Sanctity and quality of life (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Revision Notes

Sanctity and quality of life

Introduction

Catholic Christians hold fundamental beliefs about the value and meaning of human existence. They believe that human life is both special and holy because it is created and given by God. This central belief is known as the sanctity of life. Catholics also recognise that people experience different levels of happiness and comfort in their lives, which is referred to as quality of life. Understanding how these two concepts interact is crucial for Catholic approaches to ethical issues.

Human life as holy

Catholics believe that human life possesses a sacred quality that sets it apart from all other forms of life. This holiness stems from several key theological principles that shape Catholic understanding of human dignity and worth.

The foundation of this belief rests on the understanding that life involves God's creative action from the very beginning. Catholics teach that humans remain in a special relationship with their Creator throughout their existence, and that God is the ultimate source and destination of all human life.

The Bible expresses this clearly: "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27). This verse establishes that being made in God's image is not limited by gender, ability, or any other human characteristic.

Catholics also believe that humans were created to be special and represent the summit of God's creation. This elevated status brings with it both dignity and responsibility. Every human being, regardless of their circumstances, possesses this inherent worth because of their relationship with God.

Catholic teachings and biblical foundation

The Catholic Church draws upon several scriptural passages to support its teaching about the sanctity of life. These biblical texts provide the theological foundation for Catholic positions on various life issues.

St Paul's letter to the Corinthians offers a powerful image of human dignity: "Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit..." (1 Corinthians 6:19). This comparison to a temple suggests that the human body is not merely physical matter, but something sacred that deserves reverence and protection. Just as temples are treated with special care and respect, so too should human life be valued and protected.

This biblical prohibition implies that human life possesses special value that must be preserved.

St Paul's letter to the Romans addresses questions about God's sovereignty over creation: "But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?" (Romans 9:20-21). This passage suggests that God has specific purposes for each life, even when those purposes are not immediately clear to human understanding.

Understanding quality of life

Quality of life refers to the overall level of happiness, comfort, and wellbeing that a person experiences. When someone faces serious illness, disability, pain, or other challenging circumstances, they may feel that their quality of life has diminished significantly. In some cases, people facing poor quality of life may feel more inclined to want their life to end, believing that continued existence brings more suffering than benefit.

However, the concept of quality of life raises important questions about who determines what constitutes an acceptable standard of living. Different people may evaluate the same circumstances very differently based on their values, experiences, and support systems. What one person considers unbearable, another might find manageable with appropriate care and assistance.

Catholic views on quality of life

Catholic Christians generally argue that all life possesses value regardless of its quality, and that a person's quality of life should not be the determining factor in decisions about ending life. This position flows directly from their belief in the sanctity of life and God's sovereignty over human existence.

The Catholic perspective teaches that suffering and pain, while difficult to endure, do not diminish the fundamental value of a person's life. They argue that poor quality of life circumstances are not sufficient reason for ending life deliberately. Instead, Catholics emphasise that every person retains their inherent dignity and worth even when facing significant challenges.

Catholic teaching suggests that individuals can face their struggles in life with the support of God and their faith community. This support system can provide meaning and comfort even during times of great difficulty. Rather than seeing suffering as something to be avoided at all costs, Catholics often view it as something that can be endured with divine help and community support.

Ethical arguments about abortion and euthanasia

The intersection of sanctity of life and quality of life creates significant ethical debates, particularly around abortion and euthanasia. These issues highlight the tension between protecting life and alleviating suffering.

From a sanctity of life perspective, Catholic Christians believe that all life is sacred because God created it. This position leads to the ethical conclusion that it would be morally right to do everything possible to preserve human life. Following this principle, Catholics generally consider both abortion and euthanasia to be always wrong, regardless of the circumstances, because they involve the deliberate ending of human life.

However, some people argue from a quality of life perspective. This viewpoint suggests that if a person (or potential person in the case of abortion) faces a poor quality of life, it might be more compassionate to end that life rather than allow continued suffering. Supporters of this position might argue that preventing or ending a life filled with pain or severe disability is actually a merciful act.