Welcome to 'Life and Death': Beliefs and Values

Hi everyone! This chapter is one of the most interesting – and sometimes the most challenging – in Religious Studies. We are going to explore how beliefs about the origin and purpose of life directly shape people's decisions on incredibly important issues like abortion and euthanasia.

Don't worry if these topics feel heavy! We will break down complex philosophical ideas into simple, clear points. Understanding this material is key to acing your exams, as it demonstrates your ability to apply religious principles to real-world moral dilemmas. Let's get started!

1. The Foundations: How Do Religions Value Life?

Before looking at specific issues, we must understand two central ideas that dictate religious responses: Awe and Wonder, and the Sanctity of Life.

A. Awe and Wonder

This simply means feeling amazed and inspired by life and the universe. Many religions believe that life is so intricate and beautiful that it must have been created by a divine power (God).

  • If life causes Awe and Wonder, it means life is precious and special.
  • Example: Looking at a newborn baby or seeing the complexity of the human body can inspire a sense of awe, reinforcing the idea that life is not just random, but planned and valuable.
B. Sanctity of Life (SOL)

This is the single most important concept in this chapter.

Definition: The Sanctity of Life (SOL) is the belief that life is holy, sacred, and belongs to God. Human life is uniquely valuable because humans are created 'in the image of God'.

  • Key implication: If life is sacred and belongs to God, only God has the right to end it. Therefore, humans should not intentionally destroy life, whether their own or someone else's.
  • Analogy: Imagine you are borrowing a priceless, antique book from a museum. You are the caretaker (steward), but you don't own it and you definitely shouldn't rip out the pages! Life is seen as a gift we are tasked with looking after.
C. Quality of Life (QOL)

While the Sanctity of Life focuses on the *value* of life itself, Quality of Life (QOL) focuses on how good or worthwhile that life is.

QOL asks questions like:

  • Is the person capable of functioning normally?
  • Is their pain manageable?
  • Is there any meaningful interaction or happiness left in their existence?

Crucial Comparison (Where students often struggle!):

When making moral decisions (like abortion or euthanasia), QOL arguments often clash with SOL arguments.

  • SOL Advocate: Life must be preserved at all costs because it is sacred.
  • QOL Advocate: If life involves only unbearable pain and suffering, it may be better to end it.

Quick Review: The Value of Life

  • SOL = Life is Sacred. God-given. (Focus on *existence*).
  • QOL = How Qood is the life? (Focus on *experience*).

2. Ethical Issue 1: Abortion

Definition: Abortion is the intentional ending of a pregnancy, resulting in the death of the foetus.

A. The Core Religious Debate: When Does Life Begin?

The morality of abortion hinges on one question: Is the foetus a person with full human rights?

  • Conception: Some believe life begins the moment the egg and sperm meet (fertilisation). From this point, the foetus has full human status, and abortion is seen as murder. This aligns strongly with SOL.
  • Ensoulment: Historically, some traditions believed the soul entered the body later (e.g., at 40 days or when the foetus is viable). If the soul is not present, the abortion may be considered less serious.
  • Birth/Viability: Others argue personhood is granted much later, such as when the baby can survive outside the womb (viability), or at birth.
B. Religious Arguments AGAINST Abortion (SOL Focused)

Most religions, especially Christianity and Islam, hold strong reservations against abortion because of the Sanctity of Life.

  1. God's Creation: Life is a gift from God. Ending a foetus's life is interfering with God’s plan and destroying potential life.
  2. Mistake for Murder: If life begins at conception, abortion is the taking of a human life and is comparable to murder.
  3. The Bible/Scripture: Many point to texts suggesting God knows the child before birth (Example: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you").
C. Religious Arguments FOR Abortion (QOL/Compassion Focused)

While the default position is against, religious people often allow abortion in specific, difficult circumstances, usually weighing up two evils.

  1. The Lesser of Two Evils: If continuing the pregnancy causes immense suffering, hardship, or risk (QOL issues) to the mother, some traditions may permit abortion as the least harmful choice.
  2. Threat to Mother's Life: If the pregnancy genuinely endangers the mother's life, the majority view supports saving the mother's life over the foetus's life (though this is not considered purely an abortion, but a necessary medical procedure).
  3. Severe Disability: If the child is diagnosed with a severe disability that would cause terrible suffering (QOL), some religious bodies show compassion towards the parents.

Key Takeaway for Abortion:

Religions primarily oppose abortion based on Sanctity of Life. Exceptions are rare and usually only permitted when the Quality of Life for the mother (or foetus) is severely compromised.

3. Ethical Issue 2: Euthanasia and Suicide

These issues involve ending life for compassionate reasons, but they directly challenge the fundamental idea of Sanctity of Life.

A. Definitions: Euthanasia (Mercy Killing)

Definition: Euthanasia literally means "good death." It is the act of ending a person’s life to relieve suffering. Euthanasia is usually broken down into four key types:

1. Active vs. Passive

  • Active Euthanasia: When a doctor directly does something to end the patient’s life (e.g., administering a lethal injection). This is illegal in most countries.
  • Passive Euthanasia: When life support is withdrawn or necessary treatment is not started, allowing the person to die naturally (e.g., switching off a ventilator). This is sometimes considered acceptable if the patient is suffering immensely and recovery is impossible.

2. Voluntary vs. Non-Voluntary

  • Voluntary Euthanasia: The patient is conscious and requests that their life be ended.
  • Non-Voluntary Euthanasia: The patient is unable to make a decision (e.g., in a coma), so the decision is made by family/doctors on their behalf.

Did you know?
Assisted Suicide is slightly different: the patient performs the final act themselves (e.g., taking the pills), but the doctor provides the means.

B. Religious Arguments AGAINST Euthanasia (Strong SOL Position)

The vast majority of religious adherents strongly oppose active voluntary euthanasia and assisted suicide.

  1. God is the Giver of Life: The core SOL belief states that life is God's property. To intentionally end life is to "play God."
  2. Suffering has Value: Many traditions believe that enduring suffering patiently can lead to spiritual growth, purification, or redemption. Ending life avoids this potentially valuable experience.
  3. Risk of Abuse: Allowing euthanasia could lead to vulnerable people (the elderly, depressed) feeling pressured to end their lives, undermining society's belief in the value of all life.
  4. Hospice Care Alternative: Religious groups often promote Palliative Care (Hospice movement) – treating the pain and making the person comfortable, allowing them to die naturally with dignity.
C. Arguments For Euthanasia (QOL/Compassion Position)

While the official teaching may oppose it, some religious people argue for euthanasia in extreme cases, focusing on compassion and QOL.

  • Mercy and Compassion: If a loved one is experiencing unimaginable pain with no hope of recovery, letting them die can be seen as the most loving and compassionate choice.
  • Dignity: Allowing someone to die peacefully, rather than suffering horribly for months, preserves their human dignity and respects their autonomy (their right to choose).
  • Passive Euthanasia: Religious agreement is often found regarding passive euthanasia. If a treatment is merely prolonging suffering without hope, stopping that treatment is often viewed as "letting nature take its course" rather than intentionally killing.

Quick Review: Euthanasia Concepts

The debate is always between the sacredness of life (SOL) versus relieving intense suffering and preserving dignity (QOL). Because SOL is the foundation of the faith, it usually wins out against Active euthanasia.

Remember: In your exam answers, always show you understand BOTH sides of the SOL vs. QOL argument, and then explain which belief system is usually prioritized by the religion you are discussing.