Religion and life

• Fundamentalist view on origin of the universe


  Genesis says that God made world in 6 days from nothing

  Everything was good when god finished making it.

  God sustains everything or it would cease to fucntion and exist
• Conservative view on origin of the universe


  God created the world in a period of time (Hebrew word 'yom)

  Humans were given the job of being rulers/stewards Genesis 1V 28
• Liberal view on origin of universe


  The word was made through science, i.e. big bang and evolution
• Religious views on the value of the universe


  - god created it- if you respect and live god then you should respect his creations.

  - religious people believe the universe gives them an insight into gods character e.g His intelligence at designing such an intricate world,

  - it is our home and makes human and animal life possible.

  - Xians, Muslims and Jews believe god gave humans the job of taking care of the planet (stewardship)

  - Hindus who belief in karma value and would want to care for the world as actions affect karma and they will be back in the next life.

  - gives people a sense of awe and wonder
• Xian attitudes towards caring for the environment


  - 'in the beginning god created the heavens and the earth' as God created it, the world should be treated with care and respect as it is a gift from god

  - 'the earth is the lords and everything in it.' This means that humans should treat the Earth with respect because it belongs to God

  - ' love your neighbour as you love yourself' the people who live on the planet are someone's 'neighbour' so the earth should be treated with considerations to how it will affect the people living in it.

  - 'rule over the fish in the sea...' some Xians think that 'rule' means stewardship and taking care of the earth but some think it means dominion.
• Hindu attitude to caring for the environment


  - karma, their actions in this life will impact on our next reincarnation

  - Ahimsa (non violence towards any living thing)
• Ways humans are abusing the environment

  - pollution-air

  - pollution - water

  - Pollution - land

  - excessive use of natural resources
• What can be done to help the environment

  - individuals and families can recycle, walk or use public transport, fly less, etc. However 1 person or 1 family can't really make a difference in their own. It also gets everyone involved.

  
  

  - local communities can do litter picking however not everyone would want to do it. But it is a good way to get people mixing with neighbours and support local farmers

  
  

  - business and industries can fly less or reduce their energy consumption. However this can be more expensive to produce renewable energy. It is good because it finds new ways of sustainable development.

  
  

  - the government can force all local authorities to recycle or else fine them. However the government can't force people to do things. But it raises awareness and can begin to change people's behaviour through laws and offers of help

  
  

  - international agreement eg Paris 2015
• The law in the UK about the use and abuse of animals

  gives animals some rights and protection but doesn't stop humans using animals.

  - criminal offence to cruelly treat, or neglect all animals in the uk.

  - it is illegal to keep certain animals as pets

  - fox hunting and dog fighting are illegal in the uk

  - illegal to experiment cosmetic products in the uk but you can buy tested products from elsewhere
• Animal testing for and against


  - all drugs and medicines in the UK have been tested on animals e.g Paracetamol

  
  

  - Just because the drug is safe for animals doesn't mean it is safe for humans e.g in the 1960s, thalidomide caused birth defects and deformities in babies when it was given to women to prevent morning sickness.
• Factory farming vs free range for and against


  - It is the cheapest way of producing food - maximum animals in a minimum amount of space so there is more profit for the farmer.

  - the animals natural behaviour is severely restricted, free range tastes better
• Vegetarianism vs meat eating


  - your religion might expect you to be vegetarian e.g Hinduism, you can feed more people if everyone was veggie which would help reduce poverty.

  - health benefits of meat e.g good source of protein, vitamins, iron. Over 1 billion people are involved in meat production and they would lose their jobs.
• Christian attitudes towards animals


  Key ideas are that only humans were created in the image of god so they are more important that animals, and that humans were put in charge of the world (stewards) so can use animals but must show respect and care for them.

  - Jesus ate meat and fish and he travelled by donkey. So Christian's would want to copy his example.
• R o t f I t s a t b I t s a o e l c t m o t g

  Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground

  This can mean stewardship or dominion
• Hindu view on using animals


  - ahimsa (non violence towards any living thing)

  - Hindus belief in karma so their current actions will impact their next life
• I g y a g p f f

  I give you every green plant for food
• I g y e t m f f

  I give you everything that moves for food
• G p t c o t a

  Good people take care of their animals
• Fundamentalist Xian view on origins of humans


  - god made the world in y days and humans were created on day 6.

  - humans were created unique from all other living things. Only humans are in the 'image of god
• Conservative view on origin of humans


  - god created animal and human life through evolution over millions of years (theistic evolution)
• Liberal view on origin of humans


  - science explains how humans life started and developed - life evolved over millions of years
• Sanctity of life


  Life is sacred and very special because life is god given and very unique.
• Quality of life


  - all humans are entitled to a good quality of life.
• UK law on abortion


  1) abortion became legal in England, Scotland and Wales in 1967, allowing abortion up till 28 weeks of pregnancy.

  2) the law was updated in 1990 and these are the new rules: (up to 24 weeks)

  - 2 doctors must agree

  - either the mothers life is at risk I.e she might die

  - there is a risk to the mother's mental or physical health- the baby will be born with physical or mental disabilities

  - there is a risk to the physical/mental health of the existing children

  3) abortion has no time limit if the mother's life is in danger or the baby is severely disabled

  4) abortion is only legal in Northern Ireland when the life of the mother is at risk

  5) the law doesn't consider the rights if the father

  6) if a doctor or nurse doesn't agree with the abortion they do not have to work on a ward or clinic offering abortions.
• Reasons a woman might want an abortion

  - expecting a disabled child e.g baby has a cleft lip and palate which means the baby will be severely mentally disabled and unable to lead a normal life

  - rape

  - an unplanned pregnancy due to failure to use contraception
• Sanctity of life (abortion)


  An abortion should not be necessary under any circumstances (absolute morals)

  - usually used by religious people

  - god created all life and no babies are an accident.

  - all babies are unique and valuable regardless of disabilities and future upbringing as no one knows what they might bring in the future.
• Quality of life (abortion)


  If the quality of life is poor it may be better to have an abortion but this depends on the suruation (relative morals)

  - used mainly by non religious people

  - if the baby is going to be disabled and in pain then abortion is the kindest thing to do.

  - if the baby is a product of rape or domestic violence, this will be a cruel and harsh environment to grow up in knowing you are unwanted.
• Mothers rights when deciding abortion


  - has sole decision under the UK law

  - it is her body that is going to be put under a huge strain and risk during the 9 months of pregnancy
• Fathers rights when deciding abortion


  - has no rights under the UK law

  - he will be expected to provide for any child he fathers by the Child Support Agency so he should have a say
• Gods rights when deciding abortion


  - God created life - if he wanted a pregnancy to end then a miscarriage would happen

  - life is predestined so no baby is a mistake
• Unborn child rights when deciding abortion


  - has the most to lose if the abortion goes ahead as it will be killed and never be born

  - if the child was born e.g 3 days old any killing/ threat would lead to social services being involved/criminal charge, so some may argue why abortion is allowed pre-birth
• Doctors right to abortion


  - have the best knowledge and experience when it comes to the mothers health and the situation.

  - but they are not emotionally involved in the situation.
• Governments rights when deciding abortion


  - unsuitable parents could be stopped from having children

  - in an over populated world the government should have a say as they have to pay for parents benefits or care for unwanted children etc.
• Pro life


  - the foetus is a human being from the moment of conception which means that abortion is murder

  - in cases of rape it is less than 1%likely that conception would occur dur to the trauma of the event on the body. One violent action will not compensate for another.

  - if the pregnancy is a result of the mothers carelessness then she should have to deal with the consequences.

  - all babies have a great potential
• Pro choice


  - in cases of rape the baby could be a constant reminder of the trauma the woman experienced.

  - the foetus is not yet a human being so it should not be considered murder as the foetus requires the mothers body to survive.

  - many foster homes and orphanages are beyond capacity so putting a child into these facilities could be a heavy burden on them as they are already scarce
• Pro life alternatives to abortion e.g fostering, adoption


  - the baby's right to life is respected as anything is better than the child never being born.

  - the mother does not suffer the guilty feeling which are common after the abortion if she gives the baby up for adoption.

  - infertile couples benefit from adoption as they can have the joy of having their own family.
• Pro choice alternatives to abortion - are not so keen as the mother should not make the final decision.


  - the child mights spend its life in and out of foster care as the mother cannot cope e.g a reforming drug addict

  - it is confusing for the child and can cause emotional and behavioural problems as they might feel unwanted.

  - if the child is put up for adoption then there might be emotional issues as the child wants to know who it's real parents are

  - the mother may find it hard to give up her child she has bonded with
• Christian attitudes on abortion


  Most Christians are strictly against abortion

  - usually RC view

  - 'do not kill your children by abortion' (the Didache early Christian teaching)

  - 'life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception' - Roman Catholic advice

  - they believe in sanctity of life and how humans are created in gods image and predestination

  
  

  BUT some Xians accept abortion as a necessary evil if there is a good reason even though they still believe in sanctity of life.

  - usually Church of England view

  - 'love your neighbour as you love yourself'

  - 'the life of the mother is worth more than that of the unborn child
• T l o t m I w m t t o t u c

  The life of the mother is worth more than that of the unborn child
• L m b p w t u c f t m o c

  Life must be protected with the utmost care from the moment of conception - RC advice