Our World

• day 1 - separated the light and darkness
• day 2 - separated the waters to make the sea and sky
• day 3 - created dry land which separates the sea, plants and vegetation
• day 4 - created the sun, moon and stars and the time and seasons
• day 5 - created fish and birds
• day 6 - created animals and then human beings
• day 7 - rest

Main points:

• God created the world, and it is good
• there is a purpose to existence
• humans have a special relationship to god and the world

• There was nothing
• giant cobra floated in waters
• vishnu was sleeping on cobra
• Humming sound
• Vishnu awoke and a lotus flower grew from his belly button
• Brahma was in lotus flower
• Brahma brought peace and used three petals to create the heavens, earth and the skies
• Then the plants and animals and the ability to feel

• Brahma created all life
• Vishnu sustains all
• Shiva will bring things to their end
• Object of life is to achieve Moksha - release from the endless cycle of existence

• God is the creator of the universe
• The universe has always existed with life cycles changing
• There must be a creator, it couldnt have happened by itself
• Brahman created all life
• There is plenty evidence that life has evolved over the years
• There was a Big Bang and a process of evolution, which could have been started by God

Christianity

• Humans are to:
  • Serve God and to live for him
  • Obey God
  • Enjoy the world and its fruits/resources
  • Look after the world for God

Hinduism

• Humans are to:
  • Perfect wisdom, heart and mind
  • Live so as to fulfil dharma
  • Practice ahimsa
  • Amass good karma
  • Gain moksha

• To make the world a better place
• To get the most out of life and do all the things we want to do
• To care for the world and the creatures in it
• To love God and to look after other people
• Make most of the life we do have
• To look after it for God

• A complex mix of body, mind, personality and soul - you can not separate one from the other
• In some ways we are similar to animals but in other ways we are not
• We are made in the image of God
• Our conscience - the ability to know right from wrong
• Not just our physical bodies - also minds that think and decide and experiences that we reflect on

• To do things we like doing and doing them well
• Some may use their talents for their own gain
• Do something useful and help others and benefits to you
• To make your life better, the community and the world a better place for everyone

• Failing to use an ability is a waste and an insult to others
• If you dont use a talent you might lose it all together
• Not everyone can do everything for themselves so they rely on others to provide their skill
• It is important to share our skills and talents with each other
• If God gives you a talent you should use it thankfully to bring pleasure to others

• Wisely because God has given us the responsibility for caring for the world
• They are not limitless so we should be careful
• We can not just take we also have to give
• Being a steward or guardian of the world means we have to be responsible and careful
• resources are there for us to enjoy and make life better

Christianity

• Animals are part of Gods creation and should be treated with care and respect
• Genesis 1 - given Dominion over animals but use our responsibilities carefully
• Showing kindness and treating animals well as gratitude and thankfulness to God

Hinduism

• All living things have an atman so they should be treated with care
• Ahimsa is important as it is not harming any living thing
• Honour to the cow as it provides milk, butter and fuel and work in the fields
• Many Hindus are vegetarians
• 'You must not use your God-given body for killing God's creatures' (Yajur Vedas)

Christianity

• Humans should:
  • Live in partnership with God and creation
  • Exercise responsibility given by God to look after the world
  • Preserve and conserve the resources of the world and the environment
  • Give thanks to God for his provision

Hinduism

• All living things have atman so need to be cared for and respected
• Everyones duty or dharma to practice harmlessness and see good karma
• Shivas role to destory things when the time has come so humans should not try to take over his role