1 The complete & easy guide to success 8.1-8.4Unit 8 The complete & easy guide to success
2 8.1 Rights and Responsibilities Remember: You will need to know both Christian and Muslims attitudes in this unit!
3 Why use different types of authority?Bible : Word of God, moral guide, contains laws, doesn’t change. Church : body of Christ, teachings of Jesus, provides rules, God talks to us through Church, Church interprets bible. Conscience: the voice of God, Church says it should be followed, speaks directly to individual. Situation Ethics: Jesus used it, wrong to ignore consequences, Jesus taught love, forgiveness Tip:You can use opposite ones to argue against another!
4 Using a variety of authoritiesWhen Christians have to decide what to do about an issue, they can: Use what the bible says about it Use what Church leaders say about it Use what they feel is right (their conscience) Work out what is the most loving thing to do. (Situation Ethics) Most Christians would use more than one of these one may not contain relevant answer.
5 Human Rights in UK Everyone has the right to: life, liberty, a fair trial, own property etc. Argue for: Without HR could live in dictatorship (opposition imprisioned) Without freedom of thought, minority religions and political parties might be banned. No freedom to vote = no democracy. Against Abuse of HR Torture could be used to get info to save innocent lives.
6 Importance of Human Rights for ChristiansAll created in God’s image God loves all equally so all should be treated equally Bible teachings support HR e.g 10 commandments. Examples: Parable of sheep and goats Golden rule
7 Why should take part in democratic/electoral processesArguments for: Some control over how taxes etc. is spent. Can affect new laws passed Say in how NHS, schools and benefits are run. Arguments against: One vote makes no difference to outcome Politicians make promises that aren’t kept Doesn’t matter who is voted in, EU will decide. Think about the upcoming election when answering a question like this
8 Moral responsibilities for ChristiansSpecifically refer to teachings: (pg60) Golden Rule Parable of Sheep and Goats. Am I my Brothers Keeper? St Paul Arguing against using Christian teachings when taking part in voting: More important to love God than take part in elections Going to mass every Sunday is more important Christianity is about loving God – both don’t mix
9 Genetic Engineering Non religious arguments for G.ENeed to know what it is! (not in plants) Non religious arguments for G.E Prospect of cures for diseases Done in other countries Cloning using animal eggs rather than human does not mean loss of life G.E monitored by law but has benefits Non religious arguments against No information about long term consequences Effects that can’t be changed, permanent Too much power for scientists Treats human body as no different than plants
10 Christians and G.E Liberal Protestants = support Jesus cured diseasesFinding genetic cures no different than drug cures Embryos not foetus until 14days old Catholics and some other Christians = agree (not including embryos) Life begins at conception – killing is wrong Killing human embryo is wrong Embryos been produced by un – Christian means (e.g masturbation) Other Christians = against all G.E God creates people at conception – G.E interferes with this. G.E is trying to play God. = sin Wrong to try to make world perfect
11 8.2 Religion: Environment and Medical Issues
12 Global Warming Causes Effects SolutionsBurning of fossil fuels – increases greenhouse gasses Ice melts = sea levels rise Individually – recycle, walk more, turn off electrical things Rise in temperature (natural) Drought, lots of rain, flooding Government – laws for factories, reduce energy usage Extreme weather e.g hurricanes Scientists – research causes of GW and find solutions Animals and plants die out
13 Pollution and SolutionsWaste Air Water Land Solutions: Create less waste Alternative energy sources Government action Different manufacturing methods Link to what you have learnt in science!
14 Natural Resources Renewable resources Non - Renewable Wind power Coal Solar power Oil Fertile land Gas Wood Minerals and rocks Advantages: Never run out Clean energy Disadvantages: Can be expensive Only available in some areas Advantages: Metals can be recycled. Disadvantages: Once used up can’t be used again Issues: Rely on non renewable resources, used at current rate will run out
15 Christian and Muslim Attitudes to EnvironmentChristian Teachings Muslim Teachings God gave humans stewardship over the world Allah put God in charge of creation so should respect it God gave humans dominion(responsibility and power) to care for creation Adam = Khalifah/ caretaker of the earth All humans given this responsibility Will be judged on judgement day on how they have looked after earth. How this affects Christians? Take care of environment – it’s a gift Share resources Conserve natural resources Reduce pollution How this affects Muslims? Support organisations/charities Recycle and reduce energy use Don’t overuse resources Share resources
16 Infertility TreatmentsInfertility treatment = when a couple cannot have a baby. Treatments include: IVF, Artificial insemination, egg and embryo donation Important? Lots of people have fertility problems
17 Christians and Muslims = InfertilitySome = against Allah might not want you to have a child. No donation = adultery. Surrogacy is wrong. Some = for Seen as a disease so okay to cure Having children is an important family commitment IVF and artificial insemination by husband are okay Some = Against Might not be God’s will Embryos not needed are destroyed. Donation = adultery Some = for God intended people to have children Depends on situation Humans given skill to create children artificially = God
18 Transplant Surgery Uses healthy organs from donor to replace dying organ. Can give life to dying people, brings life out of death.
19 Christians and Muslims – Transplant Surgery.Some Christians: Agree – both types, but not buying organs. Because – organs aren’t needed after death. Only agree if – is from a living donor Because – using dead people is ‘playing God’ Disagree – with all forms Because: ‘it is playing God’ Some Muslims: Agree – can be from close relatives Because: it is allowed by some Muslim lawyers Most Disagree because: need their organs for the Last Day
20 8.3 Religion: Peace and Conflict
21 United Nations and World PeaceUN = formed after 2ndWW to promote world peace and cooperation What do they do? Bring conflict to peaceful end, reconciliation. Reduce number of weapns Try to tackle long term issues – e.g poverty Case Study KOSOVO: Sent peacekeepers in to protect Ethnic Albanians from Serb army Used methods like setting up political parties
22 How religious organisations try to promote world peace?Actions: Hold interfaith conferences Public demonstrations against war/injustice Help those suffering from injustice Educate Teach forgiveness. Example: Pax Christi Catholic organisation Opposed to war and violence Encourage government to solve disputes through discussion.
23 Why do wars occur? Religion – e.g followers of a religion are being treated badly in another country Nationalism and Ethnicity e.g if an ethnic group wants to set up its own country. Economics – eg. If a country has oil but country next door does not Political reasons – e.g if one country is communist and wants to make other countries communist.
24 Just War Theory Just war theory = idea that it is right to go to war if the reasons are just(fair) Some of the criteria needed for a just war. There is a reasonable chance of success No innocent people killed Fought to bring peace Methods are fair and reasonable Last resort Example: it is being fought in self defence
25 Christians and War Bible teaches about peace e.g Blessed are the peacemakers’ (Matt 5:39) Just war – some would follow JWT as it has been accepted by many Churches, some bible teachings support it. Because: Jesus taught to obey government, St Paul said to obey authority, sometimes violence is necessary (response to invasion), lesser of 2 evils Pacifism – refusing to fight in wars. Because : 10 commandments – no killing, Jesus didn’t agree with violence, Jesus – love your neighbours
26 Muslim attitudes to warBelieve in peace, some believe war is not acceptable: Modern weapons aren’t compatible with Muslim rules about fighting. Non violence is only way to peace. Violence = more violence Teaches that if religion is attacked, Muslims must defend their religion. (fighting Jihad – just war fought in a just way) Why? It teaches this in the Qu’ran, this is the word of God. Muhammad fought in wars Qu’ran teaches anyone killed in just war will go straight to heaven.
27 Bullying Never accepted by Muslims/ ChristiansChristians? Why? Violence without cause = sin Made in God’s image Jesus taught love one another. Bible – God will take action against cruel behaviour Muslims? Why? Aggression and violence without just cause = wrong. Everyone created by Allah – wrong to abuse creation Muhammad = Muslims should protect the weak Judged on last day
28 Religious Conflict within familiesChildren go against parent’s religion Children wanting to marry a partner from a different faith Children becoming more religious than their parents. Disagreements over moral issues e.g living together without being married (against teachings about sex outside of marriage)
29 Forgiveness and Reconciliation Christianity and IslamAllah = ‘compassionate and merciful’ Muhammad taught people to forgive Qu’ran teaches forgiveness is important. Judgement day – Allah shows mercy Unforgiveable? Working against Islam Denying Muslim principles Images of Muhammad Jesus on cross = bring forgiveness Jesus= don’t forgive others and you won’t be forgiven St Paul – should live in peace with everyone Unforgiveable? If conflict about moral/religious issue where Bible has answer, it can’t be reconciled.
30 8.4 Crime and Punishment
31 Need for Law and Justice?Protects weak Create peace for everyone Keep safe from criminals Guidelines for acceptable behaviour What is justice and why is it important? Allocating rewards and punishment based on what is right If laws aren’t fair, people might break it If laws are unjust they will cause more disruption and crime in society.
32 Importance of Justice for Christians and MuslimsChristianity Bible says God is one of Justice God will reward good and punish the bad at end of the world. Bible and Church want Christians to work for justice by campaigning. Islam Qu’ran says God is just. Shari’ah says Muslims must work for justice through zakah if they are to go to heaven on Last Day.
33 Theories of PunishmentMain theories of punishment are: Retribution - that criminals should be punished for what they have done Deterrence – that punishments should be so harsh, no one would dare to commit a crime. Reformation – that punishment should try to change criminals into law abiding citizens Protection – that punishments should protect society from criminals
34 Non Religious attitudes:Capital punishment Execution of those condemned to death Abolished in UK in 1973 Methods: hanging, lethal injection, electric chair, beheading and firing squad. Non Religious attitudes: For Against It is a deterrent Death penalty doesn’t = low crime rate Value of human life clear – taking life of those who take others. Executed sometimes found innocent People can confess crimes to get lesser sentence Human life is special and shouldn’t be taken.
35 Religious Attitudes to Capital PunishmentChristians: For because: Old Testament – death penalty should be used. Jesus never taught it was wrong Against because: Against sanctity of life Jesus taught revenge is wrong. Muslims Qu’ran teaches its okay for some crimes e.g adultery Muhammad sentenced people to death. CP is an option, not compulsory Conditions for CP often not met.
36 Social and health problems caused by drugs and alcoholYou should know some laws on drugs and alcohol. Smoking – bad health effects and deaths, causing problems for families and employers etc. Alcohol – health problems like liver disease and alcoholism. Social problems e.g violence. Drug abuse – addiction and death Linked to gang problems and stealing to fund habit.
37 Drugs and Alcohol – Christianity and IslamAgainst drugs: illegal and abuse body which is God’s temple Some accept alcohol and smoking in moderation – Jesus drank wine. Some don’t have W/T as harmful social and health effects. Bible concerned about effects of alcohol Forbids use of alcohol and drugs – banned in Qu’ran and hadith of Prophet. Tobacco is disapproved of but not banned.