Theme B Flashcards
Universe
Time, space and it’s contents, including planets, stars and galaxies
Christian views on the creation of the universe
Genesis 1 - creation of the world in six days
Genesis 2 - creation of the first humans on Earth, Adam and Eve
Hindu views on the creation of the universe
Vishnu is the primary creator
Brahma is the secondary creator
Arguments for scientific discovery of the universe (Darwin’s theory or Big Bang)
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
Arguments against scientific discovery of the universe (Christian and Hindu views)
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
Dominion
Dominance or power over something
Stewardship
The idea that believers have a duty to look after the environment on behalf of God
Christian attitudes towards the world - dominion
“Be fruitful and increase in number” - Genesis
Some people may not interpret this in the right way - they believe they can rule the world
Christian attitudes towards the world - stewardship
“The Lord took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work” - Genesis
Hindu attitudes towards the world - dominion
Hindus believe that the Earth is their mother and therefore they have a duty to respect everything on the planet
Hindu attitudes towards the world - stewardship
Hindus believe that they have a duty to look after the natural world, helping them to achieve moksha
Air pollution
Caused by many fumes from factories and vehicles
Land pollution
Caused by the ineffective disposal of waste
Water pollution
Caused by dumping waste into the sea
Christian response to pollution
“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”
Hindu response to pollution
Everything is part of the Divine
The principle of ahimsa
The Bhumi project - network which calls on Hindus to better the environment
Animal rights
Animal right supporters believe that animals should have the same rights as humans
Animal welfare
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
Christian views towards killing animals for food
‘Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you’ - Genesis
“Every plant and fruit you shall have them for food” - Genesis
Hindu views towards killing animals for food
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
Christian views to animal experimentation
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
Hindu views to animal experimentation
Animals have souls - goes against ahimsa
However, it can be used if the animal is taken care of properly
Abortion
The removal of a foetus from the womb to end a pregnancy
Quality of life
The general well-being of a person, in relation to their health and happiness