The Universe and the Place of Human Beings (1.1) Flashcards
what are the non-religious views (by scientists) for the creation of the universe and why is this a possible problem for Christians
The Big Bang:
- Almost all scientists today think that a massive explosion started the universe approx. 12.5 billion years ago
- Proof for this is found in the fact that the universe is expanding, stars and galaxies are still being propelled apart by the force of the original explosion
- It implies that there was no creator to the universe and that the universe came about by chance through physical processes that can be explained by science, not the supernatural work of God.
what are the non-religious views (by Darwin) for the creation of the universe
The theory of evolution
- The combination of gases on the earths surface produced primitive life forms like amoeba
- The genetic structure of these life forms produced changes through mutations
- Any change that is better suited to living in the environment will survive and reproduce
- humans evolved from other life forms
- Discovery of fossils are evidence of the slow evolution of life forms
What are the implications of Darwin’s theory for the place of humans in the world?
- Darwin’s theory of evolution contradicts the Christian belief that we are made in the image of God and therefore that human life is sacred
- shows that humans are like all other animals and that we evolved from primates
- shows we were not created as we appear today (like the Genesis story says) we weren’t created at all (there is no creator) Life evolved over many millions of years by natural processes that can be explained by science
- The complexity of human life is therefore a coincidence. We’ve evolved over a long period of time through natural selection - meant that creatures who had the features to survive and thrive outlived those that didn’t, this is survival of the fittest
what do Christians believe about the place of human beings in the universe
- that humans have a special place in the world because are made in ‘God’s image’, (imago dei) means we are God’s most sacred creation
- in Genesis God says to humans ‘Be fruitful and multiply…and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth’ (Genesis 1: 28). means that God gave humans authority over all other living things and told them to have children
why do some Christians reject the scientific explanations for the origins of the universe
- they believe the story of Genesis is literally true and that God created the world in six days (fundamentalist view)
- These Christians do not believe in evolution, because they believe that God created the Garden of Eden, including plants, animals, man and women in the six days of creation
what do most Christians (liberal) believe about scientific explanations and the Bible
- that the Bible is not meant to be taken literally – it is the message that is important (liberal view). Genesis story of creation tells us that God was the Creator of the world, he created humans in his own image and wants us to take care of the world.
- It is possible to accept evolution as the way that God made the world. This is called ‘intelligent design’.
- Many Christians believe that the combination of events that led to the formation of the Earth and life on it are too much of a coincidence to have happened by chance (the specific conditions for the universe with life on Earth had to be so precise that it could not be chance). This is called ‘anthropic principle’.
Claim that the main points of the Bible story fit with science: - One of God’s days could be millions or billions of years.
- claim that Genesis 1:3 ‘God said, “Let there be light”’, is a direct reference to the Big Bang.
- The order in which God creates life as described in Genesis – plants, trees, fish, birds, animals, humans – is a similar order as described in the theory of evolution for the development of species.
why do Christians believe we have responsibility for our planet
- ‘The earth is our Lord’s , and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it’ Psalm 24:1
- ‘God saw that it was good’ Genesis
- ‘Have dominion over fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth’ Genesis 1:28
‘The earth and all life on it is a gift from God given to us to share and develop not to dominate and exploit’ the Pope 1988
What are the non-religious views on the relationship of human beings to other creatures (commonality)
- all species have developed by the same process of evolution, this is a natural process and therefore means that humans do not have a special purpose
- there is evidence that other species have emotions
- other animals have abilities that humans don’t and the other way around
- therefore animals should be treated with the same respect as humans
- “all arguments to prove man’s superiority cannot shatter this hard fact: in suffering the animals are our equals” Peter Singer
“The question is not ‘Can they reason?’ nor ‘Can they talk?’ but ‘Can they suffer’” Jeremy Bentham
What are the non-religious views on the relationship of human beings to other creatures (dominance)
- although humans have evolved from primates, we are different from other creatures because we have larger brains and are more intelligent
- therefore we should be allowed to use other creatures for our needs
- we have more complex emotions and greater rights
What are the religious views on the relationship of human beings to other creatures (commonality)
- all creatures are gods creation, including humans so we should have equal respect for all living things
- at the end of each day of creation in Genesis it says ‘And God saw that it was good’ suggesting God values all creation
- Psalm 24:1 “the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and all who live in it. God made the world and therefore should treat it with respect.”
- The Pope said in 1988 “The earth and all life on it is a gift from God given us to share and develop no tot dominate and exploit.”
- ‘Have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.’ - means that humans should be stewards of other creature, could be interpreted that this suggests all living things are of equal worth as God’s creation
What are the religious views on the relationship of human beings to other creatures (dominance)
- ‘Have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth’ (Genesis 1: 28)
- some Christians interpret this to mean that humans have authority over other animals and that they should stewards of them but some Christians haveinterpretedit as giving people the right to exploit the environment
- Christians believe that human beings were God’s final creation, suggesting that they are the most important creation.
- In Genesis it says that humans are made in the image of God, meaning that human life is sacred and particularly special
- Theologian Karl Barth (1886-1968) argued that humans and other animals were distinct, and that humanity has a special relationship with God.
what are all Christian attitudes to animal rights
- A Christian who believes in commonality will try to treat animals with as much respect as humans and afford them similar rights and protection from harm by humans; that they shouldn’t be experimented on
- a Christian who believes in dominance would believe that we should be allowed to use other creatures for our needs, e.g. for food or to experiment on in drugs tests that can improve the human race further
- A Christians who believes in middle ground would believe that humans are a particularly special creation, however, all animals should be cared for and respected.
how could someone promote animal rights
- Through supporting charities such as PETA UK that campaigns for animal rights. They could give money to the charity or give out leaflets.
- They could be vegetarian or only eat meat that is organic or free range, as this ensures the animals have had a better quality of life.
- They can avoid buying products that have been tested on animals or clothes that have real fur in them.
- They can abide by the UK law to ensure animals have a suitable environment, diet and are protected from suffering.
