Incarnation

• Abortion is wrong - agree points

  AGREE:

  • It is murder, a grave moral sin "Do not kill" because baby is alive "baby leaped in her womb" therefore breaks sanctity of life and God's will
  • Alternatives such as adoption are available, all made in "God's image" so all life is valuable no matter the circumstance
• Abortion is wrong- disagree points

  DISAGREE:

  • If a child would have a low quality of life, it is not compassionate or fair to bring them into the world "love thy neighbour" Christians should be kind and consider factors such as war or conflict
  • If abortions are not allowed, people will try to get backstreet abortions which puts many women in great danger. This does not help the vulnerable in society as Jesus encouraged in the parable of sheep and goats as women die.
• Statues help Christians worship God - AGREE

  • Helps Christians Understand /reflect on events, such as death + resurrection of Jesus. Crucifix statue. Christians realise pain and suffering Jesus went through as a sacrifice for our sins, "not my will but yours be done"- inspires Christians to stay obedient to God
  • made and understood all around the world, eg. Christ the Redeemer in Rio. these can portray Jesus as different ethnicity fully human so this is a belief in the incarnation. Everyone is affected by Jesus teachings "Love thy neighbour"so inspires worldwide gratitude
• Statues help people worship God- Disagree

  • Against the second commandment "Do not worship false idols" so you are going against God's will
  • Can cause confusion by giving a false impression of God because he is transcendent "Let there be light" and beyond understanding.Leads to confusion about Jesus as shown as fully man.
• Sacraments are the best way to grow closer to God- Agree

  • Welcome a person into God's Family (initiation) eg. Baptism. Makes you a child of God so you can commit to God and the Church, a loving family. "I baptise you in the name of the father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit"
  • Receive Christ through Eucharist to nourish our spiritual journey- really present. By receiving the life of Christ "This is my body" we can grow in God's love whilst commemorating the last supper
• Sacraments are the best way to grow closer to God- Disagree

  • Prayer is better. Allows us to connect with God personally and show our obedience and trust in him "Our father" "Forgive us our trespasses" restores relationship
  • Studying the Bible is better. New testament follow teachings of Jesus Parable of sheep and goats "I was hungry and you fed me" By helping others gain a place in heaven eternally with God
  • Some sacraments exclude people eg. Women (Holy Orders) Homosexual couples (Marriage) "love thy neighbour"
• Symbols are the best way to express religious beliefs- AGREE

  • key beliefs eg. (alpha and omega) God is eternal "In the beginning was the word" This gives Christians comfort God will always be there for them and this symbol is widely used on the paschal candle.
  • Chi-Rho reminds Christians of Jesus' death and suffering to save humanity "you take away the sins of the world" which inspires Christians. Some use this to wear
• Symbols are the best way to express religious beliefs- Disagree

  • Symbols cannot portray the complexities of religious beliefs as they are too simple. Artwork can prove to be better such as the creation of Adam which shows that we are made in "the image of God"
  • Words are much better, by spreading the gospel as Jesus said "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" through evangelism Christians can truly help people discover God's love and peace, giving teachings such as "love thy neighbour"
• incarnation is the best way for Christians and God to understand each other- agree

  • God is transcendent "let there be light" so without Jesus we wouldn't understand him so by learning about Jesus' qualities, Christians feel closer to God the Father through his son "he became a child so the word could be grasped by us" (church)
  • Without the incarnation, God wouldn't be able to empathise as much with Christians because as a human he endured human limitations. "presented men to god" (st irenaeus)
• incarnation is the best way for Christians and God to understand each other - Disagree

  • Old testament is better as it demonstrate how we are made in God's image and can trust in his omnipotence. They also show that God is the one creator who gives us free will, inspiring us to follow his law
  • Prayer is better because you can connect personally with God and ask for forgiveness from sins. "Our father" God already understands us as a caring parental figure in the present