The Origins and Value of Human Life

Question 1

SOWAA against evolution.

Answer 1

‘an unguided, unplanned process’

Question 2

SOWAA for God creating humans.

Answer 2

‘He created human beings and let them develop according to the internal laws’

Question 3

Outline three ways in which the earth has evolved. (3)

Answer 3

• One way is by life forms reproducing and becoming numerous.
• A second way is by mutations meaning that the offspring look different to their parents.
• A third way is by the combination of gases on earth producing basic, single-celled life forms.

Question 4

Explain two beliefs about natural selection. (4)

Answer 4

• One belief is that each species has developed naturally. This means that it didn’t need any divine intervention.
• A second belief is that each species has developed from ancestors with similar features. This means that all life must’ve descended from a few forms.

Question 5

Outline three reasons why people feel they have to choose between religion and science. (3)

Answer 5

• One reason is because they have little to no awareness of what Christianity really is.
• A second reason is because they are impressed by science and feel it must be true.
• A third reason is because they feel that some scientists prove that science is right and religion is wrong.

Question 6

Explain two pieces of evidence for evolution. (4)

Answer 6

• One piece of evidence is fossil records. This is because palaeontologists have discovered that the older the fossil, the more simple its structure.
• A second piece of evidence is extinction. This means that if an animal has gone extinct, it means that they were no longer suited to their environment.

Question 7

Outline three things that the people want the Church to show. (3)

Answer 7

• One thing is that science and religion go hand in hand.
• A second thing is that there are plenty of religious (Christian) scientists.
• A third thing is that the Church supports Christians working in science.

Question 8

Explain two reasons why evolution may cause problems for Christians. (4)

Answer 8

• One reason is because it challenges the authority of the Bible. This is because if evolution is correct then the genesis creation stories are wrong.
• A second reason is because Christianity is based on the concept of original sin and the fall of man. This means that if evolution is true, there was no Adam and Eve or original sin so there was no need for salvation.

Question 9

Explain two ways in which Christians respond to evolution. (4)

Answer 9

• One way is by creationist Christians rejecting evolution and claiming that fossil records don’t provide evidence for evolution. This means that they believe that the fossils are the remains of animal life destroyed by Noah’s flood.
• A second way is by Christians who believe in the intelligent design theory believe that God created each species separately and at the same time. This means that God allowed the animals to evolve within their own species.

Question 10

Explain two reasons why Christians may accept evolution. (5)

Answer 10

• One reason is because they accept it as a product of God’s design of the universe. This means that they believe that the way God created the universe was bound to result in evolution.
• A second reason is because is that they believe that there is no conflict between Catholic beliefs and evolution. This is because no opposition between evolution and the Catholic doctrine. This is supported by ‘let them develop according to their internal laws.’