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
what do Christians do to help fight pollution
- Christians in Britain sometimes arrange events to help tidy up their communities
- a group in Devon organised a day to help clean up their town and collaborated with Hope a Christian organisation that encourages churches to interact with their local communities
give two quotes on the use and abuse of animals
‘everything that lives and moves about will be food for you’ (Genesis 9:3) OT
‘The righteous care for the needs of their animals’ (Proverbs 12:10)
discuss Christian views on the use and abuse of animals
Animals were created by God for humans to use and care for. Many believe God values animals but that humans are more important because they were created in the image of God and have souls.
In Noah’s Ark, Noah was given permission to eat meat
The Bible teaches that animals are to be treated kindly even if they are used by humans as pets, transport, work, food, sport, experimentation and entertainment
discuss animal experimentation
- Scientists test new products such as medicines, cosmetics and additives used in processed foods on animals to check they are safe for humans to use
it is usually safe particularly when tested on Chimpanzees dogs or rabbits
Ryan Wilson was an exception in 2006, he was left in a coma and lost all his toes and the tops of some of his fingers
Banned in UK 1998 - banned testing cosmetics
Most animal experiments that still occur are on mice or rats that are specially bred for the purpose
Modern society - Christians generally support limited animal testing providing there is no other safe way to develop medicine and is carried out as caringly as possible
all life is sacred and a gift from god, it should be treated with respect
should Christians eat meat
Romans 14:2-3
Christians have the choice to be meat eaters, vegetarians or vegans
Most Christians eat meat - the bible does not teach that it its wrong
Those who are vegan/vegetarian do so because they are against killing animals
Others disagree with factory farms, they might dislike the taste of meat, believe eating vegetables is healthier
what does Genesis 1 say about the origins of humans
god created male and female humans on the final day of creation
give a quote about the origins of humans
‘so god created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them’
(Genesis 1:27) OT
what does Genesis 2 say about the origins of humans
Adam was formed by God from the soil and God breathed life into him. Adam was told to look after the Garden of Eden and to not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God took one of Adam’s ribs whilst he was sleeping and formed Eve.
Some Christians believe that Genesis 2 is literally true and the whole human race is descended from Adam and Eve
Some Christians would say it is not meant as a scientific account but is designed to show that humans are very special to God - but they are not physically the same as God - it means humans have a spiritual nature like God so are able to relate to him in a special way
discuss the scientific origins of human life
1859 - Charles Darwin published a book called ‘The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection’
Explains evolution: as the earth cooled, condition became right for the beginning of life and humans began to evolve
survival of fittest
natural selection
what do atheist believe about the origins of the human life
generally accept the theory of evolution because it best explains how life has developed on earth. Agree that life changes and adapts to survive in new challenging environments. Not concerned about God’s role in creation
what do fundamentalist Christians think about the origins of human life
the origin of human life was exactly as recorded in genesis with god creating each species separately
SOME accept adaptation can occur within a species but do not believe that there is enough evidence to prove that creatures evolve
what do some Christians believe about the origins of human life
believe in god as the creator but also accept the theory of evolution
they believe the Bible is concerned with why it happened whilst scientists are concerned with how it happened
They believe evolution is the way god designed life to advance and evolve
define abortion
the removal of a foetus from the womb to end pregnancy before the child is born. Refers to the deliberate termination of a pregnancy through a medical procedure
discuss the legal position of abortion
- before 1967 - abortion was illegal in the UK
- 1990 Human Fertilisation and embryology act - abortion is allowed up to the 24th week
- has to be in a licensed
what conditions must two doctors agree on to allow abortion
- woman’s life is in danger if the pregnancy continues
- a risk to the woman’s physical and mental health
- significant risk that the baby will be born with severe physical or mental disabilities
- An additional child may affect the physical or mental health of existing children in the family
- there is no time limit for abortions if the mother’s life is in danger or if the foetus is severely deformed
what do Christians believe about abortion
- believe in the sanctity of life and that humans are made in the image of God
- life is sacred, precious and a God-given blessing
- God has given each person a purpose in life
give a quote about abortion
‘before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart’
(Jeremiah 1:5) OT -(Galatians 1:15) NT
what do Catholics and some evangelical Christians think about abortion
- life begins at conception
- abortion is therefore wrong and should not happen, except to perhaps save the woman’s life
what is the argument against abortion (pro-life)
- life begins at conception because all the DNA is present to create a unique individual
- Abortion is murder and wrong (Exodus 20:13)
- The unborn child needs to be protected as stated in the UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child
- disabled people can enjoy a good quality of life
- unwanted children can be adopted by those who are unable to have children of their own
- people who have an abortion often suffer depression and guilt as a result
what is the argument for abortion (pro-choice)
- the woman’s life comes first
- she should have the right to choose what to do with her own body
- her life is affected
- she might be harmed physically/mentally
- believe human life does not really start until birth or at the earliest, the point of viability (the time from which a foetus can survive outside the womb)
- Woman’s life is more valuable
- It is cruel to bring a severely physically or mentally disabled child into the world
define euthanasia
comes from two Greek words: eu which means ‘good’ and Thanatos which means ‘death’ so euthanasia means ‘good or gentle death’. The intention is to end the life of someone who is in pain or has a poor quality of life due to a serious illness
what are the types of euthanasia
voluntary:
when a person asks a doctor to end their life as they do not wish to live anymore. This is their own choice.
Non-voluntary:
when a person is too ill to request to die for example because they are in a coma but a doctor will end their life for them because it is thought to do so would be in the best interests of the person
involuntary:
when the person is able to provide consent but does not, either because they do not want to or because they are not asked, but their life is ended anyway
what are the forms of euthanasia
active:
when active steps are taken to end someone’s life for example by giving them a lethal injection
passive:
when doctors stop providing treatment or do something that is intended to quicken the natural process of dying like not resuscitating someone after a heart attack
discuss euthanasia in the UK
- all forms of euthanasia are currently illegal in the UK and treated as murder or manslaughter
- however a medical decision may be made to withhold treatment if it is considered to be in a patients best interests. Such actions in Britain would not be considered euthanasia.
discuss the euthanasia case of Tony Bland
- 18 years old
- Went to the 1989 Semi-final FA cup Liverpool football game at Hillsborough football stadium
- overcrowding in standing only sections and a rush of fans led to a crush = 95 dead
- Tony: ribs crushed, lungs punctured, irreversible brain damage as a result - left in a vegetative state
- kept alive through food and fluid tubes - no hope of recovery
- hospital and parents petitioned to end his life
- 1933 consent was given to withdraw food and fluid tubes
- first time in UK to be legally permitted
- law didn’t see this as passive euthanasia
what are Christian beliefs about euthanasia
- taking a life is interfering with God’s plan
- it is comparable to murder and open to abuse e.g. if euthanasia was legalised it could potentially lead to those who are very old feeling pressure to ask for euthanasia in order not to burden their families
- Against the sanctity of life - only God has the right to take life away
- modern drugs and hospice care provide the dying with a chance to end their lives with dignity and without pain
SOME Christians do support euthanasia and believe that the drugs are used to end a suffering person’s life are God-given and it is the most loving thing to do
God gives people free will so they should be able to choose when to end their lives
give two quotes about euthanasia
‘all people deserve compassion and care in their suffering and dying. Euthanasia and assisted suicide should not however be considered acceptable responses. They undermine human dignity and are morally wrong’ - The salvation army
‘You shall not murder’ (Exodus 20:13) OT
discuss the right to die law
- September 2015 British Parliament rejected plans for a ‘right to die’ law in England and Wales
- 118 MPs were in favour and 330 against allowing some terminally ill adults to end their lives with medical supervision
- Dr Peter Saunders (Care Not Killing) was delighted with the outcome saying that it was necessary to protect the depressed, disabled, elderly and sick
discuss different views on death and the afterlife
- Atheists = at death one ceases to exist. They do not generally believe there is an afterlife and do not believe that people have souls
- Christians believe that death is not the end and that God judges whether a person will spend eternity in heaven or hell. They believe they will be in heaven in their physical bodies but others believe it is their souls that live on for eternity
- Catholics - believe in purgatory where souls undergo purification in order to achieve the holiness necessary to approach god and enter heaven
some believe in immediate judgement on death and the transition to heaven or hell
give some quotes on death and the afterlife
‘for god so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’ (John 3:16) NT
The resurrection of Jesus is evidence of an afterlife (John 11:25)
The Apostles Creed reads ‘I believe in the resurrection of the body’
discuss heaven
- indescribably wonderful
- where god resides
- Revelation 4:2-6 describes John’s vision of the throne room of god where he sees everyone worshipping God
- Revelation 21:4 - ‘God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain for the old order of things has assed away.’
discuss hell
- original designed for Satan and his demons ‘Depart from me, you are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angel’s’ (Mathew 25:41)
- a place of punishment for the unrighteous
- A place of torment ‘the smoke of torment will rise for ever and ever. There will be no rest day or night’ (Revelation 14:11)
what does Christianity teach about death and the afterlife
- teaches that seeking an eternity in heaven is more important than any other ambition ‘what good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?’ (Mark 8;36)
- believe God is holy and the relationship between himself and his people is broken by sin. To overcome this God sent Jesus to die on a cross to conquer sin and death
- The price for salvation was paid by Jesus’ death so that those who put their faith and trust in him might be forgiven and have eternal life in heaven. Heaven is a free gift to those who believe and put their trust into Jesus
