9.4.1 Sanctity & Quality of Life (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062))

The Value of Human Life

The value of life

• Religions state that human life is the most valuable and special of all life forms

• Religious believers think humans are the highest form of creation and within the highest levels of spiritual development

• This means that the value of human life is beyond measure, so it needs protection and care

• Most religious believers are ‘Pro-life’ in issues relating to life and This often relates to the sanctity of life

• The Sanctity of Life is the idea that human life is important because it is part of God’s creation

• This is a core idea in any part of religious ethics that deals with the value of life. This includes:

  • Abortion

  • Euthanasia

  • The death penalty

  • War

  • Medical treatment

• Some religious groups extend this belief to animal and plant life too, but human life often occupies a unique and higher place in creation

• Decisions relating to religious ethics around matters of life and death often relate to the sanctity of life v quality of life

Difference between Sanctity & Quality of Life

Quality of life v sanctity of life

• Muslims and Christians believe in the sanctity of life. This affects their views on life and death

  • Life is a gift from To end life is to reject the most precious gift

  • God creates all life, and only God can take life away, so humans do not have the right to decide between life and death

  • God has a plan for all human lives and to end a human life is to prevent God’s plan from coming into action

• Belief in the sanctity of life means that life should be preserved wherever possible. This is sometimes at odds with the belief in quality of life

  • Quality of life describes how good a person’s life is, and the standard of health or happiness of a person

  • It can also refer to whether life is worth living if a person has a medical condition

  • Sometimes the issue of quality of life affects decisions which are made about whether someone lives or dies

  • Abortion and euthanasia are two examples of when issues relating to quality of life are relevant

• When discussing issues relating to life and death, a religious person might focus on the sanctity of life whereas secular views might prioritise the quality of life

• Issues relating to quality of life occur when life is so bad that some might argue it is not worth living

• This leads some to question if the sanctity of life overrules quality of life in life and death issues

Religious Teachings about The Sanctity & Quality of Life

Christian views on the sanctity of life

• Christians believe that all humans are made in God’s image, meaning in his likeness, and that no other living creature was created this way

• This suggests that humans are a reflection of God and therefore we should not end life through choice

• The Bible states that killing is wrong. One of the 10 Commandments is ‘Thou shalt not kill’ (Exodus 20:12)

  • Some Christians view euthanasia and abortion as murder and would therefore be against it

• Some Christians believe that God gave life and only God can take it away

• The Catholic Church teaches that human life must be respected from Conception until Natural death

• Many Christians give money to hospices who look after those whose quality of life is poor due to illness or injury

Christian views on quality of life

• Some Christians believe that in some circumstances quality of life is more important than the sanctity of life

  • They might accept that if a person is Terminally ill and in extreme pain, euthanasia may be an act of compassion

  • They might refer to the teachings of Jesus around kindness, compassion and forgiveness to justify their actions

• This is provided the dying person requests euthanasia and fully understands the consequences of their request

• Some Christians may also use the teaching on free will to justify the right to choose to die

Muslim views on sanctity and quality of life

• Like Christians, all Muslims believe in the sanctity of life. This influences beliefs and practices

• Muslims believe that Allah has a plan for everyone’s life, and it is Allah’s will who lives or dies

  • Muslims believe in Al-Qadr, or predestination, meaning that everyone’s life is already mapped out for them by God

  • To take your own life or the life of others will be taking the role of This is Shirk, the ultimate sin

• Muslims believe this because the Quran teaches that all life is valuable

• Life may only be taken for a just cause, as stated in the Quran

• Muslims believe that all life is a test and that the rewards when they die depend on the choices they have made. They believe that:

  • Ending your own life or the life of another who is suffering is cheating the test and will be punished on the Day of Judgement

  • Suffering is purposeful and part of Allah’s plan

  • They will be rewarded if they help people who have no quality of life