GCSE RevisionGCSE Revision

Matters of DeathMatters of Death

Key QuestionsKey Questions

When is a person actually dead?When is a person actually dead?

Is there any life after death?Is there any life after death?

Do we have the right to take our own Do we have the right to take our own life or help another to end theirs?life or help another to end theirs?

Whose responsibility is it to care for Whose responsibility is it to care for the sick and the elderly?the sick and the elderly?

The Sick and ElderlyThe Sick and Elderly

Failing HealthFailing Health PovertyPoverty LonelinessLoneliness Old people are living for longer, a Old people are living for longer, a

large percentage of population are large percentage of population are oldold

Care provided by the family?Care provided by the family? Care provided by the government?Care provided by the government?

The Hospice MovementThe Hospice Movement

Began in the early 20Began in the early 20thth Century Century Dr Cicely SaundersDr Cicely Saunders Main aim is palliative careMain aim is palliative care Helps the patient, friends and Helps the patient, friends and

family face up to deathfamily face up to death Offer short and long term helpOffer short and long term help Not just death-housesNot just death-houses

Euthanasia - typesEuthanasia - types

VoluntaryVoluntary InvoluntaryInvoluntary ActiveActive PassivePassiveThe moral debate surrounds the The moral debate surrounds the

legalisation of voluntary active legalisation of voluntary active euthanasia. The society who push for euthanasia. The society who push for this are called EXIT. Many in the this are called EXIT. Many in the hospice movement say it is hospice movement say it is unnecessary and undesirable.unnecessary and undesirable.

EuthanasiaEuthanasiaFORFOR The right to chooseThe right to choose DignifiedDignified Quality vs. length of Quality vs. length of

lifelife Animals are put Animals are put

down when down when sufferingsuffering

Saves family from Saves family from extended strain and extended strain and anxietyanxiety

AGAINSTAGAINST Always hope for Always hope for

recoveryrecovery Palliative care makes Palliative care makes

it unnecessaryit unnecessary Pressure on people to Pressure on people to

choose itchoose it God alone should end God alone should end

life – life is sacredlife – life is sacred MurderMurder Not the role of Not the role of

doctorsdoctors

SuicideSuicide

Many people try to take their own Many people try to take their own lives for a whole variety of reasons lives for a whole variety of reasons – what reasons can you think of?– what reasons can you think of?

Often a cry for helpOften a cry for help Used to be illegalUsed to be illegal The Samaritans – anonymous The Samaritans – anonymous

telephone contact servicetelephone contact service

ChristianityChristianity Traditionally opposed to suicide (and Traditionally opposed to suicide (and

therefore Euthanasia too)therefore Euthanasia too) Many Christians work for SamaritansMany Christians work for Samaritans Churches all opposed to EuthanasiaChurches all opposed to Euthanasia Life is sacred – Euthanasia is murder Life is sacred – Euthanasia is murder

or suicideor suicide Some individual Christians think Some individual Christians think

Euthanasia is acceptable in severe Euthanasia is acceptable in severe circumstances and is in fact the most circumstances and is in fact the most loving thing to do in those casesloving thing to do in those cases

IslamIslam Role of the extended family to care for Role of the extended family to care for

the sick/elderlythe sick/elderly Life created by Allah – with a planLife created by Allah – with a plan Life is a test – everything for a reasonLife is a test – everything for a reason Should not seek an easy way out of Should not seek an easy way out of

sufferingsuffering Suicide/ Euthanasia not listed in Suicide/ Euthanasia not listed in

Shariah law as acceptable reasons for Shariah law as acceptable reasons for taking lifetaking life

Muhammad taught that suicide would Muhammad taught that suicide would not be shown mercy on judgement daynot be shown mercy on judgement day

Preparing an Argument

When we set out the reasons or points relating to a particular issue we call these `arguments’. Sometimes in RE you will have to explain the arguments in favour of, and against, certain issues. For example, you could be asked to explain the different views about the use of animals in medical research. This can be quite tricky so here are some words you can use to help you write out the arguments:

whereas given that assuming considering despite in short surely on the other hand for example such as because thereforealthough In contrast while It is clear that nonetheless whilst

generally for instance In deed naturally in conclusion this shows moreover not only…but also furthermore consequently obviously clearly overall typified by absolutely

undoubtedly

Organising your argumentsYou will need to set out the arguments both in favour of, and against the issue quite clearly otherwise your reader will get confused. So, when you set out the arguments you could do it like this:

Explain the background to the issueThe main point FORThe main point AGAINSTAnother point FORAnother point AGAINSTA summing up of the arguments FORA summing up of the arguments AGAINSTSummary of all the main pointsConclusion

Writing a conclusionWhen you have written about the different sides of the issue you will have to draw the arguments together. This is called a summary or conclusion and these words may help you:

overall in the end generally as a rule to sum up all things considered

Giving your own opinionYou will be asked to express your own views. You will need to back up your views with evidence and examples rather than just making simple bold statements of opinion, e.g. “I think all sports involving animals are wrong!”. Here are some words or expressions you could use:

In my opinion In my view I think that I believe I tend to think that I can see how

I sympathise with the opinion that I appreciate the view that I agree with

The important thing in your answer is to show that you have considered all the arguments before you made your own opinion and that your own opinions are based upon your careful consideration of all the different arguments.

RememberYou cannot get more than a C if you do not

Use evidence to support each point you make.

Use quotes from the Bible and the Qur’an Give reasons for your statements/opinions

Give more than one point of view

Give the religious point of view / teaching