Islam- Dialogue With Non Religious Groups

Question 1

Athiests

Answer 1

People who believe that there is no god
Those who believe in god should be able to prove gods existence, but have not and cannnot

Question 2

Agnostic

Answer 2

People who say it is impossible to know if god exists
Believe have not and cannot prove god’s existence but also oathiests have not proven and cannot proven that he does not exist

Question 3

Secullarist

Answer 3

Everyone has the right to freedom of belief, whether that belief is religious or not
Maintain that beliefs are private and should not aaffect other people if they do not want to be affected by them
Religion and religious practise should not have special status nor recieve special treatment by the state

Question 4

Humanists

Answer 4

Like secularists, humanists believe in the equal treatment of everyone, whether religious or not
Dont accept any religious view of the universe
Universe can be explained entirely by science, people find their own meaning in life and behave with compassion and dignity without need of god

Question 5

Values m may share with humanists

Answer 5

Compassion and giving support to the poor and needy
Environmental comepnsation
Seek to make peace rather than war
Freedom of belief
Respect for authority
Justice
Importance/sanctity of human life

Question 6

Shared beliefs with athiests

Answer 6

No compulsion in the religion
Diversity
Protection of the environment
Concern and compasion for poor and suffering
Support good of community and peace
Freedom of belief, rule of law

Question 7

Shared belief with athiests- no compulsion in religion

Answer 7

People lived in peace under early years of madinah comm under muhammad evn thorugh from diff religions- communal values may be shared

Question 8

Shared belief with athiest- diversity

Answer 8

Diversity valued
Eg people of diff ethnicities and cultures
‘Among his signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the variations in your languages and colours’- no discriminatiin on basis on race or religion
M believe q revelation of truth confined in signs to the world aronund- its possible for athiests to see these signs ans share some of the value m believe in, even if dont accept the belief of one

Question 9

Protection of the environment- shared belief with athiests

Answer 9

M- a made world- human shold cherish it for future generations
Athiests- scientific evidence for global warming so far rational reasons why should protect

Question 10

Concern and compassion for poor and suffering- shared belief with athiests

Answer 10

Athiests conern with human ights and helping those in poeverty or suffering from natural disaster
Make up cohesive society
M concern to help poor fulfill their religious requests to pay zakat and give charity

Question 11

Support good of community and peace- shared belief with athiests

Answer 11

Benefits everyone regardless of their diff reasons to do so
Local comm and social action projects- clean up, food bank collections, help for homeless
Practical examples where people of diff backgrounds may join togeethr in common cause
Promote peace- discussion with violent action v last resort if at all

Question 12

Freedom of belief, rule of law- shared belief with athiests

Answer 12

Muslim benefit from-e sp when live as minoirty
May have more diverse groups within islam- alternative sexualities, protecting right s and freedoms- unlikely though

Question 13

Role of chritsianity in british public liifre

Answer 13

Bishops hhol
King supreme governor of cofe- became law 1534
Public holiday based on christian celebrations- good friady, crhistmas, halloween (day befroe all siainst day, valentines day (Saint day)), pancake day (shrove tuesday
Week has 7 days some believe to be beacuse reflect biblical creation story
School term arranged around chritian festivals of christmas and easter
Restrictions on hours shops can open such as on christmas
Some popualr superstitions- christian angels- no 13 unlucky as judas 13 seat at last super
Many popular names from bible- daniel, sarah, hannah

Question 14

Other religions role in public life

Answer 14

Diwali, yom kippor
Al faiths together in crisis- eg grenfell tower

Question 15

Christianity as established religion in country of diverse religious traditions

Answer 15

Christianity- largest religion 2021 census- 46.2%- dropped by almsot 15% since 2011
No muslims increase by few% ‘
Cofe established church iin england, strong links to state gov law ,education
Monarch head of state and supreme govenor of cofe
Cameron- ‘we are a nation that embraces, welcomes and accepts all faiths and none, but we are still a christian country

Question 16

Monarch as head of cofe

Answer 16

Defender of faith
Monarch crowned by archbishop of canterbury who is primate (first bishop)) of the cofe- during ceremony monarch is asked0 will you maintain and present invioably teh settlements of the cofe- monarch replies ‘all this i promise and more’
As well as beiing defender of the faith- the monarch is the supreme govenor of the cofe

Question 17

Role of monarch today

Answer 17

As supreme govenor of the cofe- approves the appointment of senior clerics )(archbishops, deans of cathedrals)
On reccommendation of pm
Who considers list from chruch
Clerics take oath of loyalty to monarch
Cant resign without the authrouty
Parish priest swear allegience to monarch
Opening new session in general synod (chruch governemning body)
Sicne 1919- synod had power to propose laws on any matter concerning cofe
Laws called measures
Talk to bothe hop to be passed
Once acceoted, royal assent and passed

Keep vow made at coronoation to maintain the church

Question 18

Muslim attitudes to role of cofe in public life support

Answer 18

Cofe established church since 166th centyry- supreme govenor head of state, 6 bishops hol, armed forces senior chaplains are cofe

Respect facct cofe public role
Religious concerns heard from secular blivers in parliament- beenefit m as fellow believers in god
Value traditional moral values some in cofe- influence of cofe in society a good thing

Question 19

Muslims less supprotive of cofe in public life

Answer 19

Only one faith formal public role
Put more emphasis in diff betwene islam and chirtsians- wish to put own views independantly
Some reformist m- favour secular state as all religions not agree with any estbalished religion

Question 20

Bishops in hol

Answer 20

Lords contains 266 lords spiritual (cofe)) and variabel lords temporal (duke earl))
Role in legislative body of hol

Question 21

Christian services to mark key events

Answer 21

Baptism0celebrate birth of a baby and welcome into teh chruch
Marriage- ceremony that markst ehe coming together of two people t o start a new family
Funerals00- lives of ead people are rememebered and loeved ones an say gooobye

Question 22

Those rites of passage and events can be non-conformist

Answer 22

Non christian couples choose to marry in a church
Non christian arrnage chritsian funerals for deceased relatives
Christian services also mark key events in british public life- early nov- national service of remmeberence
Meetings in both hop begin with prayers- christian

Question 23

Church school

Answer 23

First scholls in eng founded by the church and were attached to cathedrals and monasteries
After henry 8th moved away from catholic chruch- many of these schools became cofe
Cofe responsible for most schools until 1830s when state became more involved
Apporx 7000 faith primary and secondary scoools in eng and wales- 608% cofe and 30% catholic
A school with religious character may be selective on religion (1/6)th), religious organisation may appoint a large proportion of goveores of their school
Gov may choose to apoint teachers and leaders who share their religion

All eoples- regardless if faith school- must be taght re and all schools should provide a daily act of worship

Question 24

Yes state money for faith school

Answer 24

Religious groups may agree
Since contribute 10^% of the costs of some faith schools- pay for public education
Parents hsould be abele to choose schools for their children that share their own values
Some religious families v wealthy- means pay higher taxes and contribuete more than most people to state inc faith school

Question 25

Against state money for faith schools

Answer 25

National secular society
Britihs humanist association
If churches want faith schools- should be able to fund themselve
It is wrong that children may not be allowed to attend their local schhools because of theirs or their parenst religious views
Faith schools seelect pupils from wealthier families and so dont rep local comm

Question 26

Secularisation

Answer 26

Idea that religious beliefs practises and organisations are becoming less important in society
Process that happens over time as the influence of religion weakens

Question 27

National secular society

Answer 27

Stands against promotion of religion and privileges for religious institutions
Opposes link between cofe and the state
Not against religion and some religious people supports its cause
State that secularism is about toleration and people of diff faiths and beliefs are equal before the law

Question 28

Main beliefs of national secular society

Answer 28

-freedom of belief
Freedom of expression
Freedom of practise

Question 29

National secular society- freedom of belief

Answer 29

Not about reliigious freedoms- ensuring that the freedoms of thought and conscience apply equally to all
Ensures right sof individuals to freedom of religion is always balanced by the right to be free form religion

Question 30

National secular society- freedom of expression

Answer 30

Religious people hhave a right to express their belif publically - but so do those who oppose or question those beliefs
Religious belief- ideas and organisations msut not enjoy privilegded protection from the right of freedom of expression
In a democracy all ideas and beliefs must be open to discussion
Indivduals have rights- ideas do not

Question 31

Freedom of practise- national secular society beliefs

Answer 31

Secularisation seek to defend the absolute freedom of religion and otehr beleifs
Protect practising religios beliefs- as long as donet affect the rights and freedoms of others

Question 32

Argue secularisation not taking place

Answer 32

Most still hold religious belief- even if traditional religious beliefs and organisations have lost their appeal
Reigion v important in the lives of many social groups-e sp minority groups
Some new religious movements and eastern religion have experienced considerable piluarity
Even if religion less important in western europe still in mulsim world, latin america and america

Question 33

Quote for atheism

Answer 33

Freidich nietxche- god is dead. God remains dead

Question 34

Effects of secularisation on religion

Answer 34

Rationalisation- people use science to explain the universe and place of human beings in it
Reject religion cannot be proven

Differentiation- church used to control/influence large parts of peoples lives- education, hospitalsl
Today all run by diff non religious organisations

Decrease community0 as means of communication and the exchange of info have improved
People no longer live in small communities supporting church

Question 35

Arguments uk has become more secular

Answer 35

More concerned with material than spirtial things-
Attitude towards moral issues eg. Gay marriage become more liberal
Vote for gay marriage in ireland- eveidence move away from religious influence to more secular attitudes
Despite cofe established church:
Less attend church services, less willing to work in church, less married than in past, less people baptiseed into chruch, fewer confirmations
Christian festivals of easter and chritsimas have lost religious connotations- more commercialised

Question 36

Effects secularisation on islamic religion in gb

Answer 36

No muslims increaing by few^% in census
Increasing no religion- oever 10% increase
More diff to practise religion- prayer and fasting
Liberal, secular attitudes towrds. Marriage- sexuality and gender have resulted idn isseues such as forced marriage- whether birtish muslims should wear hijab
Matters of debate in society
Some may descirbe how muslim faith changed recet eyars
Young muslims become ‘radicalised’ towards more western wayys- not coering up, western cloyhe, marry outside their faith- some may consider these to be evil
Some m want to bring m views and values to britain
Work of national secular society and british humanist organisations oppose influence of religion on state and argue against m faith schholes

Question 37

Muslims should always put secular veiws first0- yes

Answer 37

Mixed society such as uk- diff ethnic and religious background-
Requirement of faith to obey laws of country where live and contribute to comm as long as practise islamic faith
Quran states religion not forced on anyone- let there be no compulsion in religion, truth stands cleear from error, allahh heard and kneweth all
Muhammad ruled madinah with secular values as he required peple living there to swear to protect each other regardless if tribal/religious background- madinah mixed society to begin with so secular
Should follow m tradition
Secular values- fair laws- without issues of belief between them- ‘let there be amongst you traffic and trade by mental goodwill’
May not agree with all secular values in everything but argue come first wen it comes to their society in mixed comm
Some m choose to lieve their lives in secular countries- mixed soceity- esp if persecuted for religion in past, beenefit everyone
Western society and freedom
Does there need to be a heirachy of values- jsut be compassionate

Question 38

Muslims should always put secular views first- no

Answer 38

In islam, m believe in allah and values as prescribed by quran
Opposed as religion most important thing in their lives- values based on quranic revelations, secular values not first
May aim all aspects of society0- inc education and politic to be the basis of religious values- implications should be different for diff religious groups within mizeed country- sometimes called ‘islamist apporach’

Areas of diff
Extent to which they value equality alternative relationships- homosexuality
Not accept within their faith community but recognise improatnce of trying to promote equality regardless of sex ,gender ect

Question 39

Agreement between secular and muslim values is impossible -yes

Answer 39

Clashes occur
Education- laws related to marriage, equality, values ethical issues-
Increased secularism- impact on british muslilms
Eg homosexuality- taught about to learn in scholls, law same sex marriage
Value of mateiral items
Invrease secularism- foundation of national secular society and british humanist organisations- diff opinions
Many m feel unhappy of libera balues held by peoeple in ewest- as a result of secular values- eg intermarriage

Question 40

Agreement between secular and muslim values is impossible- no

Answer 40

Already have shared beliefs eg, protection of environment

Question 41

Agreement between secular values and muslim values is impossible- inbetween

Answer 41

Some clashes that re irreconcielianle0- common understanding of diff
Recognise the influence of sciene, logcic annd resouning does impact constantly on secular and muslim values

Question 42

Clashes with secular values in education- national secular school

Answer 42

Not against religion or teaching about religoius rep in britain
Against idea of state promoting religion
Opposes confessional teaching of christianity in chruch schools- ‘we regard it as unjustifiable that va [faiths schools] are publically funded, still permitted by law to teach re soley from their own exclusive viewpoint and in a cnfessional way’ ‘law hoever privileges christins’

Question 43

Clashes with secular values in education- non faith state schools

Answer 43

Religious education must be taught but reflect fact the religions and tradition as a british one- christianity while taking into account of the etachings and practises of the other principle religions repr in gb
Schools wuthout religious character should prvide daily acts of ecolective wroship- mostly broadly christian character

Question 44

Why muslims may disagree with secular ethics and values in schools

Answer 44

Islamic values- important to raise children in islam, all aspects of life to be part of their faith inc education
God centrerd world view may make them disagree wiuth non religious approaches as fear may encourage their children not to consider god when learn about matters or make decisions

Quran
Word of god- some believe should and influence everything to do and religious pravyise- daily prayer and fast
These practises introduced to chirch and echoed- dear going to secular shcoool may result more diff
Eeg in fr- secular education- prayer and halal food forbidden

Secular beliefs
Desire seperation from secualr eschoools, ethics and values
Fear influence of non believers- children inetrmarry - not with quaran

Relationship and sex education
Disaagree with homosexuality, cohabitation and otehr practises which may be practised by secular
Other muslims- teach about relations as a amily matter00 the preservation of the home

Not al critical of scecular vvalues
Helpful0- same education, equality
Help with quaran- let there be no compulsion in the religion

Question 45

3 central humanist principles

Answer 45

Sceintific view of the universe that rejects supernatural belief inc religious belief
Concern for welfare of other human beings and based on reaosn not divine authorities
Eneed for each person to create meaning in their own life without a belief in life after death

Question 46

Clashes of non religious gorups with islam

Answer 46

Nature of allah section-esp omnipotent creation
Last day- al jahannah rather than paradiee- may look to convert

Question 47

Clashees with islam and marriage- secular law0- civil partnership

Answer 47

Diff responses as not around when quaran recited
Against- marriage both a religious undertaking and practical contract in ceremony in recitation of of quran, a bless couple, signing of nikkah contract to verify arrangements for the pair

For- principle of committed relationship saeme- m shoudl accept law of the land, but not wish to undertake themselves

Question 48

Clash with secular law-0 same sex marriage

Answer 48

Condemn homosexuality
Break gods law
‘Must you inlike [other] peopel, lust after males and abandon the wives that god created for you’ ‘you are exceeding all bounds’

Question 49

Muslim clash with secular laws0- divorce

Answer 49

Allowed as last resort but hateful to god- hadith
Quaran gaurentee rights of both man and woman to divroce0- muhammad married a divorced woman
For religios divorce- man must declare verbally or in writing, wait three months- iddah- no sex but liev together and wait if pregnant

Question 50

Uk laws on marriage

Answer 50

Eng and wales all couples can marry if 18 and over and free to marry if not already married or in civil partnershio
Scotland 16 or over

Islam0 no min age- child hit puberty physically and mentally mature enough

Question 51

Attitudes towards equality in uk- islam

Answer 51

God created all people equally
Men and women from single sould and same spiritual hhuman nature- ‘peplle, we created you all from a single man and a single woman’
Same religious and moral responsibilities-0 ‘for muslim men and women ‘ ‘give in charity’ ‘alah preparedness for generous and great reward’

M worked hard to unite the tribes in madinah into one community- ummah- under god- shown in mosque line up shoulder to shoulder regardless of backrgound
Divorce laws
Islam bought rights for women which preislamic era not had- eg education
Khadija0- busiensswoman
Aishah- schoar

Treatment diff between sexes more cultural than religious

Question 52

Against equality- islam

Answer 52

Homosexuality
Role of men and women diff
Allah made these00 women also look after hoem