AQA Religious Studies: Thematic Studies: Religion and Life

The big bang theory

A massive expansion of space that set the creation of the universe into motion.

The creation story

The belief that God made the world

Genesis 1:1

Christian beliefs about Creation:
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Buddhist Beliefs about Creation

Cyclical vision of the universe- each universe is followed by another.

The story of the poisoned arrow

A man got shot with a poisoned arrow and instead of looking for treatment he wanted to know where the arrow came from and who had shot it.

Stewardship

A Christian's duty to look after the environment on behalf of God. Implied in Genesis 2:15- "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it."

Genesis 1:28

Christian beliefs about protecting the world:
"Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

Dependant Arising

Buddhist view on protecting the environment:
All live is interconnected. All creatures depend on a healthy planet to survive.

Main types of pollution

Air, Water and land

Cause and effects of Air pollution

Fumes from factories and transport- Causes
Asthma, diseases such as Lung Cancer, Global warming, Climate Change and Acid Rain- Effects

Psalms 24:1

Christian views on pollution:
"The earth is the Lord's and everything in it."

Buddhist attitudes to pollution

Pollution causes harm to all living creatures and goes against the 1st Moral Precept.

Christian views on the use and abuse of animals

Most Christians believe that animals should be treated kindly, but humans are more important.

Buddhist views on the use and abuse of animals

Buddhists believe that it is important to treat animals with loving-kindness (Metta) and compassion (Karuna).

Buddhist views on using animals for food

Many Buddhists are Vegetarians or vegans. Buddhists try not to harm animals because in doing so they would be going against the 1st Moral Precept and will lead to suffering. However, some Buddhist scriptures show the Buddha and his followers/monks eating meat.

Christian views on using animals for food

Christianity has no rules about eating meat. In Romans 14:3 it says "The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them." another view is Genesis 9:3 which says "Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you."

Abortion

Legal in the UK, abortion is the deliberate removal of the foetus from the womb in order to end the pregnancy. Has to take place in the first 24 weeks unless the mother's life is at risk of the foetus is severely deformed.

Euthanasia

Illegal in the UK. Painless killing of a patient who is suffering from an incurable and painful illness, or who is in an irreversible coma.

Christian views on Euthanasia

Christians believe that Euthanasia is a form of murder and interferes with God's plan for a humans life. Against the Sanctity of life and only God can give or take a life. However some Christians would say that because of free will we can do what we want with our lives.

Buddhist views on Euthanasia

Goes against 1st moral precept. However some Buddhists may say that it could be seen as compassion to help someone end their life if they are suffering a lot.

Christian beliefs about Death and the Afterlife

Believe that Jesus resurrection is evidence of and afterlife. Many believe that after death, they are judged by God and will either go to live in an eternity with or without him (Heaven or Hell). This can be earned by following Jesus teachings and having faith in him. Catholics believe in a place called Purgatory where your soul goes to be purified of sin.

Buddhist beliefs about Death and the Afterlife

Believe that Life has no beginning or end and that we are only kept in the world due to the 3 poisons (see AQA Religious Studies:Buddhist beliefs for info) These keep us trapped in the cycle of Samsara and that when we die our Kammic Energy is passed to another body until we gain Enlightenment.