Theme B

Question 1

Christian views on the creation of the universe

Answer 1

Genesis 1 - creation of the world in six days

Genesis 2 - creation of the first humans on Earth, Adam and Eve

Question 2

Hindu views on the creation of the universe

Answer 2

Vishnu is the primary creator

Brahma is the secondary creator

Question 3

Arguments for scientific discovery of the universe (Darwin’s theory or Big Bang)

Answer 3

The Bible might not be accurate (e.g. the mention of Jesus present in the creation only in New Testament)

Some biblical stories are not true, so it might be the same with the creation stories

Many creation stories in different religions

Question 4

Arguments against scientific discovery of the universe (Christian and Hindu views)

Answer 4

Religious references for the creation of the universe and life (e.g. Genesis)

‘Nothing is impossible for God’

Vishnu is the source of everything that exists

Question 5

Dominion

Answer 5

Dominance or power over something

Question 6

Stewardship

Answer 6

The idea that believers have a duty to look after the environment on behalf of God

Question 7

Christian attitudes towards the world - dominion

Answer 7

“Be fruitful and increase in number” - Genesis

Some people may not interpret this in the right way - they believe they can rule the world

Question 8

Christian attitudes towards the world - stewardship

Answer 8

“The Lord took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work” - Genesis

Question 9

Hindu attitudes towards the world - dominion

Answer 9

Hindus believe that the Earth is their mother and therefore they have a duty to respect everything on the planet

Question 10

Hindu attitudes towards the world - stewardship

Answer 10

Hindus believe that they have a duty to look after the natural world, helping them to achieve moksha

Question 11

Types of pollution

Answer 11

Air pollution

Land pollution

Water pollution

Question 12

Christian response to pollution

Answer 12

“The Earth is the Lord’s and everything in it” - Psalm

Humans have been given a responsibility to look after the world by God - Genesis

Jesus teaches to “love thy neighbour”

Question 13

Hindu response to pollution

Answer 13

Everything is part of the Divine

The principle of ahimsa

The Bhumi project - network which calls on Hindus to better the environment

Question 14

Animal rights

Answer 14

Animal right supporters believe that animals should have the same rights as humans

Question 15

Animal welfare

Answer 15

Animal welfare supporters believe that animals cannot have rights as they are not self-conscious

However, they do believe that they should have an adequate living standard and should not be used for other purposes other than food and research

Question 16

Christian views towards killing animals for food

Answer 16

‘Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you’ - Genesis

“Every plant and fruit you shall have them for food” - Genesis

Question 17

Hindu views towards killing animals for food

Answer 17

Ahimsa – non-violence

We are all atman

‘If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit or water, I will accept it’ - BG - Krishna asks for a vegetarian diet

Question 18

Christian views to animal experimentation

Answer 18

Christians support the 1998 law that forbids testing cosmetics on animals

Using animals to develop new drugs may benefit millions of people and save many lives

Some Christians would also use the principle of dominion to support using animals to benefit humans

Question 19

Hindu views to animal experimentation

Answer 19

Animals have souls - goes against ahimsa

However, it can be used if the animal is taken care of properly

Question 20

Abortion

Answer 20

The removal of a foetus from the womb to end a pregnancy

Question 21

Quality of life

Answer 21

The general well-being of a person, in relation to their health and happiness

Question 22

Sanctity of life

Answer 22

All life is holy as it is created and loved by God

Question 23

Pro-life

Answer 23

Support the foetus’ right to live

Sanctity of life

Life starts at conception

Question 24

Pro-choice

Answer 24

Focus on the rights / choice of the mother

Quality of life

Life starts at birth

Question 25

Christian view on abortion - conservative

Answer 25

Life is holy and belongs to God; therefore, only God has the right to end a pregnancy Human life begins at conception A foetus is a human being, and abortion destroys its right to life Rape, a sinful act, should not provoke another sinful act –abortion Women who have abortion can suffer from traumas leading to guilt complexes and sometimes mental illness

Question 26

Christian view on abortion - liberal

Answer 26

Life does not begin at conception In some situations, the sanctity of life can be broken Jesus told his disciples to love their neighbour as themselves and abortion may be the most loving thing to do Agape principle

Question 27

Hindu view for abortion

Answer 27

If the mother’s life is at risk If the foetus has physical and/or mental disabilities In case of rape and extreme poverty

Question 28

Hindu view against abortion

Answer 28

Life begins at conception Embryo/ foetus should be sheltered and protected by the mother Hindu scriptures state that all life is sacred (sanctity of life) Bad karma to disrupt the cycle of birth, death and rebirth

Question 29

Voluntary euthanasia

Answer 29

When a person asks a doctor to end their life

Question 30

Non-voluntary euthanasia

Answer 30

When the person is too ill to request to die a doctor will end their life for them as they think it is the best thing to do

Question 31

Active euthanasia

Answer 31

Ending a life by deliberate action, such as by giving a patient a lethal injection

Question 32

Passive euthanasia

Answer 32

Allowing a terminally ill person to die by withdrawing or withholding medical treatment

Question 33

Christian views for euthanasia

Answer 33

Agape principle - euthanasia may be the most loving thing to do May argue God gave Christians free will so they can choose whether to end their life

Question 34

Christian views against euthanasia

Answer 34

A form of murder - breaking the Ten Commandments Against sanctity of life Playing the role of God The very old could feel pressure to end their lives in order not to burden the family Suffering brings people closer to God and helps them understand Jesus’s suffering

Question 35

Hindu views for euthanasia

Answer 35

Hindus are allowed to fast to death, thus allowing the soul to leave the body early and reconnect with God

Question 36

Hindu views against euthanasia

Answer 36

Not acceptable to Hindus as this would be interfering with God’s plan by separating the soul from the body A doctor assisting with euthanasia would receive bad karma The taking of a person’s life is thought to be a great sin – even if the aim is to show compassion

Question 37

Christians views on afterlife

Answer 37

You either go to heaven or hell

Question 38

Hindu views on afterlife

Answer 38

You can break away from the cycle of birth and death