Religion And Life

Question 1

Beliefs about the creation of the universe

Answer 1

Christians believe there is an beginning and that it needs an explanation.

Most Christians believe God created the universe out of nothing.

A small number of Christians (process theologians) believe God moulded existing stuff/matter.

Christians believe God is the creator. Down the centuries, theologians have devised instruments to support this. For example, in the 13th century, Thomas Aquinas explained the Cosmological Argument. Everything had a cause but there has to be a first uncaused cause. Or in the 18th century, William Paley explained the Design Argument. The universe shows evidence of design, there is evidence of regularity (e.g. tides) and purpose (e.g. the fins of a fish) - these show a mind is behind creation.

Many Christians use the book of Genesis to explain how God created everything. - ‘In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth’

Question 2

The actual creation of the universe - what did God do?

Answer 2

Day 1: God said ‘Let there be light.’ He called the ‘light’ day and the darkness night.

Day 2: God made the sky

Day 3: God formed the seas and the land, covering the land with vegetation and plants

Day 4: Go’s created the lights in the sky - the sun, moon and stars

Day 5: God made fish and other animals in the sea, and birds in the air

Day 6: God finished by creating all of the animals on land and by making humans. He made humans in his own image

Day 7: God rested on the seventh day and made it holy. He was very pleased with his creation because it was good.

Question 3

Does the Genesis story of the creation of the universe really happen? What do people believe actually happened?

Answer 3

Some Christians believe that the creation stories describe exactly how the universe was created. Fundamentalists believe that every word in the Bible has been inspired by God and is therefore correct.

Some believe that everything was created in six days, but others intérêt ‘day’ as representing a longer period of time. It could, for example, mean twelve hours of daylight, or a long indefinite period of time.

However, liberals regard these accounts as more like parables or symbolic accounts where the main message is that God brought into being the universe. These Christians might look into science to help them understand how God did this.

Question 4

Beliefs about the Big Bang Theory

Answer 4

The Big Bang Theory suggests that the universe started with a small, hot and dense something which expanded over the next 13.8 billion years.

Question 5

Christian beliefs about the value of the world

Answer 5

Christians believe God has made it all: ‘In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth”

We have been given the earth as a priceless gift by the grace of God.

The world must be connected in some way to God, its creator. There is something of God revealed through nature. Thomas Aquinas once gave the example of a bull and it’s urine. The two are separate but they are connected as the bull makes the urine, it demonstrates something of the health and well-being of the bull. So too, we can find God in the beauty of nature - because God has made all of what we see.

Christians believe God has intentionally created everything with a purpose. We are here because God made all the factors necessary for creation be exactly in place.

God has a purpose for us too. In the book of Psalms,the writer wonders what this purpose might be: ‘What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?’

Question 6

Definition of Stewardship

Answer 6

The idea that believers have a duty to look after the environment on behalf of God.

Question 7

Beliefs about stewardship

Answer 7

Christians believe that God has given humans the privilege of living on Earth but with the responsibility of looking after it. There is only one Earth and cannot be replaced.

Adam, the first man as given the task of looking after the Garden of Eden. Christians believe that people have been appointed by God to respect and manage the world. In return, we are able to use what is provided for our survival.

Many Christians believe they will be accountable to God concerning how well they look after Earth - “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Genesis 2

Question 8

Dominion definition

Answer 8

Power over something

Question 9

Beliefs about dominion

Answer 9

In order to manage the Earth, Christians teach that humans were given the power and authority to rule over the world.

“God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in numbers; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’”

Question 10

Pollution definition

Answer 10

Making something contaminated and dirty, especially the environment

Question 11

Different forms of pollution

Answer 11

Air pollution - caused mainly by fumes from factories and vehicles. Long term, it can lead to asthma attacks, lung cancer and other diseases. It also causes global warming, climate change and acid rain.

Land pollution - caused by the disposal of waste. When chemicals enter the earth, this can poison wildlife, make farming less efficient and result in contaminated food.

Water pollution - caused by dumping waste into the sea. It can have an effect on marine life.

Pollution puts the health of humans, animals and plants at risk.

Pope Francis says human life is grounded in our relationship with God, with our neighbours and the created world.

Question 12

What do Christians believe about pollution?

Answer 12

“The Earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” - Psalm

“Every human act of irresponsibility towards creatures is an abomination” Christian statement in the Assisi Declarations on Nature

Christians believe the world is on loan to humans who have been given the responsibility by God to look after it.

The parables of the talents/bags of gold warns that When God returns he will judge how responsible people have been.

Polluting the world is not good stewardship, as God’s creation is being abused.

Pollution also harms people, so it is not ‘loving one’s neighbour’ or considering future generations. They therefore believe they must help to protect the natural world from being harmed by pollution.

Question 13

The use and abuse of the environment

Answer 13

The Genesis 1 creation story repeats several times ‘and God saw that it was good.’ This indicates that creation does not exist just for what humans can get out of it, but has its own unique value in God’s eyes. God gave permission for people to rule over his creation in a way that sustains and protects the environment.

Natural resources have been provided for people to use but not abuse or future generations will suffer. As the world’s population increases, demand for natural resources is getting greater so it is becoming increasingly important to encourage sustainable development. Non-renewable resources are running out and new methods of obtaining gas for energy (such as fracking) are causing a lot of controversy.

Question 14

Use of resources

Answer 14

Engineers report that we have enough oil left for about 40 years at the current rate. Once used, it is gone forever.

The problem of deforestation is also important. Forests are being cut cod now fast to make the land available for other uses or to provide timber

Question 15

Renewable energy sources

Answer 15

Scientists are developing alternatives to fossil fuels that allow us to generate electricity through wind, wave power and the sun. However, wind turbines only generate power when the wind blows and some people believe that they spoil the landscape. Wave power needs more research and is currently very expensive and solar power is only generated if the climatic conditions are right. While renewable energy sources can theoretically give us unlimited energy, in practice there are currently a number of problems with them, which is why conserving energy is so important to Christians and non-Christians.

Question 16

How can Christians help the environment?

Answer 16

Walking, cycling or using public transport instead of the car

Selecting products that don’t have a lot of packaging

Turning off lights that are not being used

Reusing bags when shopping

Donating second hand clothes, toys and furniture to charity shops

Recycling waste

Question 17

The Assisi and Ohito meetings

Answer 17

Leaders from five different world religions were brought together in 1986 by the World Wildlife Fund, to celebrate its 25th anniversary. They met in Assisi (Italy) to discuss how their faiths could and should help to care for the environment. Another meeting in Ohito (Japan) in 1995 brought together religious leaders and environmental scientists.

At these meetings, Christians said that being in charge of creation does not give people the right to abuse, spoil waste or destroy what God has made, as humans are only the tenants of God’s world.

Question 18

Quotes of the use and abuse of the environment

Answer 18

“The dominion granted to man by the Creator is not an absolute power. “ - Pope John Paul (1995)

“If Christians believe in Jesus they must recognise that concern for climate change is not an optional extra but a core matter of faith” - Anglicans

The Evangelican Churches made this statement (it supports environmental problems but states poverty must be addressed first) - “We recognise that poverty forces people to degrade creation in order to survive, therefore, we support the development of just and free economies which empower the poor.”

Question 19

The use and abuse of animals

Answer 19

Christians believe that animals were created by God for humans to use and care for. Many believe God values animals but that humans are more important because they were created in the image of God and gave souls.

There are a variety of views today:
Some people think animals do have souls, although Christianity has not traditionally acknowledged this. Animals can have souls and yet not be equal spiritually to humans, whilst others think, animals and humans do have equal value despite the Genesis: ‘God made man in his image.’

The Bible teaches that animals are to be treated equally: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treating out the grain” “The righteous care for the needs of their animals.”

Question 20

How we make use of animals?

Answer 20

Transport
Sport
Pets
Clothing
Entertainment (circus, horse racing, zoos)
Experiments on for drugs and general products
Food
Safety

Question 21

Animal experimentation

Answer 21

Scientists test new products on animals to check that they are safe for humans to use (e.g. Medicine and cosmetics). Normally if it is safe to use with chimpanzees, dogs or rabbits, it is likely to be safe for humans.

For example, Ryan Wilson in 2006 was a volunteer in a drugs trial. The drug had already been tested on an animal and there were no effects. But Ryan reacted so badly, he was in a coma for two weeks, lost all his toes and the top of some of his fingers

Testing cosmetics on animals was banned in the UK in 1998 and most Christians support this. Other type of animal testing have been reduced as scientists have developed other methods such as using computers or cell culture. Most animal experiments are on mice or rats. Nowadays, Christians generally support limited animal testing. They believe all human life is sacred and should be treated with respect , using animals to develop new drugs may save lives.

In contrast, Hinduism teaches that all living creatures have souls and all deserve to be protected. It has to be balanced with the belief that some animals might contain a soul from our ancestors. Many humans believe cows are sacred animals and so no experiments are permitted on a cow.

Question 22

Should Christians eat meat?

Answer 22

According to Romans 14:2-3, Christians have the choice to be meat-eaters, vegetarians or vegans. They should also be sensitive to the beliefs of others about what they wish to eat.
“The one who eats everything [meat] must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must it judge the one who does, for God has accepted them.”

Most Christians eat meat, as do around 90% of people in the UK.

Question 23

The origins of human life

Answer 23

Genesis 1 states that God created humankind in his image: “So God created mankind in his own image, he created them male and female.”

Genesis 2 describes how God breathed life into Adam and how Eve was created as his companion.

The Bible is the Christian holy book. The issue arises do Christians have to regard the Bible as literally true?:

1. Literalists - believe it is the absolute word of God. Genesis describes how God created all the species of each kind including humans. There is no reference to creatures changing or evolving.
2. Conservatives - believe God has created us all but that the Bible may need interpretation in relation to modern scientific thought.
3. Liberals - believe God has initiated creation but that the process is 12.8 Ben years so far and that Genesis is a poetic expression of this.

Question 24

What does science say about the origins of human life

Answer 24

Charles Darwin in his book explained the theory of evolution. According to the theory of evolution, humans evolved over millions of years from other animals on land. Scientists have discovered bones from several different extinct species, which they claim are possible ancestors of the human race. Humans are thought to have started evolving about 2.5 million years ago

Question 25

What do Christians believe about the origins of human life?

Answer 25

Generally, most atheists accept the theory of evolution because they think it best explains how life has developed on earth.

Fundamentalist Christians believe that the origin of human life was exactly as recorded in Genesis, with Gods creating each species separately.

Some Christians believe in God as the creator but also accept the theory of evolution. They believe the Bible is concerned with ‘why’ it happened while scientists are concerned with ‘how’ it happened.

Some Christians say it happened because God designed and created the beginnings of life and set everything in motion to develop over the course of history. They believe that evolution is the way God designed life to advance and evolve.

Question 26

Abortion

Answer 26

Abortion is the removal of a foetus from the womb to end a pregnancy before the child is born. This happens naturally when a woman has a miscarriage, but abortion usually refers to the deliberate termination of a pregnancy through a medical procedure.

Before 1967, abortion was illegal in the UK. Under the 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, abortion is currently allowed up to the 24th week in a licensed clinic if two doctors agree that one of the following conditions apply:

1. The woman’s life is in danger if the pregnancy continues
2. There is a risk to the woman’s physical and mental health
3. There is a signifiant risk that the baby will be born with severe physical or mental disabilities.
4. An additional child may affect the physical or mental health of existing children in the family.

In 2018, in England and Wales, there were 205,295 abortions and about 4687 of them were non-residents (people who travel from other countries).

Question 27

Sanctity of life

Answer 27

All life is holy as it is created and loved by God - Christians believe human life should not be misused or abused.

Question 28

Quality of life

Answer 28

The general well being of a person, in relation to their health and happiness, also the theory that the value of life depends upon how good or how satisfying it is.

Question 29

Christians views on abortion

Answer 29

Christians believe in the sanctity of life and that humans are made in the image of God. Life is sacred, precious and a God given blessing. The Bible states that before birth, God has given each person a blessing in life:
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart”

The Catholic and many evangelical Christians believe that life starts at conception. Abortion is therefore wrong and should not happen, except to save the woman’s life. This is also the belief of Hinduism.

Other Christian denominations oppose abortion but believe that it is acceptable in some circumstances, for example, if the pregnancy is the result of rape or if the child would be severely disabled.

The Church of England and Methodist churches say that sometimes it is ‘the lesser of two evils’ and the kindest thing to do, for example, if the quality of life of the baby looks as though it will be extremely poor.

“It does not matter whether you take a life that is born, or destroy one that is coming to the birth. In both instances, destruction is murder”

In some countries, in South and East Asia, where there is a preference for sons, there is practice known as sex selective abortion. Although this practice may occur among religious communities, it is important to know that is it a cultural and not a religious practice and authorities in Sikhism, Hinduism and Islam officially condemn it.

Question 30

Arguments for and against abortion

Answer 30

For:
Pro choice groups, such as Abortion Rights, agree with legalised abortion because they argue that the woman’s life comes first. She carries the baby, goes through the childbirth and looks after the child and so should have the right to choose whether she continues the pregnancy. Her life is affected and if there is a danger that she might be harmed mentally or physically, then an abortion should be allowed.

Pro choice groups believe that human life does not really start until birth, so the mothers life is more valuable. They believe it is cruel to bring a severely physically or mentally disabled child into the world

Against:
Pro life groups, such as the Society for the Protection of the Unborn Child, argue that life begins at conception because all the DNA is present to create a unique individual, so abortion is a form of murder and therefore wrong. The unborn child needs to be protected as stated in the UN Declaration of the Right of the Child.

Pro life groups believe that disabled people can enjoy a good quality of life and that unwanted children could be adopted by those who are unable to have children of their own. They remind people that often those who have an apportion suffer depression and guilt as a result.

Question 31

Euthanasia definition

Answer 31

The painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma.

Question 32

Types and forms of euthanasia

Answer 32

Types of euthanasia:
Voluntary euthanasia is when a person asks a doctor to end their life as they do not wish to live anymore. This is their own choice.

Non-voluntary euthanasia is when the person is too ill to request to die, for example, because they are in a coma, but a doctor will end their life for them because it is thought to do so would be in the best interests of the person.

Involuntary euthanasia is when the person is able to provide consent but does not, either because they do not want toor because they are not asked, but their life is ended anyway

Forms:
Active euthanasia is when active steps are taken to end someone’s life, for example, by giving them a lethal injection

Passive euthanasia is when doctors stop providing treatment or do something that it intended to quicken the natural process of dying. For example, when a person is not resuscitated after a heart attack.

All forms of euthanasia are currently illegal in the UK and related as murder or manslaughter.

Question 33

Tony Bland - Euthanasia in the Uk

Answer 33

However, a medical decision may be made to withhold treatment if it considered to be in patient’s best interest. In Britain, such action would not be considered euthanasia. The case of Tony Blandis an example of this:

At 18 years old Tony Bland went to see Liverpool play at a football stadium. Overcrowding and a rush of fans into the stadium led to a crush that resulted in 94 deaths. Tony’s ribs were crushed and his lungs were punctured. It interrupted the supply of oxygen to his brain and resulted in irreversible damage. Although, there was no hope of recovery he was kept alive with food and fluids that were fed through tubes. The hospital and his parents petitioned the court for permission to allow him to die. The consent was obtained and doctors withdrew the food and fluids that were keeping him alive. This was the first time in the UK that this action was legally permitted. The law did not recognise this as passive euthanasia.

Question 34

Christians beliefs about Euthanasia

Answer 34

Many Christians believe that taking a life is interfering with God’s plan. They think it is comparable to murder and open to abuse. For example, if euthanasia was legalised, it could potentially lead to those who are feeling pressure to ask for euthanasia in order not to burden their families. Most Christians believe that euthanasia is against the sanctity of life, and only God has the right to take life away at a chosen time.
“You shall not murder”

Modern drugs and hospice care provide the dying with a chance to end their lives with dignity and without pain. Where suffering is unavoidable, some Christians say that this can bring people nearer to God and can help them to understand the suffering of Jesus.
“All people deserve compassion and care in their suffering and dying. Euthanasia and assisted suicide should not, however, be considered acceptable responses. They undermine human dignity and are morally wrong.”

Some Christians do support euthanasia and believe that the drugs that are used to end a suffering person’s life are God-given, and should be used if it is the most loving thing to do. They believe that God has given people free will they should be able to choose when to end their lives. This contrasts with the belief of Islam, which strictly forbid euthanasia in any form.

Question 35

Beliefs about ‘Is death the end?’

Answer 35

Generally atheists believe that at death one ceases to exist. They do not believe there is an afterlife and do not believe that people has souls.

Christians believe that death is not the end and that God judges whether a person will spend eternity in heaven or in hell. The Catholic Church believe in purgatory, where souls undergo purification in order to achieve the holiness necessary to approach God and enter heaven. Some Christians believe in immediate judgement on death and the transition to heaven or hell. Other believe that tenge will wait until the Day of Judgement and the return of Jesus. Some Christians believe that they will be in heaven and in their physical bodies, but other believe that it is their souls that live on for eternity.
Christians use the resurrection of Jesus as evidence of an afterlife. The Apostle’s Creed reads, ‘I believe in the resurrection of the body.’

Question 36

Beliefs about what heaven is like

Answer 36

Christians believe that heaven is wonderful and is where God resides. Revelation 21:4 says that God will ‘wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’

Question 37

Beliefs about what hell is like

Answer 37

The Bible says that hell was originally designed for Satan and his demons: ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’ It is also described as a place of punishment for the unrighteous: ‘throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. It is also described as a place of torment: ‘the smoke of their torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night.’

There are different Christian interpretations of these descriptions. Some take them as literally true. Many think they symbolise the frustration of not being able to be in the presence of God. Hell is portrayed as something to be avoided.

Question 38

Eternity of heaven

Answer 38

Christianity teaches that seeking an eternity in heaven is more important than any other ambition: ‘What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?’ Christians believe that God is holy, and the relationship between himself and his people is broken by sin. To overcome this, God sent Jesus to die on a cross to conquer sin and death.

The price for salvation was paid by Jesus’ death, so that those who put their faith and trust in him must be forgiven and have eternal life in heaven. Christians believe that heaven is not gained simply by being a good person, but is a free gift to those who believe and put their trust in Jesus. Many Christians believe that following Jesus still means living a life of doing good and avoiding sin but salvation does not have to be earned

Question 39

Ian McCormack - death and afterlife

Answer 39

Ian McCormack went on a world trip in 1980. In Mauritius he went diving and was stingy by a deadly jellyfish. Although the hadn’t believed in God, he had been taught the Lord’s Prayer by his mother and in desperation ie prayed it as he was taken to hospital. Doctors could not save him and he was declared dead and put in the morgue. He claims that he woke up in hell and was terrified at what he saw but then God lifted him up to heaven. There Jesus gave him the choice of either entering heaven or returning to tell others there is an afterlife. He chose to return and woke up in the morgue. He has become a Christian preacher travelling the world to tell people his story.