Theme B - religion and life AQA RS GSCE thematics

Creation Stories in Genesis

First Creation Story (Genesis 1)

• World created in 7 days

• Day of rest (on Sunday) because that’s the day Jesus rose from the dead

• Key Quotes:

  • ‘God created the heavens and earth’

  • ‘God created mankind in His own image’

  • 'And it was good'

Second Creation Story (Genesis 2-3)

• Adam and Eve

• Key Themes:

  • Explains more about the creation of people (free will and punishment, God and humanity)

• Key Quote:

  • ‘With painful labor, you will give birth to children; your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.’

Perspectives on Creation Stories

• Fundamentalists:

  • Believe the Genesis story is the direct word of God; everything in the Bible happened literally.

• Liberalists:

  • See lessons from the Bible (punishment/reward/temptation).

• Conservatives:

  • Follow the creation story but accept different interpretations; believe in coexistence of science (e.g., Big Bang, evolution).

Understanding God through Creation

• God as a:

  • Creator

  • Judge

  • Omnipotent

Creation and Evolution

• The Big Bang Theory supports some religious beliefs

• Guided Evolution:

  • God played a part in evolution and is in charge of the universe.

Religious Observances Related to Creation

Judaism

• Shabbat:

  • Day of rest; reflects on creation.

• Rosh Hashanah:

  • New year celebration, reflecting on creation.

• Tu B'Shevat:

  • Marks the beginning of the new year for trees.

Psalm 104

• Explores each day of creation - 'He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved.'

Stewardship and Dominion

• Stewardship:

  • The idea that believers have a duty to look after the environment on behalf of God.

• Demonstrated in Genesis 2, where Adam was given responsibility to look after the Garden of Eden.

• Dominion:

  • 'Dominance or power over something; having charge of something or ruling over it.'

  • Christians teach that humans were given power and authority to rule over the world.

• Key Quote:

  • 'Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground' - Genesis 1.

Use and Abuse of the Environment

• 'And God saw that it was good' - Genesis 1.

  • Indicates that creation does not just exist for human benefit; it also has intrinsic value.

  • Natural resources should be used, not abused.

  • As population increases, sustainable development is increasingly important.

Renewable Energy Sources

• Main Sources:

  • Wind Power

  • Solar Energy

    • Limitations include dependency on sunlight and maintenance costs.

  • Hydro Power

  • Nuclear Power

    • Concerns regarding waste and longevity.

Waste Management and Resource Conservation

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle:

  • Christians believe in avoiding waste.

  • Actions include walking/cycling/public transport, using limited packaging, turning off lights, reusing shopping bags, donating/buying second-hand clothes, and recycling waste.

The Assisi and Ohito Meetings

• Leaders from five different world religions gathered in 1986 by WWF to discuss how to care for the environment.

• Another meeting in Ohito (Japan) in 1995 brought together religious leaders and scientists.

• At these meetings, Christians stated that being in charge does not give people the right to spoil what God has made, as humans are tenants of God’s world.

Other World Faiths and Environmental Views

Hinduism

• Clear teaching on the need to protect everything in the world, which is why many Hindus do not eat meat.

• Belief that actions toward animals are linked to all of humankind; they believe there is a spark of God in everything (atman).

Judaism

• Encouraged to preserve the earth because of the Genesis story.

• Observances such as Shabbat and Rosh Hashanah reinforce this duty.

Pollution

Types of Pollution

• Examples:

  • London ULEZ:

    • Cars of certain ages must pay taxes to drive in London.

  • Litter fines:

    • A penalty of £100 for littering.

  • Water companies prosecuted for putting raw sewage into lakes and rivers.

Pope Francis

• Issued calls for everyone to protect the environment, highlighting the need for stewardship.

The Use of Animals

Purpose of Animals

• Used for food, clothing, cosmetic testing, hunting, medical testing, and as pets.

Religious Perspectives on Animal Testing and Use

• Christianity:

  • Christians will try to source ethical meat products and demonstrate care in their treatment of animals.

  • The Bible teaches about care for animals (e.g., the idea mentioned in Proverbs about being righteous towards animals).

• Judaism:

  • Animals are slaughtered in a kosher way (shechita)—using a sharp knife on the neck minimizes suffering.

• Hinduism:

  • Strong beliefs against animal harm; many do not eat meat aimed at preserving life.

Eating Meat

Key Teachings:

• Bible Quotes:

  • 'Do not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain' - Deuteronomy 25.

  • 'The righteous care for the needs of their animals' - Proverbs.

  • 'Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God' - Luke 12:6.

• Genesis chapter 3 states that Adam and Eve were vegetarians.

• After the flood of Noah's Ark, humans were given permission to eat animals: 'Everything that moves shall be food for you' - Genesis 9:3.

The Origin of Human Life

Darwinism

• Key Themes:

  • Probability and chance

  • Nature, power, and scope of selection

  • Adaptation and teleology

  • Concept of species

  • Tempo and mode of evolutionary change

  • Role of altruism and morality.

Religious Beliefs and Evolution

• Some see evolution as compatible with religious beliefs, interpreting Genesis 1 as a metaphor for development over time.

• Empirical evidence for evolution cannot be denied, leading to interpretations of the 7 days of creation as periods of time (yom).

Abortion Overview

Key Definitions

• Abortion:

  • Termination of a pregnancy.

• Miscarriage:

  • Natural end of a pregnancy.

Context of Abortion Laws

• The 1967 Abortion Act in the UK was enacted to prevent unsafe abortions, allowing the procedure before 24 weeks.

Process for Abortion

• Consultation with two doctors; reasons for abortion must align with established grounds.

Grounds for Abortion

• Various categories (A to G), considering life and health risks to the mother and fetus.

Statistics Surrounding Abortion

• Majority of abortions (88% in 2022) occurred before 10 weeks.

Religious Perspectives on Abortion

Christianity

• Sanctity of Life:

  • Life is seen as sacred, a gift from God.

  • Differences among denominations:

    • Roman Catholics: Pro-life stance, life begins at conception, abortion is morally wrong.

    • Church of England: Recognizes that under some circumstances, abortion should be allowed (lesser of two evils).

Judaism

• Does not forbid abortion but does not allow it on demand; requires serious reasons.

Hinduism

• Views all life as sacred, thus many oppose abortion, recognizing complex spiritual implications.

Euthanasia Overview

Key Terms

• Palliative Care:

  • Care focused on providing relief from symptoms and stress of a serious illness. The goal is to improve quality of life for both the patient and family.

• Assisted Suicide:

  • When a person who is terminally ill requests help to end their life in a painless manner, often due to unbearable suffering.

• Voluntary Euthanasia:

  • Occurs when a person requests to die, typically due to a terminal illness, and a doctor assists them in ending their life.

• Non-voluntary Euthanasia:

  • Happens when the individual is unable to make a request (e.g., in a coma), and a surrogate makes the decision based on the person's best interests.

• Involuntary Euthanasia:

  • Occurs when a person is capable of consent but does not give it; this can be considered murder legally and ethically.

Forms of Euthanasia

• Active Euthanasia:

  • Involves taking specific steps to end a life, such as administering a lethal injection or medication.

• Passive Euthanasia:

  • Involves withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatments, allowing the patient to die naturally (e.g., ceasing resuscitation efforts).

Secular Arguments for Euthanasia

• Autonomy and Choice:

  • Proponents argue that individuals have the right to make decisions about their own bodies and lives.

• Relief from Suffering:

  • Many advocates argue that terminal illnesses can cause unbearable suffering with little hope for recovery or quality of life.

• Resource Allocation:

  • Some argue that allowing euthanasia can be a practical approach to health care resources, preventing prolonged suffering.

• Public Opinion:

  • Shifts in societal views reflect increasing acceptance of euthanasia, indicating a growing belief in the legitimacy of allowing individuals the right to choose.

Quotes Supporting Euthanasia

• Dame Esther Rantzen, a notable advocate, has publicly stated, "If I decide that my own life is not worth living, please may I ask for help to die - it’s a choice."

Dame Esther Rantzen and Euthanasia Advocacy

• Dame Esther Rantzen has been a vocal advocate for the legalization of assisted dying in the UK.

• In December 2023, she launched a petition calling for changes to the law around euthanasia, which garnered over 200,000 signatures.

• Rantzen argues terminally ill patients should have options to end their suffering with dignity, emphasizing safeguards against coercion.

Religious Perspective

• All denominations are against euthanasia due to the sanctity of life and the belief in human dignity, but some may accept voluntary and passive euthanasia as a lesser of two evils, with an emphasis on palliative care instead.