RS – Year 9 Knowledge Organiser 2. Matters of life and death - Key Terms 24. Religion and science 49.The Ten Commandments 3. A good life 25. Existence of God through Morality 51.Life on earth 4. Birth – Abortion 26.Judaism - Key Terms 1 52.The Messiah 5. A good life – eastern religions 27.Key Jewish beliefs 54.Pikuach Nefesh 6. Animal rights 28.God as One 55.Bar Mitzvah 7. War 29.God as creator 56.Bat Mitzvah 8. A good death 30.Covenants 57.Daily life 9. End of life care 31.Covenant with Abraham 58.Kosher 10.Afterlife – Christianity 32.Birth Rituals 60.Synagogue 11.Afterlife – Resurection 33.Brit Milah 61.Synagogue services 12.Afterlife – Near death experiences 34.Shabbat 62.Prayer 13.Afterlife – Paranormal activity 35.Free will 63.Amidah 14.Honouring the dead 36.Free will and evil 64.Worship in the home 15. Arguments for the existence of God - Key Terms 37.Diversity in Britain 65.Shabbat at home 16. Idea of God 38.Orthodox and reform Jews 67.Items worn for worship 17. Theism, agnosticism and atheism 40.God as Law giver 68.Mitzvah Day 18. Truth 41.Covenant with Moses 69.Marriage 19. Nature of God 42.Shekinah 70.God as Judge 20. First Cause argument 43.Pesach 71.The afterlife 21. God as Designer 45.Sukkot 72.Mourning rituals 22. God as Necessary 47.Moses and the Mitzvot 74.Rosh Hashanah 23. Religious experience 48.613 Mitzvot 76.Yom Kippur 1 Matters of Life and Death Key Terms Abortion The deliberate termination of a pregnancy, before the foetus can survive outside of the uterus. Euthanasia The act of deliberately ending a person's life to relieve suffering. Palliative Care Specialist care for people with advanced and progressive illness that cannot be cured. Near death An unusual experience taking place on the brink experience of death remembered by the person on recovery. Quality of Life A person's perception of their worth and value based on the standard of their life. Resurrection Rising back to life from the dead. Sanctity of Life Human life should be valued and considered as sacred and God-given. Soul The spiritual or immaterial part of a human being that is thought to be immortal. 2 Matters of Life and Death The Value of Life How to Live a Good Life Christians believe human life is sacred and should be God gave humans free will to choose their actions. respected. God gave humans a conscience and the ability to Life is a gift from God and should be protected. reason. God is omnipotent, meaning all-powerful. This means Christians believe humans can make their own decisions. God is omnibenevolent, meaning all-good. God gave humans commandments to follow. The sanctity of life teaches life is God-given. God’s commandments tell humans what they should The Bible teaches that human beings are created in the do and avoid. image of God. God sent his Son, Jesus, to the world as an Jesus taught God has counted every hair on a person's example. head. Jesus taught The Beatitudes. The Beatitudes help Christians to know how they should behave. Jesus taught ‘Love your enemies’ Matthew 5:44 3 Matters of Life and Death Birth - Abortion Catholic perspective Abortion is the deliberate termination Life begins at conception; therefore abortion is wrong. of a pregnancy, before the foetus can survive outside the womb. Abortion destroys life and makes life seem disposable. Abortion Act 1967 allows termination of a pregnancy by a Life is a gift from God and only God can give or take life. registered medical practitioner, up to 24 weeks gestation. Every human being, including an embryo or foetus, has the Abortions must be carried out in a hospital or special clinic. right to live and to reach their potential. Two doctors must be consulted. The unborn child is denied choice. Abortion is allowed to prevent grave damage to the woman's There are alternatives to abortion, such as adoption. health, or to existing children. People born with disabilities can live full and happy lives. Abortion is legal if there is a serious threat to the woman's health or life. Abortion is also legal if the child will be born with physical or Other Christian perspectives mental abnormalities and be seriously disabled. Many Protestant view abortion as wrong. In cases of medical emergency, a second doctor's agreement is not needed. There are some limited conditions when it can be allowed. 4 Matters of Life and Death A Good Life – Hinduism A Good Life – Buddhism Atman is a Hindu word that means ‘soul or spirit’. Buddhists believe in karma; all actions have consequences. Atman is made of part of Brahman, the one true God. Buddhists believe craving and desire brings suffering. Karma is a teaching that affects how Hindus live. Buddhists want to end suffering. Actions result in either good or bad karma. Karuna is the desire to see an end to all suffering. Hindus believe in free will. Metta, or loving kindness, is attitude of perfect love towards all others. Hindus are encouraged to follow the four aims of life: artha, kama, moksha and dharma. Metta is about developing a desire for humans to be happy. Hindus follow ahimsa: non-violence or harmlessness. Buddhists have a desire to avoid harm 5 Matters of Life and Death Uses for animals Companionship - pets are usually treated well as part of Animal Rights the family Help - some animals are used in helping people, such as Many people believe that all living things should be guide dogs for the blind. treated with respect. Work - animals can be used to carry goods or people. Animals have a right to be protected from ill-treatment, just like humans. Sport - some people keep animals for sport, e.g. greyhound or horse racing. Most people believe that humans are capable of more than other animals Food - many people eat meat and animal products For example, humans have the ability to make moral Fashion or leisure - some people enjoy having clothing or decisions. household accessories Animals might not be equal to humans, but should be Education and conservation - zoos or wildlife parks are looked after carefully and protected as part of God’s visited to learn about exotic animals creation Experiments and scientific developments - cosmetic testing is illegal in the UK. Animals are used to test drugs, but other methods have been developed. Entertainment - animals form part of circus acts. 6 Matters of Life and Death War Just War Theory War is an organised conflict consisting of violence carried out St Thomas Aquinas developed the Just War Theory. between two parties. The theory sets conditions to judge whether war should be Christians believe that God gives life and humans are made declared. imago Dei. The war must have a just cause. Christians therefore believe that life is sacred and should be protected. The war must be declared by a proper authority, e.g. the ruler of the state. Some believe the only way to defeat injustice, or defend the idea of the sanctity of life, is to declare war. The war must be fought to promote good or avoid evil. Other Christians prefer peaceful, non-violent methods. Peace and justice must be restored when the war is over. 7 Matters of Life and Death A Good Death A Good Death – The Christian Perspective A Humanist Perspective Physical death is the end of our physical life, but not Humanists believe that the end of physical life is the the end. end of that person’s existence. Life continues after death in the eternal afterlife. Life is not sacred and humans have a right to self- determination. Catholics believe they should die well. There is no afterlife. Prepare for death by spending time with family, update will, address funeral arrangements. Humanists prepare for death by discussing fears and concerns about death. Catholics respect their life to its natural end by seeking hospice care to ease their suffering. Explore the ending of life before its natural end. 8 Matters of Life and Death End of Life Care Euthanasia Palliative Care Euthanasia means 'gentle and easy death'. Euthanasia describes the deliberate ending of life for A person who is terminally ill may go to a hospice. compassionate reasons. Available for those suffering, in pain or with an A hospice is a place where specialist medical staff incurable disease. look after patients. Euthanasia is illegal in the UK. Euthanasia is punishable by law and may be punished Palliative drugs are used to help the person to be by life imprisonment. pain-free. Assisted dying is helping a person to take their own life. Staff talk with patients about death and dying and any fears. Assisted dying is illegal in the UK. Assisted dying can lead to 14 years' imprisonment. Hospices support the family of the dying person. 9 Matters of Life and Death After Life – Christian beliefs Heaven Heaven is an eternity in the presence of God. Death of the physical body is not the end. Heaven is the ultimate aim for all Christians. Christians believe humans will have eternal life in the A soul is reunited with God and united with Christ. afterlife. Christ teaches about Heaven using parables. Christians believe that all humans have a soul. The soul is a non-physical part of humans that lives on after the death of the physical body. Hell God gave humans free will in their life. Hell is a place of pain and suffering. God will judge people on their actions, which will Hell is the result of the refusal to follow God.