religion and life Flashcards
Christian views on creation of the Universe
Fundamentalist: believe creation story describes exactly how universe was created, some may believe the seven days describe seven longer periods of time
Liberal: believe creation story is symbolic, where the main message is that God created the universe. Might look to science to understand how God did it.
Jewish view on creation of the universe
Orthodox: believe creation story should be taken literally + it describes the exact way the world was created.
Reform: understand creation story as a way of emphasising the special place that humans have in God’s creation (made in image of God and have a responsibility for the world).
-> many jews believe the days referred to in the story are not days as we now understand them but indications of the different stages of creation, each of which may represent millions of years
Quotes regarding creation of the universe
‘in the beginning God created the Heavens and the earth’ Genesis
‘and God created man in his image’ Genesis (Tenakh)
Days of creation
- Light and darkness (let there be light)
- the sky
- land, sea, vegetation, plants
- the sun, moon and stars
- fish, sea creatures, birds
- animals and humans
- God was pleased and rested
Big bang theory
Universe begun as a dense tiny point which began to expand and cool, in which gravity which grouped the separated matter into stars and galaxies.
Many Christians and Jews accept the big bang theory, but unlike atheists believe it was caused by God in his design, not by accident.
(Possible to accept big bang theory and the genesis creation story together if it is not taken literally and each day represents a longer period of time).
World’s value
Beauty of the world can create a sense of awe (devout respect for God’s power of creation) and wonder (marvelling at the complexity of the universe).
Believe earth and nature are so amazing because they provide humans with everything they need to survive, and therefore it is a duty to nurture and care for it.
Stewardship (Christian)
Genesis states Adam (the first man) received the role of stewardship over the earth, looking after it for God
‘the lord took the man and put him in the garden of eden to work it and take care of it’
-> responsibility was passed down into humankind and in return for looking after it can sustain life.
Stewardship (Jewish)
In return for the God-given privilege of living on earth humans have a duty to manage the earth and ensure it isn’t damaged/destroyed. Failing to look after the environment is neglecting what God has given humans to protect.
Jewish concept of BAL TASHCHIT (‘do not destroy’) forbids any unnecessary destruction.
‘do not spoil and destroy my world … there will be no one else to repair it’
Tenakh
Beliefs on Dominion
Power and authority over Earth.
‘rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky’
-> some interpret this as meaning humans can do what they want because they are in charge, although most jews/christians believe doing what they want is selfish/destructive and gods against what God requires from humans.
Christian teachings on preventing misuse of environment
The world is on loan to humans who have been given the responsibility by god to look after it by god
‘humans are only tenants of God’s world’ (Leviticus 25:23)
Parable of Talents (Matthew) warns that God will be the final judge in how responsible humans have been in looking after the earth.
‘the earth is Lord’s and everything in it’ (Psalm 24:1)
Pollution is not moving towards others - ‘love thy neighbour’ (Luke 10:27)
Jewish teachings on preventing misuse of the environment
Humans are held accountable to God for how they look after the earth.
The torah instructed Jews to rest the land every seven years to protect it and let it regain its fertility (Leviticus)
Jews are instructed not to destroy trees in Deuteronomy 20:19
Christian actions for the environment
1986: religious leaders met at Assisi in Italy to discuss how religious people could care for the environment
In the Assisi Declarations on Nature christian’s wrote
‘Every human act of irresponsibility towards creatures is an abomination.’
-> met again in Ohito In Japan in 1995 to discuss charge of creation not giving allowance to humans to destroy earth.
Some christian’s support environment on a global scale e.g. volunteering in organisations such as Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth.
Some Religious groups work in local communities e.g litter picking
Christian Views on Animals for food
No rules about eating meat, as they believe God gave humans animals for food.
‘everything that lives and moves about will be food for you’ Genesis
Some christian vegans/vegetarians would argue if crops were grown on land which currently graze animals there would be much more food to go around and that would please God.
Jewish beliefs on animals for food
Torah describes how God gave Noah permission to eat meat after flood (Genesis 9:3)
Jewish dietary laws give strict rules on how animals must be slaughtered (keeping suffering to a minimum)
Forbid eating meat from certain animals (e.g pigs)
Forbid meat and dairy products mixing
-> Kosher foods
Quote for meat eating
Vegetarians should not judge those who eat meat:
‘the one who eats everything must treat with contempt the one who does not’ (visa versa)
Romans 14:3
Beliefs on animal experimentation
1998: animal testing banned in UK (cosmetics)
Some jews/christians can accept animal testing if it is proved to be necessary and the welfare of animals are considered; and if it is to improve human safety e.g developing new medicines.
Stewardship contrasts support of animal experimentation but it could be argued dominion allows it (if it benefits humans).
‘The righteous care for the needs of their animals.’ Proverbs 12:10
Origins of Human Life in Genesis
God created all life, with human life being created last ‘God created mankind in his own image’.
Adam was formed from ‘dust of the earth. He blew into his nostrils the breath of life.’
-> adam was given a responsibility of looking after his environment (garden of Eden)
God took one of Adam’s ribs (whilst sleeping) and made Eve, who together disobeyed God by eating from the forbidden tree when tempted to do so by a serpent.
God punished Adam + Eve for their disobedience (removed from garden, adam told men must work hard and eve told women must endure pain in childbirth).
-> regretted their disobedience, yet god created everything necessary for them to begin human race on earth, showing we are special to God as we are created in his image.
The theory of evolution
1859: book published by Charles Darwin ‘Origin of species by means of natural selection’
(detailed humans development from single-celled creatures in sea to the anatomy we have now)
Religious beliefs on evolution
Some christians/jews are creationists who believe that the origin of human life is exactly as recorded in scripture + reject this theory.
However mant accept the scientific view and do not believe it should cause conflict with their faith: they believe God created beginnings of life and set everything in motion to develop over course of history.
Some jews argue theory of evolution may be correct as the days in genesis are not meant to be taken literally, but as longer periods of time.
Abortion laws in UK
an abortion can take place in a licensed clinic if two doctors can agree there is a risk to the physical or mental health of the mother, or baby, or existing child in family.
Can only occur during first 24 weeks of pregnancy unless the mother’s life is at risk or the foetus is severely deformed.
Christian beliefs on abortion
Sanctity of life
Some christian’s may agree with abortion if the baby is likely to have a poor quality of life e.g being born with a severe disability.
Other christian’s may support abortion if it appears to be appropriate for the circumstance (e.g rape)
The catholic church (and many evangelical churches) believe abortion is wrong because life begins at contraception, so life given by God is being taken.
Jewish beliefs on abortion
Sanctity of life
Duty to preserve life wherever possible (pikuach nefesh)
Judaism teachers a foetus does not become a person until it is halfway down the birth canal so it cannot be considered murdered: however the foetus should be protected because it is growing towards a person and should not be harmed without good reason.
-> most jews are against abortion unless there are serious reasons to consider it (mother’s life is considered to be more important than the foetus).
A rabbi may be consulted by a Jew considering an abortion as there are different views within Judaism about when it should be allowed.
Types of euthanasia
Voluntary: ill person asks for life to be ended
Involuntary: person is capable of expressing choice but isn’t given opportunity to do so
Non-voluntary: person is unable to express a choice (e.g baby or a person in a coma)
Doctors can decide to withhold treatment if it is in the patients best interests, and some countries within Europe allow euthanasia under strict criteria.
Christian beliefs for and against euthanasia
FOR:
- God gives people free will to end their lives
- may be the most loving and compassionate thing ‘love thy neighbour’ (luke 10:27)
- allows a good and gentle death, which is dignified
- drugs to end life are given by God
AGAINST:
- form of murder, open to abuse and may be against the will of the ill person
- only God should take life at time of his choosing
- contrasts sanctity of life
- if it were legal some may feel pressured into it to not be a burden to their families
- salvation army has said that euthanasia/assisted suicide ‘undermine human dignity and are morally wrong’.
Jewish beliefs for and against euthanasia
- murder, regardless of whether the person wants to die
- all human life is sacred and of great value, even during final stages of life
‘a time for being born and a time for dying’ Tenakh - judaism teaches doctors have a duty to save and preserve life
-> does not mean that doctors should extend suffering of dying e.g turning off support machines, giving pain relief
Christian belief on afterlife
- death is beginning of eternal life dependant on faith in God
- begins at death or on Day of Judgement (when God judges behaviour and faith in Jesus)
-> judgement results in person spending eternity in Heaven with God or in Hell without him
Jewish beliefs on afterlife
- believe there is a more of an immediate concern than death
- different opinions in judaism regarding it
- references in Torah to death being a time to re-join ancestors, and in the Tenakh to a place of silence/darkness called Sheol
- Orthodox: believe in resurrection, when the soul will reunite with the body (attach this belief to the coming of the Messiah)
- Reform and Liberal jews do not believe in this.
- Orthodox Jews believe in Gan Eden once a temporary soul-cleansing process has take place
-> do not believe in eternal punishment.
The value of Human Life
- all regions emphasis use of free will in relation to good/bad consequences.
- both religions believe God gives guidance on how to live lives but also grants humans free will to choose between right and wrong.
-> right thing involves resisting temptation to stray from God’s path
-> these decisions have important consequences involving eternal life after death, following good choices in their death ensure an eternal afterlife with God.
