Issues of Life and Death

What you'll learn

This revision guide covers Issues of Life and Death for WJEC GCSE Religious Education, focusing on Christian perspectives examined in Component 1. You'll explore key ethical debates including abortion, euthanasia, the origins of human life, and beliefs about what happens after death. Understanding both religious teachings and contemporary ethical arguments is essential for achieving top marks.

Key terms and definitions

Sanctity of life — the belief that life is sacred and holy because it is created by God and therefore has intrinsic value

Quality of life — the belief that life must have certain attributes or experiences to be considered worthwhile, such as the ability to communicate or be free from pain

Abortion — the deliberate termination of a pregnancy, usually performed during the first 28 weeks

Euthanasia — the act of ending a life painlessly to relieve suffering, sometimes called 'mercy killing'

Conception — the moment when a sperm fertilises an egg and a new life begins

Soul — the spiritual or immaterial part of a human being, regarded as immortal

Resurrection — rising from the dead or returning to life; in Christianity, the belief that Jesus rose from death and believers will be raised to new life

Judgement — in Christianity, the belief that God will judge each person's actions and determine their eternal destiny

Core concepts

Christian beliefs about the origins of life

Christianity teaches that human life is sacred from the moment of conception. This belief stems from several key Biblical principles:

Biblical foundations:

• Genesis 1:27 states humans are made "in the image of God" (imago Dei), giving every person inherent dignity
• Psalm 139:13 describes God knowing individuals before birth: "you knit me together in my mother's womb"
• Jeremiah 1:5 reinforces God's knowledge of people before formation in the womb

Sanctity of life principle:

Christians believe life is a gift from God and belongs to God alone. This makes human life fundamentally different from animal life. Only God has the authority to give and take life. This principle underpins Christian responses to abortion and euthanasia.

Different Christian interpretations:

While all Christians value life, denominations vary in how strictly they apply sanctity of life:

• Roman Catholics hold the most absolute position, opposing abortion in all circumstances
• Some Protestant denominations allow for exceptions in cases of rape, incest, or risk to the mother's life
• Liberal Christians may balance sanctity of life with quality of life considerations

Abortion: Christian perspectives and UK law

UK legal framework:

The 1967 Abortion Act (amended 1990) permits abortion in England, Scotland and Wales under specific conditions:

• Before 24 weeks if continuing the pregnancy risks the physical or mental health of the woman or existing children
• At any stage if there is substantial risk of severe foetal abnormality
• At any stage if continuing the pregnancy would risk the mother's life
• Two doctors must approve the procedure

Roman Catholic teaching:

The Catholic Church maintains the strictest position on abortion:

• Life begins at conception; abortion is therefore murder
• The foetus is innocent and has done nothing to deserve death
• Abortion violates the Fifth Commandment: "You shall not murder"
• Pope Francis reaffirmed this in Evangelii Gaudium, calling the unborn "the most defenceless and innocent"
• No exceptions permitted, even in cases of rape or risk to the mother

Church of England teaching:

The Anglican position shows more flexibility:

• Abortion is a "grave" decision and the foetus has rights
• The 1980 General Synod resolution affirmed the foetus's right to life but recognised "strictly limited" justifications
• Circumstances like severe foetal abnormality, rape, or serious risk to the mother may warrant abortion
• Emphasis on pastoral care and supporting women facing difficult decisions

Alternative Christian perspectives:

Situation Ethics, developed by Joseph Fletcher, argues:

• The most loving action should guide decisions
• Abortion may be the loving choice if a child would be born into suffering
• Each case requires individual assessment based on agape (unconditional love)

Euthanasia: types and Christian responses

Types of euthanasia:

Students must distinguish between four categories:

1. Voluntary euthanasia — ending life at the person's request
2. Non-voluntary euthanasia — ending life when the person cannot consent (e.g., severe dementia)
3. Active euthanasia — deliberately causing death through action (e.g., lethal injection)
4. Passive euthanasia — allowing death by withdrawing treatment

UK legal position:

Euthanasia and assisted suicide are illegal in the UK under the Suicide Act 1961. Assisting someone to die carries up to 14 years imprisonment. However, withdrawing life-sustaining treatment from patients in persistent vegetative states is permitted with court approval.

Arguments against euthanasia (Christian):

• Violates sanctity of life; life belongs to God alone
• Contradicts the Fifth Commandment
• Doctors should preserve life, not end it (Hippocratic Oath)
• Vulnerable people might feel pressured to choose death
• Palliative care advances reduce need for euthanasia
• Romans 14:8: "If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord"
• Suffering can have spiritual value and bring people closer to God

Arguments for euthanasia (some Christians):

• Quality of life matters; relieving suffering shows compassion
• Agape love suggests ending unbearable suffering may be loving
• Personal autonomy — individuals should control their death
• Jesus healed the suffering; ending pain reflects his compassion
• Keeping someone alive artificially contradicts natural death

Hospice movement:

Dame Cicely Saunders founded the modern hospice movement as a Christian alternative to euthanasia. Hospices provide:

• Pain management without hastening death
• Emotional and spiritual support for patients and families
• Dignity in dying naturally
• Evidence that palliative care reduces requests for euthanasia

Life after death: Christian beliefs

Resurrection of the body:

Christianity's central claim is Jesus's resurrection, which demonstrates God's power over death:

• 1 Corinthians 15 states if Christ has not been raised, Christian faith is futile
• Belief in bodily resurrection distinguishes Christianity from beliefs in reincarnation or spiritual immortality alone
• Traditional teaching: bodies will be raised and transformed into glorified, perfected forms
• Physical resurrection affirms the goodness of material creation

Immortality of the soul:

Many Christians also believe the soul survives death:

• The soul separates from the body at death
• Souls of believers go to be with God
• Souls await reunion with resurrected bodies at Christ's return
• This belief draws from Greek philosophy as well as Biblical texts

Heaven and Hell:

Christian traditions describe eternal destinations:

Heaven:

• Perfect communion with God
• Revelation 21 describes "new heavens and new earth"
• No more suffering, pain, or death
• Eternal joy in God's presence

Hell:

• Separation from God
• Traditional view: eternal conscious punishment
• Modern interpretations: annihilation (ceasing to exist) or self-chosen separation
• Jesus used imagery of "outer darkness" and fire (Matthew 25:41)

Judgement:

Christians believe God will judge each person:

• Particular judgement occurs immediately after death
• Final judgement happens when Christ returns
• Matthew 25:31-46 describes Jesus separating people like sheep and goats
• Criteria includes faith in Christ and treatment of others
• Catholics believe in Purgatory — a state of purification before heaven

Contemporary issues and case studies

Abortion scenarios:

Students should evaluate different circumstances:

Case 1 — Foetal abnormality:

• Anencephaly diagnosis (baby will not survive long after birth)
• Catholic view: still opposes abortion; value life however short
• Anglican view: may permit abortion to prevent prolonged suffering
• Parents' autonomy vs. sanctity of life

Case 2 — Teenage pregnancy:

• 15-year-old pregnant after relationship breakdown
• Pro-choice emphasis on mother's future and well-being
• Pro-life emphasis on adoption as alternative
• Support systems and social circumstances matter

Euthanasia debates:

Tony Nicklinson case (2012):

• Suffered locked-in syndrome after stroke
• Campaigned for right to assisted dying
• Legal challenge failed; died shortly after
• Highlighted tension between sanctity of life and personal autonomy
• Christian responses divided on compassion vs. preserving life

Medical ethics:

Advances create new dilemmas:

• Life support machine decisions
• "Do Not Resuscitate" orders
• Experimental treatments vs. quality of remaining life
• Resource allocation in healthcare

The value of human life in practice

Social teachings:

Christian beliefs about sanctity of life extend to social action:

• Opposition to capital punishment (though not universal)
• Concern for refugees and vulnerable populations
• Healthcare provision as moral duty
• Environmental stewardship (human and ecological life interconnected)

Dignity in dying:

Christian practice emphasises:

• Comfort and presence for the dying
• Sacraments like Anointing of the Sick (Catholic)
• Prayer and spiritual preparation
• Family support
• Natural death in peace

Worked examples

Example 1: AO1 Knowledge question (5 marks)

Question: Explain Christian beliefs about life after death.

Mark scheme approach:

• 5 marks for AO1 (knowledge and understanding)
• Need detailed, accurate knowledge
• Include variety of Christian beliefs
• Use religious terminology correctly

Model answer:

Christians believe in resurrection of the body, based on Jesus's resurrection described in the Gospels. St Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15 that Christians will be raised with transformed, glorified bodies. Christians also believe in the immortality of the soul, which survives bodily death and goes to be with God. Many Christians believe in heaven as eternal life in God's presence with no suffering, described in Revelation 21 as a "new heaven and new earth." Hell is understood as eternal separation from God, with traditional views describing punishment and modern views sometimes suggesting annihilation. Christians believe in judgement, either immediately after death (particular judgement) or at Christ's return (final judgement), where God evaluates each person's faith and actions. Catholics additionally believe in Purgatory, a state of purification before entering heaven.

Why this works:

• Covers multiple beliefs (resurrection, immortality, heaven, hell, judgement, purgatory)
• Uses accurate terminology
• References Biblical sources
• Shows depth and breadth

Example 2: AO2 Evaluation question (15 marks)

Question: "The law should allow euthanasia." Discuss this statement showing that you have considered more than one point of view. (You must refer to religion and belief in your answer.)

Mark scheme approach:

• 15 marks for AO2 (analysis and evaluation)
• Must present different viewpoints
• Must include religious perspectives
• Need developed arguments with justification
• Conclusion should be supported

Model answer structure:

Introduction: Euthanasia remains illegal in the UK, but this statement raises questions about personal autonomy, compassion, and religious teachings about sanctity of life.

Arguments supporting the statement: Allowing euthanasia respects personal autonomy and human dignity by letting individuals choose when unbearable suffering ends. This reflects quality of life considerations — some argue keeping people alive in severe pain is cruel, not compassionate. Situation Ethics, developed by Christian theologian Joseph Fletcher, suggests the most loving action (agape) might be ending suffering. Countries like Belgium and the Netherlands permit euthanasia with safeguards, showing it can be regulated responsibly. Furthermore, Jesus demonstrated compassion by healing the suffering, which some interpret as supporting relief from pain.

Arguments against the statement: Most Christian denominations oppose legalising euthanasia because life is sacred and belongs to God alone. The Fifth Commandment "You shall not murder" applies to taking any innocent life. Legalisation might create pressure on vulnerable, elderly, or disabled people to choose death to avoid being burdens. The hospice movement, founded by Christian Dame Cicely Saunders, demonstrates palliative care can manage pain effectively without ending life. There are also concerns about safeguards failing, as some evidence from Belgium suggests criteria can be expanded over time. Romans 14:8 teaches Christians belong to God in life and death, not to themselves.

Evaluation: While compassion for suffering is important, the risks of legalising euthanasia — particularly to vulnerable people — combined with the Christian principle that only God has authority over life and death, suggest the law should not change. However, improving palliative care access is essential.

Why this works:

• Balanced presentation of both sides
• Religious teachings integrated throughout
• Specific examples (countries, Biblical references, key figures)
• Personal evaluation with justification
• Exceeds basic agree/disagree

Example 3: AO1 Short answer (2 marks)

Question: Give two reasons why some Christians oppose abortion.

Model answer:

Christians believe life is sacred from conception because humans are made in God's image (Genesis 1:27), making abortion equivalent to murder. Christians also believe only God has the right to give and take life, so abortion usurps God's authority.

Why this works:

• Two clear, distinct reasons
• Brief Biblical reference adds authority
• Directly addresses "why" with explanation

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Confusing types of euthanasia: Learn the four distinct categories (voluntary, non-voluntary, active, passive). Examiners penalise imprecise language. Always specify which type you're discussing.

• Treating all Christians identically: Christianity has diverse views. Distinguish between Roman Catholic, Church of England, and liberal Christian perspectives. Generic statements like "Christians believe" without qualification lose marks.

• Providing only secular arguments in AO2 questions: The specification requires religious perspectives. Even if asked to evaluate from multiple viewpoints, you must include and develop religious arguments or face significant mark loss.

• Describing beliefs without explanation: For higher marks, don't just state what Christians believe — explain why they hold these beliefs. Link to Biblical texts, theological principles, or denominational teachings.

• Ignoring UK legal context: Questions about abortion and euthanasia often require knowledge of current UK law. Learn the 1967 Abortion Act provisions and euthanasia's illegal status.

• Writing one-sided AO2 responses: Evaluation questions explicitly ask for "more than one point of view." Present arguments for and against, then justify your conclusion. One-sided answers cannot access top bands.

Exam technique for Issues of Life and Death

• Decode command words: "Explain" (AO1) requires detailed knowledge with examples. "Discuss" or "Evaluate" (AO2) demands arguments from multiple perspectives with assessment of strengths and weaknesses.

• Use SPaG marks strategically: Questions worth 5+ marks often include SPaG (Spelling, Punctuation, Grammar) marks. Write in paragraphs, use religious terminology correctly, and check spelling of key terms like "euthanasia" and "resurrection."

• Plan AO2 answers: Spend 2-3 minutes planning 15-mark evaluation questions. Jot down arguments for each side and your conclusion. This ensures balanced coverage and prevents one-sided responses written under time pressure.

• Quote scripture precisely: While you don't need word-perfect quotations, accurate references strengthen answers. Know key passages: Genesis 1:27, Psalm 139:13, Jeremiah 1:5, 1 Corinthians 15, Matthew 25:31-46.

Quick revision summary

Issues of Life and Death examines Christian responses to abortion, euthanasia, and afterlife beliefs. Central is sanctity of life — life's sacred value from conception, based on humans being made in God's image. Christians oppose abortion and euthanasia with varying strictness, from absolute Catholic prohibition to Anglican contextual allowances. UK law permits abortion before 24 weeks under specific conditions but prohibits euthanasia. Christians believe in resurrection of the body, immortality of the soul, heaven, hell, and divine judgement. Exam success requires distinguishing denominational positions, integrating Biblical evidence, and evaluating both religious and secular perspectives.