Religion and Society!

Rights and responsibilities

Environmental and medical issues

Peace and Conflict

Crime and Punishment

Rights and responsibilities

All Christians agree that the Bible is the best way to find out what God wants them to do in their lives.

Different beliefs about the authority of the Bible.

Some: Absolute word of God: The only and final authority for Christians Some: Interpreted today for Christians by Church. Others: Only a guide written by humans - allowed to be interpreted to fit with todays society.

CHRUCH: The community of Christians (small c = place of worship).

Church of England: Elect an assembly to decide on moral issues. Roman Catholic Church: Have leaders that make moral decisions. (Pope and Bishops)

Why the Church has authority.

Most: How Jesus, Son of God, works in the world, so it has authority of Jesus. Most: Believe that God speaks to the world today through the church. Guided by God so able to make decisions. Sure they are doing the right thing.

All humans have a conscience which makes them feel guilty if they do things which they regard as wrong, e.g.. If you do something your parents disapprove of, you may feel guilty afterwards. This feelings of guilt is your conscience.

WHEN.

Christians follow their conscience?

WHY.

Catholic Church teach: Final part of moral decision making.

They should go with their conscience even if it goes against the church.

Christians believe the voice of conscience seems to be the same as the voice of God so it should be followed. The Church says that Christians should follow their conscience.

Why do some Christians think they shouldnt always follow their conscience?

People have been mistaken about the voice of God, e.g. The Yorkshire Ripper claimed that God had told him to kill prostitutes.

If Christians follow the teachings of the Bible and the Church they know they are doing the Christian thing, so dont need to rely on conscience.

Situation Ethics
Many Christians who believe that conscience is more important than the Bible or Church probably follow situation ethics.

This is a Christian idea from Joseph Fletcher.

Accepting the Bible or Church means things are either right or wrong whatever the situation. Fletcher felt this was wrong and that Christians should base their moral decisions on Jesus commandment to love your neighbour as yourself and on the situation.

IF WE USED IT?

Should a Christian attend a homosexual wedding?

Why some Christians follow situation ethics:

Jesus seemed to follow situation ethics because He over-ruled what the Old Testament said when he thought it was unloving; e.g. He healed on the Sabbath They think you should only do what will produce good results. They believe that Jesus statement that the only laws are to love God and your neighbour means that Christians should always do what will have the most loving results.

Why some Christians wont follow situation ethics:

They think God wouldnt have given laws in the Bible if they were not to be followed.

They think the Church knows best what Christians should do.
They claim you never know all the facts about a situation, so the most loving thing might not be if you knew more facts or all the consequences of your actions.

UN HUMAN RIGHTS ACT 1948!

Rights and freedoms that every human is entitled to!

RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN GOVERNMENT THROUGH VOTING!

MADE A PART OF UK LAW IN 1998

CAN GO TO COURT IF BROKEN

EVERYONE ENTITLED TO THEM

From one human being He created all races on earth and made them live throughout the whole earth. (Acts 17:26)

THE GOOD SAMARITAN!

Luke 10:25-37

FAIR TREATMENT!
Healing a Leper Helping/Teaching prostitutes and Tax collectors Helping the Roman Soldiers

CHRISTIAN
Christian worship can never let us be indifferent to the needs of othersTo speak of God, you must speak to your neighbourHe does not tolerate a relationship with himself that excludes your neighbour.

FATHERS 4 JUSTICE!

A GROUP FORMED TO INFLUENCE GOVERNMENT POLICY ON A PARTICULAR ISSUE!

UNITE against racism!

Democratic Processes: The ways in which all citizens can take part in government!
Electoral Processes: The ways in which voting is organised! No matter who
gets into power we end of with the same policies.

ONE VOTE WILL NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

DO FOR OTHERS WHAT YOU WANT THEM TO DO FOR YOU!

Matthew 7:12

Rich people who see a brother and sister in need, yet close their hearts against them, cannot claim that they love God
1 John 3:11-18

Whenever you helped one of the least important members of my family, you did it for me
Matthew 24:31-46

Someone who is sick, in prison, poor, homeless, upset etc

GENETIC ENGINEERING: Removal of DNA from a plant or animal, altering it and putting it back again.

CLONING: A form of genetic engineering that produces a duplicate of the parent

ONLY GOD IS PERFECT! ROMAN CATHOLIC

SEEDS, PLANTS and ANIMALS for the greater good of humanity. HUMANS CELLS???? NO WAY!!!

PROTESTANTS
MAY AGREE WITH ALL IF IT IS IN THE LONG TERM INTEREST OF HUMANITY!

Jesus healed people. GE is just a modern version of this! Science comes from God, ergo, WE ARE MEANT TO USE IT! Could be used for GOOD?

HUMANS ARE MADE IN GODS IMAGE = SPECIAL!!!!

Medical Research must be trying to improve the quality of a persons life for it to be acceptable!

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

You must answer one question from this section.
EITHER 1. (a) What is Situation Ethics? (b) Do you think pressure groups should be made illegal? Give two reasons for your point of view. (c) Explain how the Bible is used by Christians in moral decision making. (d) No good can come from genetic engineering. In your answer you should refer to Christianity. (i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you.
(2) (4) (8)

(3) (3) Total for Question 1 = 20 marks

OR

2.

(a) What are democratic processes? (b) Do you think Christians should accept cloning? Give two reasons for your point of view. (c) Explain why human rights matter to Christians. (d) Conscience is the best guide a Christian has when making a moral decision. In your answer you should refer to Christianity. (i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion. (ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you.

(2) (4) (8)

(3) (3) Total for Question 2 = 20 marks

Environmental and medical issues

Global Warming, Pollution and the problem this causes. Infertility Treatment and religious attitudes towards it. Transplant Surgery and religious attitudes towards it.

Global Warming

Glaciers melt! Sea ice is disappearing.

Sea levels are rising, seasons changing.

Extreme weather is becoming more EXTREME!

CLIMATE CHANGE

More flooding

IMPACT?
More diseases More famine

More droughts

More wars!

More refugees
Destruction of ecosystems

BURNING FOSSIL FUELS!

CAUSES?

The good news is that we know exactly what needs to be done to stop climate change

SOLUTIONS?
CUT CARBON EMISSIONS
New technology

Low-carbon cars Reducing use of fossil fuels

Use energy-saving light bulbs etc

Pollution

LAND
Every person in the UK throws away four times their body weight in rubbish a year.

25 million tonnes of rubbish a year are dumped on streets and along the side of the road.

AIR
Cars are the biggest cause of air pollution. They emit a variety of pollutants, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons.

SEA
Raw sewage and radioactive waste have been discharged into the sea.

Natural Resources: Naturally occurring materials oil and fertile land!

2000 trees, Coal, Oil, Not able to recover, UN, Exploitation , 78%, 60 years

SOLUTION?
Do I really need to buy this?!

Local
LESS DAMAGE TO THE ENVIRONMENT

CONSERVATION
SUSTAINABLE LIVES!

Christians, Islam and the Environment

something so it can be passed on to the next generation.

Stewardship: Looking after

has given Muslims to care for the world; the person who acts as Allahs steward on earth.

KHALIFAH: Responsibility that Allah

God looked at everything he had made , and was very pleased.

(Genesis 1.31)
OLD TESTAMENT RULES! Working animals must rest one day a week. Fruit trees must not be destroyed when attacking a city. Land must be rested on the seventh year.

But waste not by excess: for God loves not the wasters.
(6:141)
QURAN: Allah created the world and everything in it for a purpose; it is part of Allahs plan. Everything in existence is interlinked, we are all part of one. Damage upsets a link in the chain and that harms the

planet. Jesus taught through the Sermon on the Mount that it is every Christians duty to share the worlds resources fairly and with care!

In-vitro fertilization known as IVF

Artificial insemination by husband known as AIH Artificial insemination by donor known as

IVF
Egg and sperm are taken from a couple, fertilized in a laboratory and then placed in the womb. This helps women with medical problems, such as blocked fallopian tubes, to conceive.

Sperm is taken from the husband and placed in the womans uterus. This can help couples who have difficulty conceiving for no obvious reason.
Sperm Donor

AID

Sperm donated to a clinic is placed in the womans uterus. This can help couples where the male is infertile unable to have children. A fertilized egg is created in the laboratory using an egg donated by another woman but using the partners sperm. This is of help when a woman does not ovulate.

Egg donation

Christianity and IVF

Attitude
It is an act of great kindness to help a women to conceive a longed for child and to remove her suffering.

For or Against?

The IVF process involves the creation of several fertilized eggs. Not all eggs will be implanted in the women the rest will be destroyed. They believe it is wrong to destroy life.
Medical research must refrain from operations on live embryos. This is considered a grave sin.

The emotional needs of couples who are eager to have children have forced us to re-examine traditional beliefs.
Understand that a child is Gods gift to a couple conceived as a result of a loving sexual relationship anything else is unnatural and not what God intended.

If God gives us the ability to help infertile couples we should use it. The Bible contains a story of God bringing happiness to a infertile woman by giving her a child.

Islam and IVF

Decisions about fertility treatment in Islam consider whether adultery is involved.
Sperm Donor

AID: Not acceptable Like adultery as man is not married to the woman. The Quran teaches that everyone has the right to Lineage. Surrogacy and Egg Donation = SAME

AIH
ACCEPTABLE!

IVF: Acceptable as long as the egg and sperm belong to the husband. Extra embryos can be destroyed but only BEFORE 120 DAYS!

CHILD HAS THE RIGHT TO IDENTITY!

Adoption!!!

Transplant Surgery
It would be fantastic if something amazing came out of my death. Knowing that my death is going to help others live a good life makes me happy!

I think giving life is far better than wasting organs that would otherwise be buried or cremated.
Operations like transplant surgery cost a fortune. The money should be spent on curing the disease or changing the way people live. Lots more people would benefit from this!

I want to be buried with all my own body parts. I dont think it is right for people to take parts of me when I am dead.

Transplant Surgery: Organ Donation

DEAD!

Lungs, Heart, Liver, Eyes, Skin etc One dead donor saves 9 lives and helps many others.

donor
ALIVE!
Kidney, Blood, Bone Marrow etc. This often has little impact on the donor and is often donated to sick family members.

Christianity and Transplant Surgery

The Bible states that humans are created by God in his images. People have NO RIGHT to interfere with Gods creation. Some Christians believe that God will resurrect people into their bodies at the end of the world and DO NOT agree with transplanting organs.

Some Christians say: When we have two organs, giving one is okay because it is
following Jesus' teachings of loving Most Christians believe that the gift every effort to preserve

your neighbour. of life is precious and it is right to make

life.

The Golden Rule teaches Christians to treat others as they would like to be treated themselves. For some, this teaching makes organ donations acceptable.

Islam and Transplant Surgery

The Quran teaches that on the Last Day, Allah will resurrect body after death. Allah is the creator of life and he has a plan

everybody bodily. It is understood that nothing should be removed from a persons for everyone. Humans have no

right to alter Allahs plan about life and death.

Islam teaches that it is every Muslims duty

to alleviate suffering and

save life. Organ donation and transplant can do this.

In Islam, Organ donation on a living donor may be permitted, so long as it does

not risk the donors life. In fact it is considered an act of charity. Some (very few) Muslims believe that all forms of transplant surgery is acceptable because Shariah Laws it can save lives and is a God given technology.

Peace and Conflict

The United Nations Religion and world peace Just War Religious attitude towards war. Religious attitude towards bullying. Conflict in the family. Religious teachings on forgiveness and reconciliation.

UN basic aims: 1: To maintain international peace and security 2: To develop friendly relations between countries. 3: To help countries develop economically and socially.

Peace = RESPECT for life, human dignity, human rights and the rejection of violence
along with a commitment to freedom, justice and friendship.

UNICEF: Childrens Fun UNESCO: Educational, Scientific,

Cultural Organisation

World Peace
THE QUAKERS

PACIFISM AND NON-VIOLENCE

Work with the UN to reconcile warring states.
Campaign against nuclear weapons Work to tackle the causes of conflict poverty etc Try to influence foreign policy

Just War

War may be necessary. Refusing to fight would allow evil to win!

A Just War is one which has to be fought but is conducted according to certain conditions. These were developed by Thomas Aquinas (c1225-74) and Francisco de Vitoria (c1483-1546) and are still referred to by Christians today.

The theory is not

intended to justify all wars but to prevent them by showing that going to war - except in certain limited circumstances - is wrong. The intention was to motivate states to find other ways of resolving conflicts, prevent war and to limit its effects.

Some conditions of a Just War are:

it must be fought by a legal government

recognised authority, eg, a

to establish good

the war must be fought with the intention

or correct evil
the war must be the last have been tried and failed)

resort (after all diplomatic negotiations

civilians must not be involved or targeted

Christianity and war

Most Christians believe that war and fighting are wrong except in the most severe cases and Jesus is often described as a pacifist. He they base their views on Jesus teaching about taught: love: Blessed are the peacemakers for they

will be called the children of God.

Matthew 5.9

A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Necessary Evil
Most Christian believe we had a duty stop the atrocities being committed by Nazi Regime during WWII.

John 13:34
Jesus taught about non-violence but never condemned Roman Soldiers.

POPE BENEDICT XVI Duty bound to defend Christian values even if that means using proportional violence.

ISLAM AND WAR: Lesser Jihad

Harb al-Muqadis (Holy War)

Muslims may fight in self-defence but are forbidden to begin a fight. The aim of fighting is to create a situation where Muslims are free to worship Allah and live in peace. One aim of Holy War may be to create

a democracy where people

are free to live their lives without beliefs and politics being imposed on them. There must be no hatred or vengeance in the fighting. As soon as peace is offered, fighting must stop. Once peace has been restored the differences between people must be resolved.
Hate your enemy mildly; he may become your friend one day. Hadith

Christianity and Bullying

Love your neighbour as you love yourself. If you love someone, you will never do them wrong: to love, the, is to obey the whole law. (Romans 13:9-10)

Made in the image of God! WE ARE ALL EQUAL!

Set up by Christians to help children who lived on the streets during Victorian times. Now it helps children facing discrimination or disadvantage in their daily lives. Aniti- bullying is one area they work on.

Islam and bullying UMMAH=

The brotherhood of all Muslims, whether male of female. It would be wrong to bully a fellow Muslim.
QURAN Allah created every human being and everyone is equal in the eyes of Allah. Show respect to ALL of Allahs creation.

SHOW COMPASSION TO THE WEAK AND FIGHT AGAINST INJUSTICE!

THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT

Allah will not show mercy to the one who does not show mercy to others. (Hadith)

Beatbullying: CyberMentors who help

people who are victims of cyber bullying.

Religious conflict and the family

PARABLES!
The Lost Son

Christianity and forgiveness

Truth and Reconciliation
Commission
Desmond Tutu promoted forgiveness in South Africa

Good Example

Islam and forgiveness

Teachings of the Quran
Show forgiveness, speak of justice, and avoid the ignorant. (Qur;an 7:199) Control your anger, then forgive your brother. Do you not wish to be forgiven?.
(Prophet Muhammad PBUH)

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

DAY OF JUDGEMENT

If a Muslim wrongs someone they are taught to:

Ask forgiveness from Allah Ask forgiveness from the person themselves.

Crime and Punishment

Law and Justice The point of Punishment Religious teachings about justice

Capital Punishment Religious attitudes towards capital punishment Drugs and alcohol Drugs and alcohol The problem for society Religious attitudes towards drugs and alcohol

and

Laws tell people how they should and should not behave. Laws set out certain punishments to be enforced if the law is broken.

Ensures that people are treated

fairly.
for

Punishment has to be appropriate

the crime committed. Law must be based on justice for

society to believe they are fair and follow them.
If laws are unjust people may decide to act

Without rules normal society would break down and there will be

ANARCHY.
Laws create a civilised

society.

without the law or take the law into their

own hands.

Punishment

Protection

Placing an offender in prison, or taking their life in order to protect society from the criminal.

Deterrent

Having a harsh punishment that discourages others from breaking the law, or discourage a criminal from re-offending.

Retribution

Punishing a person to make them pay for what they have done.

Reparation

Punishment that makes the criminal pay for their crime by doing something to help society of the victim.

Reform

A punishment that aims to stop a criminal from reoffending, through a programme or re-education and training in prison.

Justice and Christianity

BIBLE: Treating people unjustly is a sin, and those who do it can expect to pay the
price on the

Day of Judgement.

Vendettas and long-running disputes were unjust.

Jesus teachings about justice were revolutionary for the time that he lived. Jesus linked justice with non-violence and forgiveness. RETRIBUTION IS NOT THE BEST WAY! Use , and forgive people who hurt you. He said that this was better than exacting punishment.

Do not judge others, so that God will not judge you, for God will judge you the same way as you judge others, and he will apply to you the same rules you apply to others. (Matthew 7:1-2)

Modern Christians believe there is an unjust division of wealth in the world. Many Christians campaign against poverty and make a deliberate effort to buy Fairtrade goods.

Justice and Islam

One of them is that Allah is Just!!

Shariah Law

Life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

Capital Punishment
The Death Penalty in Britain
In 1908 the death penalty was abolished for people under 16. In 1931 the death penalty was abolished for pregnant women. The last hangings were in 1964. The death penalty was abolished for all crimes in the UK in 1998.
It is an excellent deterrent. Removes dangerous people. Cheaper than keeping a person in prison for a very long time. Life for a life fair retribution.

Innocent people get convicted by mistake.

Life is sacred even that of a criminal

Prison is a good deterrent Many try to commit suicide

It barbaric

HERESY
If anyone takes human life, he will be punished...Human beings were made like God, so whoever murders one of them will be killed by someone else. (Genesis 9:5-6)
A belief that is not acceptable to the Church.

The NEW TESTAMENT teaches that a Christian should follow a countries legal code. Christians must obey state authorities and if Capital Punishment is okay then it is acceptable. Jesus taught about love and forgiveness for sinners. Only God can give and take life. Sixth Commandment Do not kill means as a punishment as well.

Islam and Capital Punishment

You shall not kill for that is forbidden by God except for a just cause

Shariah Law

DELIBERATE MURDER THREATENING TO UNDERMINE THE AUTHORITY

Alcohol and Drugs

Illegal to drink alcohol under the age of 18

16-17

Under 5

CHANGES? Ban on advertisement. Increase the tax Stop happy hour No drink drive limit for under 21s.

Alcohol and Drugs

CLASS A = Morphine, Heroine CLASS B = Speed, Cannabis CLASS C = Ketamine, Some prescribed drugs

Causes health problems: Liver damage, lung cancer, high blood pressure etc Relationships fail Addicts often lie to them.

Work/Education suffers: Addicts are often to worried about their next fix.
Crime occurs: People under the influence commit crime 50% street crime
related to drinks.

Costs a fortune: Person spends large amount of money on their addiction.

This often leads to debt.

Christians and Drugs/alcohol

Dont you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and who was given to you by God? (1 Corinthians 6:19)

RESPONSIBLE!

HELP THE ADDICT!

Islam and drugs/alcohol

Satan stirs up hatred among you by means of wine and gambling...Will you not abstain from them?
(Quran 4:43)

Destroys a peaceful society