Religious views on organ donation
Task 1
Read over the following different religious and non-religious practices and fill in the blanks on your worksheet with the appropriate words.
Christanity
Funerals are held in churches.
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The person is normally buried in a coffin.
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The minister says a prayer and some words about the person.
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In Northern Ireland the casket (coffin) is normally open.
Hinduism
The body stays in their home until they are ready to be cremated.
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The ashes are scattered across a place which was special to them.
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Ten days later people gather at their old home to show respect to the soul.
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In Scotland Hindus do not gather at their home, but some people still choose to be cremated.
Humanist
The funeral is held in a variety of places.
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The funeral focuses on celebrating their life.
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The funeral is entirely unique to the person who has died.
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This type of non-religious funeral is becoming more popular in Scotland.
Task 2
Using the information you have just learnt, fill in the next column on your worksheet, "Why do you think they do this."
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Consider the different practices and why you think they do this.
Task 3
Read over the following information about the different religious and non-religious practices and write the answer into your worksheet underneath "Why they actually do it".
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Do not copy word-for-word. Have a read through and thank carefully about what information you need and what you do not.
Christanity
Christians have two different beliefs about the afterlife:
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1.Believe in the resurrection of the body.
You will need your body.
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2. When a person dies their body and soul will go into the afterlife.
You do not need your body in the afterlife.
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Hinduism
Believe in reincarnation.
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When a person die your soul will move into a different body.
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Your current body is not needed in the after life.
Humanist
Believe that nothing happens after you die.
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Life is all we have and there is nothing after we die.
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You do not need your body after you die.
Task 4
Read over the following information about the different religious and non-religious beliefs and fill in your worksheet column on what they believe and why about "organ donation".
Christanity
Christians have two different beliefs about organ donation:
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1.Believe in the resurrection of the body.
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This belief means that you need your body in the afterlife and cannot donate your organs.
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You should not donate your organs as you need to take care of your soul AND your body.
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Hinduism
Believe in reincarnation.
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You need to look after your soul by doing good things in your life (affects your reincarnation).
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You do not need your body or organs anymore because your are reincarnating.
Task 5
Answer the following question and give at least one detailed reason for your answer.
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Do you think there is an afterlife?
Christanity
Christians have two different beliefs about organ donation:
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2. When a person dies their body and soul will go into the afterlife.
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As you are going into the afterlife you are leaving your physical body behind.
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This means that you should donate your organs. Donating your organs also shows that you 'love your neighbour' (a key teaching by Jesus Christ).
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Humanist
Humanists focus on life right now.
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Organ donation can save people today
Challenge Question
Do you think beliefs about the afterlife should affect our actions in this life?
Give at least two detailed reasons for your answer.