Philosophy and Ethics Flashcards
What are responsibilities?
Actions or duties that someone is expected to carry out
What are roles?
A position or function that a person has in society
What is the importance of the family?
- The family provides an environment for children to be cared for and nurtured while they grew
- The family of often seen to be the building block of society, its where they first learn the rules and values of the society that they live in (some claim the decline of the nuclear family has caused an increase in crime and anti-social behaviour)
- For many couples having a family together is a way of expressing love and commitment to each other
- In religions the family is where the children learn the stories, beliefs and traditions of their faith
- In some religions some followers see family life as a distraction from their religious goals
What do Christians believe about the nature of marriage?
- While all Christians see marriage as important, for Catholics it is also a sacrament which conveys God’s grace
- Christian marriage has usually been seen as monogamous. However, a number of Old Testament figures had multiple wives and some Christian churches with roots in African communities allow polygamy
- For many, including Catholic and Evangelicals marriage is a union of two heterosexual people of opposite genders as this is how its described in the Bible - “from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason, a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh”
- More Liberal Christians see marriage as a commitment of two people of any gender
Christian teachings on the purpose of marriage
- Procreation and raising a family;
marriage will provide children with a stable environment
others think that if you’re married you have a duty to have children (based on Bible verses such as Genesis 1:28) - Allow couples to express love and friendship; to care for and support each other through life
- To have a sexual relationship. Jesus’ words in Mark 10 indicate that sex forms a bond between a couple; many christians beloved you should not have sex before marriage, marriage allows partners to express love and commitment through sex
- Liberal christians believe that a couple who are committed but not married can show love through sex
- Many Christians see marriage as the foundation for a stable society
- Many Christians also think the purpose of is to symbolise the relationship between God and his church
Christian marriage ceremonies
- The vicar welcomes everyone and gives a short sermon on the nature and purpose of marriage
- The couple exchange their vows which reflect the main Christian beliefs about marriage
- The couple exchange rings as a sign on commitment
- The vicar declares the couple married
- There are prayers, hymns, and Bible readings and the priest gives a sermon
- The legal requirement in Britain is for the married couple to sign the register, witnessed by the registrar and witnesses, which makes the marriage ceremony legal
Buddhist teachings on the nature and purpose of marriage
- Buddhism doesn’t consider marriage to have religious significance
- It is a legal contract that binds two people together, not a spiritual or divine bond
- There is no need for a religious marriage ceremony although monks may bless a couple after they have married
- Theravada Buddhist monks dont marry, instead take a vow of celibacy because love is an attachment and a distraction from the path to enlightenment
Christian views on the nature and purpose of sex
Christians see sex as important because it:
* Bonds a heterosexual, married couple
* Allows for procreation and the creation of families
Catholic views on the nature and purpose of sex
Catholic Christians stress that procreation is the most important purpose of sex, and disapprove of sexual activities that cannot lead to procreation.
Buddhist views on the nature and purpose of sex
For lay Buddhists, there are no strict rules around sexual relationships, but monks and nuns are usually expected to live celibate lives.
The 5 Primary Precepts of Natural Law
Preserve Life
Orderly Society
Worship God
Educate
Reproduce
What is contraception?
Methods used to prevent a woman becoming pregnant following sexual intercourse. E.g. condoms or the pill.
Catholic views on contraception
Catholic Christians generally oppose the use of artificial forms of contraception as:
* They believe all sexual activity should be open to the possibility of conception.
* They believe it goes against one of the Primary Precepts of Natural law: to reproduce.
Protestant views on contraception
Most Protestant Christians accept the use of contraception as:
* There is nothing in the Bible which forbids it.
* They believe that couples should be allowed to plan the timing and size of their families, and that this may benefit the health and welfare of the mother and her children.
* However, most Protestants oppose emergency contraception, as this may destroy an embryo.
Buddhist views on contraception
Most Buddhists do not oppose the responsible use contraception, as long as the method used does not destroy a living embryo, and contraception is not used purely to pursue sexual pleasure.
What is a sin?
An action which breaks a religious or moral law. E.g. for Christians, adultery is a sin.
Evangelical views on same sex relationships
Many Evangelical Christians see homosexuality as a sin, based upon the Bible’s teaching “do not lie with a man as with a woman.”
Catholic views on same sex relationships
The Catholic Church teaches that homosexual feelings are not sinful, but that homosexual activity is a sin. The believe that homosexual activity goes against Biblical teachings; cannot lead to procreation, which they see as the main purpose of sex; and breaks the Primary Precept to reproduce.
Liberal Protestant views on same sex relationships
Liberal Protestant Christians may support loving same sex relationships. The may believe that love is more important than rules; than Jesus himself never condemned homosexuality; and that Jesus taught them not to judge others.
Buddhist views on same sex relationships
Some Buddhists may believe that homosexual activity breaks the third moral precept “abstain from sexual immorality”. Buddhist Scripture says little about homosexuality and many Buddhists completely accept loving same sex relationships.
What is complimentarianism?
The view that men and women have different gender roles, but equal value.
Evangelical views on gender and family
Many Evangelical Christians hold complementarian beliefs, seeing men and women as having different roles but equal status.
* E.g. St. Paul described husbands as the “head” of their wives.
Catholic views on gender and family
For Catholics, the example of Mary in the Bible might suggest that women should be wives and mothers.
* They may apply natural law, seeing different gender roles as being rooted in biological differences.
Liberal Protestant views on gender and family
Liberal Christians may believe that Bible teachings on gender roles reflect the ancient society, and that men and should be equal today. Evidence for this is:
* Men and women both being made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27)
* St Paul’s teaching that in Christ “there is no longer male and female.”
Anglicans see fighting for gender equality as a matter of justice.
Buddhist views on gender and family
Buddhists views on family life tend to reflect wider societal values. Buddhists believe that both men and women are capable of reaching enlightenment.
What is gender equality?
People of all genders enjoying the same rights and opportunities in all aspects of their lives.
Christian views on gender, worship and leadership
Some Christians believe in gender equality, and women having equal opportunities to take Church leadership roles.
* Women have been allows to speak at Quaker meetings since the 1600s.
* The Anglican Church ordains female priests and bishops
Evangelical views on gender worship and leadership
Many Evangelical Christians believe that women and men have different roles, and that women should not lead religious worship.
* However, some evangelical churches have female ministers.
Catholic views on gender worship and leadership
The Catholic Church does not ordain female priests because
* The Priest represents Jesus (a male) when administering the sacraments
* Jesus only chose men as his Apostles
Orthodox views on gender, worship and leadership
The Orthodox Church does not ordain women priests, because it sees the male priesthood as a long standing tradition.
Buddhist views on gender, worship and leadership
In Buddhism, the ordination of women as nuns dates back to the Buddha’s life. However, in many Buddhist communities, nuns are not treated with the same respect as monks.
What are Catholic and Evangelical views on cohabitation?
The Catholic Church and many Evangelicals oppose cohabitation because it involves or is likely to lead to premarital sex. They believe sex should only take place within marriage because of Biblical teaching (Jesus describing marriage as a time when a couple be joined physically)
They may also feel cohabiting couples dont have the same commitment to each other as married couples, and if they have children they may grow up in an unstable environment
What Christian denominations dont oppose cohabitation?
Church of England accept it if it is a step towards marriage
Liberal Protestants believe the quality of the relationship is more important than its legal status, and may feel some unmarried couples demonstrate just as much love and commitment as married couples
What are Catholic views on interdenominational marriage?
it prefers Catholics to marry other Catholics and Catholics must obtain permission to marry a non-Catholic christian. it is expected a Catholic will try their best to raise their child as a catholic. Marriage to a baptised christian is still regarded as a sacrament
What are Anglican views on interfaith marriage?
they recognise that although they have their challenges, they can be enriching too - eg celebrating festivals of two different cultures
What are Catholic views on interfaith marriage?
it is allowed as long as they get special permission
when a Catholic marries a non-Christian it is not considered to be a sacrament.
the Catholic church may allow someone to annul a marriage if they were married to a non-baptised person
How can Christians justify marriage to non-Christians?
St Paul taught Christians should not divorce non-believing spouses, suggesting non-Christians may be saved by their believing spouse
Why can some Christians not justify marriage to non-christians?
They may argue St Pauls words were aimed at those who were already married when they became christian, and the Bible doesn’t encourage marriage outside of the Christian community
St Paul warns Christians “do not be yoked together with unbelievers”
What are Buddhist teachings on cohabitation?
there is no buddhist rule against cohabitation. as far as Buddhists are concerned it is important they follow the third moral precept (avoid sexual immorality). In practice however, some Buddhist countries tend to be quite conservative and for cultural rather than religious reasons, believe cohabitation is wrong
what are buddhist views on interfaith marriage?
buddhists do not consider marriage to be religious in nature, so it is perfectly acceptable to marry a non-buddhist
What are human rights?
Basic entitlements and freedoms owed to all humans, e.g the right to life.
The UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights sets out the basic rights that all countries are expected to respect and protect.
In the UK, rights are protected by the Human Rights Act 1998. This makes it illegal to violate a person’s human rights
Why dont some people fully support human rights?
- Some may feel that not everyone deserves them. E.g. murderers.
- Some claim that human rights protections are misued, E.g. someone not experiencing persecution claiming asylum.
- Rights and responsibilities may conflict. E.g. some religious people do not recognise same-sex marriages.
- Sometimes governments appear to violate human rights. E.g the way suspected terrorists are arrested and detained.
Christiain views on human rights
Christians believe that human lives have dignity.
Christian belief in dignity reflects the view that humans are made “in the image of God” (Gen 1:27)
Beliefs in human dignity leads many Christians to oppose forms of human exploitation and inequality.
Catholic/ Evangelical views views on human rights
Many Catholics and Evangelical Christians oppose abortion believing that the foetus has dignity and a right to life.
What are Liberal Christian views on human rights
Many humanists and liberal Christians believe that women have a right to choose abortion.
What are Buddhist views on human rights?
Buddhists believe that fulfilling our duties towards others protects their rights. E.g. the First Moral Precept respects the right to life.
How did Oscar Romero fight for human rights in El Salvador
Option for the poor
Spoke out
Charity
Adult Education
Radio Programme
What is sanctity of life?
The belief that human life is sacred as it is given by God
Christian views on personal conviction
Some Christians believe that they are required to obey the law. This follows St Paul’s teaching that the authority of governments comes from God
* “let every person be subject to the governing authorities.” (Romans 13:1)
Other Christians believe that they are not required to follow laws which are morally wrong. Saint Augustine wrote “an unjust law is no law at all”.
* Martin Luther King Jr. used civil disobedience to challenge racial segregation laws. He argued that Christians had a moral duty to disobey unjust laws.
Buddhist views on personal conviction
Many Buddhists believe that they have a duty to obey the law, as this contributes to the well-being of all members of society, and protects the vulnerable from harm.
Other Buddhists believe that their commitment to live an ethical life and practice the Five Precepts may require them to break the law, e.g. by engaging in acts of civil disobedience.
* Thich Quang Duc publically committed suicide in protest against laws which discriminated against Vietnamese Buddhists.
What is censorship?
Suppressing or restricting free speech or access to materials.
Conservative christian views on censorship
Some conservative Christians have protested against works of art that they view as offensive to Christian beliefs. Before 2008, blasphemy laws existed which made it illegal to say or write anything which insulted Christianity.
Why do some not agree with freedom of speech?
Freedom of speech is protected in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, but some people feel that speech should not be protected if it causes offence or incites hatred.
Liberal Christian views on censorship
Many liberal Christians opposed blasphemy laws, believing that in a multi-faith society, it is unfair to discriminate against other religions.
Muslim views on censorship
In some conservative Muslim countries, there are strict censorships laws. Scenes depicting sex or nudity may be cut from films, as these are seen as contrary to Muslim values.
Many Muslims support freedom of speech, because the Qur’an teaches that the best response to an insult is to ignore it, or to persuade the person insulting you that they are wrong.
Christian views on religious expression
Many Christians do not see clothing as an important expression of their faith, as the Bible does not give any rules about what they should wear
Catholic views on religious expression
Many Catholics see wearing a crucifix as an important outward expression of their faith; a reminder of Jesus’ sacrifice; or a reminder of their commitment to Jesus.
Muslim views on religious expression
Some Muslim women, see wearing a hijab or a burqa as a requirement, because the Qur’an instructs Muslims to dress modestly. It may also express their commitment to God or their Muslim identity.
Other Muslims do not believe that dressing modestly requires them to cover their face or head. They may see wearing such garments as more of a cultural tradition.
Atheist views on religious expression
Some humanists and atheists believe that women being covered reflects patriarchal culture and contradicts gender equality. Supporters of secularism may argue that religion should be a private matter, so religious clothing should not be worn in public
What is extremism?
When people hold harmful political or religious views
What features are often shared by extremist groups?
Apocalypticism
Patriarchal
Authoritarian
Right and Wrong
Territory
Westboro Baptist Church
Campaigns strongly against homosexuality, has spoken against many other religions and organisations such as the US Army
Claimed that many tragedies and attacks are punishments from God for not following his law and for allowing homosexuality
Widely known for picketing funerals, including those of homosexuals and soldiers
Other views on extremism
Many religious people strongly oppose extremism because they believe it contradicts core teachings of their religion:
- Extremism is harmful because it destroys harmony in society
- Violent forms of extremism contradict non-violent principles of their religion
- May believe that a country’s government is appointed by God, so attempts to overthrow the government are wrong
- They may believe that key fundamentalist beliefs are based on a misunderstanding of scripture
- May strongly support human rights, including right to freedom of belief
What is prejudice?
Pre-judging a person negatively or positively without cause
What is discrimination?
Treating groups or individuals differently based upon prejudice
Example of prejudice/discrimination in Britain today
- People of African or Caribbean heritage are 10x more likely to be subjected to a ‘stop and search’ than white people
- There is a significant gender pay gap, with women earning on average 17% less than men
- Women are also under-represented in the most senior positions of large businesses
- Women are excluded from religious leadership roles in Catholicism
- Many Muslims experience Islamophobia
Christian beliefs on prejudice and discrimination
Most christians oppose discrimination, believing that because each person was created by God, each person is of equal value to God. St Paul taught that “There is neither Jew not Gentile, neither slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”
How did MLK Jr fight for civil rights?
Disobedience - advocated use of civil disobedience, quoted “an unjust law is no law at all”
Rejected Violence - inspired by Jesus’ teaching “love your enemies and pray fro those who persecute you’, MLK said “Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that”
Expressed Hope - “I have a dream…” speech
Activism - argued churches should be active in struggle for civil rights
Montgomery Bus Boycott
Buddhist beliefs on prejudice and discrimination
Buddhists have always opposed discrimination. In Buddha’s time, India was divided by castes. The Buddha strongly opposed this and taught it was a person’s actions which defined their worth, not their birth
Buddhists believe prejudice and discrimination are the result of ignorance and craving
Buddhist teachings on anicca mean characteristics such as race and gender are only temporary within the cycle of samsara and dont define people
Christian views on wealth
Some Evangelical Christians follow the prosperity gospel, which teaches that wealth is a reward and blessing from God for those who are faithful to him. Followers of the prosperity gospel feel that they can use wealth as they want to, because it is a reward from God, and would not see it as their responsibility to redistribute wealth to poorer people. However, they may believe that donating money to the church will bring about further material rewards from God.
However, most Christians believe that wealth should be used to help others. Jesus taught that people should aim for spiritual rather than worldly wealth. He encouraged using wealth to help others because it showed love and compassion for those in need, and because it helped strengthen a relationship with God. Jesus said that what people did for others, they did for him, and so some Christians see using wealth to help others as doing something directly for God.
Some Christians believe that it is best to give up all possessions and wealth and follow God – some become monks and nuns and focus their lives on God, not possessions.
