re 1

• Creation ex nihilo


  The concept of God bringing the universe into being from nothing
• The story of creation was written thousands of years before modern science existed
• Creationism


  The belief that the account of creation in the Bible is an accurate historical account
• Catholic view of creation


  The creation story is not meant to be taken literally, it reveals important truths about the world and humanity
• Jewish beliefs about creation


  God is the creator and source of all life, some Orthodox Jews believe the creation stories are true accounts while others see them as symbolic
• Big Bang


  The scientific theory that the universe began with a massive expansion from a tiny point 13.7 billion years ago
• The Big Bang theory has led some to doubt the existence of God
• Catholic view of the Big Bang

  Catholics accept the Big Bang as it supports their belief that God created the universe out of nothing
• The Big Bang theory was proposed by a Catholic priest, Father Georges Lemaitre
• Evolution


  The scientific theory that organisms gradually change and develop into new species through natural selection
• Richard Dawkins' view


  Evolution does away with the need for God and the belief that humans have souls
• Catholic view of evolution


  Catholics do not interpret the Bible literally, they see no conflict between evolution and Catholic teaching as long as it is understood that God created with purpose
• Pope John Paul II stated that there is no conflict between evolution and Catholic doctrine
• Imago Dei


  The Catholic belief that humans are made in the image of God and have unique dignity
• St. Catherine of Siena: 'Humans come from God and are created out of God's love'
• Jewish beliefs about sanctity of life


  God is the creator who gives and takes life, humans are created in the image of God and life is precious
• Views on abortion


  • Pro-life (abortion is always wrong)
  • Pro-choice (a woman should be able to choose)
• Catholic view on abortion


  Abortion is always morally wrong as it is the killing of a human life which begins at conception
• Liberal Christian view on abortion


  Abortion may be acceptable in certain circumstances like risk to the mother's health or severe disability of the child
• Humanist view on abortion


  Abortion should be permitted as a woman has the right to choose what happens to her own body
• Principle of Double Effect


  Action to save the life of the mother even if it threatens or destroys the life of the unborn child is acceptable. The intention is to save the mother, the effect on the child is a side effect.
• Christian views on abortion


  • Some fundamentalist Christians think abortion is never acceptable
  • Liberal Christians (Church of England) agree it is not a good thing, but sometimes it is 'the lesser of two evils'
• Situations where abortion might be the best course of action


  • If the pregnancy is the result of rape
  • If continuing the pregnancy might be dangerous to the woman's physical or mental health
  • If the child is likely to be severely disabled and so effect its quality of life
• Humanist views on abortion


  Humanists value happiness and personal choice. They would generally take a pro-choice stance and many campaigned for abortion to be legalised in the 1960s.
• At the heart of the debate is whether the rights of the foetus outweigh the rights of the mother
• Humanist view on sanctity of life


  Even though all human life has value, it is not of equal value. If a person has no ability to think, relate to others or experience then their life has limited value. Embryos, new born babies, are all examples of biological, but 'non-human persons'. Therefore it is morally acceptable to take the lives of these 'non-human persons' if it will bring about less suffering and greater happiness.
• Singer argues that a conscious animal such as a dog, has more mental capacity and is more of a 'person' than a baby or an elderly person with dementia
• Singer argues that arguing that human life is more important than any other type of life is wrong. This is the same as being racist. It is discriminatory and 'speciesist'
• Catholics would argue that humans remain a 'person' whether they are conscious or not, even when they are asleep, in a coma or haven't yet been born
• The word 'abortion' is not mentioned in the Tanakh, but the concept of sanctity of life is an important one throughout Jewish teaching
• In Exodus, it states that an unborn child has equal right to the mother
• Abortion breaks God's law in Genesis which states that we are created in the image of God. It also goes against the teaching in Genesis which is to "be fruitful and multiply"
• Genesis Chapter 1


  • Emphasises the beliefs that God is transcendent, eternal and omnipotent
• Genesis Chapter 2


  • Shows that God is omnibenevolent
• Catholic beliefs about the nature of human beings and their relationship with creation


  • Sanctity of life
  • Image of God
  • Stewards of God's Creation
• Pope Francis: '"Each community…has the duty to protect the earth and to ensure its fruitfulness for coming generations"'
• Humanist attitudes to Creation and Stewardship

  Humans can use their reason to make ethical decisions. This is what makes humans superior to other animals. Human beings can act to give their lives meaning by seeking happiness in this life and helping others to do the same. They would say we need to be stewards of the world out of a concern for human beings and other animals, not because we were commanded to do it by a creator God.
• Jews believe that God is an omnipotent creator. Furthermore, God is both a lawgiver and a judge. In regards to stewardship, Jews believe that God will judge them on how well they protect and preserve the environment.
• Two particular mitzvoth (Jewish laws) concerned with the environment


  • Never destroy things on the land that are useful
  • Give the land a rest from growing crops every 50 years
• Catholic understanding of Revelation and Inspiration


  Catholics believe that the Bible is a direct form of revelation, and that the Bible is the inspired word of God. The Holy Spirit gave inspiration to believers, who respond by accepting the message and sharing it with other people.