Sanctity Of Life Research Articles

Sanctity of Life or God's Command? Investigating Religious Determinants of Attitudes Toward Three Cases of Unnatural Death: Capital Punishment, Abortion, and Euthanasia.

Whether individuals may decide to end other people's or their own lives has always been a matter of ethical and social debate. The current research explores attitudes toward three cases of unnatural death: capital punishment, abortion, and euthanasia. One considerable factor that shapes individuals' attitudes toward human intervention in death is religion. This paper argues that religion causes significant changes in individuals' mindsets toward human intervention in the death process. Therefore, the present research examines how religion affects attitudes toward the death penalty, abortion, and euthanasia. This study proposes differentiating religion into four dimensions: religiosity, spirituality, afterlife beliefs, and religious affiliation. Using data from the 2018 wave of the General Social Survey (GSS), the present research found that religion's various dimensions have distinct effects on attitudes toward the death penalty, abortion, and euthanasia.

End-of-Life Narratives of Patients who Request Medical Assistance in Dying: A Qualitative Study Protocol

Many groups (healthcare professionals, lawyers, philosophers, non-governmental organisations, bioethics committees, journalists, religious groups, etc.) participate in the bioethical debate about medical assistance in dying (MAiD). Bioethics literature on the topic involve different approaches (analytic, empirical, policy oriented, activist) and various normative perspectives (discourses based on deontological premises as the sanctity of life and human dignity, or on utilitarianism, libertarianism, etc.), some of which are at times irreconcilable. Regarding empirical studies, some voices (e.g., healthcare professionals) have been widely considered but the voice of people who request MAiD has been neglected. Understanding the personal and medical circumstances that lead to MAiD, which can only be achieved by listening to the phenomenological discourse of those involved, is key. This study aims to provide knowledge from the testimonies and experiences of patients who have initiated a MAiD request. We believe this research protocol can increase our understanding of a social and academic controversy that lacks important information to be complete. By doing so, this type of research could inform and improve end-of-life public policies, and particularly the health care of individuals who request a MAiD. We propose a qualitative phenomenological study using semi-structured interviews of people in the process of requesting MAiD, as outlined in the Ley Orgánica 3/2021, de regulación de la eutanasia (LORE), the Spanish Law on the Regulation of Euthanasia. The study is conducted nationally using a convenience sampling. The number of interviews is determined sequentially and cumulatively, depending on the richness of the narratives and the saturation of the information that has been collected. For the purposes of analysis, the interviews are transcribed verbatim and pseudonymised afterwards. Data analysis is conducted at the same time as data collection. The proposed study has received a favourable report from the Coordinating Committee on Biomedical Research Ethics of Andalusia (CCEIBA).

Makna Hidup Kudus Menurut 1 Petrus 1:13-16 dan Aplikasinya Bagi Pemuda-Pemudi Kristen Masa Kini

There are actions of Christians who no longer live by maintaining holiness in their daily behavior, and the importance of living life as believers by maintaining holiness before God. This article aims to provide a correct understanding of the writings of the Apostle Peter regarding the importance of maintaining a life of holiness so that it can be significant in the lives of believers, especially for the next generation of the Church. This research uses qualitative methods, by analyzing various sources such as books, journals, articles related to the title to be discussed. The results of the analysis see that it is very important for believers to maintain holiness for God. Every believer, not only the simple people, is expected to live in holiness by avoiding all uncleanness for God. The contents of this article are intended to make readers aware of the importance of living a holy life. It is hoped that this research will be able to contribute to the ideas of every reader, especially Christians, so that they can maintain the holiness of their lives properly and fear God.
 

Suffering, Sanctity of Life and the Moral Dilemma of Physician-Assisted Suicide: What the Netherlands Teaches Us

Suffering, Sanctity of Life and the Moral Dilemma of Physician-Assisted Suicide: What the Netherlands Teaches Us

Reading the Religious Diversity of the Later Seventeenth‐Century Ottoman World: An Anglican Traveller's Perspective

AbstractIn his Account of the Present Greek Church of 1722, Dr John Covel (1638–1722), an Anglican cleric and master of Christ's College, Cambridge, reflected on how human beings, and Christians specifically, might best please God. In so doing, Covel argued that disputes over ‘meer outward forms of Godliness’, such as the acts of fasting or praying, were only important insofar as they helped worshippers to develop what he termed ‘inward affection’. For Covel, ‘inward affection’, though difficult to define, was easy to spot. It was evidenced by ‘the unfeigned Exercise of a holy Life’, which entailed the performance of good works, combined with the pursuit of more abstract virtues such as sincerity, solemnity, patience, moderation, faith and conviction. In this paper, I explore how Covel, between his education at Cambridge in the 1650s, and the publication of his Account in the 1720s, came to conceptualize the worship of God in this way, with a particular focus on the impact of his travels around the Mediterranean in the 1670s and his exposure to the religious diversity of the Ottoman world. As part of this discussion, I show how Covel's observations abroad led him to question the sharp distinctions which were presumed to exist not only among Christians but also between Christians and members of other religions, most notably Islam. Taken as a whole, this paper will make a novel contribution to our understanding of early modern ecclesiastical debates in England, by examining their frequently transcultural frames of reference.

Relationship of Holy Life and Worship Praise on Ephesians 5:18-20 with Spiritual Growth in Members of the GBI Cell Group Jordan River Regensi 2 Tangerang

The goals of the research are to find out: (1) the relationship between partial holy living and spiritual growth, (2) the relationship between praise and worship based on Ephesians 5:18-20 partial and spiritual growth, (3) the relationship between holy life and worship while at the same time spiritual growth. This type of research is descriptive quantitative research using correlation techniques. The study population consisted of active members of the Jordan River Regensi 2 Tangerang GBI cell group totaling 34 individuals, with an overall sample of 34 individuals drawn using the saturated sampling technique. The research instrument was a closed questionnaire for collecting data on holy life with a total of 10 items and worship with a total of 10 items and spiritual growth with a total of 10 items. The instrument's validity technique relates to the product-moment correlation formula and reliability based on Cronbach's alpha. The data analysis technique uses multiple regression with a significant level of 0.05. The results of the research show: (1) There is a connection between holy living and spiritual growth, (2) There is a connection between Ephesians 5:18-20 worship and spiritual growth, (3) There is a double connection between holy life and worship based on Ephesians 5:18-20 with spiritual growth.

Living Holy, Dying Holy: The Theological Influence of Jeremy Taylor's Holy Living and Holy Dying (1656) on Clarissa, or the History of a Young Lady (1748)

This article investigates some of the parallels between Samuel Richardson's Clarissa, or the History of a Young Lady (1748) and Jeremy Taylor's Holy Living and Holy Dying (1656), a work long acknowledged as intertextually influential over Richardson's fiction. Focussing on the religious and theological influence of Taylor's practical theological writing over both Clarissa's life and death, this article argues that Taylor's work is key to understanding the theology and religion espoused by Richardson through his heroine, who was designed as a moral exemplar for readers rather than a purely literary figure.

The purpose of the judgment in recent Adventist theology: Does holiness really matter?

The doctrine of the judgment, specifically the pre-advent judgment, is undoubtedly a keydoctrine of Adventism. However, some Adventist scholars have pointed out that this doctrinehas not remained invariable through time (Rolf J. Pohler, Friz Guy). An importantaspect in which the understanding of that doctrine has varied is in connection with thepurpose of the judgment. For the Adventist pioneers the so-called investigative judgmentimplied a decision-making process regarding the salvation of those who are judged. Thisimplied an evaluation of the lives of believers, of their growth in a life of holiness. On theother hand, for several recent Adventist scholars, the judgment seems to be basically focusedon the vindication of God’s character. This paper explores the connection betweenthis change and the (implicit) growing influence in Adventist theology of a monergisticinterpretation of justification by faith, more in harmony with Protestant theology, whichunderstands justification as a punctiliar fact, once and forever. In the Adventist context,this implies that the understanding of the pre-advent judgment focuses on the exhibitionof evidence that vindicates God’s character while minimizing or eliminating the need fora decision-making process during the judgment itself. The paper briefly assesses this shiftin the understanding of the judgment in Adventism in terms of its consistency with therest of the Adventist theological system and suggests some implications regarding theimportance of holiness in the context of Adventist soteriology.

The Euthanasia Debate and Its Implications on The Legalization of Euthanasia in Indonesia

Today, an ethical issue that is controversial and much debated is the practice of euthanasia. The ethical debate on euthanasia is basically about competing moral visions and values. The research method used in this study is qualitative. Information is collected from publications such as books and journals. The advocates for the legalisation of euthanasia based their reasons on compassion and individual autonomy. They argue that euthanasia is right because it removes human suffering. Everyone has the right to determine how to die, concerning when and how. They believe that certain lives, such as people in a persistent vegetative state, are not just worth living. Those who oppose euthanasia say it is morally wrong to kill helpless people, even at their request. Christians who oppose euthanasia base their arguments on the sanctity of life. A person’s freedom to decide on euthanasia should follow a structure of healthy moral values. Another key consideration in the debate is the slippery slope argument. Currently, euthanasia is prohibited in Indonesia, as stated in Article 344 of the Indonesian Criminal Code. As more countries legalise euthanasia, the writer believes that the call for legalising euthanasia in Indonesia will be intensified. We need to be better informed because law, medicine, beliefs and reason intersect in the euthanasia debate. The writer will give an overall view of the contemporary euthanasia debate from a Christian perspective.

The Year’s Work in American Humor Studies, 2021

The Year’s Work in American Humor Studies, 2021

Upholding dignity during a pandemic via Twitter.

Background: This article investigates how people invoked the concept of dignity on Twitter during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a secondary focus on mentions of dignity in the context of older adults and ageing. Methods: We report the results of a study that combines text analytic and interpretive methods to analyze word clusters and dignity-based themes in a cross-national sample of 1,946 original messages posted in 2020. Results: The study finds that dignity discourse on Twitter advances five major themes: (a) recognize dignity as a fundamental right, (b) uphold the dignity of essential workers, (c) preserve the dignity of at-risk populations, (d) prevent cascading disasters that exacerbate dignity's decline, and (e) attend to death, dignity, and the sanctity of life. Conclusions: Moreover, messages focusing on older adults lamented the disproportionate death toll, the terrible circumstances in long-term care homes, the added impact of suspended meal delivery services and the status of older people living below the poverty line.

A Spiritual Theology of Synodality: Towards a Thinking Heart in Catholic Education

Spiritual theology inspires a life of faith towards wisdom and discernment as much as inviting a developing pastoral sense of God’s mysteries into a life of service, holiness and humility. Akin to practical theology, spiritual theology is fragmented and interconnects with all areas of theology. The article sets out to put spiritual theology into service to present Pope Francis’ ecclesial turn towards synodality within a spiritual and ethical metaphysical domain. To this end, the article also employs the philosophy of Emmanuel Levinas to help bring out the effect and contribution of spiritual theology upon synodality. The aim here is to develop Pope Francis’ hope and vision of synodality of journeying together through mission and dialogue by way of conversion and reform, hospitality, gentleness and listening. The article, in conclusion, moves forward to look at how synodal spirituality may also orient a thinking heart in Catholic Education.

Medical Ethics: Insights from Ancient Indian Tradition

Since the development of the Ayurvedic holistic science more than 5000 years ago, India has had a strong standard for medical ethics. Ancient guidelines for medical practise serve as the foundation for modern ideas about healthcare policy, advice on how to interact with patients, and expectations for professional conduct. These "codes of conduct" placed a strong emphasis on the sanctity of life and went beyond satisfying physical requirements. They were greatly influenced by religious and spiritual rituals. But as time went on, changes in educational priorities and political influences influenced how medical care was provided. While malpractice concerns have continuously increased, references to these once-cherished "rules of conduct" have decreased. A candid conversation about the reasons for the rise in medical misconduct in a nation that used to condemn it and how improving ethics, limiting the role of profits, and returning traditional philosophies to the medical ethics curricula could help.

Abortion, religion, and racial resentment: Unpacking the underpinnings of contemporary abortion attitudes

AbstractBackgroundFor many Americans, pro‐life attitudes are directly attached to their religious beliefs, especially white evangelicals. Some have argued that evangelicals came to oppose abortion not simply because of their views on the sanctity of life, but out of a growing racial resentment as government policy and society moved towards greater racial equality.ObjectivesThis study explores the relationship of evangelicalism, racial attitudes, and views on the legality of abortion to explore whether racial resentment is behind evangelical opposition to abortion.MethodsTo carry out this exploration this study employs American National Election Studies data from 2000 to 2020 and the 2020 Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) Values survey.ResultsWe find no support for the idea that racial attitudes are disproportionately correlated with the abortion views of white evangelicals. Rather, we find that racial attitudes are now correlated with views on abortion for all Americans. Where abortion attitudes are distinctive from attitudes on other policy issues is in having very strong religious determinants, suggesting that genuine religious beliefs do indeed underscore the pro‐life views of white evangelicals.ConclusionThis study provides a good baseline for understanding the relationship between racial attitudes, evangelicalism, and abortion attitudes at the cusp of the Dobbs decision overturning Constitutional protections for abortion, and should be revisited in the post Roe era.

Boko Haram Jihad Claim in Nigeria and the Sanctity of Life and Property in Islamic law

Like many countries, Nigeria faces serious acute security challenges due to heinous activities of the deadly group known as Boko Haram (lit. Western Education is Prohibited (Haram)). Right from her emergence till date, this militant group has been terrorizing lives and properties of innocent citizens of the country under the guise of Jihad. But, this jihad claim is baseless in the light of the group’s wanton violation of life and property, the two of the five necessary human interests (maqāsid daruriyyah) which the Shari’ah seeks to protect. Therefore, this paper studies the Boko Haram Jihad claim viz-a-viz her wanton violation of life and property which are regarded by the Islamic law as inalienable human rights as underscored in the theory of maqāṣid al-sharīʿah (Objectives of Shari’ah). Relevant materials were consulted in libraries to carry out the research. Inter alia, it becomes clear from the findings that the concept of Jihad is a sacred duty in Islam, but it has been abused by Boko Haram as evident in her unjustifiable violation of life and property of innocent citizens. This is against the principles of the Qur‘an and the Sunnah, which the group always claims to defend. The paper argues that, while Jihad is sanctioned in Islam, it is guided by rules and regulations. Because life and property are sacrosanct in Islam and nothing can justify their violation as being perpetrated by Boko Haram in Nigeria. Hence, the group’s jihad claim is far from the truth because her activities contradict the lofty objectives of Islamic law (maqāṣid al-sharīʿah) which seek to protect life and property etc. The paper recommends that groups and individuals must have proper understanding of Islam in order to propagate it correctly. Otherwise, the religion of peace would be mistaken for violence and terrorism. Also, the government of Nigeria should ensure fair hearing and justice in dealing with any insurgent groups. This is necessary in view of unfortunate extra-judicial killing of the Boko Haram leader which turned out to be a seed of violence in the northern part of the country.

Sanctity and sacredness: A commentary on Steve Clarke, 'The Sanctity of Life as a Sacred Value'.

Sanctity and sacredness: A commentary on Steve Clarke, 'The Sanctity of Life as a Sacred Value'.

The sanctity of life: The role of purity in attitudes towards abortion and euthanasia.

Although abortion and euthanasia are highly contested issues at the heart of the culture war, the moral foundations underlying ideological differences on these issues are mostly unknown. Given that much of the extant debate is framed around the sanctity of life, we argued that the moral foundation of purity/sanctity-a core moral belief that emphasises adherence to the "natural order"-would mediate the negative relationship between conservatism and support for abortion and euthanasia. As hypothesised, results from a nation-wide random sample of adults in New Zealand (N=3360) revealed that purity/sanctity mediated the relationship between conservatism and opposition to both policies. These results demonstrate that, rather than being motivated by a desire to reduce harm, conservative opposition to pro-choice and end-of-life decisions is (partly) based on the view that ending a life, even if it is one's own, violates God's natural design and, thus, stains one's spiritual purity.

The Objectives and Styles of Quranic Sirah-Writing: An Illstrative Study

The early Muslim historians and hadith experts recoded the Sirah (life and biography of the Prophet Muhammad -peace be upon him-) literature in their historical annals, and hadith collections. The Sirah-writings was gradually developed as an independent field of inquiry in which the writers employed other sources such as the Quran, exegeses, hermeneutics, Arabic poetry, geography and even theology for Sirah understanding. However, it has been observed that the central position of history and hadith compendiums in Sirah-writings remained intact till the advent of Modern period in which a great change has been witnessed both in methods and styles of Sirah-writings to respond the western critique of Sirah-writings and to present the holy life of the Prophet as a model for humankind. Therefore, they attempted to revisit the sources with reversionistic approaches and a variety of methods and styles were devised for systematic Sirah-writing. The present study aims to explore the objective of the newly emerged trend of the Quranic based Sirah-writings. A meticulous effort has been made to identify the objectives of this genre. A plethora of literature has been composed to construct an authentic biography of the Prophet grounding on the Quran as its prime source. However, those who follow this trend are clearly categorized into two distinctive groups, those who reject the historical and Prophetic traditions altogether and those who employ the traditions for better understanding of the Quranic text regarding the life of the Prophet. An illustrative case study of the Quranic Sirah-wrings has been conducted to identify the nature, objectives of the subject and how various approaches have been espoused by the leading experts of the field.

A CURRENT REVIEW ON THE DEATH PENALTY

Suç, ceza müeyyidesi bağlanmış fiiller olup suçlara yönelik olarak uygulanan en ağır yaptırım ölüm cezasıdır. Tarih boyunca yaygın olarak uygulanmış olan ölüm cezası konusundaki görüşler toplumların gelişimi ve ilerlemesi ile birlikte önemli bir değişim göstermiştir. Geçmişte birçok suç fiiline ölüm cezası yaptırımı uygulanırken günümüzde başta Avrupa ülkeleri olmak üzere birçok ülkede ölüm cezası yasalardan çıkartılmıştır. Ölüm cezası, yaşama hakkını ortadan kaldıran bir ceza olduğu için gerekliliği en çok tartışılan cezalardan birisidir. Ölüm cezasını savunanlar, bu cezanın caydırıcılığını ön plana çıkarırken karşıt görüşte olanlar ise öç almanın ilkelliğine ve yaşamın kutsallığına vurgu yapmaktadır. Bu araştırmanın amacı ölüm cezası hakkındaki farklı görüşleri incelemek ve Türkiye’de ölüm cezasının kaldırılma sürecini incelemektir. Bu çerçevede ölüm cezasının farklı kültür ve dinlerdeki yeri, ölüm cezasını savunan ve karşıt görüşler bir arada ele alınmıştır. Ayrıca ölüm cezasının ceza hukukunun yanında sosyo-kültürel bağlantıları açıklanmaya çalışılmıştır. Anahtar Kelimler: Yaşama hakkı, ölüm cezası, Türkiye’de ölüm cezası.

Emotional impact on healthcare providers involved in medical assistance in dying (MAiD): a systematic review and qualitative meta-synthesis

BackgroundMedical assistance in dying (MAiD) traverses challenging and emotionally overwhelming territories: healthcare providers (HCPs) across jurisdictions experience myriad of affective responses secondary to possible tensions between normative and interwoven values,...