Explain two contrasting religious beliefs about euthanasia.
In your answer, you must refer to one or more religious traditions.
[4 marks]
- ISLAM
Euthanasia is zulm – wrong doing against Allah/ playing God/ Qur’an says that no one can die
except by Allah’s leave, that is a decree with a fixed term / life is sacred, created by Allah who has a
plan for each life / - Muhammad told a story of a man who helped a friend die because he was
suffering so much and as a result of his action was denied entry into paradise / - the suffering may be part of Allah’s plan /
- life should end when Allah wills it /
- passive euthanasia (with holding of
treatment) is accepted where there is no hope of recovery, etc.
Christianity
- All life is sacred life and should end naturally
- The Ten Commandments – ‘Do not kill’ /
- God gives and takes life
- very few support active euthanasia but some do eg Dutch Protestant Church see it
as an act of love and compassion - some may support passive euthanasia (ending of treatment)
believing that doctors do not have an overriding obligation to prolong life by all means possible eg
Church of England / - Catholic teaching does not support any form of euthanasia / support the
hospice movement, etc.
‘Abuse of the environment is impossible to stop.’
Evaluate this statement.
Arguments in support
- There are so many people in the world the environment is certain to be abused, damaged or destroyed. There is great demand on resources like oil, wood, minerals, etc.
- People abuse the environment to survive eg need for wood and energy for cooking.
- Modern lifestyles and technology demand resources. Use of fossil fuels causes pollution. Carbon emissions from vehicles, power stations and factories are causing climate change (the greenhouse effect) and acid rain, etc.
- It is impossible to turn the clock back once it has started to happen.
- There are increasing amounts of waste are being created by a throwaway society. People are demanding more and more – the Earth cannot cope: forests are being destroyed, plastic and non-biodegradable materials are causing pollution.
- People are more concerned with practising dominion than stopping abuse of the environment, etc.
Arguments in support of other views
- People should be concerned about future generations and encourage sustainable development.
- Harm the planet and it affects us all so it should be an important priority to stop abuse eg. reduce, recycle, reuse.
- Take action to prevent animal habitats being destroyed and species becoming extinct.
- Religions teach to be good stewards and to look after mother earth. Humans have been given responsibility to care for the world for God and should live sustainably.
- Earth summits show that things can be done, etc.
- Education changes the way people behave.
- More efforts by more people makes more difference.
- We can pass laws to protect the environment and punish transgressors.
- Campaigns have been effective in the past so will be in the future, eg. reintroducing species / ant plastic
- Christianity - ‘The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it’Psalm 24:1
/ trustees and so will be answerable to God / ideas of stewardship and dominion – Genesis 1:28
/ only tenants of the world – Leviticus 25:23
/ the Assisi and Ohito meetings and Earth Summits / must face God on Judgement Day
Pope John Paul II has said that people are responsible for the future of the planet, etc. - Islam - The Qur’an teaches that the world is green and beautiful and Allah has appointed people as his stewards /
- *the world has been created as a place of worship** /
- *people are trustees or khalifahs and answerable to God as people are tenants of the world/**
- *’do not seek from it more than you need’ – Hadith**
Explain two contrasting religious beliefs about nuclear weapons. In your answer you must refer to one or more religious traditions. [4 marks]
Christianity
- Some Christians believe that the problem with nuclear weapons is not the weapons themselves but their use /they can act as a deterrent and result in peace.
- A fundamental Christian belief is that only God has the right to end life that he has created / the Ten Commandments says, ‘You shall not murder’ (Exodus 20:13) /
- using nuclear weapons would not be supported by the Just War theory as innocent people are killed indiscriminately /
- ‘Faith groups in the UK are united in their conviction that any use of nuclear weapons would violate the sanctity of life and the principle of dignity core to our faith traditions.’ (Steve Hucklesby)
- / many Christians have campaigned for nuclear disarmament (CCND), etc.
Islam
- Muslims believe that as God created all life that they have a duty and responsibility to care for people and to work for peace/ as life is sacred using weapons which could kill millions of people and even destroy the world is wrong/
- innocent people should be protected/ ‘Fight in God’s cause against those who fight you, but do not overstep the limits; God does not love those who overlap the limits – Qur’an 2 : 190/
- ‘Do not contribute to your own destruction with your own hands, but do good, for God loves those who do good’ – Qur’an 2 : 195/
- some Muslims argue that as nuclear weapons are so destructive no one will dare to use them and so they help to keep the peace eg. Pakistan, etc.
‘War is the best way to solve problems between countries.’
Evaluate this statement
- Arguments in support
- War can be the lesser of two evils: It can be justified if its purpose is to stop atrocities and may be a reason to go to war to solve problems between countries.
- It is the best way if it is sanctioned by God, eg Holy War.
- It is if you are abiding by rules of Just / Holy War.
- It might be the only war a particular country (leader) might respond / listen to international pressure.
- War can be quicker than diplomacy
Arguments in support of other views
- There are many other methods of resolving conflicts that doesn’t cause so much destruction and harm. eg. negotiations, through UN, through sanctions or use of peace keeping forces.
- War ignores the sanctity of life by taking lives and ruining others. War creates refugees and brings terrible destruction.
- War wastes a country’s resources etc
Christianity
Matthew 5:9: ‘Happy are those who work for peace.’
* Matthew 5:44: ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.’ /
* Matthew 5:38-48 –do not take revenge, if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, let him slap your left cheek...
* Matthew 22:39: ‘Love your neighbour’ /
* Romans 12:17-21 Jesus taught peace, forgiveness and overcoming evil with goodness but he did overturn tables in the temple because it had become ‘a den of thieves.’
* Islam
- Surah 49.9: ‘If two parties of believers take up arms … make peace between them.’
- Surah 3.134: ‘Paradise is for … those who curb their anger and forgive their fellow men.’
- Islam seeks peace within the community / in the daily prayers peace is promoted: ‘peace be unto you.’ /
- the Qur’an teaches that revenge is wrong / I
- slam has the idea of the lesser jihad and those killed in jihad being rewarded in paradise.
- /Surah 4:74 / Fight for Allah -Surah 2 :190 / Surah 4:76 / will fight in a Just War, etc.
Explain two similar religious beliefs about the use of community service as a punishment. In your answer you must refer to one or more religious traditions.
[4 marks]
Christianity
Reformation is considered the most important criterion in deciding punishment / community service offers offenders a chance to make up for what they have done and receive help in reforming their behaviour / suitable for minor offences, etc
Islam
May be suitable for minor offences as offers opportunity for reform/
rarely used in Shari’ah law because community service orders are not considered enough of a deterrent to protect society
Explain two religious beliefs which show that all hate crimes are wrong. Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer. [5 marks]
Christianity
God created all human beings in his image (Genesis) with equal value / no individuals or groups should be singled out for inferior treatment to others /
Mark 12 : 31 – ‘Love your neighbour’ / your neighbour is everybody, regardless of race, religion, sexuality, disability or gender / “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”/
the Golden Rule ‘ Do to others what you want them to do to you.’/
New Testament teaches to love your enemies not hate them, etc
Islam
As they target a person they are regarded as serious crimes/
God created all human beings and so all are of equal value/ no individual or group should be singled out as inferior/
‘God commands justice …and prohibits wrongdoing and injustice…’
Qur’an 16:90/ hate crimes are against Muslim morality, etc
‘The death penalty should never be used.’
Evaluate this statement.
AGAINST
- Killing is wrong, even if it involves killing a serious offender.
- The most important aim of punishment is to reform. The death penalty may not allow time for repentance. It is neither loving or compassionate.
- Retribution is wrong as an aim of punishment. ‘An eye for an eye’ is about fair justice, not retribution and killing.
- against sanctity of life and is playing God.
- Does not recognise possible cause of the offence.
- Opposed by some religious leaders eg. Gandhi.
- Contradicts the law on murder
- Mistakes can be made and innocent people could be killed.
- It is more expensive to use the death penalty
FOR
- It acts as a deterrent and protects society.
- It is retribution for serious offences and seen by some as more loving to kill offenders so they cannot offend against society any further.
- It is a waste of resources to house a criminal for their entire life
- Some offenders cannot be reformed.
Christianity
- Death penalty opposed by most Christians / belief that only God has the right to take life
- Jesus taught that forgiveness is important and warned not to judge each other harshly /
- Ten Commandment – ‘Do not kill’
- punishments should help towards reforming an offender
- some do support the use of the death penalty making reference to Exodus 21 – ‘An eye for an eye ..life for a life’ / might deter people from serious crime, etc.
Islam
- Shari’ah law allows for the death penalty for a series of offences including murder, rape, adultery,
- expression of mercy is greatly valued and payment of compensation (blood money) is often paid instead of carrying out the death penalty / if the family does not show mercy the offender will be executed /
- the sentence is usually carried out in public to deter others from committing offences /
- it is preferable to forgive and some Muslims are opposed to the death penalty eg the Muslim Peace Fellowship, etc.
‘If everyone followed religious teachings then laws about human rights would not be needed.’
Evaluate this statement
Arguments in support
- All religions believe in the importance and dignity of human beings
- All religions promote the ideas of justice, equality and compassion
- The UNDHR was agreed by nation states, for many believers the government of a nation is appointed by God so UNDHR can be seen as God’s plan therefore needing support
- Religions believe humans are creations of God and therefore special
- Many religious beliefs are reflected in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights for example justice, equality, right to practise religion, right to life, etc
Against
- UNDHR enshrines rights that are not necessarily supported by religions e.g. many Christians and Muslims will not carry out same-sex marriages.
- Everyone has right to freedom of thought/ freedom of expression/ right not to practise a religion/ right to change religion, some religions may not support these statements
- Religions are followed by humans and are therefore open to distortion and corruption
- It is possible that rules that could be introduced by religions that would limit/deny people’s freedoms
- The fact that we have human rights laws suggests that religious laws are not sufficient.
Explain two contrasting religious beliefs about animal experimentation. In your answer you must refer to one or more religious traditions. [4 marks]
Christianity
- Christians view animals as part of God’s creation / they believe part of their duty, as stewards of creation, is to protect animals, not exploit them /
- ‘The righteous care for the needs of their animals’ – Proverbs 12:10 /
- idea of dominion (Genesis 1) may be used to support animal experimentation as humans are seen as superior to animals / opposed to testing cosmetics on animals, etc.
Islam
- Muslims believe that everyone can be challenged on Judgement Day on how they have treated animals /
- Muslims believe scientific experiments should not involve cruelty and should only be done for important medical research / testing cosmetics on animals is seen as wrong, etc.
- One who kills unnecessarily, even a sparrow, will be questioned by Allah on the day of Judgement. - Hadith
One Hadith quotes Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as saying: “A good deed done to an animal is as meritorious as a good deed done to a human being, while an act of cruelty to an animal is as bad as an act of cruelty to a human being.”
Explain two religious beliefs about how human life began on earth. Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer.
Christianity
- Genesis 1 states that God created male and female humans on the final day of creation /
- Genesis 1:27 ‘So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them’ /
- Genesis 2 says that Adam was formed from the soil and God breathed life into him / while Adam was sleeping God took one of his ribs and formed Eve, the first woman / s
- some Christians believe that this is literally true but others say that the story is designed to show that humans are very special to God, created by him in his image / others believe in God as creator but also accept the theory of evolution, etc.
Islam
- God moulded the first man from clay and breathed life into him / named him Adam and created from the same soul His wife, Eve (Hawwa) /
- ‘You humans were lifeless and He gave you life’ – Qur’an 2:28 /
- Adam and Hawwa lived in the beautiful garden of paradise until they disobeyed God /
- some Muslims are creationists and reject evolution / other Muslims accept the theory of evolution, etc.
‘Abortion should be allowed only when the mother’s life is at risk.’
Evaluate this statement
For
- There are too many abortions for trivial reasons and should only be allowed to save the mother’s life. The mother’s life should take precedence over the foetus.
- Children are God given and every child has a purpose so should not be aborted.
- Children are the future and are a blessing.
- Life begins at conception so abortion is seen as murder and goes against the sanctity of life
- There are other options eg adoption
- If it is believed that the baby will be born with disabilities, disabled people can live fulfilled lives.
- The mother might regret having an abortion later and feel guilty, etc
Against
- The woman’s circumstances should be considered eg may be pregnant because of rape or has been deserted by the father.
- The mother might not be able to cope emotionally or financially.
- The child might be unwanted and unloved eg it might ruin her career or it may have a severe disability.
- The mother should have a choice as it is her body which has to go through the pregnancy.
- The current law has got it right, etc..
Christianity:
- Christianity Roman Catholics and many evangelical Christians believe that life starts at conception / created in the image of God – Genesis 1:27 /
- abortion goes against the sanctity of life
- 10 commandements
- other Christians generally oppose abortion but believe that it is acceptable in some circumstances eg if the pregnancy is the result of rape or if the child would be severely disabled /
- the C of E and Methodists say that sometimes it is ‘the lesser of two evils’ and the most kind thing to do, etc.
Islam
- Muslims believe that God (Allah) creates life and should decide when life should end /
- life is sacred and so taking a life is a sin / abortion is generally haram (forbidden) /
- Hadith: “No severer of womb relationship ties will ever enter paradise.” /
- however many Muslims believe that an abortion should be allowed if the mother’s life is at risk or if a foetus is kept will cause severe physical or mental harm to the mother / the mother’s life and wellbeing takes priority as this is seen as the lesser of two evils /
- ‘Do not kill your children for fear of poverty …We shall provide for them and for you … killing them is a great sin’ – Qur’an 17:31 /
- some Muslims support allowing abortions if the foetus will be born with severe disabilities or if conception was the result of rape / if an abortion is seen as necessary it should take place as early as possible and before ensoulment /
- some Muslims say that ensoulment occurs after 40 days of pregnancy, others say after 120 days & having an abortion after ensoulment is seen as taking a life and a grave sin, etc.
‘Religious believers should never fight in a war.’
Evaluate this statement.
FOR
- • Religions teach that war is an evil which should be avoided as it kills innocent civilians and ruins the environment.
- • Religions teach their followers to work for peace so it is hypocritical to fight in war.
- Wars are fought because of motives like greed and wanting more power or land or to impose beliefs on other people which is not what religions teach.
- Disputes should be settled in other ways eg negotiations, through the United Nations, trade sanctions. / There have to be better ways of solving a dispute as war creates more problems than it solves.
- Goes against the religions’ golden rules and peace is priceless.
Against
- • Sometimes it is seen as right for religious believers to fight if there is a just reason for a war / accept Just War conditions eg just cause / lawfully declared by proper authority / good intention / last resort / reasonable chance of success / fought by just means / the good achieved will outweigh the evil / avoidance where possible of injury to civilians / protect trees, crops and animals / need to overthrow a cruel dictator / stop genocide or other atrocities / bring freedom to a country / defend faith / self-defence.
- May be classified as a Holy War eg fighting to protect their religion.
- May be seen as the only way to bring peace in the end.
- Could be seen as the lesser of two evils such as the only way to destroy weapons of mass destruction and / or stop genocide or an aggressive regime, etc
Christianity
- While the Christian Church may speak out against killing and Jesus said “Blessed are the peacemakers”, many Christians are prepared to fight for their country or religion against evil
- St. Augustine and Thomas Aquinas developed the criteria for the Just War theory
- Jesus used violence in the Temple to throw out those who were exploiting
- Christians are pacifists eg The Quakers (Society of Friends) and will not fight under any circumstances /
- the Ten Commandments include ‘Do not kill’ /
- Crusades
Islam
- Muslims believe in the lesser jihad – a military struggle in defence of Islam, self-defence and justice /
- if a country is mistreating its Islamic citizens, it is permissible to fight in support of fellow Muslims /
- Muslims believe that those who fight for Islam will receive the favour and reward of God – Qur’an 4:74 /
- although believing in the Just War principles, Muslims believe that it is much better if war can be avoided /
- the word ‘Islam’ comes from the root word ‘salaam’ meaning ‘peace’ /
- ‘Do not kill each other, for God is merciful to you. If any of you does these things, out of hostility and injustice, We shall make him suffer Fire’ – Qur’an 4:29–30, etc
‘There is nothing wrong with sending a criminal to prison.’
Evaluate this statement.
FOR
- Prison provides society with protection & ensures that the law is respected.
- A prison sentence gives offenders a chance to reflect on their actions and decide to reform.
- Prisons contain some troubled individuals who need social help, education, medical help, work and life skills and attempts to provide this can be found in the prison system.
- Prisons can attend classes to improve their education and skills which prepares them for the outside world.
- Opportunities are given to talk through their problems and realise their mistakes and learn strategies for coping with life’s problems in a constructive way, etc.
AGAINST
- Prison isolates those who deserve punishment from their families and friends (retribution) but doesn’t reform them.
- Being locked up often breeds resentment, bitterness and a determination to get back at society.
- Many prisons have problems such as over-crowding, little exercise, poor diet, boredom, violence and drug-abuse.
- Imprisonment punishes the family as well as the criminal.
- There is a high rate of reoffending
- A prison record makes it very difficult to get a job on release, which may lead back into crime
- Other forms of punishment may be more suitable when considering the offender and/or their offence, eg community service, etc.
Christianity
- Christians support the idea of constructive work and education so that inmates can learn worthwhile skills in prison /
- they believe in medical programmes to help prisoners overcome addiction /
- they may take their inspiration from the Parable of the Sheep and Goats(HELP THOSE IN NEED) /
- they believe that offenders should be helped to change their ways once the punishment is over so that they don’t reoffend
- Christian chaplains regularly visit inmates and help them to change, etc.
Islam
- Prisons should be reserved for those who do serious crimes and so the protection of the public is the first priority / imposes a loss of liberty and freedom /
- ‘God commands justice … and prohibits wrongdoing, and injustice…’ Qur’an
- Muslims often argue that corporal punishment is better
- Muslim chaplains regularly visit inmates and help them to change, etc
Give two reasons why freedom of religion is an important human right. [2 marks]
- Included in the UNDHR / religion a fundamental part of a person’s life
- allows people to practise their faith
- cannot be ordered by law to believe something
- provides protection to religious minorities
- allows people to follow the faith of their choosing
- allows people to express themselves
- aims to prevent persecution
- promotes social inclusion
- promotes tolerance,
Christian and Muslim beliefs about wealth
- Islam Islam teaches that wealth is a gift from Allah / humans are caretakers of what Allah has given them / on Judgment Day Muslims will be asked how they spent their wealth / wealth should be used to support others through the payment of zakat
- ‘Tell those who hoard gold and silver instead of giving in God’s name that they will have a grievous punishment.’ (Qur’an 9:34) / ‘Beware of greed for it is ready poverty’ (Hadith) / usury is condemned etc.
- ‘No one can serve two masters…you cannot serve both God and money’ (Matthew 6:24) /
- ‘For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.’ (1 Timothy 6:10) /
- ‘Be on your guard against all types of greed’ Luke 12:15) / recognition that wealth is a gift from God /
- ‘Wealth and honour come from you…we have given you only what comes from your hand’ (1 Chronicles 29:12&14) /
- wealth should be used appropriately for example in support of one’s family or to help others /
- some Christians pay a tithe to support the church /
- ‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the tree belongs to the Lord.’ (Leviticus 27:30) /
- St Paul taught that Christians should also pay their taxes to enable the government to do their job
‘Positive discrimination should be used to help end racial discrimination.’
Evaluate this statement
- All religions believe in the importance and dignity of human beings, positive discrimination promotes this.
- All religions promote the ideas of justice, equality and compassion, this is supported by positive discrimination of groups
- previously discriminated against.
- Positive discrimination allows people who have previously been discriminated against due to race to have a fair chance in gaining jobs, housing, equal wages etc.
- Positive discrimination recognises there has been injustice in the past and society accepts that it was wrong.
- Humans are created by God and are therefore equal and so should be treated fairly, positive discrimination goes some way to addressing the unfairness in society, etc.
Against
- • All discrimination is wrong.
- • Positive discrimination could mean that well qualified people are not employed because they do not fit criteria.
- • Positive discrimination favours certain groups and so is unjust.
- • Positive discrimination may lead to resentment and prejudice.
- • Where does positive discrimination stop? Who decides when the imbalance in representation of a particular group is balanced?
Christianity
- Christianity teaches that all are made in the image of God / therefore equal before God /
- ‘Love your neighbour as you love yourself’ sets the standard for how a person should be treated /
- ‘So there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female for you are all one in Christ Jesus’ (Galatians 3:28) affirms the equality of all humans / therefore affirms the right to be treated with respect
- teaching on sanctity of life
Islam
- Islam teaches that all human beings are creations of Allah / everyone is created equal but different so discrimination is unjustified /
- there are certain basic human rights which should be shared by all of humanity / these human rights are given by Allah / duty of Muslims to protect them in order to protect against their loss which can lead to tyranny /
- justice should be administered fairly and equitably / ‘No bearer of burdens shall be made to bear the burdens of others’ (Surah 6:164) / ‘Allah doth command you…when you judge between man and man, that you judge with justice.’ (Qur’an 4:58), etc.
‘It is possible to believe in both the Big Bang theory and religious teachings about the origins of the universe.’
Arguments in support
- Some believe that God created/caused the Big Bang as a way of forming the universe.
- Most scientists believe that the universe had a beginning. So was God the first cause?
- Some creation stories suggest that God created the universe in six days but the days might stand for a long period of time and so not disagree with the Big Bang theory.
- The creation stories may only be designed to show that God was involved in creation and not to explain how it happened,
AGAINST
- • The Big Bang theory does not need a supernatural cause as the universe could have come into being by accident.
- • Scientists say that the universe has evolved naturally over billions of years not in six days for instance.
- • There are contradictions in the religious teachings about the origins of the universe.
- • The creation stories are just myths, etc.
- ISLAM
- *Only God existed before the universe which he created with his divine word** /
- Most Muslims believe that the Qur’an refers to six phases or distinct periods of time in the creation of the universe /
- What is included in the Qur’an concerning creation closely resembles the Big Bang theory / The heavens and stars were at one time in ‘smoke’ material / Could be interpreted as the universe gradually cooled and matter joined together to form the stars /
- The Qur’an is more concerned about why the universe came into being whereas scientists focus on how / Islam teaches that creation wasn’t an accident but was designed by God, etc.
CHRISTIANITY
- Genesis 1:1 – Genesis 2 : 3 gives an account of how God created the universe in six days and rested on the seventh / Genesis 2 gives a second creation story /
- fundamentalist Christians believe that these stories are exactly how God created the universe as they believe that every word in the Bible has been inspired by God & The Big Bang theory suggests that the universe has come into being over billions of years so the six days cannot be true
- Many Christians see the six days of creation as just symbolic of a period of time
- Some Christians believe that the Genesis stories are myths that portray important truths about the universe, eg that it is good / The ‘why’ is more important than the ‘how’
‘It is wrong for any country to have weapons of mass destruction.’
Arguments in support
- If used, weapons of mass destruction may kill thousands of innocent people and wildlife and cause immense suffering.
- If weapons of mass destruction are used, the conflict may escalate and destroy the planet so they should be destroyed.
- Weapons of mass destruction are hugely expensive and it is unlikely that they will ever be used so there is no point in having them.
- Accidents could occur which could have a devastating impact, etc
Against
- WMD may serve as a deterrent and help to prevent war.
- • Countries that possess weapons of mass destruction can be considered to be safer than those without.
- • The existence of nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction has kept the peace in Europe since end of WW2.
- • As the technology to make them exists, the clock cannot be turned back to ‘uninvent’ them.
- • Mutually Assured Destruction, etc.
Christians:
- Christians are encouraged to work towards peace / following the peaceful example of Jesus would rule out weapons of mass destruction /
- WMD disobey the just war criteria (proportionality) as potential for massive civilian casualties / against the sanctity of life /
- ‘do not kill’ / ‘love your neighbour’ (may be the more loving thing to do if it ends violence) /
- nuclear weapons have proved to be a deterrent and have helped to keep the peace /
- they could be used as a last resort in the most serious of circumstances, especially if they prevent further suffering, etc.
Islam:
- Use of WMD is wrong because it could destroy the world God created for humankind /
- they don’t reflect a belief in peace /
- war should be in defence but weapons of mass destruction are aggressive, not defensive /
- nuclear weapons do not fulfil lesser jihad / money could be used better on providing for the poor
- / some Muslim countries, eg Pakistan, have nuclear weapons as deterrence and for self-defence but have never used them, etc.
‘Religious teachings can help to stop discrimination against homosexuals.’
Arguments in support:
- All humans are made in the image of God.
- How can something God created be wrong?
- All discrimination is wrong.
- Some religious people see same-sex attraction as being against natural law.
- Some religious teachings condemn same-sex relationships; religious authority cannot be explained away because it is seen as old and inconvenient.
- In much traditional religious thought there is great emphasis on having children, this cannot occur biologically between a same-sex couple without a surrogate or donor.
- Some people might believe that human sexuality is a choice made by the individual.
- Much traditional religious teaching is focused on the continuation of family and communities, hence the focus on heterosexuality.
‘Religious teachings can help to stop discrimination against homosexuals.’
Arguments in support:
- All humans are made in the image of God.
- How can something God created be wrong?
- All discrimination is wrong.
AGAINST
- • Some religious people see same-sex attraction as being against natural law.
- • Some religious teachings condemn same-sex relationships; religious authority cannot be explained away because it is seen as old and inconvenient.
- • In much traditional religious thought there is great emphasis on having children, this cannot occur biologically between a same-sex couple without a surrogate or donor.
- • Some people might believe that human sexuality is a choice made by the individual.
- • Much traditional religious teaching is focused on the continuation of family and communities, hence the focus on heterosexuality.
Believes discrimination is wrong / ‘God created everyone equally / ‘There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female for all are one in Christ Jesus’ (Galatians 3:28) / Jesus told people to ‘love their neighbour’ / to ‘treat others as we wish to be treated’ / homosexuality is seen as wrong by some Christians though attitudes are changing / some branches of Christianity eg Quakers accept same-sex relationships / others question the traditional application of the teachings on homosexuality / God created humans, ‘and it was very good’ (Genesis 2) regardless of their sexuality / God recognises that ‘it is not good for man to be alone’ (Genesis 2) / much New Testament teaching is built around the condemnation of cultic prostitution in the temples and maintaining a lifestyle distinct from those who worshipped in the various temples so is not really easily applied to a loving same-sex relationship / some Christians distinguish between sexual orientation and sexual acts / regarding only the latter as sinful / the Metropolitan Community Church is a worldwide denomination that has grown from the LGBT community and therefore accepts all relationships, etc.
Islam Allah created everyone equal but different / this is Allah’s design so discrimination is unjustified / ‘Allah loves the fair-minded’ / discrimination therefore wrong / some believe that same-sex relationships are against Islam / the Qur’an sets out severe punishment which can include the death penalty / many Muslim states however use jail or corporal punishment rather than the death penalty as it is argued that the death penalty is not stipulated in the Qur’an / some Muslims do argue that it is acceptable to be in same-sex relationships / and argue that it is lust that is condemned in the Qur’an and not faithful homosexual love / this view remains controversial in some Muslim communities / the Inclusive Mosque Initiative is an organisation in the UK that believes homosexuality should be accepted in Islam, etc.
ARguements for and against corporal punishment
Arguments for corporal punishment:
- • It can fulfil the aim of retribution
- • It could be more effective than prison as people fear pain
- • Some see it as a deterrent
- *Cheaper than prison**
Arguments against corporal punishment:
- • It is barbaric and inhumane
- • To purposely inflict pain is unacceptable
- • Revenge is wrong
Contrasting beliefs about evil
Religion teaches that people should live good lives and avoid evil. Religious people believe they will be judged when an individual dies. In Christianity the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46) says that everyone will be judged and separated into the good (sheep) and bad (goats). Many Christians believe that evil is caused by free will. Humans are born with original sin and this makes all humans capable of sin. Some say Satan tempts people to sin.
Islam teaches that Allah is merciful. If you are good you will be rewarded, if you do bad things God will punish you. Many Muslims believe that Iblis (devil) tries to make humans turn to evil.
Contrasting beliefs about social justice
Social justice is putting into practice the principles of human rights. Working for social justice includes: • Trying to ensure different groups of people are not discriminated against • Trying to redistribute wealth so everyone can afford to live comfortably For social justice to exist, society must be fair to all regardless of race, age, gender, sexuality and disability. Society has to be organised so that it is open to all in terms of education, health care, social welfare and housing.
Jesus taught his followers that those who help others will go to heaven.
The Qur’an says that those who ‘give zakah…will be the successful’. (Qur’an 7:156)
Contrasting beliefs about social justice
Social justice is putting into practice the principles of human rights. Working for social justice includes: • Trying to ensure different groups of people are not discriminated against • Trying to redistribute wealth so everyone can afford to live comfortably For social justice to exist, society must be fair to all regardless of race, age, gender, sexuality and disability. Society has to be organised so that it is open to all in terms of education, health care, social welfare and housing.
Jesus taught his followers that those who help others will go to heaven.
The Qur’an says that those who ‘give zakah…will be the successful’. (Qur’an 7:156)
