Unit 1 Drugs and Alcohol Revision

Transcription

1 Unit 1 Drugs and Alcohol Revision What are drugs? A chemical that alters the body and mind or has a reaction when taken. Some drugs are taken for medical reasons and to improve health and wellbeing. These include antibiotics, which are taken for infections. Some drugs are abused and used for reasons other than health. Some drugs are called social or recreational drugs. These are taken for a buzz or for a high. Some are legal, such as alcohol, and others are illegal, such as cannabis. People take social drugs with friends. Effects of Drugs Different drugs have different effects. Caffeine is in tea and coffee. It is a stimulant that keeps people alert and awake. Alcohol is a depressant. Although it relaxes people, in the long-term it causes depression. It makes people drunk. They can lose control and have accidents. Cannabis is often taken as a relaxant. It can be taken for pain relief or for a high. It can cause long-term mental health issues. Cocaine is a stimulant that lasts for 30 minutes. It is highly addictive and expensive. It can lead to heart problems and convulsions. An overdose can kill. Heroine is an opiate. It relaxes people and relieves pain. It is, however, highly addictive. It causes dangerous withdrawal symptoms, which make people sick. An overdose can kill and diseases can be spread through dirty needles as most addicts inject the drug. All drugs can ruin family life as the pressure on loved ones can be very difficult. It can also lead to money problems. Classification of Drugs Drugs are classified into A, B and C categories. A is the most dangerous with the hardest punishments. Class A drugs include heroine, cocaine and ecstasy. Class B drugs include cannabis (weed) and amphetamines (speed). Class C drugs include anabolic steroids and tranquilizers, such as valium. Class A punishments include up to 7 years for possession and life for supply (dealing). Class B punishments include 5 years for possession and 14 years for supply/dealing. Class C varies. People can get 2 years for possession and 14 years for supply/dealing. Religious Teachings on Drugs The Christian Bible teaches you body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. This suggests you should treat it with respect as it is God made and holy like a temple. The Bible says, Thou shall not kill (10 Commandments). Taking and dealing drugs can lead to death and violent crime. Christians would be against this. The Bible says Christians should obey the governing authorities. This suggests they should follow the government s laws, especially on drugs. Jesus taught people to love their neighbour. Selling illegal drugs is not a loving thing to do. However, Jesus healed the sick so He would not be against using drugs as medicine to improve health. The Islamic Holy book, the Qur an, states, Do not make your own hands contribute to your own destruction. This suggests you should not ruin your body with drugs. Islam teaches that Allah gave you a body. It is His to take away, not the drug users. Taking drugs goes against the Fifth Buddhist Precept avoid intoxicants. Rastafarians, however, smoke Cannabis as they believe the Bible says God gave them herb.

2 Alcohol Alcohol causes over 30,000 deaths a year and costs the NHS 2.7 billion. Most Christians drink alcohol. The Bible mentions the fruit of the vine. The Church of England uses alcohol in church. The wine symbolises the blood of Christ. In the Roman Catholic Church the wine drunk in church is believed to turn into Jesus blood. Jesus drank wine at the last supper. He also turned water into wine. Some Christians are against alcohol. The Bible warns not to ruin yourself with wine. Some Christians are teetotal. This means they do not drink. In the past, alcohol ruined families and the churches had to help out. Muslims (Islam) cannot drink alcohol. It is against shari ah law. The Qur an says that alcohol is a lure of Satan. Some Muslims will not even touch mouthwash. Alcohol is haram forbidden. In Buddhism, drinking alcohol goes against the Fifth Precept avoid intoxicants. Smoking Smoking kills at least 300 people a day in the UK. No religions rule against smoking. It is not forbidden in the Bible or Qur an. It is your free will to smoke However, your body is a holy temple and you should not destroy it. The First Buddhist Precept is not to harm life. You are harming life by smoking. Smoking also goes against the Fifth Precept avoid intoxicants. Passive smoking kills others. The Bible teaches, Do not kill.

3 Unit 2 Matters of Death and the Elderly Revision Death Death is the end of life. Death is when the body no longer breaths and has no heart beat. The brain also stops functioning. Death is the end of all physical or mental life. Christians say it is when the soul leaves the physical body. Muslims (Islam) and Orthodox Jews, however, believe body and soul will be reunited on Judgement Day. Buddhists see death as the end of life. The person s karmic (karma) energy moves on to another life. This is rebirth. The Soul Christians, Jews and Muslims believe in an eternal (everlasting) soul. The soul survives after death. Christian beliefs about life after death Christians believe in an eternal soul. The soul will leave the physical body after death. If the person has been good, they will be with God in Heaven. If they have been bad, they will be in Hell. The Bible says Hell is a lake of fire. Some Christians believe Hell is not a place, but living without God. Roman Catholics believe in purgatory. This is a process of purification before going to Heaven. Your soul is cleansed of sins, especially if you are not bad enough for eternal hell. They believe that as Jesus was resurrected there is life after death. You should follow the 10 Commandments as well as Jesus teaching to go to Heaven. Saint Paul said that there are anonymous Christians. These are good people who will go to Heaven despite not being Christian. Not all Christians accept this. Some Christians believe in Day of Judgement. This is a day when God will judge the good and bad. Jesus taught the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats. God will separate the good from the bad just like a shepherd separates sheep and goats. Christian can be buried or cremated. Roman Catholics prefer burial as your body will be needed in the afterlife. Buddhist beliefs Buddhists believe in karma and rebirth. Good actions have good consequences and these affect you next life. If you get good karma, you can be reborn in a good life. Most Buddhists believe it is karmic energy that gets reborn. Some believe it is them, although Buddhists should not believe in the soul. Buddhists cremate their dead. Islamic after life Muslims believe the body must be buried within 48 hours. The body must be buried, as it is needed for resurrection on the Day of Judgement. On the Day of Judgement Allah will decide who goes to Paradise and who goes to Hell. Christian Beliefs about Euthanasia Most groups of Christians have stated that they are against active euthanasia (except the Dutch Protestant Church). They believe that God makes life and He is the One to end life too. Humans are made in the Image of God and we should not ruin that image. Euthanasia can be viewed as murder and breaks the 6th rule of the 10 Commandments. People are created with worth and to kill someone like an animal is wrong. Animals do not have souls, humans do. People should be offered care (not death) in their suffering. Christians believe in the hospice movement. A hospice is a place a person can go to die and be cared for by nurses. They die with medical and spiritual support. A Christian hospice may offer prayer and access to a priest or vicar. Jesus performed miracles, a miracle could occur. Some Christians (but not all) understand passive euthanasia as showing compassion in the way Jesus showed to people.

4 Some Christians may argue that euthanasia is the most loving thing to do. Jesus said to love your neighbour as yourself and perhaps you would want to die in certain situations. The Golden Rule is where Jesus said do to others as you would do to yourself. Perhaps, if you were in pain, you might want to die and end suffering too. Christian situation ethics suggests you should look at each situation individually before deciding what is the right action. This was suggested by the Rev. Joseph Fletcher. It can be used to defend euthanasia. Buddhist Attitudes to Euthanasia It is a basic Buddhist belief not to harm living things ahimsa; this rules out euthanasia for many Buddhists. The 1st precept says to avoid taking life. Active euthanasia is taking life. Karma has to be worked through and suffering (in dying) might be part of that karma. Your pain is your karma. Death should be made as comfortable as possible though. Buddhists believe in hospices like Christians do. Many temples look after the dying. The motive for any action is important in Buddhism if the action is purely about avoiding responsibility rather than for the interests of the person concerned, then it is wrong. Perhaps euthanasia is OK if the intention is right Right Intention. The state of mind someone is in at death is important if someone is anxious it will shape their next rebirth in a negative way, where as acceptance will shape it positively. Perhaps the person s state of mind will be better if they are allowed to die. The Dalai Lama has said euthanasia is acceptable if in pain. The Dalai Lama leads most Tibetan Buddhists. The Elderly Ageism A term to describe prejudice or discrimination against someone on the basis of age. Elderly people are often stereotyped as moaning about the young, unhappy or unable to look after themselves. However, they may also be seen as wise, caring and full of practical skills (such as being able to mend things). The young can be seen as hoodies, yobs and impolite. They do not respect the elderly and take everything for granted. However, they may be helpful, thoughtful and well mannered. These are negative and positive stereotypes. The Generation Gap is the gap between old and young. This can be in terms of fashion, styles and interests as well attitudes towards morals and behaviour. This gap often leads to mis-understandings. Care for the Elderly The elderly often need extra help in looking after themselves. They can live alone at home. This gives independence, but also means they could have accidents or be lonely. They could live with the family (the extended family). Many Asian families prefer this. The grandparents live with their children and grandchildren. However, this could lead to cramped conditions. They could also live in a warden or care home. There are three types of these. 1- Warden or sheltered accommodation where they are independent, but a warden checks up on them. 2- A care home/nursing home often a room in a home where careers are on hand to prepare food, wash and clean for the elderly. 3 A hospice. If the elderly are very, very ill and near death, they could stay in a hospice. The hospice will relieve pain and make them comfortable.

5 Religious teachings on the Elderly A Christian teaching is, Honour your mother and father. This is one of the 10 Commandments and can mean all elderly people. Jesus said you should, love your neighbour as yourself. They might be elderly. Jesus Golden Rule is: treat others as you would be treated. What if you were old? How would you want to be treated? Buddhists teach that caring for the elderly will give you good karma, which will lead to a good rebirth. Buddhists teach that care for the elderly should focus on metta loving kindness. Muslims teach that you should rub the nose of those who do not respect their parents in the dirt (Hadith). Sikhism teaches that your parents brought you up and you should repay them for that kindness. Care for the Dying Many people say the dying should be treated in a hospice. A hospice is a place where the dying are cared for. It gives pain relief and makes the terminally ill comfortable. Some hospices are religious and some are not. Hospices deliver palliative care. Religious hospices allow the dying to be with other believers, pray together, receive religious services (i.e Holy Communion) etc. Vicars, priests or monks can explore the spiritual meaning of death with the dying. They can give them hope of an afterlife. Hospices are seen as an alternative to euthanasia. Remember, hospices are not hospitals. People go to hospices to die.

6 Unit 3 Matters of Life (Medical Ethics) Religion and Fertility Treatment Fertility treatment can help those that cannot have children have children. It can be done through IVF (in vitro fertilisation) where the sperm and egg are put together outside the womb (in a laboratory). AID artificial insemination by donor where sperm is placed on the neck of the womb. (Some religious believers see this as adultery as the donor is not married to the mother). AIH artificial insemination by husband as above, but by a husband and not a donor. Donated eggs fertile women can donate eggs to infertile couples. They use the man s sperm, the donated egg and place the fertilised egg in the woman s womb.(some religious believers dislike this as a third person is involved who is not married to the couple). Surrogacy where a woman has a baby for another couple. The fertilised egg or embryo is taken from the couple and placed in the surrogate woman s womb. (Some religions are again uneasy with the third person being involved). Christian beliefs against fertility treatment It s playing God. Only He can give life. The Bible says God closed Hannah s womb (1 Samuel). This suggests infertility is God s will. AID, donated eggs and surrogate all involved a third or unmarried person. This could be seen as adultery. The 10 Commandments state, Thou shall not commit adultery. IVF can be seen as unnatural and as playing God. The Catholic Church is against IVF as spare embryos are destroyed in the process. The embryos are seen as life. Many Christians believe in ensoulment, which means the soul enters the cells at conception. Thus any medical fertility treatment that destroys of damages embryos is sinful, even murder, Thou shall not kill. Christian arguments for fertility treatment Jesus healed the sick. Perhaps fertility treatment can be seen as healing and would be encouraged by Jesus. God gave us the knowledge to create fertility treatments. Therefore, we should use that knowledge for good reasons. Jesus performed miracles and, perhaps, fertility treatments can be seen as modern miracles. Allowing couples to have children is a loving thing to do. Perhaps the idea of love your neighbour means we should help childless couples have children if that s what they really want. Christianity sees loving families as really important. If fertility treatment creates more loving families, it is a good thing. Islam and fertility treatment Islam teaches that Allah has a plan for everyone and that infertility may be part of that plan. Infertility is playing God (Allah) and interfering in His plan. Muslims, like many Christians, would be concerned that AID and surrogate mothers involve a third unmarried person and this is adultery. Many Muslims believe that only the woman who actually gives birth can be considered the actual mother; this rules out a surrogate. However, many Muslims say that if Allah has given us the medical knowledge to overcome infertility, than it is His plan and we should use it. Also, Muslims believe that Allah breathes life into the foetus at 120 days. So there is no issue with destroying embryos during IVF. Unlike some Christian views. Muslims are pro-family. Perhaps creating loving Muslim families is a good thing. Buddhism and fertility treatment Buddhism sees the first precept as not to harm life. Buddhists may have issues with embryos being destroyed. However, fertility treatment can make people happy and lead to good karma for the doctor. The doctor shows metta (loving kindness) by helping the infertile couple. As long as you have Right Intention, it may be OK to use fertility treatment.

7 Transplants and religion Christianity sees organ transplants as saving lives, which is a good thing. Christianity sees life as sacred and Christians believe in the sanctity of Life, which means that all life is Holy and special. It should be saved. Jesus healed the sick. Transplants do the same and Jesus would approve. Some may argue that transplant surgery is a modern miracle and God-given. God gave doctors the knowledge to carry out transplants. This should be used. Man is created in God s image. You are saving this image with transplants. Also, the Bible says the body is a temple of the Holt Spirit, which is protected by transplants. Some individual Christians may have reservations about how their bodies are used and whether those who receive them may sin. Islam and transplants Most Muslims are in favour of transplants. The Muslim Council of Britain advises Muslims to carry UK Donor Cards, which means doctors can use their bodies if there is an accident. Allah gave doctors the knowledge and intelligence to transplant organs. It saves a life. Life is also sacred to Muslims as it was created by Allah. However, some Muslims are uneasy with dead bodies being cut up. A body should be buried, intact, as soon as possible, as the body will rise again at Judgement Day when Allah will send the deceased to Paradise or Hell. Importantly, the body must be in tact. If it has been cut up, this will be evident. A minority of Christians and Muslims may see transplants as playing God and interfering with God s plans. Most Muslims see transplants of the lesser of two evils when it comes to Judgement Day. Saving a life is far more important. Buddhism and Transplants You are creating good karma by saving a life. As long as you do not hurt anyone (first precept), transplants are OK. You are showing metta loving kindness by helping someone. If you save a life, you have Right Intention, which is good. Saving lives leads to good rebirths. - Blood Transfusion All major religions are for blood transfusions. For Christians, Muslims and Buddhists the same arguments are used as were used for transplants. However, Jehovah Witnesses are against blood transfusions. Jehovah Witnesses believe the Bible says blood transfusions are wrong. For example, Leviticus says that the life of a creature is in the blood. Therefore, a transfusion is taking someone else s blood. Genetic Engineering and Cloning Genetic engineering is when human, animal or plant genes (DNA) are altered in order create a different outcome from reproduction. An example would be the altering of DNA in plants to make them more resistant to certain diseases. There are different types of genetic engineering. For the exam you need to familiar with designer babies, saviour siblings and therapeutic and reproductive cloning. Designer babies are babies where a baby s genes can be altered to give them certain characteristics, such as blue eyes or higher IQs. The technology exists and involves changing certain genes before an embryo is conceived or develops. It is illegal to design babies in the UK unless for medical reasons. Even medical reasons are strictly controlled. Saviour Siblings are babies genetically altered to provide bone marrow or other tissues/organs for a sick sibling. This issue was the theme of the film My Sisters Keeper the title is a play on the Bible s my brother s keeper. Some say this is good as it saves lives, others are concerned the sibling will feel used. It is legal in the UK, but there are limits on what can be done.

8 Cloning is an identical copy of another organism. Scientists have cloned plants and animals. It is illegal to clone a human, but the potential technology exists. Religious attitudes Many Christians disagree with genetic engineering as it is playing God. Only God can create, give and take away life, which is sacred (Sanctity if Life). Other Christians may be uneasy with what we use genetic engineering for are we not happy with God s creation, could therapeutic cloning lead to reproductive cloning and evil armies! Christians may agree with medical therapeutic cloning as Jesus healed the sick and cured the blind. It is also loving and kind. They may also accept saviour siblings as saving lives, which are sacred. Do we have a right to mess with nature, or is it our responsibility to improve the quality of life for others? Buddhists are only OK with cloning for therapeutic reasons. It creates good karma by helping others. Doctors show metta in cloning things to save lives. However, the doctor must show the Right Intention. The above would lead to a good rebirth. Some Buddhists would object to any cloning that harms life (first precept). Destroying embryos may break the first precept. Embryology Embryology is the science of studying embryos. Often spare embryos are thrown away. Roman Catholics would be uneasy with the use of spare embryos in embryology. Embryos that are destroyed or wasted already have a soul (ensoulment at conception). This goes against Thou shall not kill. This might also go against the First Buddhist Precept not to harm living things. However, using it for the Right Intention (help people/study illnesses) may lead to good karma and a good rebirth etc

9 Unit 4 Crime and Punishment Crime & Making Moral Decisions A crime is when the law is broken. Breaking rules or doing some bad things may not be illegal (against the law). For example, breaking school uniform rules is not a crime nor is cheating on your girlfriend/boyfriend. As British citizens we have a duty to be law abiding citizens. Christians accept this. The Bible says obey the authorities. People may use their conscience to decide right from wrong. Some say our conscience is using our knowledge of right or wrong to make decisions. It could be due to nurture or psychological. Others say it may be God telling us what we should do. Jewish people refer to it as a fear of God. Our conscience might conflict with the Bible or the law. If we need to steal to feed a starving family or the law was racist, we may decide to break the law or religious rules. However, our conscience might be influenced by friends and loyalties. It might make mistakes. Types of Crime Crime against the person this is where you hurt someone. Examples include violence (assault), murder or even slander (hurting someone because you gossip about them). Crime against property this is where you steal someone s private property (i.e. burglaries) or destroy someone s property (i.e. vandalism). Crime against the state this is where you hurt the government (state). This could be selling government secrets to another government, terrorism or even not paying your taxes in full. Religious offence this is where you break religious rules. An example would be breaking the Ten Commandments. For example, taking the Lord s name in vain, which is blasphemy. Someone might say Oh my God without really talking about God. Some religious offenses are against the law, such as Thou shall not murder, but some are not, such as thou shall not commit adultery. Aims of Punishment Protection where the punishment protects us from the criminal. Prison is an example of this. Retribution where the punishment allows the victims to get their own back. An example is the death penalty this could be seen as an eye for an eye. Deterrence where the punishment puts others off committing the crime. In some Islamic countries, shari ah law is followed strictly. A thief may have his (or her) hand cut off. This is done in public so everyone can see! Reparation where the punishment gets the criminal to fix or pay back what they have done. Community service for vandalism is an example. Reformation where the punishment reforms the criminal. It should make them into a better person. Vindication where the punishment fits the crime and people feel they have justice. For example, you would give a tough sentence to a violent criminal, but not for a speeding ticket. The law needs to be respected and must be fair! Prisons Some people think prisons are a good idea. Criminals should be looked up to keep us safe. Some people think prisons should be harsh places where you suffer the consequences of your actions (i.e. your karma in Buddhism). Other people think prisons should not be too harsh. The Bible teaches people to love your neighbour and forgive. Similarly, Buddhists believe in metta loving kindness. Elizabeth Fry was a Christian who wanted to reform prisons and make them better places. Places where offenders could reform. Some people say they are schools of crime and make people worse. Some prisoners get parole; early release for good behaviour.

10 Young offenders The UK has one of the highest youth offending rates in Europe. The age of criminal responsibility is 10 years old. This is when you can be tried in court as a criminal. Some believe it should be higher as you are not fully developed, others believe it should be lower as you know right from wrong. In Judaism the age of responsibility is 13 for a man and 12 for a girl. They call this Bar or Bat Mitzvah (son or daughter of the commandments). In the UK young offenders (under 15) can go to a secure training facility and those between 15 and 21 can go to a Young Offenders Institution. These are places of education and rehabilitation. Religious people like them as they can be seen as loving or creating good karma. Other forms of punishment ASBOs Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (stops people going into areas and causing problems). Electronic tagging a tag on your ankle; this informs police if you are not home on time etc. Fines charges for breaking some laws. Probation when you get a suspended prison sentence and do not go to prison, but see a probation officer and stay out of trouble. A second chance. If you mess up, you go straight to jail! Death Sentence Capital Punishment Capital punishment is where a criminal is killed by the authorities (government/state) for their crime. It still exists in 71 countries around the world, including the USA, China, Iran and Japan. The UK has abolished (no longer uses) the death penalty. Arguments for: It protects us as the criminal is no longer alive and cannot hurt us. It is deterrence and puts criminals off crime. It allows retribution victims families can get their own back. Some Christians agree with it as the Bible says an eye for an eye, which suggests you can take a life for a life. Islam (shari ah law) allows the death penalty for murder (and, in some countries, converting to other religions and even homosexuality). The Qur an also uses the phrase an eye for an eye. Arguments against: The person might be found to be innocent later on. Two wrongs do not make a right. In the USA capital punishment does not reduce crime. It is inhumane. No form of capital punishment can be 100% painless. Some Christians say that the Ten Commandments say you cannot kill Thou shall not kill. Christians believe you should love your neighbour. Jesus forgave His executioners. Christians should forgive. Perhaps reformation, repentance and guilt should be encouraged. Islam allows the murder victims family to ask for blood money instead of killing the criminal. Shari ah Law This is Islamic law. For Muslims, it is Allah s (God s) law. Some punishments include chopping off hands for theft. Flogging for adultery Flogging for gambling The death penalty for murder The Qur an says an eye for an eye like the Bible. A murder victim s family can ask for blood money. Not all Muslims like strict shari ah law. Redemption Where an offender seeks forgiveness and makes up for their wrongs/sins.