origins and meaning

• Creation ex nihilo- Creation out of nothing. Before God created the universe nothing existed. Only God can do this
• Evolution- Process of mutation and natural selection which leads to changes in species over time to suit particular environments.
• Imago dei- In the image of God. Human beings are uniquely a reflection of God's personhood
• inspiration- "God breathed" Belief spirt of god guides an individual to act or write what is good or true
• Omnipotence- Belief God is all powerful
• Revelation- Used to describe all of the ways in God makes himself known to human beings. Christians believe God does this finally and fully in Jesus christ
• Stewardship- Duty to care for creation responsibly, as stewards rather than consumers, and protect it for future generations
• Transcendence- Existing outside of space and time. God exists in a way that makes him nothing like anything else that exists, above and beyond creation
• St Augustine in his confessions- God is creator, God creates the universe ex nihilo. Universe is separate from God, God is transcendent. God creates out of love and everything he creates is good.
• Rc belief about Big bang theory-

  • Creation ex nihilo
  • Many accept scientific explanations, understand Genesis as symbolic explanation of beginning of world
  • Big bang theory put forward by Father Georges Lemaitre
  • Science explains how, religion explains why
• Jewish beliefs about origins of universe-

  • God source of life, sole creator
  • Each week Jews celebrate sabbath, recalling God creating world in 6days and rested on 7th
  • Modeh ani prayer give thanks to God allowing life for an other day
  • Orthodox believe Genesis story true difficulty in accepting modern scientific ideas, reject evolution and big bang
  • Reform believe stories not historical
• Structure bible- OT

  • 46 books, relationship between God and Jewish people before arrival of Jesus
  • Law, history, prophets, wisdom
• Structure of Bible- NT

  • 27 books, accounts of Jesus' life and growth of church after he returned to heaven
  • Gospels, acts of apostles, letters, book of revelation
• Rc and interpreting Bible-

  • Describe bible as word of God - Dei verbum
  • God reveals himself to humans in other forms too
  • Not everything written was historically or literally accurate
  • Holy spirit inspired to write word of God accept God's message in their lives and to share with others
• Jews interpreting Bible-

  • Torah most holiest and authoritative scripture for Jews
  • Moses received Torah from God Mount Sinai
  • Orthodox believe given by God to Moses so should be taken literally and not changed
  • Reform don't take scriptures literally and believe may be adapted for modern life
• Rc belief about Genesis/ creation accounts-

  • Authors were inspired and gained truthful insights about God
  • Not everything these authors wrote were historically or literally accurate
  • Readers of Genesis/Bible should consider context in which it was written
  • Gen 1-3 can be considered myths not 'true' but contain great truths
• Different christian belief about Genesis/ creation accounts-

  • Fundamentalists:
  • God inspired Genesis/Bible writers so does not contain errors, it is a historical account
  • As accurate today as it was when written even if it conflicts with modern world
  • Everything in it is literally true
• Genesis tell us about God-

  • First account greatness of God as creator of universe
  • Transcendence, eternal, omnipotent
  • Second account God portrayed as
  • Omnibenevolent and immanent (God is not distant from world but involved in it)
• Genesis accounts tell us about humans-

  • Human life is sacred, different from other animals have special responsibility to take care of world
  • Sanctity of life humans created last in gen1 high point of God's creation
  • Image of God created in imago dei
  • Stewards of God's creation
• Scientific theories of evolution-

  • According to science life came about as result of a process known as evolution
  • Proposed by Charles Darwin
  • Idea organisms gradually change and develop into new species by process of natural selection
  • Certain characteristics help animals survive
• Richard Dawkins-

  • Atheist and believes evolution does away need for God and belief humans have souls
  • Argues each living organism's body is just a survival machine for genes does not serve any other purpose
  • Humans just genetic mutation advanced animals
• Rc belief about evolution-

  • Do not interpret Bible literally, Genesis needs to be understood symbolically
  • Pope St John Paul pontifical 'no conflict between evolution and doctrine of faith regarding man and his vocation'
  • Important that God created with purpose and so everything exists as part of his loving plan
  • Care about why evolution happened not how
• Other christian beliefs towards evolution-

  • Some see it as an attack on their beliefs
  • These Christians interpret Bible literally believe it comes directly from God every word is historical and accurate
  • Actions of God brought about life
  • Plants and animals created with characteristics complete
  • Humans created last (rule out evolution)
• Rc belief origin and sanctity of human life-

  • Human life special should be cared for
  • Every person unique because God made them
  • Created in God's image imago dei
  • Human life is sacred everyone has right to life which should be valued and protected
• Jewish belief about sanctity of human life-

  • God sole creator, giver and taker of life
  • Genesis teaches humans created in image of God and life is precious
  • 10 commandments forbid taking of life
  • Pikuach nefesh- saving of life
• St Catherine Siena image of God-

  • Soul is made in image of God
  • Her writings tell us:
  • We are reflection of God because we are created in God's image
  • Inner conscience that tells us difference between right and wrong
  • Created out of love 'you have taken with love for her'
  • Originate from God, all life is sacred
• Humanists (Peter Singer) beliefs about sanctity of life-

  • Argues human life has value but not of equal value
  • If person has no ability to think, relate to others or experience their life has limited value
  • Embryos and newborn babies examples of biological but 'not human persons'
  • Morally acceptable take life of non human person if will bring less suffering and greater happiness
  • Applies to euthanasia
• Peter Singer and Speciesism-

  • Discrimination where you view human life more important that animal life
  • Argues conscious animal more mental capacity and more of a 'person' than baby or elderly with dementia
  • Argues animals have similar responses to humans e.g. feel pleasure, pain interests must be valued
  • Arguing human life is more important than any other type of life is wrong. Same as being racist
• Rc church beliefs about abortion-

  • Against in all circumstances, human life is sacred
  • Life begins at conception. Start of human relationship with God 'Before i formed you in the womb i knew you' Jeremiah
  • Foetus made in God's image
  • 'Do not kill' abortion is great evil; murder
  • Catechism 'Abortion crime and violation of child's rights'
  • Adoption is better option
  • God has plan for everyone, humans should not interfere
  • All life equally valuable, disabled people can live fulfilling lives
• Other christian beliefs about abortion-

  • Abortion is wrong but will allow it in some case:
  • 'lesser of two evils'
  • mother's life in danger
  • Woman been raped
  • Baby not survive due to severe disabilities
  • Uphold belief in sanctity of life
  • Promote adoption
• Humanists belief about abortion-

  • Not one single view
  • Value happiness and personal choice
  • Consider evidence, consequences, rights and wishes of all involved
  • Life is not sacred but deserves respect
  • Ultimately personal choice
• Jewish beliefs about abortion-

  • God sole creator, giver, taker of life
  • Genesis teaches humans created in image of God
  • 10 commandments forbid taking of life
  • However some believe unborn foetus is not a person until born
  • Reform believe abortion can be permitted but only for serious reasons like mum's life at risk
• Rc belief about humans and relationship with creation-

  • God created all living things, including humans
  • God created earth with right conditions to sustain life
  • Earth belongs to God not humans; humans are caretakers of God's world
  • Laudato Si- Poe Francis wants Rcs to think of the world as a gift to pass on
• RC attitudes preserving planet and environment-

  • Rcs need to work to protect planet, reducing pollution, care for animals, make sure world can be passed on to future generations
  • Laudato Si Pope Francis gift of creation they have been given 'we realise the world is a gift'
  • Two greatest commandments are to love God and love their neighbour. Rcs should be concerned about those who suffer badly from climate change
  • Every individual has duty to contribute to good of society, this is common good. Act justly and seek justice for others especially poor
• Humanists belief about environment-

  • Agree with rcs that we have to look after environment but for different reason
  • Human life has come about because of evolution no creator God is needed
  • Humans seek happiness in this life and help others to do same
  • Need stewards of world out of concern for humans and animals
  • Humans must cause little harm to environment based on reason and not a commandment
• Jewish beliefs about environment-

  • God source of all life
  • Universe too wonderful to have happened by chance
  • In Torah God gave humans duty to take control over nature
  • Many believe their responsibility to continue work of creation by making world better place to live in
  • Sukkot celebrates God's creation - festival reminder human connection with nature and environment
• Influence of imago dei on CST-

  • Teaching on human dignity:
  • Humans created in image and likeness of God and human life is sacred links to Jesus teaching 'love your neighbour'
  • Rcs concerned with a abortion, euthanasia, supporting people with disabilities
  • Teaching about peace:
  • Importance of peace, duty to promote it sign of peace at mass
  • Many RC organisations call for peace
• Influence of imago dei on CST-

  • Teaching on justice:
  • Challenge injustice and not to rest until all of God's children experience peace and justice discrimination is eliminated
  • Teaching about reconciliation:
  • True peace can be gained by reconciliation, healing pain and bringing opposing sides together
• How rcs bring about peace, justice ad reconciliation-

  • CST asks everyone to treat others with dignity
  • upholding rights of individuals
  • Stand along those oppressed and treated unjustly
  • Caring and respecting planet and environment
  • Praying for justice and peace
• What is interfaith dialogue?

  • All faiths equal right to exist together and practice or change religion
  • Dialogue means co-operative, constructive and positive engagement between people of different faiths and no faith
  • Promote mutual understanding, respect, tolerance and harmony
  • Identify common ground
  • Engage in shared action for common good of society