section 4

• the origins of the universe

  • cosmological theories- how the universe began- big bang theory
  • evolutionary theories- how living things changed- evolution
  • science- life came from evolution- some christians believe in evolution
• christian ideas on the big bang and evolution

  • bible- literal for some
  • God- 6 days- rested 7- humans in his image
  • lack of evidence- fossils
  • God's creations and evolution are in the same order- plants, trees, fish, bird, animals and humans
  • the church of england and roman catholic church believe science and religion can work together
• issues with evolution

  • challenges bible
  • natural selection- no longer need religion to answer big questions
  • no need for original sin, the fall, atonement and salvation
  • natural selections challenges God's good nature- suffering
• creationist response to scientific views

  • reject evolution
  • claim the fossil record doesn't provide enough evidence for evolution
• intelligent design response to scientific views

  • God created each species separately and at the same time
  • claim that evolution explains developments with species, but only God and Genesis can explain the creation of species
• the compatibility response to scientific views

  • they believe in the big bang, but believe that God set it off and controlled how the world has developed since
• christian responses are important because if God is not responsible for everything, everything must be wrong
• the environment and stewardship

  • responsibility from God as christians
  • power- dominion
  • some see it as commodity
  • God made them stewards
  • pass on to the next generation, more than they have been given
  • judgement day
  • interdependent- may end up eventually harming people
• abortion

  removal of the foetus- only can be done up until the 24th week of pregnancy
• abortion

  • roman catholics- don't allow:
  • murder
  • life begans at conception
  • church of england- disagree with it but allow it in certain situations:
  • removes suffering
  • situation ethics
• abortion- pro-choice

  • people who support a woman's right to abortion
  • not separate life
  • her body, her choice
• abortion- pro-life

  • support the foetus' right to life and want abortion to be banned
  • life begins at conception
  • they have claims on the mother's body
  • there is some debate surrounding the time limit on abortions
• the afterlife

  • heaven of hell- judged on actions
  • catholics- purgatory
  • paranormal- mediums and reincarnation, near-death or out-of-body experience
  • word of God- their own beliefs are in the bible
  • christians might argue that jesus' resurrection shows that there's life after death
• humans have damaged the environment- global warming

  • greenhouse gases keep the earth warm
  • they have increased in the atmosphere, which has caused the earth to get hotter- global warming
  • this has caused:
  • ice melting
  • sea levels to rise
  • flooding
  • caused by fuels like oil, coal and gas
• humans have damaged the environment- natural resources

  • anything found naturally that''s useful to humans
  • population increasing, people use more raw material and energy
  • they will eventually run out
  • fertile land is rapidly declining
  • overgrazing and irresponsible farming methods turn them into desert
• humans have damaged the environment- pollution

  • pollution from chemicals can contaminate the environment
  • sewage and chemicals harm plants and animals
  • there is toxic chemicals used in farming, people bury nuclear waste underground and there is an increase in landfill sites
  • smoke and gases from vehicles pollute the air, cause health problems and damage the ozone layer
• christians will try to avoid these things

  • global warming
  • natural resources
  • pollution
• christians looking after the planet

  • reducing and repairing the harm caused to the environment- planting more trees
  • recycling paper and plastic
  • taking public transport or walking
  • managing with the resources currently available- renewable energy like solar panels and wind turbines
  • campaign to better inform and educate- christian aid and tearfund
  • put pressure on governments/ industry- abusing the planet
• following christian teaching on stewardship is futile (pointless)

  • only government action can deal with the problems
  • religion won't build alternative energy
  • recycling has to be organised on an international basis- everybody doing it together
• animal rights

  • made on day 6 before humans
  • used to test products used by humans or for medical experiments
  • some see it as cruel
  • others see it from a utilitarian view
  • animal testing is acceptable if it could help many people, even if animals suffer
  • used for food
  • humans are built to consume meat
  • hurting animals is wrong- better to be vegetarian or vegan
• utilitarianism

  the idea that decisions should be bases on the greatest good for the greatest number
• christians believe animals should be treated well

  • dominion- humans have the right to do what they want with animals
  • stewardship- means caring for god's creatures
  • should be treated with kindness
  • can be used to benefit mankind- limited suffering
  • only human life is sacred:
  • only humans were created in the image of god
  • only humans have souls
• animal testing

  • catholic church only accept it if it benefits mankind- life-saving medicines
  • some christians think it's always wrong- medicines don't always have the same effect on humans as they do on animals
  • quakers are against any ill-treatment of animals
• why do some christians support animal research

  • humans are made in the image of god
  • god put humankind in charge of animals
  • only humans have souls
  • animal testing has developed vaccines against diseases
  • advances in treatments rely on animal tests
• why do some christians oppose animal research

  • all animals are made by god so are just as intrinsically valuable as humans
  • even the smallest animal is valuable to god- jesus said
  • animals have souls
  • opposed to scientist freedom- experimentation of curiosity or cosmetics
• eating meat

  • no specific food laws
  • vegetarianism and veganism are matters for individuals to decide
  • bible talks about eating meat
  • vegetarianism is more spiritual and compatible with stewardship
  • being a vegetarian is not what god requires of them
  • bible supports the eating of meat
  • more christians concerned about animals welfare standards in the food industry- need to be reassured
• sanctity of life

  • life is holy or sacred (special)
  • life is a gift from god
  • it belongs to god
  • human life needs to be valued and preserved
  • god creates life
  • life belongs to its creator and so life and death decisions must be in the hands of god
  • life and death of jesus show how sacred human life is
  • god sanctified (made holy) human life by becoming- jesus suffering- made no attempt to stop it- god decides
• bible- sanctity of life

  • only humanity can have a relationship with god and a soul- only humanity was made in god's likeness- 'god created mankind in his own image' - god's characteristics
  • human life is special because it comes directly from god
  • the bible makes the special nature of human life clear in the ten commandments
  • new testament- human body is a temple because god's spirit is in humans- 'your body is a temple of the holy spirit'
• 'your body is a temple of the holy spirit'

  • treat body with respect
  • sex outside of marriage
  • only god can end life
  • abortion
  • euthanasia
• non-religious views on the value of human life

  • theory of evolution- common ancestry with apes- human beings have comparable value to other forms of life on earth- they are no more important than animals or plant
  • human beings seem to have a superior ability to reason or feel
• euthanasia

  • ending someone's life to relieve suffering
  • active euthanasia- voluntary/ assisted dying- illegal in the uk- legal in switzerland
  • passive euthanasia- non-voluntary- life-support macine might be turned off if there is no hope of recovery- legal in the uk
• euthanasia

  • all life is created by god, belongs to god, is holy- sanctity of life argument
  • people don't have the right to interfere when life ends, or preventing the beginning of a new life
  • many support hospices
  • other people take into consideration a person's quality of life
• euthanasia

  • assisted dying
  • voluntary- active
  • non-voluntary- passive
• christians oppose euthanasia

  • life is sacred and should only be taken by god
  • bible says in the ten commandments that people must not murder
  • bible says that life and death decisions belong only to god
  • church leaders say that life is sacred and comes from god
  • they must care for sick people
  • local churches have links with hospices
  • hospices allow a person to feel valued
  • suffering is a part of life
• christian attitudes to pain-killers and life-support machines

  • most christians accept them even if they know it is shortening the patient's life- the doctrine of double-effect
  • do not agree with switching off life-support machines- must be allowed when there are no signs of life- it is a way of demonstrating christian compassion
  • roman catholics believe that anything that intentionally causes death is wrong- those who are unlikely to recover consciousness should be kept alive
  • anglican denominations are against active euthanasia- terrible distress should not be suffered at all costs- death may be considered a blessing rather than continuing life-extending treatment
  • a person's quality of life must be considered
• non-religious arguments against euthanasia

  • people gaining from wills
  • a cure might be found
  • doctors should be saving lives not ending them- pressure, guilt, predicament
  • people might not be in their right mind
  • may feel pressured- elderly- wills
• non-religious reasons for euthanasia

  • if people's quality of life is appalling- it's the kindest thing to do
  • life support machines is a form of euthanasia when they are turned off- can't do anything for themselves
  • judges can give doctors permission to stop treatment so why not euthanasia
  • it's a basic human right to have control over ending your life
  • situation ethics- looking for the most loving option in each situation- where it seems to be the kindest option
  • dogs are put to sleep- why not humans
• humanist views on euthanasia

  • live by moral principles based on reason and respect for others
  • promote happiness and fulfilment in this life- they believe it is the only one we have
  • in many circumstances voluntary euthanasia is the morally right course
• atheist views on euthanasia

  • they do not believe life is sacred
  • it's up to each person to decide
  • do not agree with the abuse of euthanasia
  • if a person chooses to die then it's their right
• some people don't believe in life after death because

  • if there is no god, there is nothing non-material (spiritual)
  • evidence in holy books contradicts each other
  • the mind or soul cannot survive without the body
  • there is nowhere for life after death to take place- space exploration