Explain the beliefs Christians hold about their responsibility for those at the beginning and end of their lives?

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

R.E COURSEWORK

Many religions have different beliefs about their responsibilities to those at the beginning and end of their life, some religions believe in reincarnation, while others believe in a paradise. In this answer I will be focusing on Christian views and what they believe to be their responsibilities towards those at the beginning and end of life. Christian view may slightly differ from denomination to denomination, for example a catholic view may be slightly different to that of a Methodist or protestant. The first aspect I will be focusing on will be, Christian views and what they believe to be their responsibility towards those at the beginning of their life.

Christians believe that life is a blessing from God and it should be cherished, we often hear Christians say ‘I have been blessed with a child.’ Christians also believe that life is holy, they believe that they were made in the image of God so their lives and that of human beings is sacred, Genesis 1:27 says, ‘so God created human beings, making them to be like himself.’ Because of this Christians believe that life is something to be cherished.

Christians also believe that as their responsibility to those at the beginning of their life they must make clear that everyone is equal in the eyes of God and therefore in their eyes.

There are many examples in the bible about Jesus treating everyone equally. Jesus healed all sorts of people and gave everyone a chance, the classic example of this was Mary Magdalene, who was a prostitute and later on became very close to Jesus. Other people may have hated those who Jesus had given a chance but he saw them all as equal. In Luke 7:1-10 a Roman officer whose servant was sick and dying, sent Jewish elders to call Jesus to come and heal his servant. Jesus was not even far from the house when the officer sent servants to tell Jesus that he was not worthy to even come to him in person or even have Jesus come to his house, he told Jesus that all he would have to do is speak the word and his servant would be healed. This man showed faith but this also shows us that no matter how high your position in life may be, Jesus still views you as equal to others. We are all part of the body of Christ.

Christians believe that God has a relationship with everyone, and Roman Catholics believe that this relationship begins at the moment of conception. Christians believe that the incarnation of the word of God as man in the person of Jesus reaffirms the holiness of human life in its relationship with God. A verse that typifies this is John 1:14 which mentions the word becoming a human being and, full of grace and truth. Another verse is Jeremiah 1:5 which says ‘ I chose you before I gave you life and before you were born I selected you.’ This shows that God ...

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Christians believe that it is their responsibility to those at the beginning of life to love others and God. Christians talk of a love called agape which is to respect and protect all humans regardless of the way they look. An example of this is the popular parable of the ‘Good Samaritan’ (Luke 10:29-37). The love that Christians aspire is the amazing unselfish love of Jesus Christ on Calvary, another popular verse among Christians shows this (John 3:16), and it says ‘For God loved the world so much, that he gave his only son so that everyone who believed in him may not die but eternal life.’

Christians believe that they have a responsibility to baptise their child into the Christian community, Roman Catholics believe that by doing this the child is cleared of all original sin, a quote from the bible states ‘whoever believes and is baptised will be saved: whoever does not believe will be condemned. There are quite a few different views on the issue of baptism. Roman Catholics believe in infant baptism where the child is cleared of all original sin so that he or she can be further more welcomed into the catholic community. Other denominations within the Christian church such as Pentecostals and Baptists believe in adult baptism. This of which is called ‘believers baptism.’

Church’s such as the Pentecostal church believe in this way of baptism because they believe that the person should be old enough to except Christ for themselves and to make up their own minds on if they want to become a part of the Christian family, also they believe that the individual should be old enough to understand the responsibilities of being a Christian such as spreading the word of God to others who are willing to hear. Believer’s baptism is by the total immersion of the body into the water, which we see performed in the bible as John the Baptist is baptising Jesus.

Christians also believe that they have a responsibility to preserve life when it is possible, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 talks about us being Gods holy temple so we should preserve it.

Christians believe that they have a responsibility to respect all people, God said in his word that we should love our neighbours, and this means to love and respect all people, James 2:1-9 talks about not judging others on their outward appearance. God doesn’t Judge on your outward appearance but on the condition of your heart, and Christians believe in this principle.

The last thing I will be focusing on about Christian beliefs about their responsibility for those at the beginning of their life is the controversial question of “ When does life begin?”

Roman Catholics believe that life begins at conception, as do most Christians. They believe that as soon as the ovum is fertilised a new life begins, the life of a new human being. Some Christians believe that conception begins at when the ovum becomes attached with the womb. Some others believe that life begins at some point of pregnancy where the baby begins to move. A medieval thinker named Thomas Aquinas believed that a real human life came about when God implants a soul. A third view states that life begins when a baby is capable of living outside of the mother’s womb. Because there are many views as to when life begins this is highlighted when we ask what Christians believe to be their responsibility to those at the beginning of their lives. Christians believe that they should make their voices herd on the issue of contraception and abortion. Most Christians believe it is wrong and disagree with it totally whereas others do not hold strong views on the matter. Many Christians ask the question ‘when does life begin’ because they want to stress that by using contraceptives or abortion methods you are destroying a life, one of which only God has the right to take away. A new life, which for many Christians begins at conception.

I will now be focusing on beliefs Christians hold about their responsibility for those at the end of their lives.

Christians believe in choosing life in a broader sense, the bible states in Exodus 20:13 the command to take a life but Christians also see life as a time to honour God and his creation, this may be seen in terms of a covenant relationship between God and humans. Most Christians believe in the phrase “culture of life Vs Culture of death.”

The culture of life basically is all the good things we do if life and the way Christians should live their lives in a positive way according the bible, things such as love, truth and peace should be practiced in their daily lives whereas the culture of death is the opposite, the way they should not live their lives, according to sin and the evil things of this world such as hate, envy and jealousy. This is what Christians believe when they talk about choosing life in a broader sense.

Christians also believe that they have a responsibility to pray for those who are sick, James 5:13-15 say, ‘Are any of you ill? You should send for the church elders who will pray for them..…This prayer made in faith will heal the sick; the Lord will restore them to health.’

Some Christians believe that in holding healing services where people will come and be prayed for to receive healing or in some cases even a miracle.

Roman Catholics believe that they have a responsibility to initiate the sacrament “Anointing of the sick.” This sacrament allows a dying person to receive forgiveness from God for their sins; it also allows them to receive power from the Holy Spirit and receive communion.

Christians believe that they have a responsibility to make herd that God is the only one whom should take life away, Christians believe that God is the only one who holds the power over life and death. Christians (Roman Catholics in particular) disagree with euthanasia and the idea of an easy death. Most Christians believe that although a person may be in pain it is only God who has the right to decide whether they should live or die. In saying this I must also point out that Christians also disagree with suicide, they believe that a person has no right to take their own life away because they did not create it and only God has this right.

Christians believe that every human being has an immortal soul and it is the hands of God alone. Christians believe that no one has the right to end another human beings life before their time apart from God. Genesis 6:3 is where God is speaking saying that he will not allow people to live forever because they are mortal. This is why many Christians disagree with abortion.

Christians believe that they have a responsibility to share in Christ’s; Roman Catholics believe that by sharing in his suffering we draw closer to him. The book of Job argues that we as humans must accept suffering as we do happiness or joy.

Job 1:21 expressed that life is short but we are free to find meaning even in the midst of all troubles.

Finally Christians believe that they have a responsibility to be compassionate towards others, Jesus showed this all the time when he healed people and accepted people who were seen as unacceptable.

In conclusion I would say that Christians believe that they have a large role in our view on the beginning and end of life. Christians hold different beliefs about their responsibility for those at the beginning and end of their lives.

A verse in the bible which brings this into conclusion is Job 1:21 which says ‘ I was born with nothing and I will die with nothing, the lord gave and now he has taken away’

This sums up Christian beliefs that all life is given by God and can only be taken by him too.