Starter quiz
- The Church of England believes that abortion is never acceptable.
- True
- False ✓
- They say nothing about it.
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- Catholics believe that no circumstance can justify taking an innocent human life.
- True ✓
- False
- They say nothing about it.
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- Which Christian teaching suggests that God has a plan for every human life before birth?
- “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:39)
- “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you” (Jeremiah 1:5) ✓
- “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13)
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- How do some Christians use the Parable of the Good Samaritan to support abortion in certain cases?
- It teaches that we should love and care for others. ✓
- It states that life begins at conception.
- It condemns harming an unborn child.
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- The term pro ______ refers to people who believe the foetus has a right to life and generally oppose abortion.
- 'life' ✓
- The Catholic Church follows the ethical theory of ______ Law, which teaches that abortion is always wrong.
- 'Natural' ✓
Exit quiz
- The principle of ______ of life is often used to argue against euthanasia, as it states that life is sacred and should not be ended deliberately.
- 'sanctity' ✓
- In the UK, assisting someone to die is ______, even if they have a terminal illness and request it.
- 'illegal' ✓
- What is the main difference between active and passive euthanasia?
- Active euthanasia is done by doctors, passive euthanasia by family.
- Active euthanasia causes death; passive euthanasia lets death happen. ✓
- Passive euthanasia is legal everywhere; active euthanasia is always illegal.
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- Which of the following is a concern some people (religious or non-religious) have about legalising euthanasia?
- It might encourage medical professionals to act unethically. ✓
- It allows people to make their own choices about death.
- It gives patients more control over their suffering.
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- Which religious belief is often used to justify opposition to euthanasia?
- The idea that suffering has meaning. ✓
- The belief that individuals have complete autonomy over their lives.
- The idea that ending suffering is always the most important factor.
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- Which of these statements is an argument for legalising euthanasia?
- It allows people to die with dignity and avoid unnecessary suffering. ✓
- It encourages doctors to end lives without consent.
- It leads to increased suffering for patients.
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Worksheet
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Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Euthanasia ends life to relieve suffering, either voluntary or non-voluntary, and active or passive.
- Assisted suicide involves helping someone end their life, with the person administering the lethal dose.
- In the UK, active euthanasia is illegal, assisted suicide is punishable, but withdrawing treatment can be legal.
- Opponents argue life has intrinsic value, suffering has meaning, and legalisation may pressure vulnerable people.
- Supporters argue it respects autonomy, allowing people to end suffering with dignity.
Common misconception
Those with non-religious views, such as Humanists, always support euthanasia.
Many Humanists advocate for the right to die (e.g., ‘Dignity in Dying’), but some oppose it due to concerns about coercion, vulnerable people, or better alternatives like palliative care.
Keywords
Assisted dying - helping someone end their life, often through euthanasia or assisted suicide
Assisted suicide - providing someone with the means to end their life due to terminal illness or severe suffering
Euthanasia - intentionally ending a person's life to relieve suffering, either by causing death or allowing it to occur
Palliative care - medical care that focuses on providing relief from pain aiming to improve the quality of life for patients
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