Life and Death

Life and Death

afterlife definition and example

• life after death; the belief that existence continues after physical death on Earth

• e.g. Christians believe in heaven and hell after death

environmental sustainability definition and example

• ensuring the demands placed on natural resources can be met without reducing capacity to allow all people and other forms of life to survive

• e.g. recycling

euthanasia definition and example

• meaning “good death” or referred to as “mercy killing”; the act of killing or permitting the death of a person who is suffering from a serious illness

• e.g. being injected with a chemical which kills the person, suffering from a terminal illness

evolution definition and example

• process by which different living creatures are believed to have developed from earlier less complex forms

• e.g. humans evolved from monkeys, theory developed by Darwin

abortion definition and example

• when a pregnancy i ended so that it does not result in the birth of a child

• e.g. if before a certain time then can take a tablet to kill the foetus, or operate to remove it

quality of life definition and example

• the extent to which life is meaningful and pleasurable

• e.g. being able to talk to friends, do leisure activities and hobbies etc

sanctity of life definition and example

• the belief that life is precious or sacred- for many religious believers, only human life holds this status

• e.g. Christians believe that we are sacred because we are made by God “imago dei”

soul definition and example

• the spiritual aspect of a being which is non-physical and often seen to live on after death

• e.g. Christians believe that our soul goes to heaven or hell when we die

what is creationism

the belief that all life was made by God as written in the holy books

what does the Christian Genesis story say about the creation of the world

• says that God created all things over 6 days by speaking them into existence

• day 1- light and dark

• day 2- sky

• day 3- land, sea and plants

• day 4- sun, moon and stars

• day 5- fish and birds

• day 6- animals and man (Adam and Eve)

Christian creation story quote

“and God said ‘let there be light’ and there was light”

what does Genesis 2 teach

God made Adam and Eve first, before animals and placed them in the Garden of Eden

how was Eve made + quote

• Eve was made from the rib of Adam

• “then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken from the man”

what are the two interpretations of the Christian creation story

• literal

• liberal

what is the literal interpretation of the Christian Creation Story

• holy texts should be understood word for word and happened exactly like this

what are the two types of creationism and what do they mean

• Young Earth creationism= the world was created by God in seven actual days less than 10,000 years ago

• Old Earth creationism= God created the world millions of years ago over long eras of time

what is the liberal interpretation of the Christian creation story

• holy texts should be interpreted as symbolic stories; have meaning but are not fact

what are the two types of liberal beliefs about evolution and how God has guided it

• theistic guided evolution

• natural evolution

what is theistic guided evolution

evolution was guided by Gods direct intervention

what is natural evolution

God set down laws of nature before the universe existed, including evolution

what do Catholics teach about creation

• teaches that the Bible accounts and stories have to be understood within the time they were written; authors of these books had limited knowledge of science and the world so Genesis was their way of trying to explain what they believed

• teach Genesis account alongside science and reason to try and understand the key message

what do Catholics believe the key message of Genesis and the creation story is

• God is responsible for the creation of the word

• science can explain how the universe was created, but the Catholic Church teaches that religion explains the reason it was created

what does Islam teach about creation

• Allah responsible for the creation of the universe

• no single story of creation, but there are references to it in many places in the Quran

• God created the heavens and the earth from formless matter over six long periods of time

• created humans out of clay, moulding Adam and breathing life into him

• he took Adam to paradise and made a wife for him

• majority literal interpretation

what is the literal interpretation of creation in Islam

• holy texts are understood word for word and are completely true

• mainly old earth creationism; God created the world millions of years ago over six long eras of time

• evolution criticised

what is humanism

a rationalist outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance on human rather than divine or supernatural matters

what do humanists believe about creation

• religious explanations are unreliable, and we should use science to understand the world

• evolution helps us to understand creation, and evidence suggests the universe formed itself

three people who support the idea of evolution

• Darwin- naturalist on evolutionary theory

• Dawkings- evolutionary atheist and biologist

• Hawking- physicist “there is no God, no one directs the universe”

what is the Big Bang theory

• universe began from a point of singularity which then expanded into a hot and dense environment which formed matter

• most believe that the expansion will continue for billions of years to come

what evidence supports the BBT

• discovery of cosmic background radiation thought to be left over from the initial expansion

what did Hawking believe about the BBT and quote

• thought that the universe could be explained through science and natural laws, rather than needing a divine creator

• “God may exist, but science can explain the universe without the need for a creator”

whats the fundamental Christian view on the BBT

• argues only Genesis is literally true in every way and the story cannot be questioned, so therefore does not fit with the BBT

liberal Christian view on the BBT

• argue that God started the BB and used it as his way of creation

• shown in Genesis with “let there be light” which could refer to the BB

what is the Muslim view on the BBT

• most believe that if there are any disagreements between two theories, teachings found in the Quran are correct

• words of Allah superior to the words of human scientists

• some Muslims take a less literal view, but do not lessen the role of Allah

• some Muslims say that the BB can be seen as additional evidence of Allah’s creation and can therefore be accepted as scientific truth

what is the theory of evolution

• Darwin put it forwards

• suggests that Earth is actually millions of years old and that life has arisen through the slow, natural process of evolution due to natural selection and survival of the fittest

why did many religious believers respond badly to Darwins theory of evolution

• theory of evolution seemed to go against religious teachings that God made Earth as stated in the Bible, not over billions of years

• Christians believed that God created humans in his own image, that humans were superior to all other creatures and had a soul, not the idea that living things adapt to their environment and those that do not go extinct

• theory challenged the idea that God is the creator and that the beginning, order and structure of universe is evidence of this

what is theistic guided evolution

belief that life came about through evolution but that God guided this process

what is natural evolution

the belief that life came about through evolution but that God began this process

what is the catholic view on evolution

• Pope Francis stated that “evolution of nature is not inconsistent with the notion of Gods creation because evolution involves Gods creation of beings which evolve”

what is the Muslim view on evolution

• Muslims view evolution as simply Allah’s way of creating life

• they believe that Allah created the environment, which drives evolution and oversees the natural processes whereby species evolve

what is intelligent design

states that there exist things that are so complex and have a purpose and therefore cannot have simply developed through evolution

name of person with analogy about intelligent design and the name of his book and theory

• William Paley

• watch analogy

• book called “Natural Theology”

name of key person that argues against ID

Richard Dawkins

what does Dawkins argue

• the universes intricacy developed through evolution, so is chance and not design; therefore no need for God to explain this

name of Dawkins book and what it talks about

• the Blind Watchmaker

• argues that the idea of Gods intelligent design is merely an illusion

what ideologies does Dawkins support and why

• strong supporter of Darwinism and atheism

• sees the Darwinian concept of evolution as the foundation of all biological science, viewing humans as survival machines for our genes

what does Peter Singer believe

• atheist who accepts evolutionary theory

• does not believe in God and sees the idea of sanctity of human life as incorrect

what is specieism

the notion that human life is sacred just because it is human life

what is Singer’s opinion on specieism

• strongly against it

• wrote about the importance of human and animal life

• calls for humans to stop exploiting all sentient beings

quotes about science supporting religion

• Einstein “the more I study science the more I believe in God”

• Maimonides “the account of creation is not to be taken literally”

quotes for science and against religion

• Darwin “evolution is the only known theory that could solve the mystery of our existence”

what is stewardship

taking care of the planet and managing its resources

what is environmental sustainability

ensuring that the demands placed on natural resources can be met without reducing capacity to allow all people and other species of animals, including plants, to live well now and in the future

what is global citizenship

the idea that we should see ourselves as part of a world community

what are Christian attitudes about stewardship

• believe that humans are given the role to be stewards of Gods creation

• “you made them rulers over the works of your hands”

• “God blessed them and said to them…rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground”

what is the evangelical view on stewardship

• tend to take the Bible literally, believing that these quotes give humans the right to use the worlds natural resources to advance civilisation

what is the liberal view on stewardship

argue that we are to care for the world rather than exploit it; Adam placed in the GoE to “cultivate and care for it”

what are Green Christians

environmental activists who promote awareness of environmental issues

catholic beliefs about stewardship

• everyone should look after the world

• “love thy neighbour” so should care for the world; hurting the world hurts others

• Earth is God’s creation so we should look after it

• Laudato Si; written by the Pope, discussing how to treat the world “peace, justice and preservation of creation”

• agape

who was Chico Mendes and what did he do

• Roman Catholic steward in Brazil

• Chico was leader of the rubber tappers and had been one since he was 9

• he organised the rubber tappers to defend their homes from cattle ranches

• organised non-violent protests and found ways to use Amazonian resources to support the economic benefit of the local people and to protect the rainforest

• 1988- successfully secured the rights to halt the development and deforestation by cattle ranchers; sig victory for environmental conservation

• Chico killed later that year

• in his memory, the land he lived and died for was named the Chico Mendes Reserve and is now protected land

name of Christian charity which helps support the environment

A Rocha

what does A Rocha UK do

• Christian charity working to equip Christians and churches to protect and restore the environment; for God, nature and all people

aims of A Rocha

• inspire individuals and families

• equip churches and church leaders

• build partnerships

• manage land for nature and people

three examples of programs A Rocha has

• Eco Church program

• Wild Christian programme

• Plastic-free month, Veganuary

what is A Rocha’s Eco Church program

• equips churches in England and Wales to care for creation

• learning community of churches of all shapes and sizes

• provides a framework to support your church and its leadership to take practical action on caring for Gods Earth

what is A Rocha’s Wild Christian program

• supports people to enjoy, nurture and defend nature in their own homes and communities through campaigning

what is a khalifah

agent or steward working for Allah on Earth

Muslim views on stewardship

• Allah created, owns and sustains the world and all its creatures

• every human has a special role as a khalifah to protect the environment

• have a duty to use their skills to help keep the balance which Allah created

• Afterlife- on DoJ, all Muslims will stand before Allah and have to explain how they have treated the Earth and all its living creatures

• “eat and drink, but do not waste”

• “live in this world as if you were going to live forever”- Muhammad

• Muslims follow the example of Muhammad so help world and environment

• striving for a greater human purpose through greater jihad links to our role as stewards on Earth

how did Muhammad set an example as to how to care for the world

• showed kindness to animals

• showed kindness to humans

• spoke of the importance of planting trees and gardens so birds, humans and animals can benefit

what is fitrah

there is a balance in the universe that must be maintained by mankind

what two green programs does Islam have

• Green Hajj

• Green Mosque “the Cambridge Mosque”

what is Green Hajj

focuses on a range of sustainable practices to reduce the environmental impact of the pilgrimage to Mecca

what are some key initiatives of Green Hajj and what do they help with

• waste management= implementing recycling programs by recycling bottles they raise money which is given to charity

• water conservation= promoting uses of water-saving techniques, encourages pilgrims to avoid excessive water usage during ablutions and rituals for wudu

• sustainable transportation= encouraging using public transport and carpooling to reduce carbon emissions when travelling to and from pilgrimage sites

• education and awareness= workshops and campaigns to educate pilgrims by organisations like Ummah for the Earth education about environmental responsibiity and sustainable practices during the pilgrimage

what is the green mosque’s aim

committed to sustainability; its advanced eco design gives it a near-zero carbon footprint, honours natural forms with sustainable timber vaulting and reminds the visitor of our connections to nature

how is the Green Mosque designed to be green

• building is naturally lit all year round by large skylights in the roof, supplemented by low energy LED bulbs

• also have photovoltaic cells on the roof to help generate renewable energy from the sun

• emphasis on sustainability and high reliance on green energy makes this Europe’s first eco-mosque and a true landmark building for Cambridge

humanist attitudes towards stewardship

• believe that we have a responsibility to work towards causing as little harm as possible to the environment as it makes sense, not because its God given

• accept responsibility to maintain a sustainable environment for future generations

• understands the place of humans within nature

• understand human responsibilities for other species

• ensure that development can be justified

• preserve areas of natural beauty and interest for future generations

• repair, where possible, habitats damaged by human development and other means

• believe there is no supernatural force to help us and that humans alone are responsible for solving environmental problems

• empathy important when deciding how to act towards others; should extend this empathy to future generations and other sentient creatures

• Singer argues against specieism and animals have rights

• humanists also support environmental organisations like WWF, Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth

Christian attitudes for protecting animals

• animals are for humans to take care of and protect

• we have a responsibility to ensure animals are not abused or mistreated as everything belongs to God and suffering should be kept to a minimum

• Christian scriptures look forward to a perfect world in which humans and animals co-exist

• Jesus said that even the death of a small sparrow does not go unnoticed

Christian attitudes against protecting animals

• animals are different from humans

• only humans are made in the image of God

• animals are for humans to rule and control

• only humans have a soul, animals do not

what do Catholics believe about animal treatment

• in ethical decisions between humans and animals, do not give too great an importance to animals

• people are still suffering in the world and they should be given the focus and help over animals

• but animals should not be treated cruelly

what are Quaker teachings on animals

• are pacifist so do not condone any violence towards animals at all

• would be vegetarian or vegan as part of their beliefs about killing

what do all churches believe about experiments on animals for research

• all believe that experiments carried out for essential medical research are acceptable

• this is because the value of animal life is less than the value of human life and is sometimes necessary

• but experiments should not be carried out to improve cosmetics or for other trivial reasons

• animals must be treated humanely

what are Muslim attitudes towards animal rights

• Allah created all life for human beings to treat with great respect and care

• Muslims allowed to hunt animals but only for food, not sport

• if someone has killed an animal unnecessarily, then the animal will testify against that person on the Day of Judgement

• that person will be refused entry into heaven

• experiments on animals allowed as long as they are important in the battle against human disease

• suffering of the animal must be reduced to a minimum

• animal experiments for cosmetic purposes, or any other trivial reason strictly forbidden

stories of Muhammad that demonstrate his concern for the welfare of animals

• once saw someone take some eggs from a nest, causing the mother bird great grief; the prophet saw and told the man to return the eggs

• when the Prophet was asked if Allah rewarded acts of charity to animals, he replied “yes, there is a reward for acts of charity to every beast alive”

• the prophet said “whoever kills a sparrow or anything bigger than that without just cause, Allah will hold him accountable on the Day of Judgement”

• killing would be for a just cause if it was for food and animals must be killed halal

• “a good deed done to a beast is as good as doing good to a human being; while an act of cruelty to a beast is as good as an act of cruelty to a human”

what are the two rules about killing animals for food (halal method)

• an animal must not be slaughtered in front of other animals

• a person must not slaughter an animal that he or she has bred

what is the sanctity of life

belief life is sacred as it was made by God therefore must be preserved and protected

what is quality of life

extent to which life is meaningful and pleasurable; more important than sanctity

does Anglican CoE care more about quality or sanctity of life

quality

Christian attitudes towards the sanctity of life

• God created mankind “imago dei” so all life precious and sacred; therefore only God can take it away

• we are to treat our and other peoples bodies with respect; again only God can decide when life ends

• Jesus shows that all life should be valued through the way he treated lepers, sick and despised groups of people like Samaritans and tax collectors

• “inn his hand is the life of every creature”- only God can decide death

• God is involved in our life from the very beginning “before I formed you in the womb I knew you”

• “you are in Gods temple and Gods spirit dwells in you

Muslim beliefs on the sanctity of life

• believe all life created by God and only he can take it away “and do not kill the soul which God has forbidden”

• believed that God has a plan for each life even before each person is “planted as a seed in your mothers womb”

• “whoever kills a soul, it is as if he has slain mankind entirely”

• every soul created by God and he has a plan for every life

• no one has the right to take their own or anyone elses life

humanist views on the sanctity of life

• life is special as there is no afterlife; this life is special as its the only one

• one of our central purposes is to make ourselves and others around us as happy as possible

• life is important because it is our opportunity to benefit others through compassion and kindness

• life isn’t sacred but is worthy of highest respects

what is conception

where the egg is fertilised by the sperm

what happens at two weeks into pregnancy

the egg embeds in the womb lining; can research embryos up to this point

4 weeks

can see limbs developing; measures about size of an apple seed

6 weeks

• beginnings of stumps of arms and legs beginning to grow

• eyes start to develop

• brain waves

12 weeks

• heartbeat heard

• can see fingers with nails and genitalia forming

16 weeks

foetus grows and can now see the biological sex of the baby

20 weeks

• ensoulment; foetus can suck thumb, yawn and make faces, and can feel the baby move

24 weeks

• viability; nearly developed and can respond to sounds

• can survive outside of the womb

28 weeks

can survive outside of the womb

what is the act that made abortion legal

Abortion Act in 1967