Paper 1 Origins and meaning

Question 1

Catholic beliefs about creation

Answer 1

1. Nothing existed before God created it.
2. Only God creates because he is omnipotent
3. Creation ex nihilo - Creation out of nothing
4. Imago Dei - in the image of God
5. SOW - Bible, St Augustine “You created Heaven and Earth”

Some Christians and Catholics read the creation story symbolically and claim that each “day” of the creation story is actually billions of years, and the creation story reveals important things about the nature of the world and humanity.

Question 2

Other Christian belief about creation story

Answer 2

Some Christians take a fundamentalist approach, they read the Genisis stories literally and believe that creation happened exactly as said in the Bible (belief aka creationism). They believe that creation happened in 6 days as stated in Bible, they believe this because the Bible was inspired by God, which is never mistaken.

Question 3

Jewish belief about creation

Answer 3

God is the creator and source of all life. They believe that God created the world in 6 days and rested on the seventh, which is why they celebrate sabbath on a Sunday. Jews share the two stories of Genesis as they are in the Torah.

Reform Jew = Catholics
Orthodox Jew = fundamentalist Christian

Question 4

What is the Big Bang theory?

Answer 4

A scientific theory that claims that all matter was concentrated in a tiny point which led to a explosion, which led to the formation of the universe. This theory has led some people, such as Stephen Hawking, doubt the existence of God.

Question 5

Catholic view on the Big Bang theory

Answer 5

. Catholics happy to accept the Big Bang theory, as it supports their belief about creation ex nihilo
. Many Christians accept the scientific explanations as we should read Genesis as a theological statement about the world’s relationship to God
. Big Bang theory was put forward by a Catholic priest, Father Georges Lemaître
. Science explains how the universe came about and Genesis explains why the universe began

Question 6

What is the theory of evolution?

Answer 6

Evolution - process of mutation and natural selection which leads to changes in species over time to suit particular environment
. idea was proposed by Charles Darwin
. This process takes millions of years to come about and is also supported by fossil records
. Richard Dawkins (modern supporter - atheist) argues that each organism does not have a purpose other than survival and there is no need for God and belief that humans have souls

Question 7

Catholic view of evolution

Answer 7

. Some Christians do not accept the theory of evolution as they see it as an attack on their faith especially if they read the Bible literally
. Pope John Paul II stated that there is no conflict between evolution and the teaching of the Christian faith
. What is important is not whether God chose to create through the process of evolution, but that God created with purpose and everything is part of his loving plan
. It is important for Catholics to understand not how it happened but why it happened

Question 8

Sanctity of life

Answer 8

. Most people would accept that human life is special and should be cared for
. Catholics believe each person is unique because God created them
. Humans are made in the image of God (imago Dei)
. Catholic Church teaches that all life is sacred and that everyone has a right to live

Question 9

St Catherine of Sienna - Image of God

Answer 9

Two important messages from her writing:
. Humans come from God - children come from their parents, or your reflection in the mirror shows you “she is in the image of God”
. Love - God creates out of love. Humans are made with dignity and in the image of God “by love indeed you created her”

Question 10

Jewish belief about sanctity of life

Answer 10

God is the creator he alone gives and takes life. Genesis teaches that humans are created in the image of God and that life is precious. Pikuach Nefesh.

Question 11

Catholic church view on abortion

Answer 11

.Catholic church against abortion at all cost
.Catholics believe all life is sacred
.Life begins at conception
.only God decides when to give and end life
.Abortion is seen as murder, great moral evil, which goes against one of the Ten Commandments “Do not murder”
.Foetus has a right to life
.Church encourages adoption instead
.Principle of double effect - actions to save the mothers life with no direct intention of killing the child - accepted by church

Question 12

Other Christian views on abortion

Answer 12

Do not accept only under the circumstances of:

1. Pregnancy is result of rape
2. Continuing pregnancy might be dangerous to woman’s physical or mental health
3. If child is likely to be severely disabled

Question 13

Humanist views on abortion

Answer 13

.No single view
.Humanists value happiness and personal choice - pro-choice
.Life is not sacred but of highest respect

Question 14

Peter singer view on sanctity of life

Answer 14

.All human life has value, but not of equal value
.If a person has no ability to think,relate to others or experience then their life has limited value
.Embryos and newborn babies are “non-human persons”, so it is morally acceptable to take their lives if it will bring about less suffering and greater happiness
.applies to abortion and euthanasia
. He also argues that a conscious animal such as a dog has more mental capacity and is more of a person than a baby or elderly, therefore arguing that human life is more important than any other type of life is wrong(speciesist)

Question 15

Catholic response to Singer’s views

Answer 15

.Catholics would argue humans remain a ‘person’ no matter the circumstance
. Catholics would agree that animals should be treated with care and looked after – as stewards of creation they have an obligation to do this
.however, humans were made in the image and likeness of God, therefore they have a dignity which animals do not have

Question 16

Genesis 1

Answer 16

Day 1- creation of light ‘day’ and darkness ‘night’
Day 6- creation of humans to be in charge of rest of creation
Day 7- God rested
This account emphasises the greatness of God as creator of the universe:
. Transcendence- God exists beyond space and time, He is nothing like anything else that exists
. Eternal - “In the beginning” shows he already existed, God has no beginning
. Omnipotent - creation happens by him commanding it. Creation ex nihilo

Question 17

Genesis 2

Answer 17

1. God created a man out of dust and breathes life into him
2. God creates Eve from Adams rib
3. Lives were perfect until they disobeyed and ate the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
   Shows God is:
   . Omnibenevolent - God created out of love. Provides everything humans need
   . Immanent - God is not distant from the world, but is involved in it

Question 18

Importance preserving the planet and caring for the environment for Catholics

Answer 18

.God made humans superior to the rest of creation by giving them reason and free will, this is why God made humans stewards of the world
.Catholics need to work to protect the planet, cutting down on pollution, care for animals and make sure that the world is in the best shape to pass on to future generations
. Greatest commandments are to love God and to love their neighbour, not just to those close to us but in different countries, so we should care about climate change for example
. Common good - every individual has a duty to contribute to the good of society
. Catholics should act justly and seek justice for others

Question 19

Humanist attitudes to creation and stewardship

Answer 19

.Agree with Christians that we need to look after the world, but different reasons
. Humans can use their reason to make ethical decisions
. They would say we need to be stewards of the world out of a concern for human beings and other animals not because we were commanded to do it by a creator God
.Work for a more sustainable world

Question 20

The Bible - keywords

Answer 20

Inspiration - ‘God breathed’, belief that Spirit of God guides an individual to act or write what is good and true
Revelation - The way God makes himself known to humans, Christians believe God does this fully in Jesus Christ
Testament - agreement or promise

Question 21

Structure of the Bible(Old testament)

Answer 21

1. The laws(Torah) - first five books of the Bible which tells us about the creation and the lives of the patriarch such as Abraham it also teaches about Moses and the laws including the 10 Commandments
2. History - these books show how God guided his people even though they were not always ready to listen
3. Wisdom - books of religious and moral teaching which contain sayings about many aspects of life. Also includes psalms(prayer book)
4. Prophets - From time to time God sent inspired figures to challenge the Jews to remain faithful to God

Question 22

Structure of the Bible(New testament)

Answer 22

1. Gospels - Jesus’ story, ‘gospel’ means good news
2. Acts of the apostles- tells the story of the early Church after Jesus’ resurrection
3. The letters- Christian leaders writing to Christians giving them advice on how to put Jesus’ teaching into practice and explaining what it means to be a Christian
4. Book of revelation- last book in the Bible dealing with John’s vision of heaven and the defeat of evil

Question 23

Paintings

Answer 23

. Catholic art is used to express faith in God and to glorify him
. Art can be used as a focus for prayer and meditation
. Helps people to think and reflect on their own beliefs
. Can challenge peoples belief

Question 24

Michelangelo’s creation of Adam (Adam)

Answer 24

Adam:

1. Perfect human being; young, handsome and strong
2. Adam resembles God
3. Adam mirrors the pose of God

Meaning:
. Humans were created by God
. God created a perfect world
. Imago dei

Question 25

Michelangelo’s creation of Adam (God)

Answer 25

1. Presented as a dynamic, active figure as if he is hard at work at his greatest creation
2. God is shown as older than Adam, yet he is strong and powerful

Meaning:
.God is eternal and all powerful
. God is the father of all creation

Question 26

Michelangelo’s creation of Adam (hand)

Answer 26

1. Adam and God are seen reaching out to touch each other with their fingertips

Meaning:
. The touch of fingertips represents the spark of life given to all humans by God, human life is sacred and a gift from God

Question 27

Michelangelo’s creation of Adam (cloud)

Answer 27

1. God is on a cloud, carried by a group of angels - transcendence
2. Some believe cloud is shape of brain, source of all knowledge and wisdom - omniscient
3. Other believe cloud represents a womb - God gives all life

Question 28

Tree of life symbolism

Answer 28

Alpha and omega and chi-rho:
. Chi-rho - first two letter of the word Christ in Greek, can be viewed as first Christian cross
. Alpha and omega - first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, God is the beginning and ending of all things(eternal)

The lamb:
.central lamb is Jesus
. Lamb is symbol of sacrifice - Passover(Moses)
. Jesus sacrificed himself to save humanity from their sin and death
. Twelve lambs are the apostles as they lived sacrificial lifes to follow Jesus

Cross and tree:
. Apostles appear as doves which are symbols of peace
. Cross is a symbol of the death of Christ to absolve humanity of their sins
. Tree is reminder of tree of knowledge of good and evil in garden of eden, Jesus reverses Adam’s disobedience by obeying God and sacrificing himself

Question 29

Teachings about human dignity

Answer 29

Catholics believe that humans were made in the image and likeness of God, and that each human life is sacred. This is linked with Jesus’ teaching that we must “love our neighbour, as we love ourselves”

Question 30

Teachings about justice, peace and reconciliation

Answer 30

Peace and reconciliation are at the heart of the Gospel. It looks towards the kingdom of God and tries to find ways we can create a lasting peace in the world, a piece that is experienced and learnt about friendly relationship with God

Question 31

Interfaith dialogue and why it is important

Answer 31

. Promotes mutual understanding, respect, tolerance and harmony
. Identify common ground
. Engage in shared action for the common good of society
. Different religious cultures and traditions bring with them a variety of food, clothes, music and literature into our lives

Question 32

Catholic Church and interfaith dialogue

Answer 32

. Duty to put across the Gospel message
. They believe that non-Christian religions have some truth, but only Christianity as the whole truth
. Other religions should be respected 
. All people created in image of God
. SOW - Vatican II

Question 33

Catholic charities

Answer 33

CAFOD

St Vincent de Paul society

Question 34

Catholic response to evil

Answer 34

Free will:
. Free will is a gift from God
. Catholics believe that God created humans with the ability to choose between good and evil
. When humans choose the wrong thing it causes suffering
. Humans are to blame not God, humans have abused their gift
. Moral evil

Original sin:
. Adam and Eve decided to go against God’s wishes
. As a result pain, suffering and natural suffering were introduced into a perfect world
. Since that time all humans have original sin, the tendency to go against God
. Original sin is a reminder that we all share some responsibility for the evil and suffering in the world

Question 35

Augustine’s three answers to suffering

Answer 35

1. existence of evil helps people to appreciate the good in the world
2. Evil is just the absence of good things. God does not cause or permit evil because evil because isn’t even a thing
3. God allows suffering because he is omnipotent and good. Suffering beneficial