Religion and Life

1 What is creation?

the doctrine that the universe has a creator (Christians and Muslims believe in the doctrine of creation)

2 What is creationism?

The Christian belief that God created the world in 6 literal days, as described in Genesis

3 Give a scripture to support the idea that God created the universe?

give one to show that his creation is good

‘Let there be light’;‘And God saw that all he had made, and it was very good ’

4 What do fundamentalist/literal Christians believe about the story of Genesis?

They believe the creation story in Genesis is literally true and that creation happened in 6 days exactly as stated in the Bible

5 What do liberal/non-literalist Christians believe about the story of Genesis?

They believe the story is not literal but symbolic or metaphorical;the creation story can be compatible with scientific explanations

6 What evidence is there to suggest that the literal interpretation of the Genesis story isn’t correct?

Evolution is supported by fossils which are not explained in the Bible

7 Name a difference between the Islamic and Christian creation story?

Islam teaches creation happened in 6 periods of time and there is no day of rest for Allah,

• God creates the world in 6 days

• God rests on the 7th day

• The 7th day = Sabbath = Saturday

• Saturday (Sabbath / 7th day) → Jesus is in the tomb (rest)

• Sunday (1st day of the week) → Jesus rises from the dead, symbolising new life

8 In the Christian creation story, at the end of each day what did God say?

‘And God saw what he had made, and it was good’

9 What is the Big Bang?

A scientific theory explaining the origin of the universe

10 What evidence is there for the Big Bang?

The universe is still expanding;cosmic microwave background radiation showing leftover heat from the explosion

11 Define the theory of evolution.

A scientific theory by Charles Darwin stating that life evolved over millions of years from single-celled organisms through mutation and natural selection

12 What are renewable resources? Give two examples.

Resources that will not run out or can be replaced;sustainable energy;solar;wind;tidal;hydro

13 What are non-renewable resources? Give two examples.

Resources that will eventually run out;fossil fuels;gas;nuclear

14 What are the consequences of using non-renewable resources?

They damage the environment and contribute to global warming

15 What is stewardship? Give a quote.

The belief that humans have a duty to care for the environment;‘The Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it’;‘The land is mine and you are but aliens and tenants’

16 What is dominion? Give a quote.

The belief that humans have power over the world given by God;‘Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the sky’;‘Everything that lives and moves will be food for you’

17 What is the Islamic term for stewardship?

Khalifah

18 Why do Muslims believe they are stewards on Earth?

Adam was created to look after Allah’s creation

19 What is awe?

A feeling of respect mixed with fear or wonder

20 What is wonder?

A feeling of amazement or admiration

21 Give 3 ways animals are used by humans.

Food;testing;transport;work;clothing;entertainment

22 Give two reasons why some religious believers think humans can use animals as they please.

Humans are superior;animals were created for humans

23 What scripture supports humans using animals for food?

‘Everything that lives and moves will be food for you’ (Genesis 9:3)

24 Give two reasons why Christians or Muslims may treat animals with care.

Stewardship or Khalifah;respect for God’s creation

25 What scripture shows God cares for animals?

‘Not even a sparrow is forgotten by God’;‘The righteous care for the needs of their animals’

26 What hadith shows Allah cares for animals?

The story of the ant’s nest where the Prophet Muhammad shows compassion to the ants

27 What does Christianity teach about meat eating or vegetarianism?

Christians should not judge others for eating or not eating meat (Romans 14:3)

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.

28 What are the two types of animal testing?

Cosmetic;medical

29 What type of animal testing would Christians or Muslims support more? Why?

Medical testing because it reduces human suffering;cosmetics are not necessary

30 Give reasons supporting medical testing on animals.

It can cure diseases and reduce human suffering

31 Give reasons against medical testing on animals.

Animals suffer;results may not apply to humans;millions of animals die

32 What is abortion?

The deliberate ending of a pregnancy before birth

33 Up to what point is abortion legal in England?

24 weeks

34 What scripture supports life as a gift from God?

‘Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you’ (Jeremiah 1:5)

35 What is sanctity of life?

The belief that all life is holy because it is created by God

36 Give two pro-life arguments.

Life is sacred;life begins at conception;adoption is an alternative

37 Give two pro-choice arguments.

Her body her choice;quality of life concerns;life begins at birth

38 Why are Catholics pro-life?

They believe life begins at conception and abortion is murder

39 What is conception?

When the sperm fertilises the egg

40 What is ensoulment?

The Islamic belief that the soul enters the foetus

41 When does ensoulment occur?

Between 40 and 120 days

42 Give one Qur’anic teaching against abortion.

‘Do not kill your child for fear of poverty’;‘Killing one person is like killing all of humanity’

43 What is euthanasia?

Ending a person’s life to relieve suffering

44 What does UK law say about euthanasia?

Assisting suicide is illegal and can lead to life imprisonment

45 What is an alternative to euthanasia? Why?

Hospice care;to provide love care and pain relief without ending life

46 Give a Bible quote against euthanasia.

‘Do not murder’;‘All the days ordained for me were written in your book’

47 Why might some Christians accept euthanasia? Give a quote.

To end suffering as an act of love;‘Love thy neighbour’;‘Blessed are the merciful’

48 Why are Muslims against euthanasia?

Life is a gift and test from God;only God decides when life ends

49 Give a Qur’anic teaching against euthanasia.

‘Do not take life which God has made sacred’;‘No soul may die except with God’s permission’

50 What is predestination in Islam? Why does it oppose euthanasia?

Everything is planned by God;humans should not interfere with God’s plan

51 What do Christians believe happens after death?

People are judged by God and go to Heaven or Hell

52 What is purgatory?

A place where Catholics believe souls are cleansed before Heaven

53 What evidence supports belief in the afterlife?

Jesus’ resurrection;Jesus’ teachings;Biblical references to Heaven

54 How is Heaven described in the Bible?

A place of peace with no suffering or death

55 How is Hell described in the Bible?

A place of punishment and separation from God

56 What is the Muslim term for life after death?

Akhirah

57 What is Barzakh? Why is it important?

A barrier stage after death;people are questioned by angels

58 How will Muslims know the Day of Judgement has come?

Angel Israfil will blow the trumpet

59 What is Al-Sirat bridge?

A bridge leading to Jannah;the righteous cross successfully

60 Why do some people not believe in life after death?

There is no scientific evidence

61 What are the Islamic terms for Heaven and Hell?

Jannah;Jahannam

Scientific truth versus religious truth

Science answer what and how question, and can adapt and change

religion answer why questions, and are considered to be absolute

Purpose of religion and science

whoever follows me will not….

science explain the observed regularities around the world, to help us make sense of how world work

religion gives us purpose and meaning in life

Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." 

as ppl are no longer lost

Evidence in religion and science

even science like Big Bang has no absolute truth. And believing in since in itself takes a kind of faith. Also talk about the evidence for Jesus

Christian quote about God giving life

breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7

Muslim quote about God role as creator

‘I am going to create a human being from clay’”

Quote about being made in image of God

in the image of God he created them