MODULE III: Reasons for Living

(Third Session)

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� To understand and realize the value and dignity of a human being.

� To examine the way a person lives one’s life.� To recognize basic human rights.� To identify and elaborate core moral teachings on

human life according to Buddhism and Christianity.� To apply moral values to issues such as abortion,

euthanasia and others.

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- When Does a Human Life Begin?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jRM6ytOA_U (4.40)

- How Sperm Meets Egg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFfqLs94iHc (2.46)

When Does a Human Life Begin?

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Nature of life: The Spirit World and Life after Death (3 world)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23dlz9cTHd0 (10.59)

Life After Death news storyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx3b2e1ZyQ8 (5.53)

What is human Life?

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What makes the difference between human beings and animals?

� 1. Awareness of who we are and what our purpose of life is

� 2. Freedom of choice� 3. Love and care for others� 4. Languages and cultures� 5. Sciences and technologies� What is the Difference Between Humans & Animals - Have We Lost

our Humanity? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-FqFkqwZwQ (3.27)

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� 1. What's the Purpose of life? Why am I here?� https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=kJLBP8QU3ks (5.35)� 2. PHILOSOPHY - History: Aristotle on the Purpose of Life [HD]

� https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQk6t-9mQjE (9.07)

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� "Human life is sacred because from its beginning it involves the creative action of God and it remains forever in a special relationship with the Creator, Who is its sole end. God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end: no one can under any circumstance claim for himself the right directly to destroy an innocent human being" (Donum Vitae, 5).

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1. Wisdom: awareness of what is right and wrong

2. Freedom of choice

VDO : we are all born free and equal.

Imago Dei

� Sanctity is a quality which is reverenced as somehow touched by divinity, and therefore untouchable & inviolable.

� Human dignity is one of the fundamental philosophical & theological innovations of life.

� From the moment of conception, therefore, human being must be respected and protected absolutely. A human being must be recognized as having the rights to live as a person.

� - Human dignity needs full freedom of choice.� - Freedom needs to respect the right.� - Right embraces duty and responsibility.

� Dignity, Freedom and Right

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� - Rights are never absolute. � - One’s rights are always constrained

by the right of others, duties and responsibilities.

� - Rights embrace correlative duties and responsibilities.

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� - The ideas of human rights, dignity, and sanctity imply duties, and responsibility of all.

� - The society (organizations) has a duty to care uphold, respect, protect, and promote life.

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� Three kinds of love◦ Eros◦ Philia◦ Agape

� The Story of Humanrights� https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=oh3BbLk5UIQ (9.51)

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� All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in spirit of brotherhood.

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� Human rights are claims for what a person naturally deserves as a human being.

They are:◦ Right to Life

◦ Right to Liberty

◦ Right to Nationality

◦ Right to religion

◦ Right to Property

◦ Right to Education

◦ Right to Privacy

◦ Right to work

◦ Etc.

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� The problem of abortion

� The problem of euthanasia

� The problem suicide

� Trauma

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� - Abortion is the termination of pregnancy resulting in the death of the human fetus. Abortion may occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a ‘miscarriage’, or it may be caused deliberately and then it is called an ‘induced’ or ‘procured’ abortion.

� - Quick Facts about Abortion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYg7iVrPBnQ (1.47)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GynEOMJatY4 (Ethics of Abortion) (5.31)

� Direct abortion is gravely contrary to the moral law, (cf. Catechism of Catholic Church 2271)

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� According to Thai Law, abortion is an illegal act.� However, Thai law allows legal abortion in four cases:◦ Fetus is diagnosed severely handicapped.◦ Fetus endangers the life of the mother.◦ Rape.◦ Incest.

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� Christianity: Abortion is killing of an innocent and defenseless person.

� Buddhism: Abortion is killing of a living being. “It is a serious sin. Those involved in abortions will face distress in both this life and the next because their sins will follow them.” (Phramaha Vudhijaya Vajiramedhi)

� Islam: Muslims regard abortion as wrong and haram (forbidden). ◦ “Whosoever has spared the life of a soul, it is as though he has spared

the life of all people. Whosoever has killed a soul, it is as though he has murdered all of mankind.”Qur'an 5:32

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� Women autonomy◦ A woman has the right to decide what happens with her body.  A

fetus is not a human life, so it does not have separate individual rights. The decision to have an abortion is a personal choice of a woman regarding her own body and the government must protect this right.  Women have the right to affordable, safe and legal abortions, including partial birth abortion.

� Utilitarian argument: Abortion helps rather than harms.

� *Student News Daily, http://www.studentnewsdaily.com/conservative-vs-liberal-beliefs/

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1. When does a fetus become a person?2. If a fetus is a person, what right does it have?3. How do we balance between the fetus and the

mother’s right?

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� Euthanasia is a Greek term euthanatos, that comes from eu+thanatos meaning good death or easy death.

� Euthanasia implies the will of the agent.� Euthanasia is a termination of life assisted by other

persons:◦ Voluntary active◦ Voluntary passive

VDO Euthanasiahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVS8BtdphNA (9.45)

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� Catholic View: Euthanasia is an act of killing, and therefore it is not permissible because it is against God’s will.

� Buddhist View: Euthanasia is an act of killing, and therefore it is not permissible because it violates the first precept.

� Islamic View: “Whosoever has spared the life of a soul, it is as though he has spared the life of all people. Whosoever has killed a soul, it is as though he has murdered all of mankind.”Qur'an 5:32

� Liberal View: Euthanasia is a solution to a hopeless or comatose patient who has to suffer unbearable pain and suffering till death.

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� When does human life end?

� Who owns human life? Who determines the termination of human life?

� Is there a right to die?

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� Not at all. It is a cowardly way to run away from life situations/problems.

� Life has its ups and downs. All that happens in our life has its own value.

� Joy and happiness are opportunities for each of us to feel the beauty of life.

� Hopelessness and despair are opportunities for us to become stronger, firm, and grown.

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- The mysteries of life eventually lead to spiritual and/or philosophical beliefs beyond biological, psychological, or sociological explanations.

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� What should be the solution to a woman of unwanted pregnancy in the following cases:◦ rape◦ Incest

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� If a pregnant woman is in a situation not being able to take care of new born life, it is the responsibility of society. There are charity organizations which can take care of the child.

� Pain and suffering before death are moments to repent for the sin a person committed during his/ her lifetime and prepare for a new life in union with God.

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บานคามิลเลียนเพื่อคนพิการบานคามิลเลียนเพื่อคนพิการ ลาดกระบัง

� In moments of pain and suffering before death is the time for a person to be reminded of their good and bad Karma. A person who thinks of Dharma right before the death, will be reborn in the higher spiritual plane.

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1. Why was I Born? (3.38)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcS0wrX5Jew (9.38)

2. The Secret of Life - Alan Wattshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ8so-ld-l0 (4.00)

� OFFICES: ◦ Floor 14, Cathedral of Learning (CL14), Suvarnabhumi Campus,

Assumption University.

� Tel: 02-723-2140; 02-723-2149� E-Mail Address: pnwe1963@hotmail.com

Thank you for your attention

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