Religious Studies Unit

8

Section 1: Rights and

Responsiblities

Why do Christians use the Bible to make moral decisions?

The Bible is the word of God so is the only thing that can be trusted

It has been used for hundreds of years and has

kept Christians on the right path

God’s

truth does

not

change

The New Testament offers moral guidance

The Bible

has

authority

from God

The Ten

Commandmen

ts teach

Christians how

to live

Different Christian opinions

God directly told the authors what

to write in the Bible so it is totally right

The Bible was inspired by God and

gives guidance about how to live but needs to be

adapted for modern life

The Bible is the word of God but

needs to be interpreted by the

Church

How the Church guides Christians

Talking to other

Christians

Accepting the authority of the Church to explain and teach God’s word

Praying and

worshipping

together

Listening to the priest or vicar

Why do Christians use the Church to make moral decisions?

❍ God speaks to them through the Church

❍ The Church is the body of Christ so they should follow the teachings of the Church as they are the teachings of Jesus

❍ It provides rules so everyone knows what they should do

❍ Only the Church fully understands the Bible and knows how to interpret and apply its teachings

The ConscienceChristians believe it is the voice of God

within us

It is an individual guide

Christians think their conscience is given to them by

God

Conscientious objectors object

to fighting because they believe it is

against God’s moral code and

their conscience tells them this is the correct action

Situation ethicsFor

It is similar to the Golden Rule

Every situation is judged individually

Love is the main principle so it follows Christian teachings

It is easy to apply and remember

It will appeal to people as a positive idea

Jesus seemed to follow it

Against

It is impossible to predict what will happen in every

situation

Anything a person felt was the ‘most loving thing to do’ could be justified e.g. murder

It is not easy to apply in everyday cases

where we are used to having rules

Human Rights

Why are they important to Christians?

O Every human is created by God so deserves respect

O God loves everyone equally so should be treated equally

O The Decalogue supports most human rightsO The Parable of the sheep and goats teaches

it is their moral duty to help peopleO Jesus taught the Golden Rule showing all

humans are worthy of value and respect

Why is it important to take part in voting?

It allows citizens to have a say The elected people make important

decisions that affect everyone Change can only happen through

the democratic process Suffragettes fought for voting rights If you don’t vote, you can’t

complain

Christian teachings on moral duties and responsibilities

The Golden Rule‘Do to others what you would have them do to you..’ Christians should

treat others as they wish to be treated

The Parable of the Sheep and the GoatsJesus taught that God

will separate his people into those who have helped others and

those who have not. Christians have a duty to help those in need

when they canAm I my brother’s keeper?St Paul taught that Christians should not stand by and do nothing while others suffer. He used the example of Cain and Abel to warn Christians that they have a moral duty to care for others. Cain killed his brother Abel then denied it, saying it was not up to him to

care for others

Uses of Genetic engineering

Genetic disorders could be cured Hormones and proteins could be

made e.g. insulin for diabetics Grow organs for transplants Inherited disorders could be

removed from embryos To grow crops resistant to pests,

disease, infertile land and harsh climates

Concerns✘ We do not know the exact long-term

effects of genetic engineering✘ These technologies could be

dangerous as they could be used to produce biological weapons

✘ Could lead to ‘designer babies’✘ Who makes decisions over what is

defective and what is not?

Christian views for genetic engineering God gave

humans dominion over the world. As

long as it does not cause harm, some forms are

acceptable, such as GM crops

The Golden Rule- This could mean Christians think

genetic engineering to cure diseases is

acceptable

Jesus healed people so they should follow

his example by trying to

improve other people’s health

God gave us the gift of

knowledge so we should use

this to help save human

life

Christian views against genetic engineering

Most Christians would be against genetic

engineering curing

‘defects’ that don’t cause

suffering

Life is sacred and special

and created by God so

humans should not be doing

anything against this

Some believe life starts at

conception so are opposed to anything that

involves embryos as some are discarded

Only God can create

life, humans should not ‘play God’

Section 2:Environmental and

medical issues

Pollution solutionsO Alternative manufacturing methods-

Research into ways of manufacturing that cause less waste

O Government action- Anti-pollution laws

O Create less waste- Recycle as much as possible, reduce packaging and re-use as much as possible

O Alternative energy sources- Use renewable,

clean sources e.g solar power

Christian teachings on the environment

Responsibility: Humans have a God given responsibility to care for the world and environment for future

generations

Authority/Dominion:God gave humans

dominion over the Earth which means that they

have a position of power and responsibility to care

for God’s creation

Stewardship:God gave humans

stewardship over the world- they must look

after it for future generations

Christian attitudes

Take care

of it

because it

is a gift

from God

Share

resources as

Jesus taught

Christians to

love each

other

Care for animals and plants as they were created by God

We will be judged by God after death so we should look after the Earth or he will be

angry

Muslim attitudesAllah put humans in

charge of his creation so Muslims should respect

this gift

Animals are part of Allah’s creation so they should treat

them with respect

All Muslims are part of the ummah and should look after the world for future generations, making sure all resources are shared

equally

Adam was made a khalifah (caretaker) so all humans have been

given this responsibility

Allah created everything to have unity and all is

dependent on everything else in the world

On the Day of Judgement, Allah will

judge everyone on how they have taken care of

the world

The effect on Muslims Supporting

environmental organisations and charities

Recycling and reducing energy use

Planting trees and crops

✘ Not overusing the Earth’s resources

✘ Sharing the resources more equally

✘ Not damaging the natural environment

✘ Avoiding waste and pollution

Issues with fertility treatments

☞ Very expensive☞ No guarantees it will work☞ Uncomfortable side effects☞ Relationship is put under great strain☞ Donor sperm or eggs could cause conflict

or problems bonding with the child☞ Should children know their biological

parents?☞ Surrogacy can cause problems if they

bond with the child

Christian attitudesFor

It allows infertile couples to experience the joy of having children and Jesus taught compassion

God told humans to ‘be fruitful and multiply’

It is more acceptable for married couples

It is a way of loving your neighbour

Follows the Golden Rule

God gave humans the knowledge to create children artificially

Against

Treatment where fertilisation takes place outside the womb involve masturbation, which is a sin

God has a plan for everyone and this should be respected

Embryos that aren’t used are destroyed. This is seen as murder and is against the sanctity of life

Treatment that involves a third person (surrogacy, sperm or egg donation) is wrong because it is adultery

God intended children to be created naturally through sex

Nobody has the right to create life and ‘play God’

Muslim attitudesAgainst

Couples should accept that Allah does not wish for them to have children

In cases of surrogacy, it is believed that the woman who gives birth is the mother of the child

Treatment that involves a third person (surrogacy, sperm or egg donation) is wrong because it is adultery

All children have the right to know their natural parents

For

Infertility is seen as a disease so it is okay to try find a cure

Having children brings a couple closer together

The role and status of a Muslim woman involves her ability to have children

IVF and AIH are acceptable as they are from the married couple

Embryos destroyed are 14 days old so ensoulment has not happened yet

Allah gave humans the knowledge to create children artificially

Transplant surgery

Issues raised by organ donation

Who should get the organ?It is expensive

and risky surgery

Should a person be kept alive or allowed to die

purely for organ donation?

There are not enough donor

organs

Should humans be

using organs from

animals?

Family members may feel pressurised

into donating the organs of a loved

one

Why Christians agree with itA body is not

needed in heaven so there is no problemOrgan

donation is loving and

charitable so follows the teaching of

Jesus to love one another

It is a way of people

showing gratitude to God for the gift of life

Why Christians disagree with it

It goes against the

sanctity of life because

people should not ‘play God’

The organs are part of a

person created by God and it

would be wrong to

replace part of God’s creation

It interferes with God’s

plan

Organs shouldn’t be replaced if a person has deliberately caused the damage e.g

alcohol

Why Muslims agree with it

It is okay if it is done to

save the life of others

because this is what Allah would

wish

Live donations are less

controversial as the

resurrection would be unaffected

Many Muslims would allow living donor

transplants to close relatives

Why Muslims disagree with it

The Qur’an teaches that the

body should be

buried soon after death and should

not be interfered

with

It goes against

the sanctity of

life because only God should

give and take life

Muslims believe the body will be resurrected on the last day and the organs will therefore be needed

Section 3: Peace and

conflict

Causes of warFighting against injustice

National pride

Economics/ natural resources

Fear

Self defence

Racial or ethnic hatred

Protecting people from exploitation/persecutio

n

Case Study Darfur- Reasons O Economic/Environmental: Many people

moved south onto farmland already owned by people struggling to survive due to drought

O Long standing ethnic hatred: Government were accused of persecuting non-Arabs

O Remote location: By the time the international community found out, thousands were already dead

O National Pride: Some parts of the anti-government forces wanted the South of Sudan to be ruled independently whereas the government wished it to remain as one country

Case study Darfur- Solutions

O Negotiation: The UN negotiated between the 2 sides, various peace deals were signed

O Sanctions: Several countries stopped trading with Sudan and this made them work with the UN

O Peacekeeping forces: A small peacekeeping force was sent to protect civilians

The United NationsUses conflict

resolution and reconciliation

Concerned with issues that will

have a long term impact on world peace- against

poverty, campaigning for

human rights

Basic aim is to achieve world

peace

Range of methods used: arms control,

disarmament, peace talks, trade

restrictions, peacekeeping

forces and military action

What do religious organisations do?

O Hold peace vigilsO Help victims who are suffering

injustice O Educate all involvedO Encourage peace talksO Teach forgivenessO Hold interfaith conferencesO Encourage reconciliation and non-

violenceO Take part in public demonstrations

Christian Just War Theory

It is fought with the aim of bringing peace

It is a last resort

The methods used are fair and reasonable

There is a reasonable chance of success

The cause of the war is just e.g. resisting aggression

No innocent civilians will be killed

War in the Bible

Blessed are the peacemakers

Turn the other cheek

Love your enemies

All who draw the sword will die by the sword

Christian reasons for

It can be the lesser

of two evils

It is right to have armed

forces to protect nations

Jesus taught that

obedience should be

shown to the government

St Paul told people that they had a

duty to obey those in authority

Sometimes

violence is

necessary

Jesus taught ‘an eye for an eye, a

tooth for a tooth’

Christian reasons against

The Ten Commandme

nts forbid killing

Nuclear weapons

cause unimaginable

suffering

Jesus stopped his followers from using violence

Jesus taught people to love their enemies

Muslim Just War TheoryIt is fought for a just cause- to defend Islam or

injustice

It is a last resort

If it is authorised by a Muslim authority

The minimum amount of suffering is caused

Ends when enemy surrenders

Innocent civilians are not attacked

When the aim is to restore peace and freedom

Muslim reasons forThe Qur’an

teaches that anyone killed in a just war goes straight

to Heaven

The Qur’an teaches that it is right if attacked

Muhammad fought in wars and

taught that Muslims

should fight in just wars

Muslim reasons againstModern weapons cannot be

used in a way that is

compatible with Muslim rules about fighting in a

war

Peace and reconciliation

is at the heart of

Islam and the teachings of the Qur’an

Non-violence is the only way to achieve peace

Violence only leads to more violence

Christian attitudes against bullying

God will judge humans after death

on the way they have treated others

Everyone should

be treated with

respect

Everyone was made

by God in his image so bullying is

mistreating God’s creation

Golden Rule

Muslim attitudes against bullying

On the last day they will

be judged by Allah

Every person was created by Allah

and it is wrong to abuse any part of

his creation

Islam teaches

that Muslims

should work to

end injustice

Muhammad

taught that

Muslims should

protect the weak

Causes of conflict in religious families

☞ Social behaviour- drinking alcohol☞ Moral issues- cohabiting with a

partner or having an abortion☞ Jobs and careers☞ Choice of partner☞ Raising children

Christianity teaches that…

Children should honour their parents as stated in the Ten

Commandments

Parents should care for their children and

support them

Islam teaches that…

Muslims should obey their parents, even in adulthood and respect the wisdom they offer

No child should cause harm to their parents and parents should

care for their children

Christian teachings on forgiveness and reconciliation

Christians

should

forgive

others and

God will

help them

to do so

Jesus died on the cross to bring forgiveness and reconciliation between humanity and God

They

believe that

with the

love of God,

everything

is

forgivable

If they don’t

forgive others, God will

not forgive them

If conflict is about a religious or moral issue where the Bible has a definite teaching, there can be no reconciliation

Forgiveness in the Bible

Love your enemies

If you hold anything against anyone, forgive him

Muslim teachings on forgiveness and reconciliation

On the Day of Judgement, Allah will show mercy and forgiveness

to those who have done the

sameAllah is called ‘the

Compassionate and Merciful’ showing he

forgives people, so Muslims should too

The Qur’an teaches that a reward is due from God if

Muslims forgive

Muhammad taught people should forgive and reconcile

On Pilgrimage, Muslims pray

for forgiveness

Unforgivable actions- working against Islam,

denying Muslim principles and

images of Muhammad

Section 4: Crime and

Punishment

Why do we need the law?

To protect the weakTo create peace for everyone

to live in To be kept safe from

criminals To be able to live without fear To be protected from

violence To give guidelines on

acceptable behaviour

Theories of punishment

Theories of

punishment

Deterrence

Protection

Reform

Retribution

Arguments against

✘Deterrence- nearly half of all criminals reoffend

✘ Retribution- Some victims feel that criminals do not get harsh enough punishments

✘ Reform- goes against punishment as it gives criminals more chances

✘ Protection- some criminals are released back into society

Christian teachings on justice

On Judgement Day, if you

have behaved justly then you

will be rewarded in

Heaven

Golden Rule

Jesus taught that

everyone should be

treated fairly

God is just and people

should behave in the

same way

It is up to God to judge people and

he will choose who to forgive

How Christians help

Ensuring resources are shared equally

Campaigning for

governments and

organisations to help other

nations

Help those who are oppressed

Giving to charity or working in

areas of hardship

Muslim teachings on justice

The Shari’ah

Law requires

justice for all

Prophet Muhammad always acted in a just way

Everyone is equal under Islamic Law

The Qur’an teaches that God wants

people to act fairly

On the Last Day God will reward those

who have been just and fair

towards others

They believe that they must obey the laws of the country even if they

are not Islamic

Why do Muslims work for justice?

Muslims are encouraged to give Sadaqah

(voluntary charitable donations)

To fulfil Shari’ah

To obey the Qur’anTo fulfil the Five

Pillars e.g. Zakah

To please Allah

Non-religious arguments about capital punishment

ForIt is a deterrent

It can make people confess their crime

Society can get rid of the most dangerous criminals

It is retribution so may help the victim’s family

Society see that bad things happen to bad people

The value of human life is made clear by taking it away from those who kill others

AgainstCountries with death penalty don’t have a low crime rate

Executed people could be innocent

Some people see it as murder so it is as bad as the criminal

Human life is special

Terrorists may see it as heroic

It is an easier punishment than life imprisonment and the criminal escapes true justice

Christian views for the death penalty St Paul

teaches that Christians

should accept and obey the

laws of their country

The Church used to use the death

penalty against those who

challenged the authority of the

Church

The Old Testament

teaches that it should be

used for some crimes

Jesus never

taught the death

penalty was wrong

Christian views against the death penalty

Jesus came to Earth to save and reform people- this

cant be done with capital punishment Only God

has the right to

take away lifeChristians

promote love and

forgiveness

It goes against

the sanctity of

life

Jesus taught

revenge is wrong

Muslim views for the death penalty

☪ The Qur’an says the death penalty can be used for certain crimes e.g. adultery

☪ Muhammad sentenced people to death for committing murder

☪ Shari’ah Law agrees with the death penalty

☪ Muhammad made statements suggesting he agreed with it

Muslim views against the death penalty

☪ The Qur’an states that capital punishment is not compulsory

☪ Strict conditions given by the Qur’an are often not met

☪ The scholars of Shari’ah do not agree on how it should be applied

☪ It has been seen to oppress the poor and women who have committed adultery

Social and health problems caused by drugs and alcohol

o Violenceo Homelessnesso Debto Addictiono Overdoseso Serious illnesso Family/relationship breakdowno Disorderly behaviouro Crimeo Unemploymento Mental illness

Christian attitudes to drugs

The Bible teaches

Christians should follow the law of the

land

They lead to family

breakups and make people

antisocial

They change a person’s

behaviour

They are dangerous so wrong

Christian attitudes to alcohol

The Bible does not forbid alcohol

St Paul told his friend to drink

wine for digestion

Jesus gave his disciples wine at the Last Supper

Jesus drank wine and turned water

into wine

The Bible says your body is a

temple

It impairs a person’s ability to act in a Christian

way

There are many other types of

drink today

Alcohol today is much stronger than in the past

Muslim attitudes to drugs and alcohol

The Qur’an says intoxicants are

Haram

All Muslims should obey the law of

the land The effects could cause Muslims to commit other sins

People should look after their bodies as Allah created them

Muhammad called alcohol ‘the

mother of all sins’

Muhammad taught of its

dangers

The effects would mean Muslims

wouldn’t be able to pray or perform their religious

duties