Dialogue between religious and non-religious beliefs and attitudes ( Section six ) Flashcards
How many years ago was it when Christianity was introduced in Britain ?
2000 years ago when the Romans first arrived
The Church itself can trace its origins to the early 7th century
Examples of how Christianity is embedded in British society today
School terms are arranged around Christian festivals of Christmas and Easter
The Christian calendar also influences Valentines day , Pancake day ( Shrove Tuesday ) and Halloween ( the day before all saints day )
The week has seven days reflecting the biblical story of the creation of the universe
How is the Queen related to Religion ?
The Queen is head of state and defender of the faith
She is also the supreme governor of the church of England
What is the Queens role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England ?
Approves the appointment of senior clerics ( archbishops , bishops and deans of cathedrals )
Opens new sessions of the General synod ( the church’s governing body ) since 1919, the synod has power to propose laws on any matter concerning the Church of England
Keeps the coronation vow to maintain the Church
House of Lords
The House of lords includes 26 spiritual. They are all bishops of the Church of England. This means the Bishops have a large role in the country’s government
Name Christian rites of Passage ?
baptism : Which celebrates the birth of a baby and welcomes it into the church
marriage : a ceremony that marks the coming together of two people to start a new family
Funerals : When people’s lives are remembered and loved ones can say goodbye to the deceased
Example of how Christian services get to British public life ?
National Service of remembrance i held in London to remember the contributions of service personnel in the two world wars.
Services also are held at war memorials across the country , many of which take the form of a cross.
Name the eight public holidays in England and wales mark christian occasions ?
Good Friday remembers the death of Jesus
Easter Monday is the second Day of Easter. It emphasises the importance of Easter Sunday , which celebrates the Christian belief in the Resurrection of Jesus
Christmas day : Celebrates the Birth of Jesus
Boxing day: Marks the day on which workers were traditionally given a Christmas box or gift , by the people they served. It is also the feast of St Stephen
How where the first schools in England connected to the church ?
The first schools in England where founded by the Church and attached to cathedrals and monasteries
The church of England was responsible for most educational establishments until the state became involved in the education of children in the 1830s
What do the National secular society and British Humanist Association believe about public money to fund schools ?
They are against the principle that religious groups should be able to use public money to fund schools.
They also think that if churches want faith schools they should fund them themselves.
Faith schools select pupils from the wealthiest families and so do not represent their local communities.
What do some religious groups argue about Public money to fund schools ?
Since they contribute 10 % of costs of some of the faith schools , they are actually paying for public education
If some religious families are wealthy , then they are paying higher taxes and so contribute more than most people to state education, including non-faith schools
The curriculum that faith schools follow is the same as that for all the state schools
It is the values and ethos of faith schools that are grounded in the spiritually and morality of the faith organisation
Parents should be able to choose schools for their children that share their values
What is secularisation ?
The idea that religious beliefs , practices and organisations are becoming less important in society
What evidence is there that supports the idea of secularisation ?
Religious teachings and organisations are no longer respected
We can rely on material comforts for our happiness and so have less need to believe in supernatural ideas.
Religion has become a private matter and has less influence in public life
People are increasingly less committed to religious values and practices such as prayer and worship.
Religion has become a leisure pursuit rather than a deep commitment
Name the three processes that occur in the modernisation of society that have a direct influence on the decline of religion.
Rationalisation - Society becomes committed to following practical and provable principles and procedures , such as science, politics and economics
Differentiation - Society develops increasingly specialised institutions eg Economy , law and health. Religion no longer have direct relevance to any of them
Decline of community - Modern life is increasingly organised and regulated. Religion used to be the heart of the community and it is irrelevant for society regulated by the state
Where in society has religion decreased in power and authority ?
Fewer people attend church services
fewer people are willing to work in the church
churches are closed or sold off
fewer people are getting married
Less people are baptised
Christian festivals have lost their significance
Evidence that religion is still part of society
People still hold onto their religious beliefs
Religion is still very important in many social groups, particularity minority ethnic groups eg muslims
New religious movements and eastern religious have experienced considerable popularity
What is humanism ?
A way of seeing and reacting to the world using science , logic and reason and rejecting religious beliefs and ideas
What are the 3 principles humanists have today ?
A scientific view of the universe that rejects supernatural beliefs
A concern for the welfare of other human beings and animals based on reason , not divine authority
The need for each person to create meaning in their own life without the belief in life after death.
What did the group ( British humanist association ) Campaign to do ?
Disestablish the Church of England
Remove the right of Anglican bishops to sit i the house of lords
Abolish faith schools
What is the National secular society’s view on religious education in school ?
It is against the idea of the state promoting religion
It opposes the confessional teaching of Christianity in Christian schools
What is The British Humanist Associations view on religion in schools ?
They oppose religious worship in school.
It says religious worship ignores the right of children to freedom of belief and conscience by giving only parents the right to have a child excused from worship.
What does marriage mean for Christians ?
It is a special relationship between a man and a women that is created by God
When a couple get married they make promises to God that their relationship will be faithful a permanent
What is a civil marriage ?
It is a legal contract between two people that sets out rights and duties between them
What is the Roman Catholic view on marriage between a non-catholic and a catholic ?
They accept the marriage of non-Catholics through a civil ceremony , but do not recognise that Catholics can be married in this way
What is the Church of England’s opinion on same-sex marriage ?
The Church is opposed to same-sex marriages in Church.It teaches that marriage can take place only between a woman and a man
What is the Roman Catholic view on same-sex Marriages ?
Wholly opposed to same sex marriages and does not recognise marriage between two people of the same sex
What is the Church of England’s view on divorce
They believe that marriage is permanent and a lifelong union
What is the Catholic Church’s view
The Church does not recognise Divorce , Divorces are therefore not allowed to remarry in a Catholic Church
What is the Christian view on Marriage ?
Christian Churches teach that consent is an important condition and they opposed forced marriages
Christian view on arranged marriage ?
They are not compatible with this aspect of Church teaching
What is the Roman Catholic view of Marriage ?
Roman Catholic Church allows Bishops in individual countries to set ages for marriage in their own country.
The Catholic Church law does allow for males to marry when they are 16 and females when they are 14
What is the Christian view on equality ?
Christianity teaches that all people are equal , regardless of sex , ethnicity , nationality , sexuality , class or disability
Why does Christianity believe why all people are equal ?
God created the human race
God plays a part in the creation of each individual
God loves each person and accepts them as they are
God creates humans in his own image
Example of Christian s who have fought against secular authorities to establish equality in the face of injustice ?
Martin Luther King in The USA
Trevor Huddlestone in South Africa who campaigned against racial inequality