Year 11 - Religious education
Sanctity of life
Religion and life
Study Hub
Study Guides
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 religions view the world - examining concepts such as stewardship. Finally they will examine how religions speak about the sanctity of life.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain the concept of the sanctity of life and analyse Christian teachings on it, comparing them with non-religious views.
Key Notes
- The sanctity of life means life is sacred or intrinsically valuable.
- The value of life can be viewed absolutist or with consideration of extrinsic factors like suffering or autonomy.
- The Bible teaches that humans are created in God's image and emphasises the importance of preserving life.
- Catholics and Anglicans believe life is sacred because it's created by God, Quakers emphasise the divine in everyone.
- Humanists value life for its potential, while sentientists focus on the capacity to feel pleasure and pain.
Vocabulary To Learn
- intrinsic: something is valuable just because it exists, regardless of its usefulness
- sanctity of life: the belief that life is sacred/special because it was created by God, or because we are each unique individuals
- value: the worth, importance, or usefulness of something
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- All Christians see the sanctity of life as a moral absolute.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
The sanctity of life means life is sacred or intrinsically valuable. The value of life can be viewed absolutist or with consideration of extrinsic factors like suffering or autonomy.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'intrinsic'
something is valuable just because it exists, regardless of its usefulness.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: All Christians see the sanctity of life as a moral absolute. Correction: Different denominations and individuals may have varying perspectives on whether extrinsic factors such as dignity or well-being impinge on the sanctity of life.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Beliefs about death and the afterlife Study Guide
- Different religious views about abortion Study Guide
- Different religious views about animal experimentation Study Guide
- Different religious views about euthanasia Study Guide
- Ethical arguments related to abortion Study Guide
- Euthanasia Study Guide
- Impact of beliefs about death and the afterlife on the value of human life Study Guide
- Quality of life Study Guide
- Religious teachings about the origin of the universe Study Guide
- Religious teachings about the origins of life Study Guide
- The relationship between religious and scientific views on the origin of life Study Guide
- The use and abuse of the environment Study Guide
- The use of animals for food Study Guide
- The value of the world and stewardship Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 11 Religious education guide library.