Rights and Responsibilities Flashcards
1
Q
Why do christians use the bible to make moral decisions?
A
- It is believed to be the word of God and has been passed down through the generations. It is God telling us how to live
- Bible contains the Decalogue - which is a clear set of rules made by God which should tell us how to make moral decisions (don’t kill…)
- Jesus teachings are in the bible and christians believe he is the son of God so we should trust what he says.
- Most of the bible was written by the apostles and if Jesus trusted them to do this job and he had faith in them, we too should trust their advice. They knew Jesus and what he would have wanted.
2
Q
Why would Christians not use the bible to make moral decisions?
A
- It is outdated and many attitudes have changed as time evolved (e.g. women’s rights)
- Not everything is in the bible (abortion - IVF)
- Some people take it literally when actually we should find hidden meanings from parables, we could get this wrong and go against God.
- The church/conscience/situation ethics can give a more up-to-date view and better choice for decisions.
3
Q
Why do christians use the church to make moral decisions?
A
- Apostolic succession - all priests have the same values/morals/beliefs as Jesus and Peter as everything is directly copied.
- Answers questions that cannot be found in the bible and gives 21st century ideas.
- Most people believe that God speaks today though the church/pope to give his guidance.
- Priests train for 7 years and are decedents of the apostles so we know we can trust them.
4
Q
Why do christians use their conscience to make moral decisions?
A
- They believe their conscience is the voice of God telling them what to do.
- The bible sometimes needs to be interpreted but conscience is Gods advice directly to you - which is much easier.
- St Paul taught that Christians should use their conscience to answer modern day questions and make decisions. He was trusted by Jesus so we can trust him.
- It is our responsibility to trust what god tells us as sometimes not everything is in the bible so we must make our own decisions.
5
Q
Why do christians don’t use their conscience to make moral decisions?
A
- People could mistake what their conscience is and make decisions that go against Gods will.
- If everyone followed their conscience instead of laws, society would be chaotic! Nobody would know the right way to behave and what to expect from others.
- Selfish people could use their conscience as en excuse to do bad things in Gods name.
- The bible/church are better as they are definite answers from God on how to act.
6
Q
Why do christians use situation ethics to make moral decisions?
A
- Jesus used the idea of situation ethics because he over-ruled certain things in the Old Testament as he though they were unloving (healing people on the Sabbath)
- They believe christians should only do things that produce loving results for the good of others. (stealing nuclear weapons)
- Jesus said the greatest teachigns were those of love. We should love God and our neighbours and do things with loving results.
- Not everything is in the bible - answers to modern day questions.
7
Q
Why do christians not use situation ethics to make moral decisions?
A
- The bible is the word of God and we should trust and interpret what it says.
- We do not need to make our won decisions as God has already told us how to live through the 10 commandments.
- Priests have trained for 7 years they will have better knowledge and advice than our own.
- The most loving thing to do could be going against God which is wrong! Better to follow set rules that upset God.
8
Q
Why do some Christians use a variety of methods to make moral decisions?
A
- Bible is simple and straightforward which tells us the difference between right and wrong. However the church will tell us the modern day answers not in the bible.
- Most people follow the church but in some situations it contradicts itself, (not letting someone use contraception could kill them.) So christians would then use situation ethics and the most loving thing to do.
- A christians who follows their conscience would turn to the church/bible if what their conscience said went against god.
- If someone uses situation ethics and the case is too complicated the best thing to do may be to follow the churches advice if you cannot make a decision.
9
Q
What human rights are people entitled to?
A
- The right to life
- Freedom from slavery
- The right to a fair trial
- The right to a private/ family life (nobody can enter your home)
- Freedom of thought/conscience/ religion
- Freedom of speech
- The right to marry
- The right to own a property
- The right to an education
10
Q
Why are human rights important for christians?
A
- The sanctity of life should that the right to life is important as God gave us life as a gift so we should protect it.
- We are all created in the image of God so we all deserve to be treated fairly and equally
- Freedom of religion means that nobody can be persecuted for following God and can do it freely.
- Christians cannot be discriminated against as they are protected by human rights (so people will not be refused a job because they are christian)
11
Q
Why are human rights cause problems for christians?
A
- The right to marriage means homosexuals can marry and Christians believe this is wrong.
- People can also then marry people from a different faith and Christians believe they should only marry christians in the house of God so they can raise a christian family.
- People can change their religion freely which could mean people turn away from christianity
- Human rights could argue that women have the right to be priests and priests have the right to marry which christians are against.
12
Q
Why is it important to take part in electoral or democratic processes?
A
- You can have control in how much VAT you pay.
- You have a say in what laws are passed to keep the country fair.
- Have your say in how things like the NHS, schools and army are run.
- People died for the vote so we should use it.
13
Q
Why do Christians take part in elections/democratic processes?
A
- The golden rule - Used through voting, (if asylum seekers are sent back its not right)
- The parable of the Sheep and Goats - shows that its a christians duty to protect the poor and suffering and god will reward us.
- My brothers keeper - shows it is our duty to protect others which is done through laws set through voting.
- We are all made in the image of God - we should help everyone (which is done through voting)
14
Q
Non-religious arguments for genetic engineering
A
- Find cures to diseases
- It is already being done in other countries so rich people could get it anyway
- Cloning using animal eggs, so not human life is lost.
- It is closely monitored by the law.
15
Q
Non-religious arguments against genetic engineering
A
- Little info on the long-term effects
- The effects are permanent - can’t be changed
- Scientists have too much power
- Makes humans the same as plants
