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Religious Studies Paper 2 > Christianity and science > Flashcards

Christianity and science Flashcards

1
Q

Empirical approach (enlightenment period)

A

Refers to evidence and observation based approach

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2
Q

Rationalist approach (enlightenment period)

A

Refers to an approach that uses reasoned thought

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3
Q

Explain deism

A

God created the universe but does not intervene in its ongoing operation - he set things off through the Big Bang and left without acting on it any further

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4
Q

Explain immanence

A

It is related to the presence of God and His involvement in the universe. it depicts His nature as personal.

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5
Q

Explain existentialism

A

The view that humans define their own meaning in life; their choices make them what they are

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6
Q

Darwinism is based on…

A

Inductive reasoning

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7
Q

What is natural selection?

A

The mechanism driving the survival and reproduction of organisms with advantageous traits - resulting in the gradual adaptation and evolution of species

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8
Q

What is the book Charles Darwin wrote on evolution?

A

On the Origin of Species (1859)

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9
Q

How did fundamentalist Christians view Darwinism?

A

They dismissed it as human error since it conflicted with the word of God to be found in the Bible

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10
Q

Which Christians welcomed the theory of evolution?

A

Liberal Christians as they had long rejected any literalist interpretation of the Genesis creation stories

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11
Q

Give an example of someone in the Church of England who has ridiculed the theory of evolution.

A

Bishop Wilberforce asked whether his descent from a monkey came through his grandmother or grandfather

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12
Q

Who rejects the theory of evolution totally?

A

YEC and OEC as it is incompatible with the genesis creation stories - which are the infallible word of God

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13
Q

Why do some OEC accept the theory of evolution in diluted form?

A

Evolution explains the development of simpler life forms but humanity is the result of special creation by God

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14
Q

What is the God of the gaps approach?

A

A theological concept that emerged in the 19th century and revolves around the idea that gaps in scientific understanding are regarded as indications of the existence of God

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15
Q

Provide a critique for the God of the gaps approach

A

It becomes increasingly irrelevant as scientific understanding advances

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16
Q

What is the Big Bang theory?

A

The scientific explanation that the universe originated from a hot and dense initial state and has been expanding and evolving over the course of approximately 13.8 billion years

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17
Q

The Catholic Church on the Big Bang theory

A

Fully accepts it

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18
Q

Pope Francis Big Bang theory quote

A

“The Big Bang, which today we hold to be the origin of the world, does not contradict the intervention of the divine creator but, rather, requires it”

19
Q

John Polkinghorne states that explanation is needed for the fact that the world is…

A

intelligible

20
Q

Polkinghorne quote on the intelligible nature of the world

A

“The rational transparency and beauty of the universe are surely too remarkable to be treated as just happy accidents.”

21
Q

Polkinghorn says that the _________ principle needs explaining

A

Anthropic

22
Q

What is the Anthropic principle?

A

It refers to the incredibly precise fine-tuning of the elements in the universe that are absolutely essential at that particular degree or point for human life to exist

23
Q

What did Polkinghorne advocate for?

A

A constructive relationship between science and religion

24
Q

What did Polkinghorne emphasise?

A

That both science and religion are complimentary ways of understanding reality

25
Q

How are both science and religion complimentary ways of understanding reality (according to Polkinghorne)?

A

He argued that both disciplines explore different aspects of the world:
- Science addresses the HOW questions
- Religion addresses the WHY questions
- Scientific theories are empirically based
- Claims about Jesus are matters of belief

26
Q

John Polkinghorne quote

A

“…he [God] is at work within the flexibility of its process”

27
Q

What is genetic engineering?

A

It refers to the deliberate modification of an organism’s genetic material (DNA) to introduce specific desirable traits or make changes to its characteristics

28
Q

What are some physical dangers of genetic engineering?

A

Modifying genetic code can lead to unpredictable outcomes:
- Unexpected health issues
- Ecological disruptions
- Unintended effects on biodiversity

29
Q

What are the ethical concerns surrounding genetic engineering?

A
  • The potential for misuse
  • Unequal access to genetic modifications
  • The potential for unintended long-term consequences on future generations or the environment
30
Q

What are some currently incurable diseases?

A
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Cancer
  • Down syndrome
31
Q

What are transhumans?

A

Individuals who have undergone significant enhancements or modifications to their physical or intellectual or psychological capacities through the integration of advanced technologies or biological interventions

32
Q

What is Somatic cell therapy?

A

Intended to correct genetic disorders. The desired gene is transferred to a somatic cell. The gene is not transferred to the offspring - it only affects the individual being.

33
Q

Christian view on Somatic-cell therapy

A

It is generally encouraged as a responsible use of God-given skills - providing undue risks are not taken and the benefits justify the costs

34
Q

What is Germline therapy?

A

Here the desired gene is introduced in the germ cell. The gene gets transferred from one generation to another generation - it affects not only the individual being but their descendants as it genetically modified the sex cells

35
Q

Christian view on Germline therapy

A

There is much more concern. The bad results would be passed down generations if a mistake were to be made. The bad effects are not necessarily foreseeable

36
Q

What is enhancement therapy?

A

Social not medical purpose aimed at improving the human race

37
Q

What is Transhumanism?

A

Transhumanism is the position that human beings should be permitted to use technology to modify and enhance human cognition and bodily function - expanding abilities and capacities beyond current biological constraints.

38
Q

What do Transhumanism advocates believe about evolution?

A

They believe that our evolution is incomplete and we will soon transcend the definition of what it means to be human

39
Q

The ethics of Transhumanism

A
  • This may cause social clashes - like wars and famine etc
  • Will classical humans have place in the world or will everyone be forced to transform into the new form of the humans?
  • Some people may find transhumanism against to their religious beliefs and resist the transformation
40
Q

Catholics and Protestants on genetically modified crops

A

Some support given there potential in relation to global hunger - but there is also concern about possibly reducing biodiversity

41
Q

There is some concern about genetic modification of animals among Catholics - why?

A

This could be seen as contrary to NML

42
Q

Do Christians support or reject Enhancement therapy and Transhumanism?

A

It is rejected by Catholics and many Protestants

43
Q

Why is Enhancement therapy and Transhumanism rejected by Catholics and many Protestants?

A
  • Humans would no longer be in the image of God
  • Promotes idolatry
  • Leads to children being viewed as a commodity rather than a gift
  • It would result in a two-tier society and discrimination based on wealth (i.e. who could afford the therapy as opposed to those who could not)
44
Q

Joseph Fletches (a proponent of Christian situation ethics) on Enhancement therapy and Transhumanism

A
  • The proper controls to prevent abuse and exploitation must be in place
  • Rules and principles based on outdates and irrelevant biblical texts or religious dogma should be set aside
  • He foresaw a time in the future where overpopulation or shortage of natural resources would necessitate the genetic modification of humans to enable them to live in the vastly different conditions of space

Religious Studies Paper 2 (9 decks)

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