Theme B GCSE Flashcards
discuss the scientific truth about religion and life
- comes from hypothesis and then repeated testing to confirm an idea
- It describes the world and how it works
- It answers the what and how questions - function and process
- It is always developing its truths as it finds more evidence - not absolute but conditional on the testing conditions
discuss the religious truth about religion and life
- comes from religious and holy books - from God and personal experiences
- Religion explains why we are here, who is god and what happens at death
- it answers why, purpose and meaning questions
- it is open to interpretation but the words stay the same and remain relevant at all times
what do Christians believe about the origins of the universe
- it was designed and made by God
- They believe God created all things that exist out of nothing (ex nihilo)
- Christians believe God is responsible for the intricate creation of everything
what order did god create the world in
1 - night and day
2 - sky
3- seas and the land with vegetation and plants
4 - fish and animals in the seas and birds in the air
5 - created lands animals and made humans in his own image
6 - god rested and made this day holy - he was very pleased with his creation
give a quote about the creation story
‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth’ (Genesis 1:1) OT
what do fundamental Christians believe about the origins of the universe
- every world in the bible had been inspired by God and is therefore correct
- some believe the six days could represent different periods of time but god still created the world
what do liberal Christians believe about the origins of the universe
- see the story of creation as more like a parable or symbolic account
- the main message is that God brought into being the universe and all that’s in it
- might look to science to help them and understand how God did this
discuss the Big Bang theory
- leading scientific explanation for how the universe began
- universe started as an incredibly hot, small, dense something
- a singularity expanded over 13.8 billion years
- as the universe continued to expand and cool the matter that had being flung in all directions became stars and grouped into galaxies
discuss how Christians value the world
- Monetary value of the world is very high because of all the diamonds and natural resources etc.. But Christians regard the world as a priceless gift from God loaned to humans as a result of his omnibenevolence
- Ultimately we cannot put a price on our home and the world provides and sustains life
- the world is aesthetically beautiful, it gives a sense of amazement, awe and wonder
give two quotes about the value of the world
‘when I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, humans beings that you care for them?’ (Psalm 8:3-4) OT
‘God blessed them and said to them, ‘be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground’’ (Genesis 1;28) OT
what is stewardship
Christians believe that God has given humans the freedom to live on planet earth with the responsibility of looking after it and preventing it from being ruined. There is only on Earth and it cannot be replaced. This responsibility to protect and care for the earth is known as stewardship. Many Christians believe they will be accountable to God concerning how well they looked after the earth.
what is dominion
Christians teach that humans were given the power and authority to rule over the world as they were left to manage the earth. A minority of Christians have interpreted this as they can do what they like with it because they are in charge.
Many believe they have been entrusted as stewards and they cannot do what they like to benefit themselves if it damages something God has made
discuss the use and abuse of the environment in relation to Genesis 1
the Genesis 1 creation story repeats several times ‘and god saw that it was good’. Creation doesn’t exist for what humans can get out of it, but has its own unique value in God’s eyes.
Any change we make means the world isn’t positive anymore
discuss abuse of the environment
- over-use of non-renewable resources
- deforestation
what do Christians believe we can do to help the environment
- avoid waste
- conserve energy
- reduce the demand for natural resources
- walking
- turning lights off
- reusing shopping bags
- donating to charity shops
- recycling
renewable energy sources
- solar but only works if the climatic conditions are right
- tidal is expensive
- wind power only works when its windy
- biofuel
- hydroelectricity
what is the Assisi and Ohito meetings
1986 Assisi - the world wildlife fund brought five world religions together to celebrate its 25th anniversary in Assisi
1995 Ohito - Brought together religious leaders and environmental scientists
At these meetings Christians said that being in charge of creation does NOT give people the right to abuse, spoil, waste or destroy what God has made
what are the three types of pollution
air pollution - caused by fumes from factories and vehicles. Causes global warming, climate change and acid rain.
Land pollution - caused by ineffective disposal of waste. Chemicals entering the earth can cause poison wildlife, making farming less efficient and contaminate food
water pollution - caused by dumping waste into the sea and can have an effect on marine life
give two quotes about pollution
‘the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it’ (Psalm 24:10 OT
‘every human act of irresponsibility towards creates is an abomination’ - Christian statement in the Assisis declarations on nature
what did Pope Francis say about pollution
In a letter titled ‘On the Care of Our Common Home’ he outlined the need to tackle the challenges of pollution, climate change and poverty
what do Christians believe about pollution
- Christians believe the world is on loan to humans
- Parable of the talents/bags of gold (Mathew 25) warns that when God returns he will judge how responsible people have been
- Pollution also harms people, so it is not ‘loving ones neighbour’ or considering future generations