religion and life Flashcards
describe a case study for involuntary euthanasia:
EUTHANASIA
Dr Harold Shipman was sentenced for the involuntary euthanasia over over 200 mainly elderly people in the UK. he would overdose them, as he believed their quality of life was too low. he claimed that he was ‘putting them out of their misery’, and he believed he was helping the community.
what is the UK Government’s attitude to euthanasia?
EUTHANASIA
considered murder. but, there’s an exception.
what is the exception to the UK Government’s no euthanasia policy?
EUTHANASIA
- passive euthanasia/non-treatment decision, ‘pulling the plug’
- withdrawing artificial food and water isn’t considered murder. withdrawing medicine for those who will certainly die but ending their life in peace instead of suffering and pain is not murder.
what are some arguments for the legalisation of euthanasia?
EUTHANASIA
- medicine (e.g. oxygen tanks) keep people alive who would otherwise have died. however, if they have a low quality of life, it would be better for them to die.
-switching off life support machines has already led a form of euthanasia. the NHS cannot afford to keep everyone on life support: costs up to £30,000 a year to keep someone on life support. - letting people die sooner and before they get to an even worse state lets them die with dignity. their life could be embarrassing/humiliating for them.
- our life should be our own choice. we should have the freedom to decide what we want to do with it.
- prevents suicide attempts.
what are some arguments against the legalisation of euthanasia?
EUTHANASIA
- prevents bad relatives persuading or requesting euthanasia of a person to gain inheritance or so they don’t have to look after them anymore. don’t want to put them in a care home (expensive), as this lowers their inheritance.
- a cure might be founf soon after they die, which would have saved the person, so their life would have been wasted.
- it’s the job of a doctor to care for a patient and not give up on them.
- a person may have changed their mind but may feel unable to stop the process as they have already put the process into motion (decided a year ago, now feels uneasy/worried).
- how would we police who is ending life legally and who is just claiming they are?
what is the Catholic view against euthanasia?
EUTHANASIA
- life is valuable. suicide is an act of despair and a sin, so we shouldn’t assist them with ending it.
- it is murder and murder is a sin (ten commandments).
- it is up to God alone when we die. do not interfere with God’s omniscient plan.
- against the sanctity of life, only God has the right to take away life
- suffering brings people closer to God and helps them to understand Jesus’ suffering
finish the quote:
euthanasia and assisted suicide ‘undermine _________________ and are ______________’
‘undermine human dignity and are morally wrong’ - salvation army
what is the Catholic view in favour of euthanasia?
EUTHANASIA
- shortening someone’s life by giving them lots of painkiller is OK (caring for and helping the patient, which is good. Parable of the Sheep and the Goats). passive euthanasia is acceptable.
- if someone is brain dead then they have had their life ended by God, so life support can be switched off and it’s not a sin. God has already killed the person, so we’re simply ‘playing God’ by keeping them alive.
- God gave people free will, so we should be able to choose when to end our life
what is the Liberal view against euthanasia?
EUTHANASIA
- switching off life support is ending someone’s life deliberately, therefore passive euthanasia is still bad and wrong.
- believe in the sanctity of life, God gave it, so only he should be able to take it away. to take a life is an attempt to equal yourself with God.
what is the Liberal view in favour of euthanasia?
EUTHANASIA
- modern medicine means that we no longer can be sure what God’s plan is. developing medicine to provide euthanasia may have been in God’s plan.
- Jesus teaches us to do the most loving thing for our neighbour. it may be more loving to help them end their life than to make them live through their suffering.
what are the Buddhist attitudes against euthanasia?
EUTHANASIA
- Buddhists believe in ‘ahimsa’ (non-violence)
- speeding up death harms the body (breaking the 5 moral precepts)
- active euthanasia doesn’t relieve dukkha in the long-term
- meditation may help to ease the pain, instead of ending it all
- a natural death (eased by painkillers and meditation) may be better for a person’s karma
- the Dalai Lama has commented that euthanasia should be avoided except in exceptional circumstances
what are the Buddhist attitudes for euthanasia?
EUTHANASIA
- many Buddhists would respect the right of the individual to do what they wish with their own life
- could be compassionate to help someone end their life if they’re suffering a lot
- the state of mind of the person at death is important, as it influences the rebirth. if a person is helped to die quickly and peacefully, this could benefit their future consciousness
- medical treatment that extends life may cause more pain
where is abortion most/least common in the UK, suggest why:
ABORTION
- most common in Newham, a borough of London. more socially accepting of abortion, cost of living is more here so people can’t afford to raise a child here
- least common in Ceredigion, in Wales
describe abortion in the UK:
ABORTION
- over half of all under-18 pregnancies end in abortion. the UK is the country in Europe with the most abortions.
- it was legalised in 1967 in the UK.
- under the 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, abortion was allowed in a licensed clinic up to 24 weeks, as long as 2 doctors agreed on one of the 4 reasons:
1. the woman’s life is in danger because of the pregnancy
2. risk to women’s physical and mental health
3. risk the baby will be born with severe mental/physical disabilities
4. additional child may be affected - if the mother’s life is at risk or if the foetus is severely deformed, there is no abortion time limit
what are some reasons in favour for abortion?
ABORTION
- the mother’s life is more important
- the mother has to carry the baby, give birth to it, bring it up. she has the right to choose whether to continue with the pregnancy
- life doesn’t start until birth (or from the point of when the foetus can survive outside of the room), so abortion doesn’t involve killing
- it’s cruel to allow a severely disabled child to be born
what are some reasons against abortion?
ABORTION
- life begins at conception, so abortion is a form of murder
- disabled children can also enjoy good quality of life, so they should be allowed to live
- unwanted children can be adopted into families that will care for them
- those who choose abortion can suffer from depression and guilt afterwards
what are some Christian views against abortion?
ABORTION
- ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart’. humans are made specially by God.
- Catholics and Evangelical Christians believe life starts at conception. they’re completely against abortion (taught in the CCC), no matter the circumstance. taking away life given by God
- the mother and foetus have equal rights to life. the foetus is also a human, so ending its life would be murder.
- many women suffer from trauma due to abortion. could do more harm than good.
- the baby could be adopted when born instead, and have a loving family.
- sanctity of life, all human life is sacred, as it’s made in the image of God. all human life should be valued and respected
for what reasons could a medic refuse to perform an abortion?
ABORTION
- life is Holy, therefore only God has the right to take life.
- abortion is murder, which goes against the 10 commandments.
what are some Christian views in favour of abortion?
ABORTION
- other denominations believe that in some circumstances, abortion is acceptable. (e.g. rape, baby having severe disability).
- ‘lesser of the two evils’. compare abortion, and rape which causes 9 months of mental health problems or even death. neither outcome is good, but one is slightly better.
- ‘love thy neighbour’. golden rule.
- in an attempt to save the mother from something like cancer, the death of the foetus must happen: ‘doctrine of the double effect’. (the side effect of something good).
- liberals recognise that as well as sanctity of life, quality of life also matters.
what are the Buddhist views against abortion?
ABORTION
- 1st moral precept: abstain from harming living things. unskilful to kill
- they see life, through reincarnation, as a continuous flow. abortion disrupts the chain of karma, and prevents the person from living out their karma.
what are the Buddhist views in favour of abortion?
ABORTION
- the 5 moral precepts are only guidelines, not rules. the Buddha encouraged Buddhists to apply teachings with sensitivity and flexibility. (my teachings are like a raft).
- Buddha never explicitly banned abortion, unlike Christians. it’s a personal choice
- favour abortion if the baby is likely to be born with a serious disability or have a poor quality of life
- views on abortion differ from country to country, depending on social norms and traditions
why do Christians believe that God is the creator of the Universe?
ORIGINS OF THE UNIVERSE
Christians believe that the universe was designed and made by God out of nothing
- it’s said in the Bible - the Creation Story (which is the word of God). says that God made the universe and all life in it in six days
- God is omnipotent and omniscient.
- only God exists outside of time and space.
- nothing can come from nothing, apart from God (he is the uncaused causer).
describe the Big Bang Theory:
ORIGINS OF THE UNIVERSE
- leading scientific theory for how the universe began
- suggests there was a massive expansion of space that set the creation of the universe in motion
- accepted by most Buddhists and Christians
what are the steps of the big bang?
ORIGINS OF THE UNIVERSE
- the universe started with a tiny, dense collection of mass
- a massive expansion of space took place and the condensed matter was flung in all directions
- as the universe expanded and cooled, the matter became stars grouped into galaxies
- the universe has continued to expand over billions of years to form the cosmos as we know it today
why might Christians still be accepting of the Big Bang Theory?
ORIGINS OF THE UNIVERSE
they believe God was the one to push those 2 particles together that reacted and caused the explosion, as he’s omniscient and omnipotent. the Bible also predicted the end of the world and Judgement Day, so they believe the implosion of the Universe supports this idea.
what analogy did the Buddha use that showed he didn’t think finding the origin of the Universe was important?
ORIGINS OF THE UNIVERSE
- man is hit by a poison arrow, and he would die if the doctor didn’t remove it quick enough. he refused the doctor’s help.
- wanted to know who shot the arrow, what bow they were using …
- before the man could find the answer to his questions, the poison took effect and he died.
Buddhists consider it more important to find a way out of suffering than to understand the origins of the Universe
what are the Buddhist beliefs about the origins of the Universe?
ORIGINS OF THE UNIVERSE
- neither support nor deny the Big Bang. they teach that all things are dependent on conditions (dependent arising) and are within the cycle of samsara.
- Buddhists believe the Universe has no beginning and no cause/creator
- cyclical vision of the universe - each universe is followed by another. no beginning/end to the process
- they can therefore accept the Big Bang Theory (current Universe is simply the replacement of the last one), as it doesn’t state that there was nothing before the Universe.
describe some facts about human evolution:
ORIGINS OF HUMAN LIFE
- a book called ‘On the Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection’ was put forward by Charles Darwin
- theory of evolution: as the Earth cooled, the conditions became right to support life
- higher forms of life have gradually developed/evolved from lower ones
- creatures were able to change/adapt into their environment and thrive. this is called the survival of the fittest
what are the stages of human evolution?
ORIGINS OF HUMAN LIFE
- life started with single-celled creatures in the sea
- over a long period of time, they evolved into creatures capable of living on land
- humans started evolving around 2.5 million years ago
- they developed into humans with the same anatomy as us about 200,000 years ago
what is the quote that says God created humans?
ORIGINS OF THE UNIVERSE
‘So God created mankind in his own image … male and female he created them.’
- Christians believe we are made in the image of God, and have some of his qualities (i.e. some are powerful, some are loving, intelligent, just, etc.)
how do Christian believe humans were made?
ORIGINS OF HUMAN LIFE
- Genesis 1: God created all life, with human life being created last
- Genesis 2: God created the first man, Adam, from the soil and breathed life into him
- some time later, while Adam was asleep, God took one of his ribs and used it to create a woman, Eve. she was created to help Adam, and to live in a close relationship with him and God
not all Christians literally believe this, and instead interpret it to mean that humans are special to God as they were created in his image
what are the two different Christian beliefs about the theory of evolution?
ORIGINS OF HUMAN LIFE
fundamentalists: don’t believe in theory of evolution. believe God created each species separately. some believe life was created exactly as described in Genesis 1 and 2
majority of Christians: accept the theory of evolution but believe that God is the creator: he started the process and evolution explains how life developed afterwards
what do fundamentalists believe about how humans came to be?
ORIGINS OF THE UNIVERSE
- typically creationists
- believe that evolution is a lie, the Bible is the direct word of God, so that must be what happened
- God is omnipotent/omniscient, so he could do it
- ‘For anything is possible with God.’
what do liberals believe about how humans came to be?
ORIGINS OF THE UNIVERSE
- C of E (protestant), who only take the Old Testament metaphorically
- they’re okay with evolution, as an omniscient God could have planned it (God’s plan)
- Eve coming from Adam follows on with the evolutionary idea of one species following on from another
- they can believe in the scientific facts, as the people who wrote the Old Testament weren’t as intelligent as us nowadays, so they could be wrong
what is the Buddhist belief about evolution?
ORIGINS OF HUMAN LIFE
- the Buddha said that anything (including life) can come into existence when the necessary conditions are there. the process doesn’t rely on a creator God - it just happens
- Buddhism teaches that it’s impossible to identify a beginning/end to Earth. instead, the Earth is in a continuous process of change
- when the conditions were right on Earth, plants and animals came into being. as conditions continued to change, life continued to evolve
- Buddhist ideas don’t conflict with the theory of evolution
what is the Buddhist quote to back up their theory of evolution?
ORIGINS OF HUMAN LIFE
‘For here there is no Brahma God’.
what are the Buddhist beliefs about the value of the world?
VALUE OF THE WORLD
Buddhists believe there is plenty in the world to wonder at. the fact that no one created it (dependent arising) perhaps makes it more amazing. 2 atoms collided to form the Universe at just the right moment.
- Buddhists can develop mindfulness and therefore appreciate every passing moment and experience more wonder
what is the quote that backs up the Buddhist idea towards the value of the world?
VALUE OF THE WORLD
‘Where shall I find such favourable circumstances again?’
name some reasons that the world is valuable to a Buddhist:
VALUE OF THE WORLD
- fortunate place to be in
- gives the opportunity for a Buddhist to become enlightened (perfect ratio of pleasantness to suffering, has all the conditions needed to help them find wisdom)
- nothing happens twice, every moment is unique
- provides and sustains life, gives food, clothes, shelter, etc.
- although the world belongs to nobody, it’s everyone’s responsibility to look after it
what are the two Christian beliefs about the value of the world?
VALUE OF THE WORLD
- it’s of mammoth value, it’s priceless. gift from God as a result of his love, only one place like it in the Universe
- the beauty of the world can give a sense of awe and wonder, and devout respect for God’s creation
what is the Christian idea of stewardship?
DUTY OF HUMANS TO PROTECT THE WORLD
- Christians have a duty to look after the environment on behalf of God. implied in the Book of Genesis when God puts Adam into the Garden of Eden to ‘work it and take care of it’
- the responsibility has been passed down to the rest of humanity, which means it’s the role of all humans to look after the world for God. using it wrongly means they’re destroying what belongs to God
- in return for caring for the world, humans may use it to sustain life
what is the Christian idea of dominion?
DUTY OF HUMANS TO PROTECT THE WORLD
- Genesis also teaches that God gave humans dominion (power and authority) over the world
- a minority of Christians interpret this as meaning that humans can do whatever they want with the world
- but most Christians want to care for the world as God’s stewards
- ‘subdue it. rule over’
why may a Buddhist avoid damage to the environment?
DUTY OF HUMANS TO PROTECT THE WORLD
- to look after the world for future generations
- dependent arising. teaches that all life is interconnected, all creatures depend on a healthy planet to survive
- if people misuse the environment, they will cause suffering to themselves and others. this contradicts the Buddhist aspiration to remove suffering
- the first moral precept encourages Buddhists to avoid causing harm to human beings. this means looking after the world as the home of all living things
describe some animal tests done to rabbits:
ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION
- generating antibodies. warm their ears, inject small, harmless viral injections. take blood samples every now and then for research. rabbit is held in captivity for their whole life.
- DRAIZE TEST. test household cleaning products. poured onto rabbit’s skin and eyes, left their for days. rabbits are unable to blink, and have no tear ducts to wash it away.
describe some animal tests done to mice:
ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION
- a sepsis (toxic shock) study for potential medical treatment is tested on mice. mouse is given general anaesthetic, sepsis is induced. the treatment is given, and tested and recorded. the mouse’s anaesthesia gently wears off until it dies - it doesn’t feel a thing.
- genetically engineer animals (e.g. an ear was grown on the back of a mouse). helps us learn more about transplants on human patients.
describe the animal test carried out on rats:
ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION
implanting a wireless transmitter into a rat. surgical procedure, the rat is under general anaesthetic and is given painkillers afterwards.
- given one or two test drugs, so scientists can monitor the effect of drugs on the heart
- we have used this method to test many medications that humans use
describe the animal tests carried out on monkeys:
ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION
- electrodes inserted into a monkey’s brain. helps scientists learn more about restoring movement for people with paralysis. the monkey is on lots of painkillers and feels nothing, it’s then put down afterwards.
- a marmoset (type of monkey) is injected with the substance MPTP which causes symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. it has constant tremors, loses weight, and must be handfed. scientists then test the effectiveness of a potential drug for Parkinson’s and see how it works. the marmoset is then allowed to recover, but may have a slight tremor forever.
name some other animal tests:
ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION
- use of mice to test riot control gas
- use of frogs for dissection
- use of dogs for heart disease research
describe a case study where a human drugs trial went wrong:
ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION
- Ryan Wilson was a drugs trial volunteer in 2006
- the drugs had passed animal testing, but when given to him, it induced a 2 week coma, he lost all of his toes, and the tops of some of his fingers
we could save these people by doing more extensive animal testing.
how many animals does the UK test on per year?
ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION
3 million
name the types of animal experiments:
ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION
- medical
- toxicity testing (medicines, food, cosmetics, agricultural)
- genetic engineering
- psychology
- weapons research
- veterinary
name some animals commonly used in experiments:
ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION
- rats
- mice
- fish
- birds
- guinea pigs
- rabbits
- monkeys
name some ways an animal could be used for entertainment:
ANIMAL USE AND ABUSE
- circus
- shooting
- animal riding
- racing (dogs, horses, camels)
- fly fishing for fun
- animal fights
what is one of the rules in the 1986 Animals Scientific Procedures Act (the law that governs vivisections in labs)?
ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION
- the nature of all animals must be published for public inspection
- does NOT enforce the reporting of animal cruelty, or the administration of anaesthesia
what are the non-religious arguments to animal testing?
ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION
- can be treated with many other forms of research that don’t even concern animals, such as stem cell testing, MRI and CAT tests, computer modelling.
- 92% of drugs that have passed animal trials have failed human trials. we are simply wasting these animals. many drugs that animals are immune to and humans aren’t, and the other way round.
- what makes a human life more valuable than an animal life?
why may a Buddhist disagree with using animals for entertainment, and vivisection?
ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION, USE AND ABUSE OF ANIMALS
goes against the 1st moral precept: abstain from harming living things.
- however, if it meant that 100 people were prevented from catching the disease and suffering, then the suffering of one animal could be accepted.
when may a Christian accept animal testing and using animals for entertainment?
ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION, USE AND ABUSE OF ANIMALS
- after Noah saved all of the animals from the flood, he’s given permission to eat animal meat. ‘Everything that moves about will be food for you’.
- animals were created for humans to use and care for. God values animals, but humans are more important, as they’re the only ones to have a soul.
- if the testing is proven to be necessary, and the welfare of the animals is considered, it can help to ensure human safety and save human lives
when may a Christian disagree with animal testing?
ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION, USE AND ABUSE OF ANIMALS
- they disagree with using animals for personal gain. Noah was there to look after the animals, and work for them. they weren’t for his pleasure, he worked for them.
- animals must still be treated kindly: ‘Do not muzzle an ox’, ‘The righteous care for the needs of their animals’.
- therefore, animal experimentation is only acceptable if it’s ethical and doesn’t cause pain to them.
what different Christian quotes are there to support/go against animal experimentation?
ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION, USE AND ABUSE OF ANIMALS
FOR - ‘You appointed them (humans) rulers over everything’
AGAINST - ‘Good people look after their animals but wicked people are cruel to them’
what different Buddhist quotes are there to go against animal experimentation?
ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION, USE AND ABUSE OF ANIMALS
- ‘When man has pity on all living creatures only then is he noble’
- ‘All beings tremble before violence; all fear death. Comparing others with oneself, one should not kill or cause to kill’
- Goes against 1st Moral Precept
why may a Buddhist accept animal experimentation?
ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION, USE AND ABUSE OF ANIMALS
Buddhists claim that ending suffering is important. If animals can help to reduce human suffering, then a little bit of animal experimentation when desperately needed could be accepted
what are the Christian attitudes towards animals?
USE AND ABUSE OF ANIMALS
- animals were created by God for humans to use and care for
- many believe humans are more important than animals as they were created in the image of God, but animals should still be treated kindly
what are the Buddhist attitudes towards animals?
ANIMAL EXPERIMENTATION, USE AND ABUSE OF ANIMALS
- believe animals should be treated with kindness and compassion
- karma teaches that causing harm to animals is unskilful and will lead to suffering. it also goes against the 1st moral precept
- the eightfold path teaches that Buddhists should not make a living from activities that cause harm to others, including animals (right livelihood)
what is the Christian view towards vegetarianism?
USE AND ABUSE OF ANIMALS
The Bible says Christians have the choice to be vegetarian. The only rule is to not judge other regardless of what they choose, be sensitive to others’ beliefs about what they choose to eat
- Jesus wasn’t vegetarian, he fed 1000s of people fish, including himself
- most Christians eat meat, they believe God gave humans animals to use for food: ‘Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you’
what is the Buddhist view towards vegetarianism?
USE AND ABUSE OF ANIMALS
- Eating meat does go against 1st Moral Precept
Theravada: Doesn’t say. Monks and nuns can eat whatever is freely given by the public (danha)
Mahayana: Should be vegetarian. claim the Buddha instructed his followers to be vegetarian. doesn’t show compassion, and creates an atmosphere of feat among all living beings
- ‘My teachings are like a raft’, Buddha wasn’t vegetarian, died of food poisoning from meat.
- Could be trying to learn from his mistakes?
finish the quote:
‘All tremble at _________; all fear ________. Comparing with oneself, one should not __________________________.’
USE AND ABUSE OF ANIMALS
‘All tremble at violence; all fear death. Comparing with oneself, one should not kill or cause to kill’
who believes in purgatory, what is it?
DEATH AND THE AFTERLIFE
Catholics believe in it. the soul is purified and is now holy enough to be accepted into Heaven
describe Heaven:
DEATH AND THE AFTERLIFE
- God’s home. They believe that Jesus came to Earth to show that if we live good lives, we can live in Heaven with God (salvation)
- ‘There will be no more mourning or crying or pain’
- ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise’
describe Hell:
DEATH AND THE AFTERLIFE
- Christians believe that the Devil rejected God’s love, as he thought he was better than God
- he was thrown out of Heaven and into Hell
- he tempts us to do evil
- Christians believe that Hell is a place for people who go against God and enjoy doing evil things. they don’t feel sorry for their sins/don’t want forgiveness they’ll suffer forever
- ‘hell, where the fire never goes out’
describe the two Christian beliefs about life after death:
DEATH AND THE AFTERLIFE
- soul immediately leaves body, either ascends to Heaven or descends to Hell
- soul stays tied to body until Judgement Day, where it can be decided where it goes
what do Christians believe about the afterlife?
DEATH AND THE AFTERLIFE
- believe Jesus’ resurrection is evidence for an afterlife
- some believe people will be in Heaven in their physical bodies, and others believe it’s just their souls that enter Heaven
- some believe that God, who is the source of all good, would not condemn people to Hell and that all go to Heaven: ‘whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’
- others believe that all who go to Hell deserve their fate
what are the Buddhist beliefs about life after death?
DEATH AND THE AFTERLIFE
‘But who is richer at the time of death? If the beggar has created more merit, then although he looks materially poor, he is really the rich man’
- Most believe that death isn’t a single moment but a process, leading them to hope for a peaceful death. the consciousness passes on from the physical body over a period of hours or days
- 2 possibilities: rebirth (at some point after death, the person’s consciousness enters another life at the moment of its conception) or enlightenment (not nirvana, as Mahayanas stay and become Bodhisattvas when they become enlightened)
- can also depend on the skilful/unskilful actions done, and your state of mind at death (some believe that you choose between rebirth or enlightenment, so a clear mind is needed to make this decision)
what issues do we have with oil?
THE ENVIRONMENT
- over 9 million barrels are used everyday
- estimated that we only have enough for the next 40 years before we run out
what issues do we have with wood?
THE ENVIRONMENT
- deforestation means that 7.3 million hectares of forest is being cut down each year, an alarming rate
- this is just to make room for our own needs e.g. roads, houses
- the more the population grows, the worse this will get
what issues do we have with wind power?
THE ENVIRONMENT
- wind power through turbines are a good way of collecting energy
- only works when it’s windy, and people think they spoil the landscape
what issues do we have with wave power?
THE ENVIRONMENT
- needs more research, currently very expensive
- can’t create enough wave power right now for it to be a viable source of energy
what issues do we have with solar energy?
THE ENVIRONMENT
- popular option
- weather dependant, not useful in many countries
- expensive, space consuming, unattractive
how can a Christian help the environment?
THE ENVIRONMENT
- reduce, reuse, recycle. use low packaging products, reuse shopping bags, recycle waste
- walk, cycle, use public transport
- donate second hand items to charity
- turn off unused electricals
what was said in the Assisi declaration?
THE ENVIRONMENT
- produced by Prince Philip and the leaders of major world religions to outline how to protect nature by religions working together
- humans are part of nature
- although we’re at the top of the evolutionary pyramid, we still evolved from nature
- nature is sacred
- we can’t destroy nature without destroying humanity
- Gods aren’t responsible for nature, it’s simply a natural phenomenon
why may a Buddhist protect the environment due to the 2nd noble truth?
DUTY OF HUMANS TO PROTECT THE WORLD
the 2nd noble truth is that suffering is caused by the three poisons. if we take more from the environment that we need for our own luxury purposes, we’re going against this teaching as we’re being greedy
why may a Buddhist protect the environment due to enlightenment?
DUTY OF HUMANS TO PROTECT THE WORLD
in order to gain enlightenment, we must show care and compassion for others. this includes the Earth as human life depends on it
what is air pollution caused by, and what is its consequences?
POLLUTION
caused by factories and vehicles and the fumes they produce. can cause asthma attacks, lung cancer, global warming, climate change, and acid rain
what is land pollution caused by, and what is its consequences?
POLLUTION
caused by the ineffective disposal of waste and rubbish dumps. can lead to the poisoning of wildlife, chemicals seeping into the Earth, affecting farming and contaminating food
what is water pollution caused by, and what is its consequences?
POLLUTION
caused by dumping waste into the sea and rivers (e.g. microplastics) and oil spills. can lead to the death of marine life, the destruction of habitats and the poisoning of birds
what does the Pope Francis have to say about pollution and the environment?
POLLUTION
- called on everyone to take action, look after the environment and be stewards
- look after people, as they’re part of the environment too
- reduce pollution, use renewable energy, recycle more
- be aware of climate change
- respect God’s creations
describe the use of natural resources:
DUTY OF HUMANS TO PROTECT THE WORLD (non-religious)
- some (e.g. oil, gas) are non-renewable, meaning they’ll eventually run out. once they do, the world may have to adapt considerably in order to live without them
- reducing the use of natural resources, recycling more, using renewable energy sources and helping to protect the environment are all ways that people can help to preserve the world for future generations
why has pollution become more of a problem, and what are the effects?
POLLUTION
- the use of technology has increased and the world’s population has grown
- more pollution means more human and animal lives have been put at risk
why may a Christian aim to reduce pollution?
POLLUTION
- the world is on loan to humans, who have been given the responsibility by God to look after it
- pollution is not loving towards others - Jesus teaches Christians to ‘love thy neighbour’
- The parable of the talents warns that God will be the final judge about how responsible humans have been in looking after the Earth
why may a Buddhist aim to reduce pollution?
POLLUTION
pollution directly/indirectly causes harm to all living creatures, so contradicts the 1st moral precept
what Christian groups work against pollution?
POLLUTION
- some work in their local community to clean up the environment, e.g. by litter picking
- religious believers may also join secular (not religion associated) environmental organisations such as Greenpeace, which aim to tackle pollution on a wider scale
what Buddhist groups work against pollution?
POLLUTION
- Holy Isle project aims to protect the local environment and reduce waste
- Tibetan Buddhists living on the Holy isle take care of the island’s environment
- planted 35,000 trees, reduced the sewage entering the sea, created a nature sanctuary for wildlife
