Philosophy & Ethics Flashcards
9.1 Revelation
Define Revelation
‘Uncovering’. In theological terms, this is when God chooses to reveal himself.
9.1 Revelation
Explain 2 reasons why Christians believe Jesus is the culmination of God’s revelation.
- All the small revelations found in the Old Testament are summed up and made even clearer in the life of Jesus
- In the Incarnation, God made a complete revelation of himself becaus the Son is the exact represenation of God’s being so nothing more can be revelead.
9.1 Revelation
Explain why Christians believe the Bible proves the existence of God.
- It is inspired by the Holy Spirit which means it comes from God and reveals God
- The Church teaches that God speak through both the Old Testament and the New Testament, showing his character
- It contains God’s laws on how to live, such as the 10 Commandments; these rules show people how to live their life as God intended
9.1 Revelation
Outline & Explain 5 Characteristics of God show through revelations in Jesus
- One whose main characristic is love, as he loved the world so much he became flesh in Jesus Christ.
- One who forgives, he was prepared to die on the cross to bring forgiveness for our sins
- One who meets people where they are seen in the way he made disciples of all types and classes of people
- One who brings healing, as seen in the many miracles he perfomed while on Earth.
- One who wants people to have eternal life, which he showed by rising from the dead.
9.1 Revelation
Outline the 2 different types of Revelations.
( Provide Examples )
1. Immediate Revelation ( Special Revelation ) - is direct encounters with God.
Examples;
- Moses and the Burning Bush ( Exodus 3 )
2. Mediate Revelation ( General ) - is non-direct encounters with God.
Examples;
- Reading about someone else’s religous experience.
9.1 Revelation
What is Natural Theology?
Also provide;
A) Strengths of Natural Theology
B) Weakenesses of Natural Theology
Natural Theology - Drawing conclusions about the nature of God by using reason and observations of the world.
A) Strengths
1. Logical Appeal - By relying on reason and evidence it appears more accessible & persuasive.
- Doesn’t rely on beliefs & traditions unlike Revealed theology.
2. Observational Evidence - It supports the design argument & William Paley’s watch analogy as it involves observing our surroundings to understand God.
B) Weakenesses
1. Limited Understanding - While Natural theology points to God as a Designer, it doesn’t explain God’s nature or provide personal insights.
2. Philosophical Critcism - 20th Century theologian, Karl Barth, argued that we should not claim to be able to gain knowledge of God through our own means.
- God is beyond human comprehension.
Extra’s:
Strengths - Emil Brunners Argument
Weakenesses - Genesis 3 ( The Fall ) corrupted our ability to reason.
9.1 Revelation
What is Revealed Theology?
Also provide;
A) Strengths of Revealed Theology
B) Weakenesses of Revealed Theology
Revealed Theology - Knowledge which has been purposely shown to us by God
A) Strengths
1. Direct Knowledge - Revealed theology offers knowledge of God directly through divine revalations, providing clarity about God’s nature.
2. Personal Relationship - It emphasizes God’s desire to be known personally, this is supported as we know Jesus was the ultimate revelation of God.
- “He reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of his nature” ( Hebrews 1:3 )
B) Weakenesses
1. Relies on Faith - Due to Revelead Theology relying on belief non-believers ( athiets ) may disagree with it due to a lack of observational evidence.
2. Limited Accessibility - If revelation is necessary for knowing God, what happens to those who never recieve it?.
- Raises questions about God’s fairness.
9.2 Visions
What is a(n):
A) Imaginitive Vision
B) Corporeal Vision
A) A vision seen in your mind ( usually dreams )
B) a vision where you physically see something
9.2 Visions
Outline some Biblical & Non-Biblical Visions.
1. Biblical Visions
- Moses and the Burning Bush
- When Abraham is visited by God with a promise of protection & reward - “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great” ( Genesis 15:1 )
2. Non-Biblical Visions
- St Joan of Arc ( Visions of Saints Michael, Catherine, & Margaret )
9.2 Visions
Explain why;
A) Visions may lead to faith in God
B) Visions may not lead to faith in God
A) Visions may lead to faith as;
1. The Church has officially recognised some visions ( St Bernadette and St Joan of Arc ), which means that visions must have a relation with God.
2. There are many examples in the Bible ( Abraham, Moses and the burning bush ) to support the idea that God shows himself through our visions.
3. Visions are Gods way of making contact with the world and therefore prove his existence.
B) Visions may not lead to faith as;
1. No lasting, physical evidence of these visions
2. They could be hallucinations, misunderstandings or just made up.
3. Dreams could simple be our subconscious wanting to have a religious experience
9.3 Miracles
Outline some Biblical & Non-biblical examples of miracles.
A) Biblical Miracles
1. Moses parting & crossing the Red Sea ( Exodus 14:21-22 )
2. Jesus healing the official’s son ( John 4:46-54 )
3. Jesus healing a blind man at Beth-sa’ida ( Mark 8:22-25 )
B) Non-biblical Miracles
1. The Virgin Mary appeared to Juan Diege in Mexico City in 1531
- Her image hasn’t faded and she has avoided fire and bomb damage
2. The Virgin Mary appeared to Bernadette Soubirous in 1858 in Lourdes, France.
- She point to a spring which is now visited by over 5 million each year.
- Around 70 healing miracles have happened here.
9.3 Miracles
What was Hume’s argument when it comes to;
‘Miracles proves the existence of God’
Hume’s Argument
First Reason: Hume’s defines miracles as events that defy the laws of nature.
- He said we should only believe in the probable, & miracles aren’t probable.
Second Reason: Hume’s claimed that for a miracle to be accepted, there needed to be plenty of eye witnesses.
- Also saying that miracles generally didn’t occur to those well educated.
Third Reason: Hume claims that all miracles come from ‘Ignorant and barbarious nations’
- In history lesser developed nations have stories of miracles that die out as they develop.
9.3 Miracles
What are some weakeness of David Hume’s argument?
1. Misdefining Natural Laws - Miracles cannot exist as they break natural laws, but natural laws are only defined by what we understand today.
- Essentially, miracles may not violate natural laws, but may exist outside of their scope.
2. Emphasis on “Ignorant and Barbarou Nations” - This not only put’s Hume’s off as being elitist & ethnocentrict, miracles have been reported from all types of cultures.
- A modern example being Lourdes, with over 70 verified miracles.
9.3 Miracles
What was Aquinas’s argument when it comes to;
‘Miracles proves the existence of God’
1. Aquinas believed that we should focus on the purpose of the miracle rather than the cause.
‘Miracles Prove that God exists’
Present reason to;
A) Agree
B) Disagree
A) Agree
1. There’s no natural scientific explanation meaning God is the only possible explanation
2. The Catholic Church investigates all cures/healings through the IMB so it’s hard to doubt the evidence.
3. Lourdes is modern proof that miracles are still taking place today.
4. There are many stories of miracles in the Bible.
B) Disagree
1. Scientific and medical knowledge is still continuing to develop - explanations may occur in the future.
2. Miracles usually happen in places that are uneducated about mordern science and medicine.
3. If God can perform miracles why didn’t he stop bigger tragedies e.g. the Holocaust.
- Is God bias? If so then he isn’t an all loving God like we are taught he is.
4. Many past “miracles” can now be explained due to scientific developments.
IMB - International Medical Bureau
9.3 Miracles
Describe some reasons Catholics disagree with arguments agains’t miracles proving God exists.
They believe:
- They can rely on the trust of biblical miracles because the Bible comes from God
- Miracles have been authenticated by the Church
- If god used miracles to stop hunger and war, he would be changing the nature of life.
9.4 Religious experiences
Describe the different type of Religious Experiences.
1. Mystical Experiences
- These are divine experiences that trancend typical experiences that can happen.
- These involve understanding that God is the foundation of everything.
- Examples -> Julian of Norwich, St. Teresa of Avila, Vision of Isaiah in the temple.
2. Coversion Experiences
- These are life changing experiences capable of giving someone a new purpose in life.
3. Numinous Experiences
- An awe-inspiring experiences with God that is compelling enough to want to worship God.
- Example -> Isiah in the temple
9.4 Religious experiences
What did Richard Swinburne say about Religious Experiences?
1. He suggested it is reasonable to believe the world is probably how we experience it - Principle of Credulity. Therefor;
- Religious experiences are possible evidences of God
- Religious experiences increase the probability of God.
9.4 Religious Experiences
Explain some reasons why religious experinces can lead to a belief in God
1. For people to have a numinous experience, something must be causing the experience, and the only plausible cause is God.
2. If a miracle happens, then all the laws of science have been broken and only God can do such a thing
3. If a person has such a powerful conversion experience, their must have been something behind it, which is God
4. If a person prays and their prayer is answered, then God must have answered the prayer and so God must exist.
9.4 Religious experiences
Outline 5 reasons why Religious Experiences may not be considered proof of God.
1. Laws of Nature - David Hume argued every human can observe the laws of nature; this is more persuasive than religious experiences.
2. Lack of Evidence - There is no tangible evidence for the experience
3. Use of stimulants - Drugs can relax and make the user more open to religious experiences.
4. Halluncinations -These could easily be mistaken for visions.
5. Wish Fulfilment - Sigmund Freud believed this was the case, that adults still have childlike feelings and delusions.
6. Lack of experiences - If numinous experiences came from God, everyone in the area would have the same experience, but they don’t
Catholics disagree with these ideas because they believe evryone has a spiritual sense, they just interpret their experiences differently from religious people.
- They claim that these experiences prove God exists but cannot prove the trurth of any particular religion.
9.4 Religious experiences
Describe some Catholic responses to questions of proof.
1. God, an omnipotent being, is not bound by the laws of nature, so it is expected that religious experiences can break them.
2. Lack of evidence does not disprove the religious experiences, Faith does not require proof.
3. Catholics don’t disagree about stimulants, hallucinations, and wish fulfilment, this is why detailed investigations are done.
9.5 The design argument
What is the Classical Design Argument?
1. If you were walking in an uninhabited place and came across a watch, you could not say it had been there by chance
2. The complexity of the watch’s mechanism would make you say it must have had a designer.
3. The universe is far more complex than a watch.
4. So if a watch needs a designer, the universe must definetly need one.
5. The only being that could design the universe would be God.
9.5 The design argument
Explain why Catholics believe the design argument is important.
- God’s existence can be demostrated by looking at his creations
- God wants humans to use their reason to understand the world as well as the revelation he has given to the Church
- The universe works on fixed, logical princples designed by god which have enabled humans to make scientific discoveries.
- God is the creater of the universe and keeps it in existence
St Paul Romans chapter 1 said that although God’s eternal power and divine nature are invisible, they can be understood and seen through his creations.
9.5 The design argument
Describe the Strengths of the Design Argument.
1. Based on our own experince of design - many thing in nature are percieved to have purpose, order, and design
2. It complements a Christian view of the nature of God - an omnipotent and omniscient God is able to create the universe.
3. It encourages scientific examination of the universe - the underlying rules of nature lead to the conclusion of a designer.
9.5 The design argument
Describe some Evidence agaisnt the design argument & How Catholics respond
1. Uniquess of the universe - David Hume said it was impossible to an analogy to explain the universe.
- Catholic Response: Just because it is unique, does not mean it cannot be explained.
2. Existence of evil and suffering - Either God is a poor designer, or there is no designer.
- Catholic Response: Humans can learn from the suffering and evil in the world; Some is the result of free will.
- A Counter-Counter Argument could be that God gave us free will, so isn’t he to blame?
3. There is no order, just the appearance of order - Richard Dawkins suggested people see the world with ‘purpose-coloured spectacles’
- Catholic Response: Science and evidence support the concept of order.
4. Evolution as an explanation - Evolutionary theory suggests complex organisms have developed through natural selection - Charles Darwin.
- Catholic Response: Specific evolution must have been directed by a designer God to get where we are today.
5. Lack of identification - Argument only proves that the universe has a designer, not God. The designer could be many gods, or an evil creator.
9.6 The Cosmological argument
What was the Cosmological argument?
1. The way of motion
- Aquinas argued that things in the universe are in motion but nothing can move unless it moved by something else.
- Meaning there must be a first mover, which is God.
2. The way of causation
- Aquinas next argued that everything seems to have cause and nothing causes itself. So the first cause must be God.
3. The way of contingency
- All material things are contingent, their existence is not necessary and at one time they did not exist.
- However, if eveything is contingent, then at one point nothing existed, which can’t be true, meaning their is a non-contingent being - which is God.
9.6 The Cosmological argument
Describe the Strengths of the Cosmological Argument.
1. It is based on experience - hard to deny chains of cause and effect.
2. It is more logical than alternative - an infinte chain of cause and effect seems impossible.
3. Compatibility with science - Most scientists agree on the beginning of the universe ( The Big Bang ), which is in line with the cosmological arugment.
- God could’ve created the Big Bang
9.6 The cosmological argument
Explain why the cosmological argument is important for Catholics.
This is because it shows that;
- God is the origin of everything: he is the Unmoved Mover, the First Cause and the Non-contingent Being.
- God is not another thing within the universe. God is the source of all being and so has no beginning or end.
- God is mystery. Human beings can grasp only so much about God’s being and nature.
9.6 The Cosmological argument
Describe the Evidence agaisnt the Cosmological Arguments & Catholic responses.
1. The impossibility of a total explanation - Bertrand Russell argued that a total explanation was impossible, humans shoul just accept the universe’s existence as fact.
- Catholic Response: A rejection of infinte chains of cause and effect means a total explanation is possible.
2. The universe as a whole does not need a cause - Russel also said that just because everything in the universe needs a cause, it does not mean the universe as a whole does.
- Catholic Response: All things in the universe can have their cause investigated, so why not the universe itself?
3. The first cause doesn’t have to be God - Some scientists accept the Big Bang as the start of the universe.
- Catholic Response: Everything starts somewhere, and only an omnipotent God could be the absolute beginning.
9.7 The existence of suffering
Outline the 3 beliefs in God that lead to the ‘problem of evil’.
1. God is omnipotent - if God is omnipotent, surely he has the power to stop suffering.
2. God as omniscient - if God is omniscient, surely he is aware of the suffering.
3. God as omnibenevolent - If God is omnibenevolent, he would surely want to stop suffering.
4. David Hume said suffering is one of the weaknesses of the design argument.
- Calling it ‘the rock of atheism’.
- J.L. Mackie produced an inconsistent triad aswell. ( God is omnipotent, Evil Exists, God is omnibenevolent ).
9.7 The existence of suffering
Describe the features of;
A) Natural evil
B) Moral evil
A) Natural Evil
1. Evil from natural events that humans cannot control.
- Examples; natural disasters, illness, disease.
2. Seems like unjust punishment for victims.
3. Catholics may see them as a test of faith.
4. Opportunity to do good.
B) Moral evil
1. Evil from actions of humans
- Examples; murder, theft, assault, terroism.
2. Catholics believe humans have free will; suffering is the price people pay for freedom.
3. God gave humans a conscience and encourages them to act in the right way.
1. Isaiah 45 suggests that God will reward the good and punish rebels. So catholics believe there is a reason only God knows behing all suffering.
2. CCC 221 says ‘ God’s very being is love.’
3. CCC 268 teaches that ‘God rules everything and can do everything’
9.8 Solutions to the problem of suffering
Describe some Biblical responses to the existence of suffering.
1. Job
- God allows Job to be tested and tormented by Satan.
- Faith gave strength to those who are suffering
- It helps them understand suffering may be something not understood by humans.
2. Psalms
- 119 teaches Christians they can learn from previous suffering.
- God’s omnipotence ( 135 ), omniscience ( 147 ), and omnibenevolence ( 100 ) are also made clear.
3. New Testament
- A God who suffered through Jesus is revealed.
- Any problem of evil has Christ at the heart of the answer.
- There must by a higher purpose, incomprehensible to humans.
9.8 Solutions to the problem of suffering
Describe some Theoretical responses to the problem of suffering.
1. St Augustine
- Some Catholics do not believe that evil is a thing in itself, but an absence of God - just as darkness is absence of light.
- Evil exists due to the abuse of free will.
- Free will must be used to choose good, and the reward will be entry into heaven.
2. St Irenaeus
- It’s the best way for humans to develop and grow.
- People learn to make the correct moral choices.
- People are created in God’s image, but incomplete, so they must try to be like him.
3. Vale of soul making
- Claims that the evil and suffering involved in this life are not a problem because this life is prepartion for paradise.
- If people are to improve their souls, they need to face evil and suffering in order to become good.
Psalm 119 says that being afflicted by suffering leads to greater understanding of God
9.8 Solutions to the problem of suffering
Describe some Practical responses to the problem of suffering.
1. Prayer
- Suffering can be shared in prayer.
- Prayers of intercession are part of the mass.
- This can sometimes be the only meaningful response for the individual Catholic.
2. Charity
- Helping others is the same as helping Christ ( Parable of the Sheep and Goats - Matthew 25:31-46 )
- Those who help others in need will gain salvation.
10.1 Marriage
Describe the importance of Marriage to Catholics.
1. Bible teachings say marriage in not just a legal arrangement, but something established by God from the beginning of the world.
2. St Paul says marriage bears witness to the everlasting love for Christ for his Church.
- And loving God is the greatest commandement.
3. Marriage is a sacrament, meaning that performing marriage allows catholics to receive the grace of God.
4. To Catholics, marriage is the only way to have children, which is important as God told us in Genesis to “be fruitful and multiply”.
10.1 Marriage
Describe the purpose of marriage for Catholics.
- To allow a couple to have a life-long relationship of love, comapnionship and faithfulness.
- So that a couple can have the support and comfort of eachother and enjoy sex with eachother, which is what God intended
- For the procreation of children.
- So that children can be brought up in a Christian family and become members of the Church
Mark’s Gospel, Jesus said “Marriage was created by God at the beginning of the world”
10.1 Marriage
Describe different Catholic teachings about marriage.
1. Catholics believe marriage is a gift from God with these main elements.
- Unites a couple in faithful and mutual love.
- Opens a couple to the giving of new life.
- A way to respond to God’s call to holiness.
- Calls the couple to be a sign of Christ’s love in the world.
2. Vows are the sacrament & the couple enters into a covenant. The legal contract can be ended, but the covenant cannot.
3. The sacrament of marriage can only be between a man and woman. Based upon Genesis 2:24, which shows that man and woman were created for eachother.
4. Pope Frances wrote a book called Not Just Good, But Beautiful after a conference in 2014. It celebrates the benefits of marriage.
- 1. The union of a man and woman in marriage is good for both individuals and society
- 2. The family is the pillar which holds society together.
- 3. ‘Children have a right to grow up in a family with a father & mother’.
10.1 Marriage
Describe different views on Marriage.
Non-religious attitudes;
- All Humanists and many atheists believe that it is up to indivduals whether they marry or cohabit.
- They do believe relationships should be exclusive
- Many do marry because it gives more stability and legal protection, especially if children are involved
- Most couples now have sex before marriage and it can be between ppl of the same sex.
10.1 Marriage
Describe some features of Marriage in society.
1. A legal marriage establishes rights and obligations between the couple and children.
2. Other Christians may consider marriage a religious ceremony, but may not see it as a sacrament.
3. Humanists campaign for Humanist weddings to be recongnised as legal. ( Currently they must also have a civil ceremony ).
4. Civil marriages are considered important events by many as they make a public declaration of 2 peoples love and commitment.
3.2 Sexual relationships
Describe why Catholics believe:
A) Sex is important
B) Sexual relations outside of marriage is wrong.
A) Catholic Church teaches that:
- Sex is a gift from God that is ment to be enjoyed by married couples (unitive sex)
- Sex was given by God so that children could be brought into the world.
B) They believes this is wrong as;
- The Bible says sex outside marriage is sinful
- The Catechism teaches pre-martial sex is wrong - God intended sex to be restricited to marriage.
- Adultery breaks the wedding vows to be faithful to one another
- Adultery is prohibited in one of the 10 commandments & is condemned by Jesus in the Gospels.
3.2 Sexual relationships
Describe some Atheist and Humanist attitudes to sexual relationships.
1. Humanists & non-religious people accept sex before marriage and cohabitation because they think that sexual relationships should be up to people involved.
- They think that sex should be consensual, be between people of age & no cheating.
2. They also see no problem with same-sex relations, regarding people’s sexuality as their own concern unless it inferferes with other’s human right’s.
3.2 Sexual relationships
Describe some Catholic responses to non-religious attitudes.
1. The Church teaches that it is sinful to harass or attack gay people because;
- People cannot help their sexual orientation
- The Bible teaches that everyone should be respected because they are made in the image of God.
2. The Catholic Church’s official response is to condemn non-religious views and insist that gay Christians should refrain from sex and that same-sex marriages shouldn’t be legal.
- This has been confirmed by Pope Francis in his Apostolic Exhortation, ‘The Joy of Love’, in April 2016.
3.4 Support for the family in the local parish
Explain how the parish tries to help families.
1. Most parishes have a local church primary and secondary school connected to them providing Christian education & worship along with standard education.
- This education teaches children about christian faith and choosing right from wrong, helping parents to fulfil their marriage promise to bring up children as Christians
2. Many churches are including new forms of family worship to help unit the family.
3. Parishes also help families through rites of passage, prists give advice to parents before baptism and run classes to prepare children for First communion.
4. Most parish clergy spend time remining parents of the importance of the family & marriage vows.
5. Parishes provide contact with family help services run by the church like: Catholic Marriage Care, Notional Catholic Child Welfare Council.
3.4 Support for the family in the local parish
Explain some reasons why parishes help families.
- Because they have a duty to help children who has been baptised in the Church.
- The Church teaches that one of the main purposes of Christian marriage is to have children & raise them to love God, so it’s the parishes responsibility to assist families.
- Catholics believe the family is the most important part of society and that without family society would collapse, so the parish has a social & sacred duty in helping faimilies.
- If the parish does not help the family, then Christianity will not grow and Church will fail the task God gave them.
3.4 Support for the family in the local parish
Explain why support from the Church is important for Catholic families.
- Raising children as Catholics means taking them to church regularly and that requires the church to be helpful to children.
- Teaching children about Catholic Christianity requires knowledge and expertise in the faith that parents are not likely to have, so church schools and parish activies are vital.
- Taking part in the sacraments is essential and that requires the help of the Church
- Knowing the local parish is praying for families brings them God’s strength.
10.3 The family
Outline the different types of families.
1. Nuclear family: 2 parents and their children ( basic unit for a family )
2. Blended family: A couple where one or both has children form previous relationships.
3. Extended family: including grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. living together.
4. Single Parent family: families with one parent.
5. Same-sex parents: families where the parents are the same sex.
3.3 The Family
Outline the duties Catholic parents have.
- Ensure that the physical needs and material needs of the children are met
- Instil moral values into their children so that they become good, resposible citzens
- Bring up the children in the Catholic faith and do their best ot ensure that the children become Catholic Christian adults.
3.3 The Family
Describe some non-religious ideas about the family.
- The family is very important to people regardless of religion
- Falling in love and having a family is the goal in life for non-religious people who think families should bring up children safely and securely.
- They also want to pass on moral values to the children so they become good responsible citizens.
- And also to provide emotional and financial support throughout their lives.
10.3 The family
Describe why family life is important for Catholics
- One of the main purposes of Catholic Christian marriage is to have children and bring them up in a secure and loving Christian environment
- The Church teaches that the family was created by God as the basic unit of society.
- The family is the place where children learn the difference between right and wrong so that without family there would be much more evil in the world.
- The family is the place where children are introduced to the faith and so it is very important if the Church is to continue to grow.
10.3 The family
Describe some Catholic beliefs about the family.
- Created by God
- Described as the basic unit of society
- The place where children are brought up in a secure and educational enviroment.
- Learn right from wrong - basic morals
- Experience the Catholic faith - learn how to pray
- The family is often called the ‘domestic church’ and where children learn the love of God. ( Pope John Paul )
3.5 Contraception
Explain why Catholics are agaisnt aritifical contraception methods.
1. Pope Paul VI’s encyclical Humanae Vitae declared that the only allowable forms of contraception for Catholics are natural.
2. Artifical methods of birth control separate the unitive and procreative aspects of sex, which the Catechism says is not what God intended.
3. Some contraceptoves ( IUD ) have abortifacient effects and so are agaisnt the teachings of the Church
4. The Catholic Church regards contraceptions as a major cause of sexual promiscuity, broken families, the rise in the divorce rate & sexually transmitted dieases.
3.5 Contraception
Describe some Non-Catholic Christian views on contraception.
A) Almost all believe that all forms of contraception are allowable as;
- Christianity is about love and justice, and contraception improves women’s health and raises the standard of living for children as families are smaller.
- God creates sex for enjoyment and to cement the bonds of marriage and it is not wrong the separate this from making children.
- There is nothing in the Bible that forbids the use of contraception.
3.5 Contraception
Describe some Non-religious attitudes to contraception
1. Humanists and atheists are in favour of all forms of contraception as they use ethical theories such as Situation Ethics to argue contraception is a good thing because of its effects which;
- Improve women’s health and well-being
- Raise children’s standards of living by preventing unwated babies.
- Reduce the need for unsafe abortions.
- Reduce the number of babies born with HIV.
- Provide protection agaisnt STDs.
10.6 Divorce, Annulment, & Remarriage
Define the following terms;
A) Divorce
B) Annulment
C) Remarriage
A) Ending of a legal marriage by a court of law.
- You cannot get remarried in a catholic church, other christians allow it.
B) A declaration that the marriage was never valid - they are rare.
- You can get remarried in the Catholic Church as long as a legal divorce is also obtained
C) One or both people getting married have already been married.
- Catholic Church states a marriage only ends when one of the partner dies.
10.6 Divorce, Annulment, & Remarriage
Outline the 5 UK legal grounds for divorce.
1. Adultery
2. Unreasonable Behaviour
3. Desertion
4. Separation of 2 years - with consent
5. Separation of 5 years - no consent
3.6 Divorce and remarriage
Outline Catholic beliefs about Divorce
1. The Catholic Church allows for civil divorce/legal separation if it ensures safety of the child, but doesn’t allow remarriage as:
- Jesus taught that divorce is wrong and that marriage is for life
- The couple have made a covenant with God in the sacrament of marriage which cannot be broken by earthly power.
- The Catchism teaches that a marriage cannot be dissolved so religious divorce is impossible.
3.6 Divorce and remarriage
Outline Catholic beliefs about Annulment
1. The Church allows for Annulments for reasons such as:
- The marriage was never consummated
- The marriage was not a true Christian marriage because one of the partners was not baptised.
- One of the spouses concealed important things, such as being infertile.
3.6 Divorce and remarriage
Outline:
A) Non-Catholic
B) Non-Religious
views on divorce and marriage.
A) Most non-Catholic Churchs think that divorce is wrong, but allow it if the marriage has broken down because:
- Jesus allowed divorce in Matthew 19:9 for a partner’s adultery
- Christians are allowed forgiveness and a new chance, so a couple should have another chance
- It is the teaching of these Churches that it is better to divorce than live in hatred and quarrel all the time.
B) Atheists and Humanists believe all couples can divorce if the marriage has failed.
- Divorce should make sure that the spouses are treated equally.
Jesus said in Mark 10: If someone divorces and then remarries, he or she is committing adultery.
3.7 Equality of men and women in the family
Describe some Catholic teachings when it comes to Equality
- The Catholic Church teaches that men and women have equal status in the sight of God
- They also teach that men and women have different qualities, since woman are the ones with biological capapcity to birth children
- A third thing is that woman are the ones with the carring capacity, so are crucial in family life.
3.7 Equality of men and women in the family
What did Pope Francis say in terms of Equality of men & woman
Pope Francis said;
- Woman have an irreplaceable role within the family, particularly in handing down to future generations ‘solid moral principles’ and the Christian faith.
- But they should also have the right to equal roles with men in the world of work and policitics.
- The Pope also said “The critical questions for each woman is to discern the right balance of work, community and family’
3.7 Equality of men and women in the family
Describe what Evangelical Protestans say about Equality.
- They teach that is is the role of women to bring up children and run a Christian home.
- Women should not speak in church & must submit to their husbands.
- It is the role of men to provide for the family & lead the family in religion
- Based on St Paul’s teaching in Timothy that women should not teach or speak in church.
- Genesis 2: States that Adam was created first & all of Jesus disciples were men.
3.7 Equality of men and women in the family
Describe what Liberal Protestants say about Equality.
- They believe that men and women are equal and should have equal roles.
- This is based on the teachings of Genesis 1 that male and female were created at the same time & equally.
- Also the teachings of St Paul in Galatian that in Christ there is neither male nor female
- Also the evidence from the Gospels that Jesus treated women as his equals.
3.7 Equality of men and women in the family
Describe some Non-religious attitudes to Equality.
- Atheists would tend to have the same attitudes to equal roles as the general non-religious population.
- This is the belief that men & women are equal and should have equal roles in the family.
- Humanists base their beliefs on science and reason, so most Humanists would say they are equalists.
- Many of the suffragettes and early feminists were Humanists.
Equalists - They believe that men and women are equal and should have equal rights and therefore equal roles in family.
3.8 Gender prejudice and discrimination
Describe 3 reasons why the Catholic Church opposes gender prejudice & discrimination.
1. Genesis 1 teaches that God created both men and women in the image of God
2. St Paul taught in Galatians that ment and women are equal in Christ.
3. The Catechism teaches that men and women are equal and should have equal rights in life & society.
3.8 Gender prejudice and discrimination
Describe what Vatican II led to in terms of equality for women
- Women were able to study and teach in theological colleges
- Women were able to become extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion
- Women were able to read the Bible readings at Mass
- Women were able to take funerals in certian circumstances.
3.8 Gender prejudice and discrimination
Describe was the work of Mary Robinson was able to achieve.
- Irish women could now serve on juries
- Divorce became legalised in ireland
- Contraceptions were legalised in Ireland
- Homosexuality was legalised in Ireland.
3.8 Gender prejudice and discrimination
Describe some Other Christian views on gender prejudice
1. Evangelical Protestants
- They teach that men and women have different & separate roles so cannot have equal rights.
- They believe that women should not speak in church, should not teach and should submit to their husbands.
- This is because it is what God ordained in the Bible.
2. Liberal Protestants
- They are opposed to gender prejudice and discrimination and so have women ministers etc.
- This is because St Paul said there is neither male nor female, the Gospels showed jesus treated women as his equals.
- There is some evidence that there were women priests in early church.
3.8 Gender prejudice and discrimination
Describe some Non-religious attitues to gender prejudice.
( Include Church reponses )
- Most atheists and all Humanists believe that men and women are equal.
- Humanists believe that it is wrong for religion to be able to discriminate agaisnt women and that it should be made illegal.
Catholic Church reponses ( to being accused of gender discrimination )
- Having men-only priests is not discriminatory because the priests stands in the place of Jesus during Mass and Jesus was a man.
- Men and women are equal but their sexuality is not interchangeable - people’s gender is not an accident
- Jesus chose 12 men and no women to be his apostles.
