Download - Edexcel Religious Studies Unit 8
Religious Studies Unit
8
Section 1: Rights and
Responsiblities
Why do Christians use the Bible to make moral decisions?
The Bible is the word of God so is the only thing that can be trusted
It has been used for hundreds of years and has
kept Christians on the right path
God’s
truth does
not
change
The New Testament offers moral guidance
The Bible
has
authority
from God
The Ten
Commandmen
ts teach
Christians how
to live
Different Christian opinions
God directly told the authors what
to write in the Bible so it is totally right
The Bible was inspired by God and
gives guidance about how to live but needs to be
adapted for modern life
The Bible is the word of God but
needs to be interpreted by the
Church
How the Church guides Christians
Talking to other
Christians
Accepting the authority of the Church to explain and teach God’s word
Praying and
worshipping
together
Listening to the priest or vicar
Why do Christians use the Church to make moral decisions?
❍ God speaks to them through the Church
❍ The Church is the body of Christ so they should follow the teachings of the Church as they are the teachings of Jesus
❍ It provides rules so everyone knows what they should do
❍ Only the Church fully understands the Bible and knows how to interpret and apply its teachings
The ConscienceChristians believe it is the voice of God
within us
It is an individual guide
Christians think their conscience is given to them by
God
Conscientious objectors object
to fighting because they believe it is
against God’s moral code and
their conscience tells them this is the correct action
Situation ethicsFor
It is similar to the Golden Rule
Every situation is judged individually
Love is the main principle so it follows Christian teachings
It is easy to apply and remember
It will appeal to people as a positive idea
Jesus seemed to follow it
Against
It is impossible to predict what will happen in every
situation
Anything a person felt was the ‘most loving thing to do’ could be justified e.g. murder
It is not easy to apply in everyday cases
where we are used to having rules
Human Rights
Why are they important to Christians?
O Every human is created by God so deserves respect
O God loves everyone equally so should be treated equally
O The Decalogue supports most human rightsO The Parable of the sheep and goats teaches
it is their moral duty to help peopleO Jesus taught the Golden Rule showing all
humans are worthy of value and respect
Why is it important to take part in voting?
It allows citizens to have a say The elected people make important
decisions that affect everyone Change can only happen through
the democratic process Suffragettes fought for voting rights If you don’t vote, you can’t
complain
Christian teachings on moral duties and responsibilities
The Golden Rule‘Do to others what you would have them do to you..’ Christians should
treat others as they wish to be treated
The Parable of the Sheep and the GoatsJesus taught that God
will separate his people into those who have helped others and
those who have not. Christians have a duty to help those in need
when they canAm I my brother’s keeper?St Paul taught that Christians should not stand by and do nothing while others suffer. He used the example of Cain and Abel to warn Christians that they have a moral duty to care for others. Cain killed his brother Abel then denied it, saying it was not up to him to
care for others
Uses of Genetic engineering
Genetic disorders could be cured Hormones and proteins could be
made e.g. insulin for diabetics Grow organs for transplants Inherited disorders could be
removed from embryos To grow crops resistant to pests,
disease, infertile land and harsh climates
Concerns✘ We do not know the exact long-term
effects of genetic engineering✘ These technologies could be
dangerous as they could be used to produce biological weapons
✘ Could lead to ‘designer babies’✘ Who makes decisions over what is
defective and what is not?
Christian views for genetic engineering God gave
humans dominion over the world. As
long as it does not cause harm, some forms are
acceptable, such as GM crops
The Golden Rule- This could mean Christians think
genetic engineering to cure diseases is
acceptable
Jesus healed people so they should follow
his example by trying to
improve other people’s health
God gave us the gift of
knowledge so we should use
this to help save human
life
Christian views against genetic engineering
Most Christians would be against genetic
engineering curing
‘defects’ that don’t cause
suffering
Life is sacred and special
and created by God so
humans should not be doing
anything against this
Some believe life starts at
conception so are opposed to anything that
involves embryos as some are discarded
Only God can create
life, humans should not ‘play God’
Section 2:Environmental and
medical issues
Pollution solutionsO Alternative manufacturing methods-
Research into ways of manufacturing that cause less waste
O Government action- Anti-pollution laws
O Create less waste- Recycle as much as possible, reduce packaging and re-use as much as possible
O Alternative energy sources- Use renewable,
clean sources e.g solar power
Christian teachings on the environment
Responsibility: Humans have a God given responsibility to care for the world and environment for future
generations
Authority/Dominion:God gave humans
dominion over the Earth which means that they
have a position of power and responsibility to care
for God’s creation
Stewardship:God gave humans
stewardship over the world- they must look
after it for future generations
Christian attitudes
Take care
of it
because it
is a gift
from God
Share
resources as
Jesus taught
Christians to
love each
other
Care for animals and plants as they were created by God
We will be judged by God after death so we should look after the Earth or he will be
angry
Muslim attitudesAllah put humans in
charge of his creation so Muslims should respect
this gift
Animals are part of Allah’s creation so they should treat
them with respect
All Muslims are part of the ummah and should look after the world for future generations, making sure all resources are shared
equally
Adam was made a khalifah (caretaker) so all humans have been
given this responsibility
Allah created everything to have unity and all is
dependent on everything else in the world
On the Day of Judgement, Allah will
judge everyone on how they have taken care of
the world
The effect on Muslims Supporting
environmental organisations and charities
Recycling and reducing energy use
Planting trees and crops
✘ Not overusing the Earth’s resources
✘ Sharing the resources more equally
✘ Not damaging the natural environment
✘ Avoiding waste and pollution
Issues with fertility treatments
☞ Very expensive☞ No guarantees it will work☞ Uncomfortable side effects☞ Relationship is put under great strain☞ Donor sperm or eggs could cause conflict
or problems bonding with the child☞ Should children know their biological
parents?☞ Surrogacy can cause problems if they
bond with the child
Christian attitudesFor
It allows infertile couples to experience the joy of having children and Jesus taught compassion
God told humans to ‘be fruitful and multiply’
It is more acceptable for married couples
It is a way of loving your neighbour
Follows the Golden Rule
God gave humans the knowledge to create children artificially
Against
Treatment where fertilisation takes place outside the womb involve masturbation, which is a sin
God has a plan for everyone and this should be respected
Embryos that aren’t used are destroyed. This is seen as murder and is against the sanctity of life
Treatment that involves a third person (surrogacy, sperm or egg donation) is wrong because it is adultery
God intended children to be created naturally through sex
Nobody has the right to create life and ‘play God’
Muslim attitudesAgainst
Couples should accept that Allah does not wish for them to have children
In cases of surrogacy, it is believed that the woman who gives birth is the mother of the child
Treatment that involves a third person (surrogacy, sperm or egg donation) is wrong because it is adultery
All children have the right to know their natural parents
For
Infertility is seen as a disease so it is okay to try find a cure
Having children brings a couple closer together
The role and status of a Muslim woman involves her ability to have children
IVF and AIH are acceptable as they are from the married couple
Embryos destroyed are 14 days old so ensoulment has not happened yet
Allah gave humans the knowledge to create children artificially
Transplant surgery
Issues raised by organ donation
Who should get the organ?It is expensive
and risky surgery
Should a person be kept alive or allowed to die
purely for organ donation?
There are not enough donor
organs
Should humans be
using organs from
animals?
Family members may feel pressurised
into donating the organs of a loved
one
Why Christians agree with itA body is not
needed in heaven so there is no problemOrgan
donation is loving and
charitable so follows the teaching of
Jesus to love one another
It is a way of people
showing gratitude to God for the gift of life
Why Christians disagree with it
It goes against the
sanctity of life because
people should not ‘play God’
The organs are part of a
person created by God and it
would be wrong to
replace part of God’s creation
It interferes with God’s
plan
Organs shouldn’t be replaced if a person has deliberately caused the damage e.g
alcohol
Why Muslims agree with it
It is okay if it is done to
save the life of others
because this is what Allah would
wish
Live donations are less
controversial as the
resurrection would be unaffected
Many Muslims would allow living donor
transplants to close relatives
Why Muslims disagree with it
The Qur’an teaches that the
body should be
buried soon after death and should
not be interfered
with
It goes against
the sanctity of
life because only God should
give and take life
Muslims believe the body will be resurrected on the last day and the organs will therefore be needed
Section 3: Peace and
conflict
Causes of warFighting against injustice
National pride
Economics/ natural resources
Fear
Self defence
Racial or ethnic hatred
Protecting people from exploitation/persecutio
n
Case Study Darfur- Reasons O Economic/Environmental: Many people
moved south onto farmland already owned by people struggling to survive due to drought
O Long standing ethnic hatred: Government were accused of persecuting non-Arabs
O Remote location: By the time the international community found out, thousands were already dead
O National Pride: Some parts of the anti-government forces wanted the South of Sudan to be ruled independently whereas the government wished it to remain as one country
Case study Darfur- Solutions
O Negotiation: The UN negotiated between the 2 sides, various peace deals were signed
O Sanctions: Several countries stopped trading with Sudan and this made them work with the UN
O Peacekeeping forces: A small peacekeeping force was sent to protect civilians
The United NationsUses conflict
resolution and reconciliation
Concerned with issues that will
have a long term impact on world peace- against
poverty, campaigning for
human rights
Basic aim is to achieve world
peace
Range of methods used: arms control,
disarmament, peace talks, trade
restrictions, peacekeeping
forces and military action
What do religious organisations do?
O Hold peace vigilsO Help victims who are suffering
injustice O Educate all involvedO Encourage peace talksO Teach forgivenessO Hold interfaith conferencesO Encourage reconciliation and non-
violenceO Take part in public demonstrations
Christian Just War Theory
It is fought with the aim of bringing peace
It is a last resort
The methods used are fair and reasonable
There is a reasonable chance of success
The cause of the war is just e.g. resisting aggression
No innocent civilians will be killed
War in the Bible
Blessed are the peacemakers
Turn the other cheek
Love your enemies
All who draw the sword will die by the sword
Christian reasons for
It can be the lesser
of two evils
It is right to have armed
forces to protect nations
Jesus taught that
obedience should be
shown to the government
St Paul told people that they had a
duty to obey those in authority
Sometimes
violence is
necessary
Jesus taught ‘an eye for an eye, a
tooth for a tooth’
Christian reasons against
The Ten Commandme
nts forbid killing
Nuclear weapons
cause unimaginable
suffering
Jesus stopped his followers from using violence
Jesus taught people to love their enemies
Muslim Just War TheoryIt is fought for a just cause- to defend Islam or
injustice
It is a last resort
If it is authorised by a Muslim authority
The minimum amount of suffering is caused
Ends when enemy surrenders
Innocent civilians are not attacked
When the aim is to restore peace and freedom
Muslim reasons forThe Qur’an
teaches that anyone killed in a just war goes straight
to Heaven
The Qur’an teaches that it is right if attacked
Muhammad fought in wars and
taught that Muslims
should fight in just wars
Muslim reasons againstModern weapons cannot be
used in a way that is
compatible with Muslim rules about fighting in a
war
Peace and reconciliation
is at the heart of
Islam and the teachings of the Qur’an
Non-violence is the only way to achieve peace
Violence only leads to more violence
Christian attitudes against bullying
God will judge humans after death
on the way they have treated others
Everyone should
be treated with
respect
Everyone was made
by God in his image so bullying is
mistreating God’s creation
Golden Rule
Muslim attitudes against bullying
On the last day they will
be judged by Allah
Every person was created by Allah
and it is wrong to abuse any part of
his creation
Islam teaches
that Muslims
should work to
end injustice
Muhammad
taught that
Muslims should
protect the weak
Causes of conflict in religious families
☞ Social behaviour- drinking alcohol☞ Moral issues- cohabiting with a
partner or having an abortion☞ Jobs and careers☞ Choice of partner☞ Raising children
Christianity teaches that…
Children should honour their parents as stated in the Ten
Commandments
Parents should care for their children and
support them
Islam teaches that…
Muslims should obey their parents, even in adulthood and respect the wisdom they offer
No child should cause harm to their parents and parents should
care for their children
Christian teachings on forgiveness and reconciliation
Christians
should
forgive
others and
God will
help them
to do so
Jesus died on the cross to bring forgiveness and reconciliation between humanity and God
They
believe that
with the
love of God,
everything
is
forgivable
If they don’t
forgive others, God will
not forgive them
If conflict is about a religious or moral issue where the Bible has a definite teaching, there can be no reconciliation
Forgiveness in the Bible
Love your enemies
If you hold anything against anyone, forgive him
Muslim teachings on forgiveness and reconciliation
On the Day of Judgement, Allah will show mercy and forgiveness
to those who have done the
sameAllah is called ‘the
Compassionate and Merciful’ showing he
forgives people, so Muslims should too
The Qur’an teaches that a reward is due from God if
Muslims forgive
Muhammad taught people should forgive and reconcile
On Pilgrimage, Muslims pray
for forgiveness
Unforgivable actions- working against Islam,
denying Muslim principles and
images of Muhammad
Section 4: Crime and
Punishment
Why do we need the law?
To protect the weakTo create peace for everyone
to live in To be kept safe from
criminals To be able to live without fear To be protected from
violence To give guidelines on
acceptable behaviour
Theories of punishment
Theories of
punishment
Deterrence
Protection
Reform
Retribution
Arguments against
✘Deterrence- nearly half of all criminals reoffend
✘ Retribution- Some victims feel that criminals do not get harsh enough punishments
✘ Reform- goes against punishment as it gives criminals more chances
✘ Protection- some criminals are released back into society
Christian teachings on justice
On Judgement Day, if you
have behaved justly then you
will be rewarded in
Heaven
Golden Rule
Jesus taught that
everyone should be
treated fairly
God is just and people
should behave in the
same way
It is up to God to judge people and
he will choose who to forgive
How Christians help
Ensuring resources are shared equally
Campaigning for
governments and
organisations to help other
nations
Help those who are oppressed
Giving to charity or working in
areas of hardship
Muslim teachings on justice
The Shari’ah
Law requires
justice for all
Prophet Muhammad always acted in a just way
Everyone is equal under Islamic Law
The Qur’an teaches that God wants
people to act fairly
On the Last Day God will reward those
who have been just and fair
towards others
They believe that they must obey the laws of the country even if they
are not Islamic
Why do Muslims work for justice?
Muslims are encouraged to give Sadaqah
(voluntary charitable donations)
To fulfil Shari’ah
To obey the Qur’anTo fulfil the Five
Pillars e.g. Zakah
To please Allah
Non-religious arguments about capital punishment
ForIt is a deterrent
It can make people confess their crime
Society can get rid of the most dangerous criminals
It is retribution so may help the victim’s family
Society see that bad things happen to bad people
The value of human life is made clear by taking it away from those who kill others
AgainstCountries with death penalty don’t have a low crime rate
Executed people could be innocent
Some people see it as murder so it is as bad as the criminal
Human life is special
Terrorists may see it as heroic
It is an easier punishment than life imprisonment and the criminal escapes true justice
Christian views for the death penalty St Paul
teaches that Christians
should accept and obey the
laws of their country
The Church used to use the death
penalty against those who
challenged the authority of the
Church
The Old Testament
teaches that it should be
used for some crimes
Jesus never
taught the death
penalty was wrong
Christian views against the death penalty
Jesus came to Earth to save and reform people- this
cant be done with capital punishment Only God
has the right to
take away lifeChristians
promote love and
forgiveness
It goes against
the sanctity of
life
Jesus taught
revenge is wrong
Muslim views for the death penalty
☪ The Qur’an says the death penalty can be used for certain crimes e.g. adultery
☪ Muhammad sentenced people to death for committing murder
☪ Shari’ah Law agrees with the death penalty
☪ Muhammad made statements suggesting he agreed with it
Muslim views against the death penalty
☪ The Qur’an states that capital punishment is not compulsory
☪ Strict conditions given by the Qur’an are often not met
☪ The scholars of Shari’ah do not agree on how it should be applied
☪ It has been seen to oppress the poor and women who have committed adultery
Social and health problems caused by drugs and alcohol
o Violenceo Homelessnesso Debto Addictiono Overdoseso Serious illnesso Family/relationship breakdowno Disorderly behaviouro Crimeo Unemploymento Mental illness
Christian attitudes to drugs
The Bible teaches
Christians should follow the law of the
land
They lead to family
breakups and make people
antisocial
They change a person’s
behaviour
They are dangerous so wrong
Christian attitudes to alcohol
The Bible does not forbid alcohol
St Paul told his friend to drink
wine for digestion
Jesus gave his disciples wine at the Last Supper
Jesus drank wine and turned water
into wine
The Bible says your body is a
temple
It impairs a person’s ability to act in a Christian
way
There are many other types of
drink today
Alcohol today is much stronger than in the past
Muslim attitudes to drugs and alcohol
The Qur’an says intoxicants are
Haram
All Muslims should obey the law of
the land The effects could cause Muslims to commit other sins
People should look after their bodies as Allah created them
Muhammad called alcohol ‘the
mother of all sins’
Muhammad taught of its
dangers
The effects would mean Muslims
wouldn’t be able to pray or perform their religious
duties