Death & the Afterlife | Religion, Philosophy & Ethics for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Is There Life After Death?

Death occurs when the brain and body cease functioning permanently.

• For materialists, death marks the end of existence, with nothing remaining once the body stops working. This view emphasizes the physical nature of the body.
• Religious perspectives assert that at death, the soul, spirit, or self departs the physical body and continues to exist. Dualism posits humans consist of two distinct entities: body and soul. Non-dualism, held by some Christians, maintains that body and soul are inseparable, with the body resurrected after death.
• All religions believe in some form of continued existence after death, though beliefs differ. Some non-religious individuals also believe death is not final, often for comfort or to find meaning in life.

Evidence of Life After Death

Both religious and non-religious arguments support belief in an afterlife.

Religious Arguments

Religious arguments rely on scripture and faith.

Non-Religious Arguments

Non-religious arguments stem from experiences suggesting an afterlife, including:

• Paranormal Events: Phenomena beyond normal experience or scientific explanation, viewed by some as evidence of an afterlife.
• Ghosts: Alleged disembodied spirits of deceased individuals lingering on earth.
• Spiritualist Mediums: Individuals claiming to communicate with the spirit world.
• Reincarnation: Some non-religious people believe in reincarnation, often citing memories of past lives.
• Near-Death Experiences: Temporary death followed by revival, with some claiming glimpses of an afterlife.

Skeptics argue there’s no definitive scientific proof for these phenomena, proposing alternative explanations. Some non-religious individuals embrace afterlife beliefs for comfort or to give life meaning and purpose.

Religious Teachings about Death & the Afterlife

Religious arguments for an afterlife vary, with similarities and differences between Christianity and Islam.

Christianity and the Afterlife

Christians believe in life after death based on biblical teachings, such as:

• "He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit" (1 Peter 3:18).
  The resurrection of Jesus is seen as proof of life after death. Christianity teaches that good lives lead to heaven, while others lead to hell, as illustrated in parables like the Rich Man and Lazarus and the Sheep and Goats. 
• Some Christians believe in resurrection, where the body is revived after death, while others believe in the immortality of the soul, where the soul persists after the body dies. 
• The purpose of Christian life is to follow the Bible to attain heaven. Evangelicals view hell as a literal place of torment, while others see it as separation from God.

Islam and the Afterlife

Muslims believe in life after death based on the Qur’an, which states:

• "One who has repented, believed and done righteous, it is promised by Allah that he will be among the successful" (Qur’an 28:67).
• Life is seen as preparation for akhirah (afterlife). Muslims believe everyone will face Jannah (paradise) or Jahannam (hell) after death. All Muslims believe in resurrection on the Day of Judgment, where actions are judged to determine fate, as stated:
• "Allah will assemble you for the Day of Resurrection" (Qur’an 45:26).
• The purpose of Muslim life is to follow the Qur’an and Prophet Muhammad’s teachings. Paradise and hell are considered real, with all actions recorded for judgment.