8.1: Rights And Responsibilities

Question 1

Why do Christians only use the Bible when making moral decisions? (7)

Answer 1

• It is the word of God dictated by God to the writers of the Bible.
• Has absolute authority over Christian decision making.
• Has God’s guidance (basis of the Christian religion)- his teaching on how people should behave seen in the Decalogue.
• It contains the teaching of Jesus of how to live.
• Jesus is the Son of God- Christians must follow his example.
• Writers of the letters in the Bible were written by people guided by the Holy Spirit. E.g. St. Peter, St. John…
• Only the Bible is authenticated and approved by God.

Question 2

Why do Christians not use the Bible when making moral decisions? (5)

Answer 2

• Christians use their own conscience and reasons.
• The Bible reflects the social situation at the time of the writers (not relevant to modern knowledge).
• The authority of the Church can be put over the Bible.
• Many Christians believe the Bible needs to be explained to discover what it means for us today and so they believe only the Church can do this as it is the body of Christ.
• The Bible may have been written by people inspired by God.

Question 3

Why do Christians use the Church to make moral decisions? (6)

Answer 3

• It has the right to explain what the Bible means and what Christians should do about moral decisions.
• The Church is the Body of Christ, it must have the same authority as Christ.
• God speaks to the world of today through the Church, last book of the Bible is not the end.
• The Church is a community of Christians guided by God- Christians are bound to do the right thing if they follow the Church.
• Guidance is given throughout life.
• The Church for Roman Catholics comes from the Magisterium (the Pope and Bishops interpret tradition today and give infallible guidance).

Question 4

Why do Christians use their conscience to make moral decisions? (5)

Answer 4

• It is God talking to them.
• The Church instructs people to follow their conscience.
• Great Christian thinkers (St Thomas Aquinas and St Paul) used their conscience.
• Teachings of the Bible and God did not come from God and must be translated, so they can be understood.
• When the Bible is interpreted by the Pope or bishops etc, God is speaking directly to individuals through their conscience.

Question 5

Why do Christians not always follow their conscience? (4)

Answer 5

• Mental illnesses may guide people wrong (E.g Yorkshire Ripper claimed God told him to kill people).
• The teachings of the Bible should be followed (it is a sin to not follow the Bible).
• The teachings of the Church should be followed.
• Life would be chaotic if everyone did their own thing.

Question 6

Give examples of situation ethics: (3)

Answer 6

• If someone, who is starving commits a crime by stealing from a shop.
• If someone is in an abusive relationship and divorces, which goes against the Bible.
• The Ten Commandments state that you must respect your parents, but what if they force you against your free will?

Question 7

Why are situation ethics used to make moral decisions? (5)

Answer 7

Founded by Joseph Fletcher:
•Jesus acted in a similar way- in the Old Testament he disobeyed the rules of not working on the Sabbath to heal a man.
•It leads to good results.
•Jesus’ teachings to ‘Love thy neighbour’- it is the most loving thing to do.
•Christianity is based on love- decisions should be made on love.
•Jesus stated that the only laws are to love God.

Question 8

Why are situation ethics not used by Christians to make moral decisions? (6)

Answer 8

• The Bible is God’s word and should not be overruled.
• Christians should all do the same thing.
• The Church knows the best.
• You can never know all the facts.
• There can be many consequences.
• Christians follow the Ten Commandments.

Question 9

Why do Protestant Christians use various authorities in making a moral decision? (2)

Answer 9

• The Bible is usually used.

* When it comes to modern issues, like contraception the Church and conscience are considered.

Question 10

Why do Catholics use various authorities in making a moral decision? (3)

Answer 10

• The Church is usually followed as the Magisterium applied the teaching of the Bible to modern life.
• Contraception is banned, so situation ethics may be used to prevent diseases such as AIDS.
• A Catholic may also find it hard to attend a civil partnership as the Church says it is not wrong to be homosexual but wrong to have homosexual sex, so conscience or situation ethics is used.

Question 11

Why do other Christians use various authorities in making a moral decision? (3)

Answer 11

• Conscience is usually used
• The Bible or Church may be used in other issues if the individual is unable to solve the problem themselves.
• E.g. Conscience told Christians to attack doctors who do abortions, however, violence is wrong.

Question 12

Give some examples of Human Rights: (10)

Answer 12

• The right to life.
• The freedom from torture.
• The freedom from slavery and forced labour.
• The right to a fair trial.
• The right to own property.
• The right to an education.
• The right to to respect.
• The right not to discriminate.
• The right to participate in free elections.
• Freedom of expression and thought.

Question 13

Why are human rights important for Christians? (6)

Answer 13

• Right to life is covered by teaching of sanctity of life.
• All humans made in God’s image are equal.
• Christians are protected by laws, so they should be used to help protect others.
• Jesus preached about treating everyone equally in the Parable of the Sheep and Goats.
• Human rights ban discrimination so it ensures Christians will not be disadvantaged.
• Freedom of thought and religion are an important part of being Christian (e.g. being able to celebrate Christmas).

Question 14

How can human rights cause problems for Christians? (4)

Answer 14

• Some are against civil partnerships, which are legal in the UK-homosexuality is against God’s will and the Bible’s teachings- discrimination would occur.
• Some are against marrying outside their religion (inter-faith)- discrimination would take place.
• Some are against homosexuals having a family (adoption).
• Roman Catholics do not allow woman priests.
• The right to sexuality.

Question 15

Which human rights do Christians believe in? (12)

Answer 15

• Not to be tortured.
• Freedom from slavery and forced labour.
• Liberty/freedom.
• A fair trial.
• Not to be punished for something that was not a crime.
• Own property.
• An education.
• To participate in free elections.
• Right for possessions.
• Freedom of thought.
• To believe in religion.
• To not be discriminated.

Question 16

Why should people take part in electoral and democratic processes? (6)

Answer 16

• Voting gives control of government decisions e.g. taxes and earnings.
• New laws are made and impact people.
• The public get a say in things.
• The national government is responsible for services e.g. the NHS, benefits and pensions.
• People fought for the vote, so it should be respected.
• Countries where people do not have these rights treat citizens badly do not use rights.
• People elected through voting are responsible for making decisions that affect everyone.

Question 17

What are the Christian teachings on moral duties and responsibilities? (4)

Answer 17

• Electoral and democratic processes should be taken part in but how they take part is determined by Christian teachings on moral duties.
• The Golden Rule- ‘Do to others as you would have them do to you’- polices of the government/party must be considered when Christians vote.
• The parable of the sheep and goats- it shows the duties of Christians to look after others, you will be judged on how you treat others. E.g. If the government took away benefits from the unemployed who refused jobs a Christian would use the Golden Rule, but would have to consider the effects of the children of the unemployed.
• Am I my brother’s keeper?- Christians have a duty to look after everyone who is in need as the main principle in human rights and political processes.

Question 18

What can defective inherited genes cause? (4)

Answer 18

• Mental retardation.
• Physical deformity.
• Early death.
• Genetic disorders.

Question 19

What are the non-religious arguments for genetic engineering? (7)

Answer 19

• Cures diseases.
• Those rich enough to pay can travel to other countries as it is available there.
• To grow healthy cells and to replace malfunctioning ones.
• It does not involve the loss of human life as cybrids of animal cells are used (99.9% human).
• Genetic engineering is monitored by law.
• Other countries do it.
• It is an important part of medical research.

Question 20

What are the non-religious arguments against genetic engineering? (6)

Answer 20

• Not enough information.
• Unknown long term consequences.
• It places too much power in the hands of scientists and they could take advantage of others.
• A human is treated as a commodity (in a similar way to a plant) which is disrespectful as it removes the identity of humans.
• Effects could be irreversible and remain permanent.
• People may miss out on life insurance if people have to be screened beforehand and find out they are likely to develop an illness.

Question 21

What are Liberal Protestant attitudes to genetic engineering? (6)

Answer 21

Support genetic engineering as:
•Jesus was a healer- all Christians should try to cure disease.
•God intended to improve the lives of people and for them to do the same.
•It is no different to discovering medicines.
•Cells is working with God rather than acting as God- it is no different to creating new people (procreation is not seen as wrong and is not God’s role).
•It is a part of what God wants humans to do as stewards of his creation.
•Embryos are not regarded as human life until they are 14 days old.

Question 22

What are Catholic attitudes towards genetic engineering? (7)

Answer 22

Agree:
•Jesus was a healer- all Christians should try to cure disease.
•God intended to improve the lives of people and for them to do the same.
•It is no different to discovering medicines.

Agree with genetic reasons but disagree with the use of embryos as:
•Life starts at the moment of conception.
•It is the same thing as killing a human- banned in the Bible and Catholic Church.
•Embryo research is produced by means the Catholic Church does not agree with. e.g. IVF and AIH.

Question 23

Why are some Christians against any form of genetic engineering? (4)

Answer 23

• Humans should not interfere with God’s will- he created the genetic make up of each person at conception.
• It is wrong to make the Earth perfect, like heaven- life is a preparation for heaven.
• It is ‘playing God’, which is a great sin.
• God creates people.