Religion and Life (all questions)

What scientific theory is used to explain the origin of the universe?

The Big Bang theory

How long ago was the Big Bang?

Approximately 15 billion years ago

What are the two key pieces of evidence for the Big Bang?

CMBR (Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation) and Red Shift

What does the Red Shift show?

An observation that all other stars and galaxies are moving away from us, showing that the universe is expanding.

What is Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation?

The radiation left over from a huge explosion

What does the Big Bang theory claim?

That the universe began with a cosmic explosion

What is the scientific theory that claims to explain the origins of life?

the theory of evolution by natural selection

Who proposed the theory of evolution?

Charles Darwin

What is the name of Darwin's book, in which he set out the theory of evolution?

On the Origins of Species

What does the theory of Evolution claim?

That all living creatures have evolved over billions of years through the process of natural selection.

How does natural selection work?

Within the wide variety of every species, those organisms with advantageous characteristics are more likely to survive and breed, so these characteristics are kept and passed on down the generations.

How does the example of white and black peppered moths show natural selection?

As pollution increased, trees became covered in black pollution, so black moths were more likely to survive and their numbers increased. As pollution decreased, the trees became lighter coloured and the white moths were more likley to survive, so their numbers increased.

Which book in the Bible describes creation?

Genesis

What happened on each day of the six day creation story in the Bible?

day 1, light; day 2, sea and sky; day 3, land and plants; day 4, sun and moon; day 5 birds and fish; day 6, animals and humans; day 7, rest.

According to Genesis 1, what was special about humans?

Humans were made 'in the image of God'.

What instructions did God give the humans in Genesis 1?

be fruitful and multiply', and to 'fill the earth and subdue it'.

What happened in the creation story in Genesis 2?

Adam was created, then the animals, and finally Eve was created

When the Qur'an says that God created the world in six days, what does it mean by this?

The word 'days' in the Qur'an can mean different lengths of time, so 'day' is understood to mean 'long period of time' and not 24 hours.

According to Genesis 2, how were humans different to other parts of creation?

they had the 'breath of life' in them

According to the Qur'an, how long did God take to create the world?

six days

According to the Qur'an, how were humans created?

Adam and Eve were created from clay, and God breathed into them his spirit.

Which two groups of people say that religious and sceintific explanations of the origins of the universe and the origins of life are incompatible?

atheists and creationists

Why do some atheists say that religion and science are incompatible?

there is evidence to support the scientific theories, while the religious accounts are pre-scientific myths that contain contradictions

Why do creationists say that religious and scientific accounts are incompatible?

The creation stories in the Bible are the words of God, so they must be correct. The scientific accounts contradict what the Bible says, so they must be wrong.

What would a theistic evolutionist say about which of the religious and scientific accounts to believe?

That it is possible to accept both the scientific and religious accounts as true.

If someone accepts both the scientific and religious accounts as true, what do they think the scientific accounts tell us?

The scientific accounts tell us how the universe was made.

If someone accepts both the scientific and religious accounts as true, what do they think the religious accounts tell us?

The religious accounts tell us why the universe was created, and that God was behind the creation of all things.

Some people say that that the biblical creaetion stories are not factually true, but they are still true. What do they mean by this?

The creation stories are myths or allegories; stories that are to help us understand things. So Genesis 1 & 2 can be read as a story that teaches us important truths.

What does Rev Dr John Polkinghorne say about the different roles of science and religion?

"Science asks how things happen . . . . Religion asks why."

Many Muslims say that the Big Bang theory fits very well with what the Qur'an teaches. How do they fit together?

The Qur'an says that the universe was created over a long period of time, starting with everythings being 'one mass' that was torn apart, and that God is expanding the universe. These ideas are similar to what the Big Bang theory claims.

Why would many Muslims say that the Qur'an and science fit together well?

The Qur'an is the words of God, so it must therefore be true. Science is now confirming what the Qur'an teaches, proving that the Qur'an is truth.

Many Muslims do not accept the theory of evolution. Why?

The Qur'an teaches that God created humans as humans. The theory of evolution says humans evolved from apes. Since the Qur'an is the true word of God, evolution must be wrong as it goes against the Qur'an.

Why do many Muslims reject the theory of evolution?

They believe that God created humans with the intelligence to learn more about God's creation and that it is important to do so in order to learn more about God

Some Muslims do accept the theory of evolution. Why?

They say that the Qur'an gives a simplistic description and that since Islam encourages scienctific discovery, we should accept the theory of evolution.

According to the Bible, why are humans thought to be superior to animals?

Humans were made 'in the image of God', with 'the breath of life' in them.

According to the Qur'an, why are humans thought to be superior to animals?

Humans were created to be 'vice-regents' over the earth, that is, to have authority.

What do Roman Catholic Christians believe about humans and animals?

That animals were created for the 'common good' of humans, so they can be used for our benefit as long as they are treated with kindness.

What do Quaker Christians believe about humans and animals?

That all creatures were created by God, and therefore we should not cause harm to any of them, whether they are human or animal.

What does the Qur'an teach about humans and animals?

That animals were created to benefit humans, but that it is wrong to cause unnecessary harm to animals.

What is the difference between the idea of dominion over creation and stewardship of creation?

Domininon means having authority over creation; stewardship means taking responsibility to look after creation

Why might some Christians think using animals for food Is acceptable?

Humans have dominion over animals and can use them for our benefit. However, animals should be cared for and treated properly.

Why might some Christians e.g. some Quakers, be vegetarian?

It is wrong to cause pain and suffering to animals, so it is wrong to kill animals for food.

Why would Muslims accept the eating of meat?

Animals were created by God for the benefit of humans, so they can be used as food.

What condition must be met in order for meat to be eaten by Muslims?

The animals must be killed according to Islamic law so that it is halal.

The eating of which animal is against Islamic Law?

pig

What does the term vivisection mean?

medical testing on animals

Some Christians think that using animals for medical experiments is acceptable. Why?

Animals were created by God for the benefit of humans, so they can be used if this helps humans e.g. by developing new medicines.

Why would some Christians oppose vivisection?

It is wrong to cause pain and suffering to any creature, and this includes animals. We don't experiment on humans, so we shouldn't experiement on humans.

What would be the Islamic attitude to vivisection?

Animals were created by God for the benefit of humans, so they can be used in medical experiments that help humans.

What is meant by sustainability?

using resources in a way that avoids the depletion of those resources

What is meant by conservation?

preserving resources

Some Christians believe that God has given humans dominion over creation. What will their attitude to the environment be?

That humans can use the natural resources found in creation in a way that benefits humans. We have the authority to decide how to use these resources.

Many Christians and Muslims see stewardshp as the right attitude to the environment? What does this mean?

That humans should take care of creation, using it responsibly to benefit everyone, including future generations.

Name one renewable energy resource

wind, solar, wave

Name two environmental concerns

air pollution, global warming, deforestation, oil spills

What is meant by the term 'sanctity of life'?

the belief that human life has value because it is sacred

What is meant by the term 'quality of life'?

the belief that the value of life depends on how good that life is

What is abortion?

the termination of a pregnancy

Roman Catholic teaching opposes abortion. Why?

Human life is sacred, and since human life begins at concetion, it is wrong to end the life of an unborn child.

Why did Mother Teresa argue that abortion is "the gretest desroyer of peace today"?

She argued that if we allow a mother to kill her child, then how can we tell others not to kill one another.

Why do some Christians accept that abortion might sometimes be the right option?

Using the Jesus' teaching, "love your neighbour", some Christians argue that there are times when it might be more loving to have an abortion eg is the child will be severely disabled or if the mother's life is in danger

Why are Muslims generally opposed to abortion?

Human life is sacred and should not be destroyed.

How does the idea of ensoulment influence Islamic views on abortion?

Islamic tradition teaches that the foetus receives its soul during pregnancy (some say at 40 days) so if there is a need for abortion, it should take place early befofe ensoulment.

Why might some Muslims accpet that abortion is sometimes the right action?

Under the idea of 'the lesser of two evils', for example sever disability or the life of the mother at risk, it is a less worse to have an abortion than not have one.

What is euthanasia?

Assisted dying

Why is Islamic teaching opposed to euthanasia?

Only God decides when someone dies, and as human life is sacred, it is not acceptable for humans to take life, except when it is just.

How does the idea of al-Qadr influence Islamic views on euthanasia?

Nothing happens without God willing it and anything that tries to interfere with God's plan is unacceptable.

What does the Roman Catholic Church teach about euthanasia?

That as human life is sacred, it is never acceptable to end a human life. Only God has the right to take life.

What is the doctrine of double-effect?

The idea that it is acceptable to use pain-killing medication to help people, even though these drugs might shorten someone's life. The intention is to treat the patient, so this is the correct thing to do.

Why might some Christians argue that euthanasia can be the right option?

Some Christians argue that if helping someone to die is the most loving option ("Love your neighbour") and that person has chosen this option, then euthanasia is the right action.

How do hospices help terminally patients?

Hospices provide palliative care to help the patient cope with pain. They believe that as a living person, the patient should be treated with respect and dignity.