Religious Studies Paper 1 Flashcards
What do creationists believe?
That science is wrong and a test of their faith, the bible is literal
What do conservative people believe?
Bible is true but contains some mistakes e.g., humans may not have been made in one day
What do liberal people believe?
The bible is symbolic. God started the big bang and works through evolution
What is the first stage of life after death (muslim)?
The angle of death takes the persons soul to barzakh
What is barzakh?
The stage between when the death occurs and when they face judgement
What is the second stage of life after death (muslim)?
Allah judges the individual on how they lived their life
What is the third stage of life after death (muslim)?
On the day of judgement the body will be resurrected
What is the fourth stage of life after death (muslim)?
Two angels open a book which contains a record of what that person did in their lifetime
What does is mean if a muslims name is recorded on the right hand side of the book?
They will be sent to al’Jannah (paradise)
What happens if a muslims name is recorded on the left hand side of the book?
They will be sent to Jahannam (hell)
Why do muslims believe in the afterlife?
The Qur’an states we came from Allah and must return to Allah, Qur’an teaches those who live a good life will go to al’Jannah and the teaching and practice o the Prophet
What is judgement?
The Qur’an and Shari’ah law teach muslims will be judged by Allah to determine their afterlife. Good will be rewarded, bad will be punished, Gods judgement is final
How does the afterlife effect the life of a muslim?
They try to follow the teaching of the Qur’an and Shari’ah law and follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad. They try to act as Allah wishes (helping not harming) and try to please Allah as he sees and judges everything
What are reasons for belief in an afterlife (non-religious)?
Near-death experiences, Paranormal activity and reincarnation, idea of death is difficult, afterlife makes life seem fairer, comforts people who have lost friends and family
What are reasons why people may not believe in an afterlife?
There is no evidence, proof that mediums trick people, it is unscientific, humans are mortal and decay after death, religion is outdated
How can the fact that religion is outdated lead to not believing in an afterlife?
People used to be scared of hell but heaven and hell are less prominent in modern communities, religion offers no good evidence, some information in the bible is not relevant today, if people believe that God isn’t real there is no point in believing in heaven and hell which revolves around God
What is the definition of abortion?
The removal of a foetus from the womb before it can survive
Why is abortion a controversial topic?
Because people have different beliefs as to when life begins
What are the UK abortion laws (1967 Abortion Act - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act of 1990)?
Abortions must be agreed by two doctors, allowed up to 24 weeks if mother is at physical/mental risk, existing children would suffer, the child would be born severely disabled
Abortions are only supposed to happen up to 24 weeks, what are the reasons why it may be allowed after 24 weeks?
There is risk to the mothers life, the baby will be severely deformed, there would be risk of serious physical or mental injury to the mother
What are arguments for abortion (pro-choice)?
Women should have the right to choose as it is her body, in cases of rape it should be allowed, could be kinder if the baby will be severely disabled, babies have the right to be loved and cared for and sometimes people cant always provide this
Arguments against abortion (pro-life)
Life begins at conception, An embryo has the potential to be a human and should have the right to life, Even disabled children have the right to life, adoption is an alternative
Why do most christians not agree with abortion?
Because of the sanctity of life
What is sanctity of life?
The belief that life is sacred and belongs to God
What are some bible quotes that support the sanctity of life argument?
“God created man in his own image” - “your body is a temple of the holy spirit” - “You shall not commit murder”
Why do some christians such as catholics and evangelical christians disagree with abortion?
POPE SAYS NOPE! Abortion is seen as murder, life is a sacred gift from God, God has a plan for every human, All life has value, the belief that life begins at conception
Some more liberal christians accept abortion, why?
Jesus taught compassion towards others, cant be sue life begins at conception, in cases of rape it is the kindest action, abortion can save the mothers life, lesser of two evils, situation ethics, Sanctity of life is broken at war
Do muslims also believe in the sanctity of life?
Yep
What do some muslims believe about ensoulment and abortions?
Life begins when the soul enters the foetus at 120 days, some believe it is earlier at 40 days
What is a quote from the Qur’an related to abortion?
Whoever has spared the life of a soul, it is as though he has spared the life of all people. Whosoever has killed a soul, it is as though he has murdered all of mankind
When so muslims allow abortion?
If the mothers life is in danger because the foetus would not exist if it wast for the mother and the mothers life is established and she has responsibilities to carry out
What are different muslim views on abortion?
Not allowed if its as a result of adultery, after 120 days only allowed if mothers life is in danger, never allowed in situations where parents are concerned the yacht care for the child, some say it is allowed in cases of rape, before enrolment (120 days) if the baby will be born with a serious defect or blood disorder, some allow it in the fist 7-16 weeks, unplanned pregnancy is not a good enough reason however some muslims believe it should be the women choice
What is euthanasia?
The painless killing of someone dying from a painful disease
Why is euthanasia a controversial topic?
Some people view it as murder whilst others see it as fulfilling someones wishes
What are the different types of euthanasia?
Voluntary euthanasia where a persons life is deliberately ended at their request. Assisted suicide is when you provide a seriously ill person with the means to commit suicide. Non-voluntary euthanasia is painlessly ending someones life when they are unable to ask but you have good reason to believe they want to die
What is the euthanasia law in the uK?
All forms of euthanasia are against the law, switching off life support for someone who is brain dead is not counted as euthanasia and is allowed. In 1993 the house of lords rejected a proposal to legalise euthanasia
What is active euthanasia?
A way in which euthanasia is carried out, its carried out by a doctor performing a deliberate act such as lethal injection
What is passive euthanasia?
A way in which euthanasia is carried out, when medical treatment or life support is withdrawn or when a severely ill person is not given treatment to help them survive
What are the arguments for euthanasia?
Allows someone to die a gentle and pain free death, they die in dignity, I hate these next ones…(euthanasia saves medical costs, medical staff can focus on patients with more of a chance of recovery and it relieves the family burden)
What are the arguments agains euthanasia?
Sanctity of life, Some people may be pressurised into choosing euthanasia, hospices provide care for patients so euthanasia isn’t needed, doctor can be wrong about a diagnosis, helping someone commit suicide means that you have to live with what you have done for the rest of your life
What are some reasons why christians believe that euthanasia is wrong?
It is seen as murder, goes against the sanctity of life argument, all life should valued, doctors or relatives may make the wrong decision without involving the patient, no one should value themselves or someone else as worthless and better dead, only god can take life away, euthanasia could be used for evil purposes
Do christians believe that euthanasia is ever right?
Some are more accepting-they support the view that God intends people to have a good quality of life, so euthanasia can end a bad quality life, lesser of two evils
What are hospices?
They provide good quality pain relief, support the dying and their families and help the dying prepare for death, they are seen by crustaceans as an alternative to euthanasia
What are muslims views on euthanasia?
Human life is sacred and a gift from Allah, all life, even suffering life, is valuable, euthanasia is seen as suicide which is not allowed, no one knows Allah’s future plans so shouldn’t interfere, suffering is a test of faith and part of life, Allah chooses how long each person lives and it is part of a muslims duties to care for the sick and elderly
Why do muslims see euthanasia as wrong?
Because it is seen as murder/suicide. They should trust Allah with their lives as it is a test to determine their afterlife “No one dies unless God permits”
DO muslims believe that euthanasia is ever right?
Some muslims allow terminal patients to choose to not continue with medical treatment if it is causing difficulty or family distress, some would agree with turning off life support if nothing else can be done
Why is it important that issues such as abortion are discussed in the media?
Because they affect everyone, people hold strong opinions and it is important to be aware of different views as they are controversial topics, there are developments and the law may change which people need to know about
Should the media criticise religious views on matters of life and death, arguments for?
A variety of views are held, none should be exempt. Religious views may be seen as wrong or out of date, it is important to debate views as they are constantly changing
Should the media criticise religious views on matters of life and death, arguments against?
Religious views have been around for a long time, so should be respected, they are based on traditional teachings such as on the bible, the media should present a range of ideas and not criticise them
What forms of media present these issues?
Newspapers, internet, radio, TV news, TV documentaries, soap operas, television dramas, situation comedies, cartoons, films
What is reincarnation?
The belief that after death, souls are reborn into a new body
What is resurrection?
The believe that after death the body stays in the grave until the end of the world when it is raised
What is the Hadith?
The saying of the prophet
What is Haram
Anything forbidden
Why have attitudes towards marriage, divorce, the family and homosexuality recently changed?
The UK is now a multi-faith/multi-ethnic society, people are more tolerant o people differences, Less focus on christian teachings, the church has less influence, decline in traditional family values, women are more equal to men, fewer people are getting married,more are cohabiting, fewer religious marriage ceremonies, homosexuality is more accepted, civil partnerships and gay marriages
What are the 5 types of family?
Nuclear family (Two parents, male/female and their children living together), re-constituted family (stepfamilies), Same-sex family (two same sex parents and children), Single-parent family (one parent and children) and extended family (parents, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles. cousins)
What does the bible teach about s** outside of marriage?
Casual relationships are wrong, s** is special and should be saved for marriage, adultery is forbidden in the Ten Commandments and married couples should be faithful to each other
What are some bible quotes to reinforce this?
“You shall not commit adultery” “God wants you to be holy and completely free from sexual immorality” “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy spirit?”
Most christians feel s** outside marriage is wrong because…?
The bible says s** is for married partners, children born outside marriage have a less stable family life, promiscuity makes you more vulnerable to STI’s, and adultery breaks the marriage vows, made before God