Christian Ethics

Bioethics

Step one – Main Sources

Authority Nature

The BibleTen CommandmentsBeatitudesCommandment to lovePaul’s letters

Early ChurchCouncils (Nicaea, Vatican II)Church leaders/Fathers (St Thomas Aquinas)EncyclicalsCatechism (Catholics)

Natural LawDo good and avoid evil

Logic and ReasonMoral development (Kohlberg?)

Step two – Over arching Principle

Agape/Love

10 commandments (Exodus 20)

The Beatitudes (Mt 5:1-12)

The Commandment to love (Jn 13:34)

The Golden Rule (Mt 7:12)

Love your enemies (Rom 13:9-10)

Every decision that is made must take into consideration this concept of love

Ethical Principles: Bioethics

Made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27) Respect for the body

God is creator (Genesis 2:7) Procreation requires God’s involvement

Human life is sacred

Respect for life

The dignity of the human person (CCC)

Whatsoever you do for the least of my people, you do for me (Mt25)

Variants/Diversity Make reference to various denominations

and their views. Remember that they do not always have to be views that disagree to provide evidence of the wider Christian view.

But, don’t just state them, you need to explain how they work and why they are applied.

This is the mistake that many are making regarding abortion.

International Pentecostal Church of Christ

AFFIRMS our conviction that abortion on demand for social adjustment or to solve economic problems is morally wrong, and expresses its firm opposition to any legislation that will legalize abortion for those reasons;

CALL UPON the committed Christian who may experience other pregnancies, such as those resulting from rape and incest, which may require deliberate termination, to arrive at the decision only after there has been extensive medical, psychological and religious counseling of the most sensitive kind realizing the final decision remains that of the woman, and when such determination has been reached, the individuals involved should not be subjected to censure.

2013 section II

Explain ethical teaching in Christianity in one of the following areas:

(6 marks)

• Bioethics

• Environmental ethics

• Sexual ethics

Strengths Areas for improvement

• demonstrating knowledge of Christianity and its ethical teachings

• providing reasons for ethical teachings

• referring to the New Testament in preference to the Hebrew Scriptures

• demonstrating understanding of sexual ethics and bioethics

• using quotes from the New Testament to support statements about ethical teachings

2012 Section II

(i) Briefly outline TWO Christian ethical teachings in Bioethics

(4 marks)

(ii)How does ONE ethical teaching outlined in part (a) (i) influence the lives of adherents?

(5 marks)

Quality responses…In better responses, candidates clearly provided the main features of two Christian ethical teachings in the area of environmental ethics, bioethics or sexual ethics. These responses were supported with correct terminology and scriptural references from the New Testament and/or Church documents. In these better responses, candidates clearly identified the ethical teaching and did not confuse this with the concept of an ethical issue; for example, the ethical teaching of the dignity of all human life As opposed to the ethical issue of euthanasia or abortion. In these responses, candidates were objective in their responses rather than taking the high moral ground.

What not to do…

In midrange responses, candidates interchanged ethical teachings with ethical issues.

In weaker responses, candidates named or described an ethical issue

SampleChristians believe that all human beings are made in the image of God and so are to be cherished. This refers to the ethical teaching on the sanctity of all life. The value of a person’s life should not be reduced to their contribution but to life itself. “Do no evil that good may come of it:” some kind acts are intrinsically evil and should never be performed, even their omission can have very bad consequences.

The principle of double effect – an act which is good in itself and not wicked, but which has good consequences and bad consequences: where (a) the agent does not intend the bad consequences and only tolerates it, (b) the bad consequences are not the means of bringing about the good ones, and (c) the good consequences are good enough to be worth tolerating the bad consequences as a regrettable side effect. This refers to the ethical teaching of treating each other with love and respect – the 10 Commandments (Ex 20).

Quality responses…In better responses, candidates clearly linked one ethical teaching to the chosen issue. In these responses, candidates supported their responses with reference to scripture and other authoritative documents from the Christian tradition. These responses were thoughtfully considered and well expressed, clearly identifying the link between the ethical teaching and the chosen issue. Candidates supported their responses with clear examples and made reference to sacred texts. They used correct terminology and logically developed an argument.

What not to do…

Candidates who wrote mid-range responses described an ethical issue without making a clear link to the ethical teaching or using good examples.

In weaker responses, candidates mainly outlined an ethical issue or simply reiterated the response of part (a)(i).

Sample

All bioethical teachings in Christianity will have some influence on the lives of adherents. For example, the ‘principle of double effect’; one may not directly kill another human being as no good may come of it. This can mean that one has to undergo the bad consequences of omitting to do the bad action, such as killing another to relieve their pain, and so, go to some trouble to find alternative ways to comfort the suffering rather than to put them ‘out of their misery’. With reference to the ‘principle’; narcotics analgesia is permissible where no other pain relief is possible as the conditions apply to this treatment.

2011 Section III

Some religions emphasise justice, while others emphasise compassion.

How does the statement reflect the diversity of expression within the Christian tradition?