Theme b - religion and life

Knowledge organiser

Sanctity of life

The belief that human life. is sacred Because we are made in Gods image

Quality of life

How good or comfortable a persons life is.

Abortion

Roman Catholics are opposed to abortion in all circumstances - they believe life starts are contraception, violates the sanctity of life

The Church of England believes that abortion is sometimes the lesser of 2 evils because Jesus taught to “love thy neighbour “. Eg. Rape or incest

Buddhist views on abortion differ but generally they are agains it aside goes against the first moral precept to “abstain from harm and killing”

Euthanasia

Roman Catholics are opposed to euthanasia in all circumstances as it goes against the sanctity of life and interferes with gods plan for a person. They recommend hospices instead.

Some other Christians will sometimes accept euthanasia if it is the most loving thing they can do because Jesus taught to “love thy neighbour”

Buddhists are generally against euthanasia as it goes against the first moral precept , to “abstain from killing”

Animal experimenting

Most Christian’s support animal experimentation if it could save a humans life because they believe humans are made in gods image and have a soul and are therefore more important than animals

Most Buddhists are against animal experimentation because it goes against the first moral precept to “abstain from harm and killing” and will also generate bad kamma

The use of animals for food

Most Christian’s believe that god gave humans animals for food and so have no problem with using animals for food.

most Buddhist are vegan or vegetarian

Religious teachings about the origin of the universe

Christian’s believe that god created the universe from nothing. The creation story in genesis describes how god made the universe in six days.

The relationship between scientific views and religious views

Fundamentalist Christian’s believe that the universe was created in exactly the way it is described in genesis and therefore other accounts (the big bang theory) are wrong.

Liberal Christians believe that the genesis account is not literally true. They believe is it an allegory with a message that god is the creator and lord of the universe.

What quote supports the belief of stewardship?

“The earth is the lords and everything in it”

What quote supports the belief of dominion?

“Rule over … every living thing”

The use and abuse of the environment

Most Christian’s believe that god gave humans the responsibility to care for the earth (stewardship) to preserve its natural resources and avoid pollution

In the past, some Christian’s have interpreted the teaching of dominion over the earth to mean they could do whatever they want to it, but few believe that today.

Religious teachings about the origin ps of the human life

The genesis account is that god created Adam from the “dust of the ground “ and breathed into his nostrils the “breath of life”. Later god created eve from Adam’s “rib”

fundamentalist Christian’s believe that this account is literally true.

Liberal Christian’s believe it is an allegory and that evolution was the ‘tool’ that god used to create humanity.

Beliefs about death and an afterlife and the value of human life

Christian’s believe that after death they will be judged by god and spend eternity in heaven or hell. Roman Catholics also believe in purgatory. Because of these beliefs, Christian’s believe that human life is ultimately more important than the other forms of life on earth (eg. Animals and plants) as it is immortal.