Sanctity & Quality of Life | Religion, Philosophy & Ethics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

The Value of Life

Religions view human life as the most precious and unique among all life forms. Religious believers consider humans the pinnacle of creation, possessing the highest level of spiritual development. Consequently, human life is deemed invaluable, requiring protection and care. Most religious adherents support a "pro-life" stance on life-related issues, often tied to the concept of the sanctity of life.

Sanctity of Life

The sanctity of life holds that human life is sacred as part of God’s creation. This principle is central to religious ethics concerning life and death issues, including:

• Abortion
• Euthanasia
• The death penalty
• War
• Medical treatment

While some religious groups extend this belief to animal and plant life, human life typically holds a unique, elevated status in creation. Ethical decisions about life and death often weigh the sanctity of life against the quality of life.

Difference between Sanctity & Quality of Life

Quality of Life vs. Sanctity of Life

• Muslims and Christians uphold the sanctity of life, shaping their perspectives on life and death. They believe life is a divine gift, and ending it rejects this sacred gift. Since God creates all life and determines its end, humans lack the authority to decide matters of life and death. God has a purpose for every life, and ending it prematurely disrupts this divine plan.
• The sanctity of life emphasizes preserving life whenever possible, sometimes conflicting with the concept of quality of life. Quality of life refers to an individual’s well-being, health, or happiness, and whether a life with a medical condition is worth living. Issues like abortion and euthanasia often involve quality-of-life considerations. 
• Religious perspectives prioritize the sanctity of life, while secular views may emphasize quality of life. When quality of life is severely diminished, some argue life may not be worth living, raising questions about whether sanctity outweighs quality in life-and-death decisions.

Religious Teachings about The Sanctity & Quality of Life

Christian Views on the Sanctity of Life

• Christians believe humans are uniquely created in God’s image, as stated in Genesis 1:27: “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
• This implies humans reflect God, making it wrong to end life by choice. The Bible prohibits killing, with the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:12). Some Christians view abortion and euthanasia as murder and oppose them. 
• Others believe only God, who gives life, can take it, as noted in Deuteronomy 32:39: “I, your God, give life and I take it away.” The Catholic Church teaches that human life must be respected from conception to natural death. Many Christians support hospices, which care for those with poor quality of life due to illness or injury.

Christian Views on Quality of Life

• Some Christians prioritize quality of life over sanctity in specific cases. They may view euthanasia as compassionate for terminally ill individuals in severe pain, provided the person requests it and understands the consequences. 
• They may cite Jesus’ teachings on kindness, compassion, and forgiveness, or the concept of free will, to justify choosing death in such circumstances.

Muslim Views on Sanctity and Quality of Life

• Muslims also uphold the sanctity of life, influencing their beliefs and practices. They believe Allah predetermines each person’s life through Al-Qadr (predestination), and only Allah decides who lives or dies. 
• Taking a life, including one’s own, assumes God’s role, committing Shirk, the gravest sin. The Quran emphasizes life’s value, stating, “If any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people” (Qur’an 5:32). Life may only be taken for a just cause, as noted in Qur’an 17:33: “Nor take life - which Allah has made sacred - except for just cause.”
• Muslims view life as a test, with rewards in the afterlife based on choices made. Ending a life, even in suffering, is seen as cheating this test and will face punishment on the Day of Judgment. Suffering is considered part of Allah’s plan, and helping those with poor quality of life brings rewards.