Sanctity of Life and Quality of Life

Sanctity of Life

Belief held by many religious people that all life is sacred and uniquely created by God
This belief implies that human life, at all stages from conception to natural death, has an inherent dignity and right to be respected
Often used in discussions and debates surrounding issues such as abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, and war

Unlike sanctity of life, quality of life pertains to the life’s worthiness
Can depend on different factors like physical health, psychological state, level of independence, social relationships, personal beliefs, and the person’s relationship to salient features of their environment
Paying high consideration to quality of life can sometimes conflict with the principle of sanctity of life when discussing issues such as euthanasia or the right to die

In religious studies, understanding the balance and tension between these two aspects is critical
Some believe that sanctity of life should overrule quality of life, while others think that the quality of life is more important if the person involved is suffering
This interplay is deeply relevant in ongoing ethical debates about euthanasia, right-to-die issues, abortion, and medical ethics at the end of life