Year 11 - Religious education
Contrasting views on euthanasia
Issues of life and death
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will focus firstly on the relationship between religion and science - looking at ideas of creation. They will examine how Christians and non-religious people view the world. Finally they will examine how people speak about the sanctity of life.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain Christian teachings on euthanasia and how they influence Christian responses.
Key Notes
- The Bible teaches that life is sacred and that Christians should show love.
- Some believe enduring suffering can bring people closer to God.
- Most Christians oppose euthanasia but accept withdrawing treatment if it prolongs suffering.
- Liberal Anglicans may use situation ethics to support active euthanasia.
- Hospices provide palliative care, and a living will outlines a person's wishes for medical treatment.
Vocabulary To Learn
- euthanasia: intentionally ending a person's life to relieve suffering, either by causing death or allowing it to occur
- hospice: a place where people with terminal illnesses receive palliative care
- living will: a legal document that outlines a person's wishes for medical treatment if they cannot communicate
- palliative care: medical treatment that aims to relieve pain and improve quality of life
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- All Christians completely oppose euthanasia.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
The Bible teaches that life is sacred and that Christians should show love. Some believe enduring suffering can bring people closer to God.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'euthanasia'
intentionally ending a person's life to relieve suffering, either by causing death or allowing it to occur.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: All Christians completely oppose euthanasia. Correction: While many Christians strongly oppose euthanasia, some take a more compassionate approach, considering quality of life and situation ethics. Some may support assisted dying in certain circumstances, though this remains a minority view.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Christian and humanist funerals Study Guide
- Christian and non-religious beliefs about creation Study Guide
- Christian attitudes to human life Study Guide
- Christian beliefs about death and the afterlife Study Guide
- Contrasting views on abortion Study Guide
- Dominion, stewardship and environmental responsibility Study Guide
- Non-religious attitudes to human life Study Guide
- Non-religious beliefs about death and the afterlife Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 11 Religious education guide library.