Religious Studies (Unit 8)

Religious 

Studies (Unit 8)

For:

- The Bible is the word of God, dictated by God to the writers of the Bible.

- The Bible contains God's teachings on behaviour, which tells Christians how to behave.

- The Bible records events in the life of Jesus. (Following by example)

Against:

- The Bible was written by humans inspired by God.

- The Church is often used over the Bible.

- Conscience is used to decide whether or not to follow the Bible. 

- The church is the Body of Christ. This is how Jesus works in the world.

- God speaks to the world through the Church.

- If individuals were to make their own decisions, then their would be lots of different opinions. They can make sure they can all agree on everything reducing conflict.

- The Church is expected to give Christians guidance. Moral decision making is important in the Christian life.

For:

- The voice of their conscience is God.

- The Church says Christians should follow their conscience as if it were God.

-The Bible is interpreted and the Church is through Pope's. Our conscience is coming directly from God.

Against:

- People can mistake the voice of God.

- Life would be chaotic.

- Following the Church and The Bible, is doing what Christians agree is right.

For:

- Jesus seemed to follow it, as he over-ruled what the Old Testament said (working on the Sabbath day healing a mans paralysed arm).

- You should do something that will produce only good results.

- Christianity is a religion of love and forgiveness.

Against:

- God wouldn't have given laws in the Bible if they wern't meant to be followed.

- Christians should follow the majority belief's of the right way to behave

- The Church knows better than individual Christians.

For:

- They must live life according to God.

- Different Christians believe in different resources.

- They might use one source of authority to refer to a combination.

Against:

- Some think that the Bible is literally true, so this is their main authority.

- It can confuse people as to what is wrong and what is right.

- The Bible is not literal and shouldn't be follow exactly how it was written.

- They believe every human is created in God's image and this deserves respect.

- God loves everyone equally, so everybody should be treated equally.

- The Ten Commandments support most of the Human rights.

- Jesus taught the Golden rule, showing all humans are worthy of value and respect.

- It allows you to have your say in who runs your country.

- The people that get elected making important decisions on behalf of everyone, which effects everyone.

- Issues such as healthcare, taxes e.c.t, you could have your opinion put into place.

- Change can be brought through elections, and after the final vote, you can no longer have your opinion heard.

1) The Golden rule

- "Treat others how you wished to be treated."

2) The Parable of the Sheep and the Goat

- At the end of the world, God will seperate his people depending on their behaviour in their lifetime. Good people are Sheep, and bad people are Goats. Christians have a duty to help those in need when they can.

3) Am I my brother's keeper?

- Christians shouldn't standby and do nothing. They have an active duty to actively care for others. EXAMPLE: Cain killed his brother Abel and denied he had anything to do with it, saying it wasn't up to him to care for others.

For:

- Christians have been given the power over the world. As long as it doesn't cause harm it is acceptable.

-  The Golden rule

- Jesus healed people and so this means Christians should when they can.

- God gave us the intelligence and knowledge, so we should use it and the technology.

Against:

- 'playing God'.

- Sanctity of life.

- Embryo's are discarded, which could be considered murder, as life begins at conception.

- Genetic engineering can cure small 'defects' such as being short sighted, which is natural and shouldn't been messed with.

Forms:

1) Waste= Increase in waste that is not biodegradable or recyclable.

2) Land= Littering, pesticides and radioactive waste.

3) Air= Substance or chemicals released into the atmosphere.

4) Water= Contaminated rivers, lakes and oceans.

Solutions:

1) Create less waste= Reduce, re-use, recycle.

2) Government action= Anti-pollution laws.

3) Alternative energy source= Renewable, clean sources such as solar and wind.

4) Alternative manufacturing methods= Research into ways of manufacturing differently.

The Bible teaches...

- The environment is a gift from God.

- Share the resources as Jesus said to love and help each other.

- Care for animals and plants as well as they were created by God.

- Conserve the natural resources for future generations.

- Allah put humans in charge of his creation, so this should be respected.

- On Judgement day, Allah will judge how you have lived your life, including whether they have taken care of the world or not.

- Animals are Allah's creation, so should be treated with respect.

- The balance of the earth must be maintained. Allah created everything to have unity.

For:

- Allows infertile couples to experience joy of having a child which God intended.

- May be acceptable for married childless couples (circumstances).

- God gave us the knowledge to do so, why can we not use it?

Against:

- No one has "a right" to have children if this is not God's will.

- This treatment involves masterbation which is a sin.

- Embryo's not used are destroyed, which is the same as murder.

- It could be seen as adultery.

For:

- IVF and artificial insemination by the husband are permitted.

Against:

- If Allah has not given them the chance to have children, then follow Allah's wishes.

- Donor eggs or sperm is wrong , as it is seen as adultery.

- Surrogacy is wrong, as it is seen as adultery.

For:

- Some believe that a body is not needed in Heaven (Afterlife).

- It follows Jesus' teaching of to love one another.

- It shows gratitude to God for the gift of life.

Against:

- Goes against the sanctity of life (Life is holy and belongs only to God).

- Interferes with God's plan.

- It is wrong to replace part of God's creation. 

For:

- Saving the life of others, which Allah would wish.

- People can survive without some organs. For example, a kidney.

- It is allowed to close relatives.

Against:

- The Qur'an says as soon as the body dies, it should be buried and not be interfered with.

- The organs will be needed on Judgement day.

- Goes against the sanctity of life, only God should give and take life.

Just war: A war that is fought for the right reason and in the right way.

Criteria for a Just war:

- Reasonable chance of success.

- Aim of bringing peace.

- Last resort.

- The methods used are fair and reasonable.

- If its caused by aggression or injustice.

- No innocent civilians will be killed.

For:

- Jesus taught that obedience should be shown to the Government.

- Violence is necessary. For example, self-defence from an invasion.

- There are sometimes situations where war is lesser of two evils.

Against:

- The Ten Commandments forbid killing.

- Jesus taught that people should love their enemies.

- Jesus stopped his own followers from using violence.

For:

- The Qur'an teaches its right to fight, if only you are being attacked.

- Muhammad fought in wars himself.

- The Qur'an teaches that anyone killed in Just wars go to Heaven.

Against:

- Peace and reconciliation is at the heart of Islam.

- Modern weapons cannot be used in Just wars.

- Violence only leads to more violence.

AGAINST:

- Violence without cause is against Christian teachings.

- It is mistreating God's creation (God made man in his own image).

- Jesus taught The Golden rule.

- It says in the Bible that, God will take action against cruel behaviour.

AGAINST:

- On Judgement day, all Muslims will be judged on their behaviour.

- Allah has created every person, so you are abusing Allah's creation.

- Islam teaches that Muslims should work to end injustice and cruelty.

- Muhammad taught that Muslims should protect and help the weak and vulnerable.

Causes:
- Social behaviour

- Jobs and careers

- Choice of boyfriend/girlfriend

- Raising children

Christians:

- Children should honour their parents, as stated in the Ten Commandments. Parents should care and support their children.

Muslims:

- No child should harm their parents and parents should care for their children. Muslims should obey their parents, even in adulthood.

For:

- Stops peoples from committing crimes.

- Gets rid of the most dangerous humans.

- Could cause confession.

Against:

- Many people who die from capital punishment could later be proved innocent.

- Criminal escapes true justice of suffering in a prison.

- Human life is special and should be taken.

For:

- The Old Testament teaches to use it.

- Jesus never taught the death penatly was wrong.

- It was used (Middle ages) against those who challenged the authority of the Church.

Against:

- Jesus taught revenge is wrong.

- Goes against the sanctity of life.

- Jesus came to Earth to change and reform people and this can no longer be done with capital punishment.

For:

- The Qur'an says that it can be used for murders and adultery.

- Muhammad made strict statements suggesting he agreed with the death penalty.

- When Muhammad was the ruler of Medina, he sentenced people to death for committing murder.

Against:

- The Qur'an states capital punishment is one option, not compulsory.

- Strict conditions given by the Qur'an are often not met.

- Some Muslim take some non-religious views.

For:

- The Bible does not forbid alcohol.

- Jesus drank wine himself and performed a miracle of turning water into wine.

- Jesus gave his disciples wine at the Last Supper.

Against:

- Drinking impairs a person's judgement.

- Alcohol is much stronger and has different side-effects in modern day.

- There are many other types of drink in modern day.

AGAINST:

- Humans were created by Allah, so should look after themselves.

- The Qur'an says that intoxicants are haram.

- The effects of drugs and alcohol could prevent Muslims from praying or performing their religious duties.

- The Law of the land should be obeyed.

- Muhammad taught about the dangers of alcohol and drugs.