Unit 8

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8.1-8.4

8.1

Rights and Responsibilities

Remember:You will need to know both Christian and Muslims attitudes in this unit!

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, forgivenessTip:You can use opposite ones to argue against another!

Using a variety of authorities

• When 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.

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.

Importance of Human Rights for Christians

• All 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

Why should take part in democratic/electoral processes

Arguments 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

Moral responsibilities for Christians

Specifically refer to teachings: (pg60)

• Golden Rule• Parable of Sheep and Goats.• Am I my Brothers Keeper? St PaulArguing 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

Genetic Engineering

Need 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 benefitsNon 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

Christians and G.E

Liberal Protestants = support• Jesus cured diseases• Finding genetic cures no different than drug cures• Embryos not foetus until 14days oldCatholics 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

8.2

Religion: Environment and Medical Issues

Global WarmingCauses 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

Pollution and Solutions

• Waste• Air • Water• Land

Solutions:• Create less waste• Alternative energy sources• Government action• Different manufacturing methods

Link to what you have learnt in science!

Natural Resources

Renewable resources Non - Renewable

Wind power Coal

Solar power Oil

Fertile land Gas

Wood Minerals and rocks

Issues: Rely on non renewable resources, used at current rate will run out

Advantages:Never run outClean energyDisadvantages:Can be expensive Only available in some areas

Advantages:Metals can be recycled.Disadvantages:Once used up can’t be used again

Christian and Muslim Attitudes to Environment

Christian Teachings Muslim TeachingsGod 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 earthAll 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

Infertility Treatments

• Infertility treatment = when a couple cannot have a baby.

• Treatments include: IVF, Artificial insemination, egg and embryo donation

• Important? Lots of people have fertility problems

Christians and Muslims = Infertility

ChristiansSome = Against• Might not be God’s will• Embryos not needed are

destroyed.• Donation = adulterySome = for• God intended people to have

children• Depends on situation• Humans given skill to create

children artificially = God

MuslimsSome = 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

Transplant Surgery

Uses healthy organs from donor to replace dying organ.

Can give life to dying people, brings life out of death.

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 donorBecause – 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 lawyersMost Disagree because: need their organs for the Last Day

8.3

Religion: Peace and Conflict

United Nations and World Peace

UN = formed after 2ndWW to promote world peace and cooperationWhat 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

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.

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.

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 resortExample: it is being fought in self defence

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

Muslim attitudes to war

- Believe 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.

BullyingNever accepted by Muslims/

Christians

Christians? 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

Religious Conflict within families

• Children 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)

Forgiveness and ReconciliationChristianity and Islam

Christianity • 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.

Islam• Allah = ‘compassionate

and merciful’• Muhammad taught people

to forgive• Qu’ran teaches

forgiveness is important.• Judgement day – Allah

shows mercyUnforgiveable?- Working against Islam- Denying Muslim principles- Images of Muhammad

8.4

Crime and Punishment

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.

Importance of Justice for Christians and Muslims

Christianity• 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.

Theories of Punishment

Main 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

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.

Religious Attitudes to Capital PunishmentChristians:

For because:• Old Testament – death penalty should be used.• Jesus never taught it was wrongAgainst because:• Against sanctity of life• Jesus taught revenge is wrong.MuslimsFor because:• Qu’ran teaches its okay for some crimes e.g adultery• Muhammad sentenced people to death.Against because:• CP is an option, not compulsory• Conditions for CP often not met.

Social and health problems caused by drugs and alcohol

You 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.

Drugs and Alcohol – Christianity and Islam

Christianity- Against 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

Islam

• Forbids use of alcohol and drugs – banned in Qu’ran and hadith of Prophet.

• Tobacco is disapproved of but not banned.