Relationships

• Christian beliefs on Creation:

  • God designed and created the universe
  • God created all things 'out of nothing'
  • Genesis 1 provides a detailed story about how the Earth was created
  • Creation happened over 7 days
  • Day 1:God created light and separated day and night
  • Day 2: God made the sky
  • Day 3: God formed the seas, land, vegetation, and plants
  • Day 4: God created the sun, moon, and stars
  • Day 5: God made fish, animals of the seas, and birds
  • Day 6: God created all animals on land and humans in his own image
• • Day 7: God rested and made the day holy, pleased with his creation
• Muslim beliefs on Creation:

  • God created the world in 6 days (phases), which could be periods of time
  • God created the universe on his divine word before time existed
  • The Qur'an does not specify what happened on each day
  • The Qur'an does not mention a day of rest but states that God put the universe under his command
  • Muslims believe God's work and creation continue with every new birth and seed that grows
• The Big Bang Theory:

  • Scientific explanation for the universe's beginning
  • 13.8 billion years ago, all matter was compressed into a small, hot, dense mass
  • Massive expansion of space occurred, flinging matter in all directions
  • Universe expanded, cooled, and stars formed galaxies
• Christian views:

  • Fundamental Christians believe every word in the Bible is inspired by God and 100% true
  • Liberal Christians view the Bible as a parable/symbol, emphasizing using science to understand creation
  • The Big Bang could be God's way of forming the universe
• Muslim views:

  • Islam encourages scientific exploration for a greater understanding of God
  • The Qur'an links well to the Big Bang Theory, explaining why the universe came into being while science explains how
  • Muslims believe God's creation was not accidental but designed and perfect
• Value of the world:

  • Awe and Wonder:
  • Seeing beautiful landscapes and stars inspires awe and wonder, proving God's existence
  • Nature's beauty and complexity reflect the glory of God
  • Humans are the most intelligent species and should live in harmony with nature
  • Muslims and Christians believe in respecting nature and caring for the environment
  • Living on Earth is a privilege, and stewardship is emphasized
• Stewardship:

  • Christians:
  • Humans are stewards of the Earth, responsible for looking after it
  • Adam was the first steward in the Garden of Eden
  • Muslims:
  • Humans are called khalifah, responsible for caring for the planet
  • Looking after the environment brings balance and humans will be judged on their treatment of the planet
• Use and abuse of the environment:

  • Pressures on the environment due to growing population leading to environmental implications
  • Key terms:
  • Natural resources: materials found in nature like oil and trees
  • Sustainable development: building and progress that reduces impact on the natural world
  • Abuse: misuse of the world and environment
  • Non-renewable energy, deforestation, and recycling are environmental concerns
• Pollution:

  • Pollution is making something dirty and contaminated, especially the environment
  • Water, air, and land pollution have detrimental effects on humans, animals, and plants
  • Christians believe in stewardship and oppose pollution, as it harms others and goes against 'love thy neighbour'
• Animals:

  • Animals used for experiments to test products for human safety
  • Christians support limited animal testing, while Muslims believe in causing minimal suffering
  • Animals for food: Christians have the choice to eat meat, while Muslims follow halal guidelines for meat consumption
  • Value of Animals: God created all living things, and animals should be treated with kindness and compassion
• Origins of human life:

  • Evolution suggests the development of human life over time
• Origins of human life
• Evolution suggests that all living things in the world have developed over time from simple forms
• Charles Darwin studied the variation in plants and animals and recognised the differences around the world
• Darwin proposed the idea of natural selection, where creatures with characteristics most suited to the environment are more likely to survive, reproduce, and pass on their genes
• Some Christians believe in the literal truth of Genesis, where God created Adam and Eve as the first humans
• Muslims believe that God created the first human being, Adam, and his wife Eve, the 'Mother of humankind'
• Abortion
• Abortion is the removal of the foetus from the womb to end a pregnancy before the child is born
• Before 1967, abortion was illegal in the UK
• Christian views on abortion vary, with some supporting it in certain circumstances and others believing life begins at conception
• Muslim views on abortion also vary, with some allowing it in specific situations and others considering it haram
• Non-religious views on abortion include pro-choice groups advocating for a woman's right to choose and pro-life groups arguing that life begins at conception
• Euthanasia
• Euthanasia is the intention to end the life of someone who is in pain or has poor quality of life due to a serious illness
• There are different forms of euthanasia, including active euthanasia and passive euthanasia
• Some Christians support euthanasia, believing it provides a dignified and peaceful death, while others oppose it, stating that only God has the right to take life
• Muslims generally oppose euthanasia, considering it haram and against the sanctity of life
• Death and the afterlife
• Christians and Muslims believe that what they do in life will affect their eternity, leading them to follow the instructions of God
• Both religions believe in an afterlife where individuals will be judged and either go to heaven or hell
• Muslims believe in the concept of Akirah, where the soul continues in the afterlife in heaven or hell
• Christian views on heaven include it being a place of worship and no pain, while hell is seen as a place of punishment
• Muslims aim to reach paradise (Jannah) and avoid hell (Jahannam) through good deeds and accountability for their actions