Name of Jacob's dream at Bethel Pharaoh's dream the dream

Explain this dream

How did God use this dream

What affect did it have on the person

26 0 Dreams happen when a person is asleep 0 Most people forget their dreams but some leave a deep impression 0 Dreams might give new insights into reality and into God 0 People don't have control over their dreams 0 For dreams to be valid they have to be free from artificial stimulus Special Revelation: Enlightenment!

Obiectives: Understand how enlightenment can help a believer deal with life and its pressures Evaluate the importance of enlightenment for believers and their ^ Task 1: Enlightenment is. w v y J

f •sSK •%-

* m Task 2: Summarise the story of Siddhartha Gautama below:

27 Revelation - reality and illusion

"God is only human qualities on a bigger "God is only what society demands of people»5 scale."

Karl Marx Sigmund Freud

Is God a reality?

29 AQA Religious Studies A - Theme C: and Revelation

Key Words Atheist yiirytU.l'i'UAM.feliUW-IiyVAIeblsJ Omnipotent God's nature as all-powerful exists Benevolent ssstfi'hwiw.tSssifWM^fii's'ns^sss Omniscient God's nature as all-knowing and aware of all that has happened past, present, future A commitment to God and that 's nature as merciful, compassionate goes beyond proof and something humans can relate to General Revelation God making themselves known through Evidence that shows something is true or ordinary experiences open to all existent Immanent BtSI;]l:a'ifeU!UAll,iU:}.(slilO)ifcItT»Wt llB-I«Bi' Special Revelation God making themselves known through the world extraordinary experiences Impersonal God's nature as non-human, unknowable Someone who in a God or and mysterious tiyi'il;U^ra(;Idy4iUilikl!l«feIiI'iT«USB Transcendent God's nature as beyond our understanding, explained by science alone existing outside the universe

Key Ideas The Design Argument argues that God must exist because the world around us is so intricate and well- Design Argument designed that there must be an intelligent creator behind it. puts this forward in his Watchmaker's Argument that says if you found a watch in the grass A. you would not assume its intricate mechanism had come about by accident, you would assume someone had created it. The same applies for the world around us. B Atheists argue that nature and science are responsible for the world around us and that much of the so- called design is the result of chance and natural selection. The First Cause Argument was put forward by and it argues that there has to be an First Cause Argument uncaused cause that made everything else happen and that must be God. It argues that nothing moves without first being pushed and that God is the only possible being that can exist with no cause as God is •»

Argument from The Argument from Miracles argues that miracles (a remarkable event seemingly only explained by God s actions) prove that God exists. They argue that these events (like Jesus walking on water or people coming back from the dead) cannot be explained by science and that they must be the result of God's intervention. @ Atheists argue that miracles are not more than happy coincidences and that they can be explained either JL by science or people being delusional or lying.

Special Revelation General Revelation This is a form of revelation where God reveals This is a form of revelation where God reveals Special and General themselves through remarkable experiences usually Revelation themselves through ordinary experiences which are only open to one or a small group of people. open to all people to experience. These could be visions (seeing Mary, God or Jesus), This could be through nature where God's creation dreams, miracles or hearing God's call directly. is revealed in the intricacy of the human eye or the ^!^* In the Bible Saul experiences a vision of Jesus on the beauty of the Grand Canyon. Road to Damascus and this causes him to believe in It could be through scripture, God reveals much God, change his name, and preach the Gospel information about themselves in the Bible.

Omnipotent, Omniscient, Benevolent Problem of Suffering According to the Bible and Christian teachings. God This however leads to the Problem of Suffering. If is omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all- God is all-powerful and all-loving why does so much knowing) and benevolent (all-loving). suffering exist in the world? Some people see this as an argument against God's existence. Nature of God Personal vs Impersonal Transcendent vs Immanent Different Christians have different views on God They also disagree about God's place in the world. with some seeing them as personal and some as A transcendent God exists beyond and outside of 9 impersonal. life on earth and is not limited by the laws of physics • A personal God has human characteristics and or the rules of time and space. Christians can form a relationship with them An immanent God is active and involved in life on through prayer. earth and can play a role in events that happen An impersonal God is mysterious and unknowable here. This could be through the Holy and has no human characteristics. More like an idea answering prayers for example. or a force than a human being. I Existence of God and Revelation Quote or reference to scripture Genesis quote on God being a creative "In the beginning God created the and the earth." designer

Psalms quote on the universe being God's "The heavens declare the glory of God and the sky above proclaims handiwork his handiwork."

Quran quote on how believers know the "Are the disbelievers not aware that the heavens and the earth were universe was made made..."

Thomas Aquinas', Christian philosopher (Five "God is the First Cause & Divine Designer" Ways-Summa Theologica) on God the designer

David Hume (atheistic philosopher) acknowledging the strength of the design "Design strikes even the most careless (stupid) of thinkers." argument

Kant (Christian philosopher) acknowledging the "The design argument deserves our respect." strength of the design argument

Frederick Tennant (Christian philosopher) s "The world is saturated with beauty." supporting the design argument

Isaac Newton (Christian scientist) supporting "In the absence of any proof the thumb alone convinces me of God's the design argument [ existence."

Richard Dawkins (atheistic scientist) rejecting ) the design argument "Evolution is blind. Evolution is the blind watchmaker."

Genesis quote on God being a commanding "In the beginning God... commanded 'Let there be light' and there creator was light." Thomas Aquinas', Christian philosopher (-Summa Theologica) on God being the "God is the First Cause & Divine Designer..." first cause

Quran quote on God creating the universe with "We built the heavens (universe) with our power and made them his power vast..."

"Travel throughout the earth and see how He (God) brings life into Quran quote on God's power and creation being. God has power over all things."

Bertrand Russell (atheistic philosopher) rejecting the on the "The universe is brute fact." grounds that it is impossible to know what was before the universe.

Jesus (in John's Gospel) on miracles bringing "Unless you see miraculous signs and wonders...you will never i faith in God believe"

I (atheistic philosopher) provides the "A miracle is a transgression (breaking) of a natural law by the classic definition of a religious miracle volition (will) of God."

Thomas Aquinas, Christian philosopher "Miracles are events brought about by God that nature could never j explains what a miracle is do."

Ellie Wiesel (Jewish Holocaust survivor) "It seems strange that God did not intervene miraculously at illustrating why religious in miracles are Auschwitz." problematic.

"If there is a God, we would expect Him to make His presence , Christian philosopher on known, not just through the pattern of the universe (e.g. design & I why it's natural to expect God performs miracles cosmological arguments), but also by dealing more intimately and personally with them (e.g. through miracles & religious experience)." Existence of God and Revelation Quote or reference to scripture rejects religious faith in God in "Religious faith is the great cop out, the great excuse to avoid the favour of science as a form of truth. need to think." Richard Dawkins again on why God & religious "By all means have an open mind but not so open that our brains faith is a weak option. drop out." (Christian philosopher) suggests that the universe can be interpreted in both a theistic and atheistic way. However neither position can "The universe is religiously ambiguous." be proved or disproved. John Hick argues that suffering can help "Moral and spiritual growth comes through responses to challenges, humanity to learn and grow up spiritually. and in a paradise (perfect worid) there would be no challenges." Iris Murdoch (Novelist and philosopher) clearly "I cannot imagine an omnipotent (all powerful) and sentient (caring) sets out why God cannot exist. being sufficiently cruel to create the world we inhabit." Richard Dawkins provides a scientific and "In a world of blind physical forces and genetic replication, some atheistic explanation for evil & suffering. people are going to get hurt and you will find no rhyme or reason, nor any Justice." Dewi Phillip's (philosopher) explains why suffering is a problem for the religious believer. "Suffering can never be seen as an expression of God's love." St Augustine provides a clear explanation of the "Either God cannot abolish evil or He will not; if He cannot then He is & suffering. not all powerful (omnipotent); if He will not then He is not all good (benevolent)." Alfred Whitehead (Christian philosopher) argues that God sympathises with our suffering. "God is a fellow sufferer who understands." Pope Francis (Roman Catholics Pope) brings together science and religion (big bang and "The big bang does not contradict the divine act of creation. It creation) demands it."

Quran quote on suffering and God co-existing "The work of Satan (suffering) cannot harm believers unless God permits it. Believers should put their trust in God." Psalms quote on the universe being God's "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work handiwork of His hands" Quote from Job (Old Testament) on God's "Listen to this Job; stop and consider God's wonders (creation/natural creation world)."

Psalms quote on God's creation "How many are your works Lord. In wisdom you made them all and the earth is full of your creatures." Saul's (St Paul) vision (special revelation) of 'Saul, why do you hate me?' 'Who are you?' 'I am Jesus who you Jesus on the Road to Damascus (Acts) persecute & hate.'"Ifl "It is He () who spread out the earth, placed firm mountains and Quran quote on a creator God rivers on it, and made two of every kind of fruit. He draws the veil of night over the day. There truly are signs in this for people if they reflect." Quran quote on the oneness of God "He is God the One, God the eternal. No one is comparable to Him." "Among His signs too are that He shows you the lightning that Quran quote on the natural work done by God terrifies and inspires hope; that He sends water down from the sky to restore the earth to life after death." Existence of God and Revelation Quote or reference to scripture

"It is not granted to any mortal (human being) that God should speak Quran expalining how Allah can be revealed to to him except through revelation or by sending a messenger to reveal humans His command."

Jesus revealing God's goodness (Matthew's "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only One who is Gospel) good (God)." Revealing God's knowledge of everyone "You have searched me Lord (God) and you know me. You know me (Psalms) when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar."

John's Gospel reveals God's benevolence "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son." (love) for humanity The Quran reveals the greatness of God's 99 names "He (Allah) is with you wherever you "The Most Excellent names belong to God." are." -.-.I God is close to His people at all times (Quran) "He (Allah) is with you wherever you are."

"He is Allah, besides whom there is no other god...He is the Holy The Quran reveals God's many attributes One...The Mighty One...the AII-Powerful, the Most High...the Creator...His are the most gracious names ." 0 0 0 D Q 0 Q a 0 0 0

0 0 0 D Q 0 Q

Use the following checklist to make sure you have revised everything.

The origins and value of the universe Done?V The origins of the universe including: • religious teachings about the origins of the universe and different interpretations of these • the relationship between scientific views, such as the Big Bang Theory and religious views The value of the world and the duty of humans to protect it, including religious teaching about stewardship, dominion, responsibility, awe and wonder The use and abuse of the environment, including the use of natural resources, pollution. The use and abuse of animals including: animal experimentation the use of animals for food The origins and value of human life The origins of life including: • religious teachings about the origins of human life, and different interpretations of these • the relationship between scientific views such as evolution, and religious views The concepts of sanctity of life and the quality of life Abortion, including situations when the mother's life is at risk Ethical arguments related to abortion, including those based on the sanctity of life and quality of life Euthanasia Beliefs about death and an , and their impact on beliefs about the value of human life

1 Key Words and Definitions

Abortion - the deliberate ending of a pregnancy Adoption - permanently becoming the legal parent of somebody else's child Afterlife - a time and place where the or body goes after death on earth Animal Experimentation - testing products on animals to see whether they are safe

Awe and wonder - the feeling of amazement gained from appreciating the world that God created Big Bang Theory - the scientific explanation of the origin of the universe

Creation - the religious idea that God made the universe and humans Dominion - the idea that humans can use the world to suit them because it was given to them by God Environment - the natural world, including seas, forests, mountains and all living things Euthanasia - the deliberate ending of somebody's life because they are terminally ill

Evolution - the scientific explanation of how different animals and humans have developed Ex nihilo - 'from nothing' - Christians believe that God created the world from nothing Hospice - a place where terminally ill people can be cared for before they die Literal Interpretation - the idea that the Bible is completely true, word for word Metaphor - (in relation to the Bible) the idea that the creation stories are symbolic, not literally true Myth - a traditional story which helps to explain natural phenomena Natural Resources - materials that exist in nature which can be used to benefit humans, e.g. coal, wood, metals etc Non-Literal Interpretation - the idea that the Bible is helpful and important but shouldn't be seen as completely true

Origins - how things (such as the world and humans) started Pollution - when poisonous chemicals used by humans damage the environment Quality of Life - how pleasant somebody's life is (often contrasted with the sanctity of life) Responsibility - duty to care for something (e.g. the planet or animals) Sanctity of Life - the idea that life is holy or sacred because God made it Stewardship - the belief that God put people in charge of the Earth to look after and protect it

Universe - everything that exists

2 The Origins of the Universe

Christian Teachings about the Origins of the Universe

According to the Bible, the world was created by God in six ^ days from nothing (the phrase for this in Latin is ex nihilo). -^- ^ The first book of the Bible, Genesis, tells the story of how the f^4L^ Earth was created. After each day of creation. God lookeda: H ^-: what He made and was pleased with it; He saw that "it was "fc^^ good".

> Day 1: God said "Let there be light." He called the light day and the darkness night. > Day 2: God made the sky and separated it from the Earth. > Day 3: God formed the land and the seas and He created trees and plants. > Day 4: God created the sun, moon and stars. > Day 5: God filled the sky and the sea with creatures: birds and fish. > Day 6: God created all of the land animals and finished by making humans "in his own image." > Day 7: God rested on the seventh day and made it holy.

Interpretations of these teachings

Some Christians believe that the creation story is absolutely true, word for word. Others think that it is more of a story with a message. There are four ways in which it can be interpreted:

Literal Interpretation - The Creation account in the Bible is a true account of what happened to cause the universe to exist. This means that the Earth is only 6000 years old, dinosaurs did not exist and evolution did not take place.

Non-Literal Interpretation - The Creation account expresses the way that the world was made/though it is not completely true. The story could be a myth used to help people to explain the origins of the universe in a time before scientific discovery. Or it could be a metaphor - a symbolic account, representing the order that the universe came to exist, though it is not a true.

The Scientific View of the Origin of the Universe

The Big Bang Theory is the way that scientists explain how the universe came to exist. There was initially nothing except a singularity (a dense, hot point) which rapidly expanded (nobody knows exactly why it started to expand). It has been expanding for almost 14 billion years and is still doing so today. It got cooler and cooler over time and atoms started to join together to create planets and stars. Around 3.8 billion years ago life appeared on earth and began to develop through the process of evolution, by which organisms became more and more complex until they developed into the plants and animals that we know today.

3 The relationship between Scientific and Religious views

Christians who accept the Literal interpretation of the Biblical story of creation do not accept that the Big Bang took place. They believe that the Bible is the word of God and anything that challenges it is untrue.

Christians who see the creation story as a myth or metaphor are often happy to accept that the Big Bang is true, but they may think that it was the method that God used to create everything.

The value of the World and the duty of humans to protect it

Stewardship and Dominion

Based on the creation story, Christians have two different views about how the world should be treated.

Stewardship is the idea that God has given humans a duty or responsibility to look after and care for the world. In the Genesis story, ^...w Adam (the first man) was given the task of looking after the Garden of I Stewardship Eden, where he lived: "The Lord took the man and put him in the Garden of Creation of Eden to work it and take care of it". Christians believe that they should continue Adam's task and protect the world by using it in a sustainableway.

Dominion is the belief that humans have power and control over every other creature in the world and can therefore use it however they choose. In the Genesis story, God told Adam and Eve (the first humans) to "Fill the Earth and subdue it." This means that they are the dominant species and so they don't have to worry too much about protecting other animals or the environment.

Christians often have feelings of awe and wonder in response to the beauty and grandeur of the world. They believe that the world is a wonderful gift from God and that God's qualities can be seen in the things that He created.

"For since the creation of the world. God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen." Romans

For example, they may feel amazed at the view from a high mountain or the beauty of a flower and they may see these beautiful things as evidence of God's love for the world. Equally, they may look at the vastness of space and feel God's power.

Some of this amazement is expressed in the Bible in Psalms: "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them."

4 The use and abuse of the environment In order to meet humans' demand for electricity and new products, the environment can get damaged. Oil and coal is taken out of the Earth and will eventually run out; the world's forests are cut down for timber or so that we can use the land for farming; the burning of fossil fuels for energy leads to climate change. Those Christians who see themselves as stewards are very concerned about the impact of humans on the environment and will often promote ways of protecting it. For example, they will try to use renewable energy, recycle as many goods as possible, and cut down on their energy use. Those who feel that they have dominion may also be concerned about the way in which environmental damage can harm humans. Leaders from several world have gathered together on two occasions (once in Assisi in Italy and once in Ohito in Japan) to discuss how the world can be protected. Pope Francis has highlighted the need for all humans to care for the world by protecting the environment. He wrote a letter in which he said that "the earth, our home, is beginning to look more and more like an immense pile of filth." He talked about how we need to avoid polluting the world by, for example, using renewable forms of energy.

The Bible teaches that "The world is the Lord's and everything in it," which supports the need for all human beings to be f^ stewards of God's creation. People are also instructed to "love •&S f^ your neighbour," which means that we need to avoid damaging ^\ id a the world in ways that will cause human suffering. ^

The use and abuse of animals

Animal experimentation

When scientists develop new medicines and cosmetics, they often test these products on animals to make sure that they are safe before being used on humans. Some of these tests are harmful to animals, causing them pain, and the animals are generally killed after they have been tested on. The big question is whether it is worth making animals suffer in order to improve the lives of humans. The testing of cosmetics is banned in many countries, including the UK, but medicines are regularly tested on animals. Some animal testing is very effective, for example we wouldn't have vaccinations for TB or polio ((T / ^ without animal testing. However, sometimes humans and animals react very differently to CCT tests, so even if something is safe for animals it may still cause problems for humans.

5 The use of animals for food

Many different animals are farmed so that people can eat meat and dairy products. Some of these animals are kept in unpleasant conditions where they can suffer and therefore some people choose -s. to be vegetarian (don't eat meat) or vegan (don't eat or use any c> €> animal products). Another reason why people choose not to eat ^?n^& meat is that farming has a negative impact on the environment.

Christian beliefs about the use of animajs

Christians believe that humans were created by God as the most important species on Earth. This can mean that they should have control over animals, but also means that we are responsible for caring for them.

»• God gives Adam and Eve permission to eat animals and he tells

// Oo Noah "Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you." However, the Bible also makes it clear that animals should be cared f for; in Proverbs we are told that "The righteous (good) care for the needs of their animals," and Deuteronomy instructs people "Do not -7^ ^ muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain." Both of these ^ ^ quotes make it clear that animals should be cared for.

Most Christians feel that we should avoid unnecessary cruelty to animals, but they disagree about what is acceptable and what isn't. The majority of Christians eat meat but some may avoid eating meat that has been farmed in unpleasant conditions. The Bible makes it clear that people are free to choose to eat meat or to be vegetarian "The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them."

Most Christians support the testing of medicines on animals where it protects humans. The Bible teaches that humans are the most important species and therefore human survival is more important than animal survival. However, they also believe that all life is created by God and should therefore be treated with as much respect as possible. Therefore, we should only test on animals when this really benefits humans and when it is the only way to make sure that medicines are safe.

6 The Origins of Human Life

Religious teachings about the ongins^f human life

According to the Bible, the first humans were made by God "In his own image". Being in the image of God doesn't mean looking like him; it means that humans have a similar spiritual nature to God and can have a close relationship with him. The creation of humans is explained in the first two chapters of the first book of the Bible, Genesis 1 and Genesis 2. The stories are slightly different in each chapter.

Genesis 1:

"5o God create mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."

Genesis 2:

The first man, Adam, was formed from the earth by God and was given the task of looking after the Garden of Eden, which was a beautiful place. He was told that everything was his for food except for the fruit on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God then made birds and animals and finally decided that Adam needed at helper. He took one of Adam's ribs and made it into Eve, the first woman.

The Scientific view of the origins of human life

The scientific view of where human life came from is known as the Theory of Evolution. This idea was first explained by Charles Darwin in his book The Origin of Species, which was published in 1859.

• Within each species there is variation between individuals (i.e. not every human is identical, not every dog is identical). Some of these variations help that species to survive, while others do not. The term 'survival of the fittest' is used to describe this fact. • The individuals with the helpful variations are more likely to survive and to pass on their variations to their children. Through this process, new species evolve. Humans started to evolve around 2.5 million years ago and the first humans to look like us evolved around 200,000 years ago.

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7 The relationship between Scientific and Religious views

Literal Interpretation - Some Christians believe that the Bible stories tell the truth exactly as it happened. These Christians do not believe in evolution. They may say that fossils and other evidence for evolution were put on Earth by God to test people's faith.

Non-Literal Interpretation - Most Christians (including major churches such as the Catholic Church) do not accept the Genesis account as precisely true. They see it as a way of explaining God's involvement in the world but they also believe in evolution. They believe that the Genesis story highlights the idea that humans are special and can have a relationship with God, unlike other animals. They may believe that God has some control over evolution.

The concepts of Sanctity of Life and Quality of Life

When decisions are made that affect human life and death, there is sometimes disagreement about which should take priority: sanctity of life or quality of life.

Sanctity of life is the idea that life is sacred (holy and special) because it was made by God. All Christians view life as sacred because of the Genesis creation story and they see support for this idea in Bible quotes such as "The body is the Temple of the Lord," "God sets a time for life and a time for death," and "You shall not murder."

Quality of life is not a religious idea, but is important to many Christians. Quality of life refers to the idea that what is important is the ability to enjoy life and to make the most out of it. People living in pain or with serious impairments such as paralysis may not enjoy a good quality of life.

When making decisions about issues such as euthanasia and abortion, there is often a debate between those who concentrate on the sanctity of life and those who concentrate on the quality of life. Should life be preserved at all costs because it was made by God and is sacred, or should we concentrate on the quality of life and allow people to die if they are experiencing extreme suffering?

The following quotes can be used to support or oppose abortion and euthanasia

Quotes to support abortion and euthanasia | Quotes to oppose abortion and euthanasia Love your neighbour You shall not murder Clothe yourselves with compassion, The Body is the temple of the Lord kindness, gentleness and patience • God sets a time for life and a time for Blessed are the merciful death

8 Abortion, including situations when the mother's life is at risk Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy. The law in England allows for a woman to have an abortion during the first 24 weeks of her pregnancy so long as she has the approval of two -^ doctors. The doctors must agree that continuing the pregnancy would be worse for the mother's physical or mental health than having an abortion. In some other countries, abortion is illegal. Sometimes, continuing with a pregnancy can put the pregnant woman's life at risk. For example, if the woman's waters break but she doesn't go into labour or if the foetus is growing in the fallopian tube (an ectopic pregnancy). The Roman Catholic Church does not support abortion in any circumstances, not even if the mother is likely to die if she continues with the pregnancy. They see the sanctity of life as more important than the quality of life. They believe that the life of the unborn child is as important as the life of the mother. They believe that life begins at conception (when the sperm and egg meet). The Bible says "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you," suggesting that God cares about every human being even before they are born. The Catholic Church says "God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end," suggesting that people shouldn't choose when life comes to an end. Protestant churches accept that abortion may be necessary in some circumstances. They see the life of the mother as more important than the foetus and usually put the quality of life before the sanctity of life. Many Protestants do not believe that life begins at conception. They believe that "love your neighbour" means we should do the kindest thing in a situation. Abortion is permitted by many protestant churches if:

The pregnant woman's life is at risk. The unborn child is likely to have serious health problems. The pregnancy was a result of rape.

Arguments for Abortion Arguments against Abortion Women should be allowed to choose Unwanted children could be adopted what happens to their body The life of the foetus is as important as • Children born as a result of rape or in the life of the mother, so shouldn't be other difficult situations may not be sacrificed to save the mother loved or wanted Some people think life begins at Children with serious health problems conception, so abortion is murder should not have to be born into a life of Some people argue that the foetus can suffering feel pain The mother's life is more important than the foetus's life and should be protected

9 Euthanasia

Euthanasia, or assisted suicide, is the killing of 0 somebody who is terminally ill and in pain. It may be voluntary (the person wants to die) or non-voluntary (the person cannot make the decision e.g. because they are in a coma).

In the UK, euthanasia is illegal. It is legal in some European countries including Switzerland, where some British people go if they want to end their lives. There is a medical clinic in Switzerland called Dignitas where people can ask a doctor to prescribe them a mixture of drugs which cause them to die peacefully.

Some people think that the quality of life is more important than the sanctity of life. This means that when a person is suffering then they shouldn't have to continue to live. Some Christians therefore support Euthanasia. They may argue that Jesus tried to prevent people from suffering, for example by performing miracles, so he would not want people to suffer. They may see euthanasia as the most loving thing to do.

For people who believe that the sanctity of life is the most important thing, euthanasia is sinful as it is taking away life that God values. Most Christians, including the main churches, take this view. They argue that life was given by God and only God should take it away: "God sets a time for life and a time for death." Helping somebody to die may be considered murder: "Do not murder." Taking your own life would be seen as suicide, which many Christians see as an unforgivable because taking life is a sin and the suicide victim cannot ask for God's forgiveness once they are dead.

The Catholic Church states "Euthanasia is a grave violation of the law of God," and "Nothing and no one can in any way permit the killing of an innocent human being."

The Church of England is also against Euthanasia. It has stated that human life should be cherished, not brought to an end.

Many churches set up hospices (homes providing care for people who are dying) so that people can spend the last weeks of their life in comfort, without feeling the need to end their lives.

For people who believe that quality of life is more important than sanctity of life, euthanasia can be seen as the most loving thing to do when a person is suffering.

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