helping someone end their life, often through euthanasia or assisted suicide

providing someone with the means to end their life due to terminal illness or severe suffering

intentionally ending a person's life to relieve suffering, either by causing death or allowing it to occur

medical care that focuses on providing relief from pain aiming to improve the quality of life for patients

Euthanasia

Religious education

Religious teachings about the origin of the universe

The value of the world and stewardship

The use and abuse of the environment

The use of animals for food

Different religious views about animal experimentation

Religious teachings about the origins of life

The relationship between religious and scientific views on the origin of life

Sanctity of life

Quality of life

Ethical arguments related to abortion

Different religious views about abortion

Different religious views about euthanasia

Beliefs about death and the afterlife

Impact of beliefs about death and the afterlife on the value of human life

In this unit pupils will focus firstly on the relationship between religion and science - looking at ideas of creation. They will examine how religions view the world - examining concepts such as stewardship. Finally they will examine how religions speak about the sanctity of life.

Religion and life

Depiction or discussion of abortion, euthanasia, organ donation.

Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

when a person requests to end their life to relieve suffering

when a person is unable to consent, and someone else decides

when a deliberate action is taken to cause death

when life-sustaining treatment is withheld or withdrawn

Match the following terms with their correct definitions:

In the UK, active euthanasia is {{}}, but withdrawing life-sustaining treatment in some cases is allowed.

All suffering has value and should be endured.

People should be able to choose to die rather than suffer.

Euthanasia is already legal in all countries.

Doctors should never be involved in ending a life.

Which of the following is an argument in favour of legalising euthanasia?

It allows people to make their own choices.

It could pressure vulnerable individuals into choosing death.

It helps people maintain dignity at the end of life.

It is already legal everywhere in Europe.

What is a key argument against legalising euthanasia?

a person directly ending someone’s life to relieve suffering

providing someone with the means to end their own life

withdrawing treatment from a terminally ill person

giving a lethal injection to a patient in a coma

Which of the following best describes assisted suicide?

Which organisation is Humanist and campaigns for the legalisation of assisted dying in the UK?

Which law legalised abortion in the UK under certain conditions?

Many people with a non-religious worldview are known as {{}}. Most believe a woman has the right to choose abortion.

The foetus has intrinsic value and a right to life.

Women should have full control over their own bodies.

Abortion should be available on demand at any stage of pregnancy.

The law should not be involved in personal medical decisions.

Which of the following is a key argument used by pro-life supporters?

According to the 1967 Abortion Act, what is the legal time limit for most abortions in the UK?

“Love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:39)

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you” (Jeremiah 1:5)

“Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9)

“Do not worry about tomorrow” (Matthew 6:34)

Which Christian teaching is often used to oppose abortion?

Which Christian denomination is most likely to support abortion in some circumstances using situation ethics?

Euthanasia

Lesson outcome

Content guidance