Rights and responsibilities

Environmental and medical issues

Peace and Conflict

Crime and Punishment

Religion and Society!

Rights and responsibilities

All Christians agree that the Bible is the best way to find out what God wants them to do in their lives.

Contains God’s

teachings e.g. The

DecalogueContains the

teachings of Jesus

on life. (Parables)

Contains the

teachings of early

church leaders like

St. Paul.

Some: Absolute word of God: The only and final authority for ChristiansSome: Interpreted today for Christians by Church.Others: Only a guide written by humans - allowed to be interpreted to fit with today’s society.

Different beliefs about

the authority of the Bible.

CHRUCH: The community of Christians (small c = place of worship).

Church of England: Elect an assembly to

decide on moral issues.

Roman Catholic Church: Have leaders

that make moral decisions. (Pope and

Bishops)

Most: How Jesus, Son of God, works in the world, so it has authority of Jesus.Most: Believe that God speaks to the world today through the church.Guided by God so able to make decisions. Sure they are doing the right thing.

Why the Church

has authorit

y.

All humans have a conscience which makes them feel guilty if they do things which they regard as wrong, e.g.. If you do something your parents disapprove of, you may feel guilty afterwards.

This feelings of guilt is your conscience.

The role of

conscience.

Catholic Church teach:

Final part of moral decision making. They should go with

their conscience even if it goes against the

church.

WHEN. WHY.Christians follow their conscience?

Christians believe the voice of conscience seems to be the same as the voice of God so it should be followed. The Church says that Christians should follow their conscience.

People have been mistaken about the voice of God, e.g. The Yorkshire Ripper claimed that God had told him to kill prostitutes.

If Christians follow the teachings of the Bible and the Church they know they are doing the Christian thing, so don’t need to rely on conscience.

Why do some Christians think they shouldn’t always follow their conscience?

Many Christians who believe that conscience is more important than the Bible or Church

probably follow situation ethics.

This is a Christian idea from Joseph Fletcher.

Situation Ethics

Should a Christian attend a homosexual wedding?

IF WE USED IT?

Accepting the Bible or Church means things are either right or wrong whatever the situation. Fletcher felt this was wrong

and that Christians should base their moral decisions on Jesus’ commandment to love your neighbour as yourself and on

the situation.

Why some Christians follow situation ethics:

Jesus seemed to follow situation ethics because He over-ruled what the Old Testament said when he thought it was unloving; e.g. He healed on the Sabbath They think you should only do what will produce good results.

They believe that Jesus’ statement that the only laws are to love God and your neighbour means that Christians should always do what will have the most loving results.

Why some Christians won’t follow

situation ethics:

They think God wouldn’t have given laws in the Bible if they were not to be followed.

They think the Church knows best what Christians should do.

They claim you never know all the facts about a situation, so the most loving thing might not be if you knew more facts or all the consequences of your actions.

UN HUMAN RIGHTS ACT 1948! Rights and freedoms that every human is entitled to!

FREEDOM

FROM

SLAVERY

FREEDOM OF BELIEF AND RELIGION

RIGHT TO AN

EDUCATION!

RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN GOVERNMENT

THROUGH VOTING!

CAN GO TO COURT IF BROKEN

EVERYONE ENTITLED TO THEM

MADE A PART OF UK LAW IN 1998

“From one human being He created all races on earth

and made them live throughout the whole earth”. (Acts 17:26)

THE GOOD SAMARITAN! Luke 10:25-37

FAIR TREATMENT!

Healing a Leper Helping/Teaching

prostitutes and Tax collectors

Helping the Roman Soldiers

DESMOND TUTU!CHRISTIAN “Christian worship can never

let us be indifferent to the needs of others…To speak of God, you must speak to your neighbour…He does not tolerate a relationship with himself that excludes your neighbour”.

FATHERS 4 JUSTICE!

A GROUP FORMED TO INFLUENCE GOVERNMENT POLICY ON A PARTICULAR

ISSUE!

UNITE against racism!

DRAWS

ATTENTION!

Puts the squeeze on the Government!

Democratic Processes: The ways in which all citizens can take part in

government!Electoral Processes: The ways in which

voting is organised!A chance to say how things

are run!

You cannot complain if you

do not take part!

Voting – That is what living

in a democracy means.

You need to vote because the

choices governments make will

affect your life.

ONE VOTE WILL NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

No matter who gets into power we end of with

the same policies.

“DO FOR OTHERS WHAT YOU WANT THEM TO DO

FOR YOU”!Matthew 7:12

“Rich people who see a brother and sister in need, yet close their hearts against them, cannot claim

that they love God”1 John 3:11-18

Whenever you helped “one of the least important members of my

family, you did it for me”Matthew 24:31-46

Someone who is sick, in prison, poor, homeless, upset etc

GENETIC ENGINEERING: Removal of DNA from a plant or animal, altering it and putting it back again.

CLONING: A form of genetic engineering that produces a duplicate of the parent

Adapting a

living organism

= PLAYING AT

BEING GOD!

May have

long term

health issues

Mixing plant

and animal

DNA is

unnatural and

totally wrong!

Could be used to

remove damaged

cells and make a

them healthy!

The possibilities

are to good to

miss! Mistakes

may happen but

the final result is

worth it!

GM SEEDS: Help

us produce food

for a hungry

growing world!

ONLY GOD CREATES LIFE!!!!!

EVERYTHING IS PLANNED! Including our genetic make-up! NO RIGHT TO ALTER GODS

CREATION!

ONLY GOD IS PERFECT!

ROMAN CATHOLIC

SEEDS, PLANTS and ANIMALS for the greater good of

humanity.

HUMANS CELLS???? NO WAY!!!

HUMANS ARE MADE IN GODS

IMAGE = SPECIAL!!!!

PROTESTANTS

MAY AGREE WITH ALL IF IT IS IN THE LONG TERM INTEREST OF

HUMANITY!

Medical Research must

be trying to improve the quality of a

persons life for it to be

acceptable!

Jesus healed people. GE is just a modern version of this!

Science comes from God, ergo, WE ARE MEANT TO USE IT!

Could be used for GOOD?

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIESYou must answer one question from this section.

EITHER1. (a) What is Situation Ethics? (2)

(b) Do you think pressure groups should be made illegal?Give two reasons for your point of view. (4)(c) Explain how the Bible is used by Christians in moral decision making. (8)(d) ‘No good can come from genetic engineering.’In your answer you should refer to Christianity. (i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)

Total for Question 1 = 20 marks

OR

2. (a) What are democratic processes? (2)(b) Do you think Christians should accept cloning? Give two reasons for your point of view. (4)(c) Explain why human rights matter to Christians. (8)(d) ‘Conscience is the best guide a Christian has when making a moral decision.’In your answer you should refer to Christianity.(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (3)(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)

Total for Question 2 = 20 marks

Environmental and medical issuesGlobal Warming, Pollution and the problem this causes.

Infertility Treatment and religious attitudes towards it.

Transplant Surgery and religious attitudes towards it.

Global Warming

The increase in the

temperature of the

earth’s atmosphere

(thought to be caused

by the greenhouse

effect)

IMPACT?

Glaciers melt! Sea ice is

disappearing.

Sea levels are rising, seasons

changing.

Extreme weather is becoming more

EXTREME!

More flooding More droughts

More diseases More famine

More wars!

More refugees

Destruction of ecosystems

CLIMATE

CHANGE

CAUSES?

BURNING FOSSIL FUELS!

SOLUTIONS?

“The good news is that we know exactly what needs to be done to stop climate change”

New technolog

y

Low-carbon carsReducing use of

fossil fuels

Use energy-saving light bulbs etc

CUT CARBON EMISSIONS

Pollution25 million tonnes of rubbish a year are

dumped on streets and along the side of the road.

Every person in the UK throws away four times their body weight in

rubbish a year.

Cars are the biggest cause of air pollution. They emit a variety of pollutants, including carbon

monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons.

Raw sewage and radioactive waste have been discharged into

the sea.

LAND

AIR

SEA

Natural Resources: Naturally occurring materials – oil and fertile land!

2000 trees, Coal, Oil, Not able to recover, UN, Exploitation ,

78%, 60 years

SOLUTION?“Do I really need to buy

this?!”

LESS DAMAGE TO THE ENVIRONMENT

Local

CONSERVATION

REPLACE

WHAT IS

USED SUSTAINABLE LIVES!

Christians, Islam and the EnvironmentStewardship: Looking after

something so it can be passed on to the next generation.

KHALIFAH: Responsibility that Allah has given Muslims to care for the world; the person who acts as

Allah’s steward on earth. “God looked at everything

he had made , and was very pleased”. (Genesis 1.31)

“But waste not by excess: for God loves not the

wasters”. (6:141)

QUR’AN: Allah created the world and everything in it for a purpose; it is part of Allah’s plan. Everything in existence is interlinked, we are all part of ’one’. Damage upsets a link in the chain and that harms the planet.

OLD TESTAMENT RULES!Working animals must rest one day a week. Fruit trees must not be destroyed when attacking a city. Land must be rested on the seventh year. Jesus taught through the Sermon on the Mount that it is every Christians duty to

share the worlds resources fairly and with care!

Sperm Donor

IVF

Sperm is taken from the husband and placed in the woman’s uterus. This can help couples who have difficulty conceiving for no obvious reason.

Artificial insemination by

husband known as AIH

Artificial insemination by donor known as

AID

A fertilized egg is created in the laboratory using an egg donated by another woman but using the partner’s sperm. This is of help when a woman does not ovulate.

Egg donation

In-vitro fertilization

known as IVF

Egg and sperm are taken from a couple, fertilized in a laboratory and then placed in the womb. This helps women with medical problems, such as blocked fallopian tubes, to conceive.

Sperm donated to a clinic is placed in the woman’s uterus. This can help couples where the male is infertile – unable to have children.

Christianity and IVFAttitude For or

Against? It is an act of great kindness to help a women to conceive a longed for child and to remove her suffering.

The IVF process involves the creation of several fertilized eggs. Not all eggs will be implanted in the women the rest will be destroyed. They believe it is wrong to destroy life.

Medical research must refrain from operations on live embryos. This is considered a grave sin.

The emotional needs of couples who are eager to have children have forced us to re-examine traditional beliefs.

Understand that a child is God’s gift to a couple conceived as a result of a loving sexual relationship anything else is unnatural and not what God intended.

If God gives us the ability to help infertile couples we should use it. The Bible contains a story of God bringing happiness to a infertile woman by giving her a child.

Islam and IVFDecision’s about fertility treatment in Islam consider whether

adultery is involved.

Sperm Donor

IVF: Acceptable as long as the egg and sperm belong to the husband. Extra embryos can

be destroyed but only BEFORE 120 DAYS!

AIH ACCEPTABLE!

AID: Not acceptable – Like adultery as man is not

married to the woman. The Qur’an teaches that everyone

has the right to Lineage. Surrogacy and Egg Donation

= SAME

Adoption!!! CHILD HAS THE RIGHT TO IDENTITY!

Transplant SurgeryIt would be fantastic if something amazing came out of my death.

Knowing that my death is going to help others live a good life makes me

happy!I think giving life is far better

than wasting organs that would otherwise be buried or

cremated.

Operations like transplant surgery cost a fortune. The money should be

spent on curing the disease or changing the way people live. Lots

more people would benefit from this!

I want to be buried with all my own body parts. I don’t think it is right for people to take parts of me when I am dead.

Transplant Surgery: Organ Donation

DEAD!

ALIVE!

donor

Lungs, Heart, Liver, Eyes, Skin etc

One dead donor saves 9 lives and helps many others.

Kidney, Blood, Bone Marrow etc.

This often has little impact on the donor and is often donated to sick family members.

Christianity and Transplant Surgery

The Bible states that humans are created by God in his images. People have NO RIGHT to interfere with God’s creation.

Some Christians believe that God will resurrect people into their bodies at the end of the world and DO NOT agree with transplanting organs. Some Christians say: When we have two organs, giving one is okay

because it is following Jesus' teachings of loving your neighbour.

Most Christians believe that the gift of life is precious and it

is right to make every effort to preserve life.

The Golden Rule teaches Christians to treat others as they would like to be treated themselves. For some, this teaching makes organ donations acceptable.

Islam and Transplant SurgeryThe Qur’an teaches that on the Last Day, Allah will resurrect everybody bodily. It is understood that nothing should be removed from a person’s body after death.

Allah is the creator of life and he has a plan for everyone.

Humans have no right to alter Allah’s plan about life and death.

Islam teaches that it is every Muslim’s duty to alleviate suffering and save life. Organ donation and transplant can do this. In Islam, Organ donation on a living donor may be permitted, so long

as it does not risk the donor’s life. In fact it is considered

an act of charity. Some (very few) Muslims believe that all forms of transplant surgery is acceptable because Shariah Laws it can save lives

and is a God given technology.

Peace and Conflict

The United NationsReligion and world peace

Just WarReligious attitude towards war.Religious attitude towards bullying.

Conflict in the family. Religious teachings on forgiveness and reconciliation.

UN

UN basic aims: 1: To maintain international peace and security2: To develop friendly relations between countries. 3: To help countries develop economically and socially. Peace = RESPECT for life, human dignity, human rights and the

rejection of violence along with a commitment to freedom, justice and friendship.

RESOLVE CONFLICTS:

Peace negotiations

Providing a neutral force

to support peace PREVENT CONFLICTS:

Negotiators

Tackle the causes of war.

E.g. economic poverty.

UNICEF: Children’s Fun

UNESCO: Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organisation

World Peace

THE QUAKERS

PACIFISM AND NON-VIOLENCEWork with the UN to reconcile warring states.

Campaign against nuclear weapons

Work to tackle the causes of conflict – poverty etc

Try to influence foreign policy

“War may be necessary. Refusing to fight would allow

evil to win!”

Just War

A Just War is one which has to be fought but is conducted according to certain conditions. These were developed by Thomas Aquinas (c1225-74) and Francisco de Vitoria (c1483-1546) and are still referred to by Christians today.

The theory is not intended to justify all wars but to

prevent them by showing that going to war - except in certain limited circumstances - is wrong. The intention

was to motivate states to find other ways of resolving conflicts, prevent war and to limit its effects.

Some conditions of a Just War are:

it must be fought by a legal recognised authority, eg, a governmentthe war must be fought with the intention to establish good or correct evilthe war must be the last resort (after all diplomatic negotiations have been tried and failed)civilians must not be involved or targeted

Christianity and war

Jesus is often described as a pacifist. He taught:

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the

children of God”.Matthew 5.9

Most Christians believe that war and fighting are wrong except in the most

severe cases and they base their views on Jesus’ teaching about love:“A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another”.

John 13:34

Necessary EvilMost Christian believe we had a duty

stop the atrocities being committed by Nazi Regime during WWII.

Jesus taught about non-violence but never condemned Roman Soldiers.

POPE BENEDICT XVI – Duty bound to defend Christian values – even if that means using proportional violence.

struggle

ISLAM AND WAR: Lesser Jihad

ATTACK!

JUST SOCIETY

Harb al-Muqadis (Holy War)

One aim of Holy War may be to create a democracy where people are free to live their lives without beliefs and

politics being imposed on them. There must be no hatred or vengeance in the fighting. As soon as peace is offered,

fighting must stop. Once peace has been restored the differences between people must be resolved.

Muslims may fight in self-defence but are forbidden to begin a fight. The aim of fighting is to create a

situation where Muslims are free to worship Allah and live in peace.

“Hate your enemy mildly; he may become your friend one day”. Hadith

Christianity and Bullying “Love your neighbour as you love yourself.” If you love someone, you will never do them wrong: to love, the, is to obey the whole law. (Romans 13:9-10)

Made in the image of God!

WE ARE ALL EQUAL!Set up by Christians to help children who lived on the streets during Victorian times. Now it helps children facing discrimination or disadvantage in their daily lives. Aniti- bullying is one area they work on.

Islam and bullyingUMMAH=

The brotherhood of all Muslims, whether male of female. It would be wrong to bully a fellow Muslim.

QUR’ANAllah created every human being and everyone is equal in the eyes of Allah. Show respect to ALL of Allah’s creation.

SHOW COMPASSION TO THE WEAK AND FIGHT AGAINST INJUSTICE!

THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT

“Allah will not show mercy to the one who does not show mercy to others”. (Hadith)

Beatbullying: CyberMentors who help people who are victims of cyber bullying.

Religious conflict and the family

Christianity and forgiveness

PARABLES!

The Lost Son

THE BIBLE

“Do not take revenge on

someone who wrongs

you...love your enemies and

pray for those who persecute

you”

TRCTruth and

Reconciliation Commission

Desmond Tutu promoted forgiveness in South

Africa – Good Example

Islam and forgiveness

Teachings of the Qur’an

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

DAY OF JUDGEMENT

“Show forgiveness, speak of justice, and avoid the ignorant”.

(Qur;an 7:199)

“Control your anger, then forgive your

brother. Do you not wish to be forgiven?”.

(Prophet Muhammad PBUH)

If a Muslim wrongs someone they are taught to:Ask forgiveness from AllahAsk forgiveness from the person themselves.

Crime and PunishmentLaw and Justice

The point of PunishmentReligious teachings about justice

Capital PunishmentReligious attitudes towards capital punishment

Drugs and alcohol Drugs and alcohol – The problem for societyReligious attitudes towards drugs and alcohol

Law and Justice

Laws tell people how they should and should not behave.

Laws set out certain punishments to be enforced if the law is broken.

Without rules normal society would break down and there

will be ANARCHY.

Laws create a civilised society.

Ensures that people are treated fairly.

Punishment has to be

appropriate for the crime committed.

Law must be based on justice for society to believe they are fair and follow them.

If laws are unjust people may decide

to act without the law or ‘take the law into their own hands’.

Pu

nis

hm

en

tProtection

Deterrent

Retribution

Placing an offender in prison, or taking their life in order to protect society from the

criminal.

Having a harsh punishment that discourages others from breaking the law, or discourage

a criminal from re-offending.

Punishing a person to make them pay for what they have done.

Reparation

ReformA punishment that aims to stop a criminal

from re-offending, through a programme or re-education and training in prison.

Punishment that makes the criminal pay for their crime by doing something to help

society of the victim.

Justice and Christianity BIBLE: Treating people unjustly is a sin, and those who do it can expect to pay the

price on the Day of Judgement.

Old Testament RETRIBUTION

Exodus 21:23-25Vendettas and long-running disputes

were unjust.

Jesus’ teachings about justice were revolutionary for the time that he lived.

Jesus linked justice with non-violence and forgiveness. RETRIBUTION IS NOT THE BEST WAY!

Use , and forgive people who hurt you. He said that this was better than exacting punishment.

Jesus said that God wants a just society. Jesus taught people to

share their wealth and

give to charity.

Modern Christians believe there is an unjust division

of wealth in the world.

Many Christians campaign against poverty and make a

deliberate effort to buy Fairtrade goods.

“Do not judge others, so that God will not judge you, for God will judge you the same way as you judge others, and he will apply to you the same rules you apply to others”. (Matthew 7:1-2)

Justice and Islam One of them is that Allah

is Just!!

Life of Prophet Muhammad

(pbuh)

ZAKAH

UNJUST!!!

Shari’ah Law

Capital Punishment

The Death Penalty in Britain In 1908 the death penalty was abolished for people under 16. In 1931 the death penalty was abolished for pregnant women. The last hangings were in 1964. The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in the UK in 1998.

It is an excellent deterrent.

Removes dangerous people.

Cheaper than keeping a person in prison for a very long time.

Life for a life – fair retribution.

Innocent people get convicted by mistake.

Life is sacred – even that of a criminal

Prison is a good deterrent – Many try to commit suicide

It barbaric

Christianity and Capital PunishmentHERESY

A belief that is not acceptable to the

Church.“If anyone takes human life, he will be

punished...Human beings were made like God, so whoever murders one of them will be

killed by someone else”. (Genesis 9:5-6)

Old Testament

The NEW TESTAMENT teaches that a Christian should follow a countries legal code. Christians must obey state authorities and if Capital Punishment is okay then it is acceptable.

Jesus taught about love and forgiveness for sinners.

Only God can give and take life.

Sixth Commandment “Do not kill” means as a punishment as well.

Islam and Capital Punishment

Just punishment

Shari’ah Law

APOSTASY!“You shall not kill – for that is

forbidden by God – except for a just cause”DELIBERATE MURDER

THREATENING TO UNDERMINE THE AUTHORITY

Alcohol and Drugs

Illegal to drink alcohol under the age of 18

16-17

Under 5

CHANGES?Ban on advertisement. Increase the taxStop happy hourNo drink drive limit for under 21s.

Alcohol and Drugs CLASS A = Morphine, Heroine

CLASS B = Speed, Cannabis

CLASS C = Ketamine, Some prescribed drugs

Police have the power to

stop and search any one

they think may be using or

carrying drugs.

Very serious offense to

supply drugs.

Growing cannabis is

illegal.

Importing drugs carries a

long prison sentence.

EFFECT ON PERSON AND SOCIETY

Causes health problems: Liver damage, lung cancer, high blood pressure etc

Relationships fail – Addicts often lie to them.

Work/Education suffers: Addicts are often to worried about their next fix.

Crime occurs: People under the influence commit crime – 50% street crime related to drinks.

Costs a fortune: Person spends large amount of money on their addiction. This often leads to debt.

Christians and Drugs/alcohol

“Don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and who was given to you by God?” (1 Corinthians 6:19)

RESPONSIBLE!

Jesus’ first miracle = WATER

INTO WINE!

HELP THE ADDICT!

Islam and drugs/alcohol “Satan stirs up hatred among you by means of wine and gambling...Will you not abstain from

them?” (Qur’an 4:43)

HARAMDestroys a peaceful

society