Religion and life Flashcards
What is the Big Bang
A massive explosion in space which set in motion the creation of the universe
What is the evidence for the Big Bang
Galaxies are moving away
What is the creation story and where is it found
Genesis
God created the universe in 6 days and rested on the 7th
What do fundamentalist think about the creation story
Believe the story to be 100% true
What do liberalists think about the creation story
Creation story is not literal but symbolic with the main message that God created the Earth
What do Buddhists think of creation
The universe is cyclical there is no beginning or end
Explain the poison arrow story and how it works with creationism
It is more important that the man hit by the arrow gets treatment instead of worrying where the arrow came from
So Buddhists should try to understand and treat suffering instead of wondering how it begun and how the Earth started
Define awe
Feeling of debout respect mixed with fear and wonder
Define wonder
Marvelling at complexity and beauty of the universe
Explain stewardship with a quote
Christians have the duty to look after the environment on behalf of God
‘Work it and take care of it’
Explain dominion with a quote
God gave humans power and authority the world so some think they can do whatever they like with it
‘Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky’
What are 3 reasons why Buddhists avoid damage to the environment
Dependant arising - all life is interconnected and relies on eachother
Damage will cause suffering
1st moral precept teaches to avoid causing harm or ahimsa - non violence to all living things
Define pollution
Making something dirty and contaminated
Name the 3 main types of pollution
Air
Land
Water
Why should Christians help reduce pollution
World is on loan to humans by God
‘The Earth is the Lords and everything in it’
What did Pope Francis do to show how important reducing pollution is
He called on everyone to protect the environment in an open letter
How do Tibetan Buddhists protect the environment
The Holy Isle Project
Have planted 35000 trees
Set up animal sanctuaries
Reduced sewage entering the sea
What do Buddhists think about animal experimentation
Ahimsa - non violence to all living things
What do some Christians think about eating meat with a quote
God gave them animals for food
‘Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you’
Why are most Buddhists vegetarian or vegan with quote
Eating meat does not show compassion and creates an atmosphere of fear
‘One should not kill or cause to kill’ - Buddha
Definition of evolution
How living organisms have evolved from early life forms
What are the Christian beliefs of the origins of life
God created Adam from dust and using one of his ribs created Eve
In Genesis
What do Buddhists believe about the origin of life
Buddha said anything can come into existence when the condition are right so it does not rely on a creator
Not possible to determine a beginning or and end - dependant arising
What is abortion
The deliberate removal of a foetus from the womb in order to end a pregnancy
Is abortion legal in UK
Yes but only if doctors agree it meets certain criteria
What do Christians think of abortion
Sanctity of life - human life is holy and created by God so only he can take it away
Life begins at contraception so abortion would be murder - one of 10 commandments ‘do not kill’
Could be lesser of two evils if child is conceived by rape
What do Buddhists think of abortion
Form of killing - 1st moral precept ‘refrain from taking life’
Ahimsa - non violence
Unskillful action so will lead to bad karma
But could be right intention - eightfold path
Most compassionate and loving thing to do
What are arguments for pro life
Unborn child has same rights as humans
Baby could be adopted
Disabled children live fulfilling lives
Arguments for pro choice
Women’s right
Suffer with life threatening disability
Have no financial support
Could effects mothers health
Affect existing children
Euthanasia definition
A situation where someone helps another person to die by deliberately giving them life changing medicine
What is voluntary euthanasia
Ill person asks for their life to end
What is involuntary euthanasia
Person is capable of expressing choice but not given opportunity
What is non voluntary euthanasia
Person is too ill to ask to die eg coma so doctor makes decision
Is euthanasia legal in the uk
No
What is passive euthanasia
Doctors withdraw medical treatment keeping someone alive
Legal in uk
What are Christian views towards euthanasia
Interferes with God’s plan
Against sanctity of life
Suffering brings people closer to God
Salvation Army view it ‘undermines human dignity’
Can be most loving thing to do - lesser of 2 evils
God gave people free will
What are Buddhists views of euthanasia
Goes against first moral precept - refrain from taking life
Respect the right of the individual
Could be the most compassionate thing to do - karuna and metta
Dalai Lama - it should be avoided except in exceptional circumstances
What do Christians believe will happen to them after death
Judged by God and either go to heaven or hell
What do Catholics believe about after life
Purgatory
Where souls are purified to be allowed into heaven
What is the quote about heaven
‘Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’
What do Buddhists believe about afterlife
Reborn into another realm on the wheel of samsara
Skilful actions and good karma results in a better rebirth
Can only escape wheel of samsara when enlightened
