Re ina revision guide

RELIGIOUS STUDIES Philosophy and Ethics REVISION MATERIAL For OCR B Isaac Newton Academy

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Table of Contents RELIGIOUS STUDIES- REVISION MATERIAL

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Answering Exam Questions

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Question a) – c) ‘Knowledge’ question

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Question d) – ‘Understanding’ question

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Question e) – ‘Evaluation’ question

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Exam paper information

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Exam practice questions - Good and Evil

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Good and Evil

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Relationships

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Exam practice questions – Relationships

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Answering Exam Questions In your exam you will have to answer on 4 different topics on one paper. Each topic is divided into 5 sub questions. They are a), b), c), d) and e). You must answer all five for each topic from the same religion. You will only answer questions on Christianity.

Question A) This part of the question is worth one mark and your answer should show your knowledge and understanding of a concept. So, for instance, you might be asked ‘What is pacifism?’ and your answer should show that you know what ‘pacifism’ means. One sentence is enough.

Question B) This part of the question is worth two marks and asks for two ideas within a concept. So, for instance, you might be asked ‘What are two types of fertility treatment?’ and you would need to respond to the trigger word ‘type’ by giving two examples. This can be two key words or two sentences maximum.

Question C) This part of the question is worth three marks and asks for three ideas within a concept. So, for instance, you might be asked ‘Describe the purposes of marriage for Christians?’ and you would need to give three different ideas/ reasons why Christians believe marriage is important. You could also be asked a question which may require a further development. For example, ‘describe how Christians have worked for equality’. You will need to respond to the trigger word ‘work’ and so should demonstrate an action. For example – Martin Luther King (1mark) worked for equality between black and white (1mark) by organising protests and campaigning for a change in the race laws in the USA (1mark),

Question D) This part of the question is worth six marks and asks you to describe and explain beliefs or attitudes, while analysing the reasons Christians respond in this way. So, for instance, you might be asked to explain Christian beliefs about giving money to charity. You would need to include relevant Christian teachings to support the ideas in your answer. Try to include biblical quotes, but you must make sure you explain what these mean in order to show the examiner that you have understood the teaching.

For example, ‘Love thy neighbour’ means to ‘treat other people as you would like to be treated yourself’. You will also need to use specific religious words in these answers when they are relevant.

For example, when answering a question on medical ethics you may wish to refer to the phrase ‘sanctity of life’ which shows the belief that all life is created by God and so is special.

Question E) This part of the question is worth 12 marks and asks you to show different points of view in response to the statement given. So, for instance, you might be given the statement ‘Abortion is 3

always wrong’ and you would need to refer to a Christian point of view in your answer, showing that there are different Christian approaches to this statement and then give your own personal response. Your response does not have to be different, to the ones you have mentioned previously.

It is very important that you do give your own point of view or religious opinions otherwise you will not achieve high marks. You will need to support the Christian ideas with reference to Christian teachings/ biblical quotes. Again, explain them in your own words to show your understanding.

There must be a good structure with good use of PEEL and evaluation of text and quotes for higher level marks.

Key words to look out for in the question 

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“Beliefs” - this is what Christians believe about their religions based on the teachings in the Bible and/or from the Church; for instance, ideas about God and Jesus; the events of the creation or crucifixion, etc.

“Teachings” - refers to rules/quotes/sayings from the Bible (such as “do not murder” or “love thy neighbour”) or it could refer to what the different Churches teach.

“Attitudes” - are the ways in which a believer interprets those beliefs and teachings. Note this is a trigger word for you to realise that some Christians believe one thing and other Christians believe another. For example, some Christians think that there is no physical devil because...... On the other hand, others believe that there is a physical devil because ….

“Support” – this means you cannot just make a statement and leave it there. You need to explain why that statement is being used. “Christians think Satan is evil” “because he tempted Jesus in the desert”.

“Respond” – this word is asking you to think about what Christians would do when faced with a particular situation.

The Exam Paper Each Module paper will be divided into three sections. You must choose to do TWO topics out of the three you have studied in this module. In each section on the exam paper, you will find that there are six questions – from six different religious viewpoints. Ignore the religions you have not studied.

You need to answer the Christianity question, which comes after the Buddhism question. Each question is in five parts. All the questions are in the following form: (a) 1 mark for knowledge (b) 2 marks for knowledge, (c) 3 marks for knowledge, (d) 6 marks for understanding, and (e) 12 marks for evaluation (+ 3 marks for SPAG) Total: 24 marks (27 including SPAG marks).

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Christianity – Good and Evil

Religious quotes “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good” –Genesis 1:31 “You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal”. Exodus 20:13-15 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:16 “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:26-28

Exam Questions – Good and Evil A Questions                  

Define immoral Define good Define evil Define moral law Define the Devil Define sin Define redemption Define forgiveness Define suffering Define original sin Define omnipotent Define omnibenevolent Define omniscient Define moral evil Define natural evil Define conscience Define free will Define repentance

B questions  List two commandments  List two examples of moral evil  List two examples of natural evil  List two temptations that Jesus faced 5

    

List two punishments given after the fall List two punishments given to Job Give two examples of evil Give two beliefs about the fall Give two ways that Christians might find guidance?

C Questions  Describe the Eucharist ceremony  Describe the crucifixion  Describe the resurrection  Describe the parable of the Good Samaritan  Describe the story of Job  Describe how Christians find the right way to behave  Describe how Christians might try to find the best way to behave  Describe Christian beliefs about God and the Devil.  Describe Christian beliefs about the origins of evil.

D question  Explain how a Christian would respond to the problem of evil?  Explain what Christians believe about original sin?  Explain how Christians would cope with suffering?  Explain Christian attitudes towards the Devil?  Explain how a Christians might explain the purpose of suffering?  Explain the ways in which a Christian might try to find the answer to a moral problem.

E question ‘If God was all good he would not allow people to suffer’ ‘When people suffer they are being punished for something they have done.’

‘People should make their own moral decisions without bothering about religion.’

‘Suffering is caused by the Devil.’

‘You should only help people if you get something in return’ ‘There is no such thing as evil’ ‘Doing the right thing will never cause suffering’ ‘Bad people can never do good things’ ‘Doing the wrong thing always causes suffering’

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Key words, terms and concepts: Evil –often used to describe suffering, when humans face challenges and bad things in life Omnipotence – all-powerful Benevolence – all-loving Moral evil – suffering caused by humans Natural evil – suffering caused by natural means Problem of evil – many view a contradiction between the idea of and all-powerful God and an allloving God if people are allowed to suffer. This has posed a problem for many Christians Devil/Satan/Lucifer – 2 views: the fallen archangel Lucifer, banished to Hell by God, causer of natural disasters and tempting humans to do wrong or a poetic way of describing how people feel compelled to do bad things Hell – 2 views: a place of fire and torture where people are punished for their sins or an afterlife without God Serpent – 2 views: the Devil is disguise or the human tendency to sometimes do wrong The Fall – when Adam and Eve ate the apple from the tree of knowledge humanity fell from its position of privilege. Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden and humans were no longer immortal Irenaueus – Christian philosopher who argued that people have to suffer in order to be able to choose to do good Acceptance and prayer – some Christians suggest that a response to evil and suffering is simply to accept it and pray to God – trusting that God does not make mistakes and there must be a reason for the suffering Conscience – many Christians regard the conscience as God’s way of telling instructing right from wrong Bible – the holy scripture of Christians that provides guidance and how people should behave Example of Christ – the Son of God who told parables giving guidelines on how to live and also was subjected to great suffering during the crucifixion Moral code – a set of rules on how to behave Ethical Monotheists – people who believe in one God that is the source of all goodness Parables – stories told by Jesus with a moral or message Parable of the Good Samaritan – a parable about caring for others Parable of the Prodigal Son – a parable about forgiveness Sermon on the Mount – a service or speech delivered by Jesus that gave moral advice on many issues

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Good Christians believe that God is the Supreme Good – he is all loving and all powerful (omnipotent).

They believe he is good because:  He created the world for people to live in – his creation was perfect: it was ‘all good’ until Adam & Eve disobeyed him and let evil and death in  He saved the Israelites (his chosen people) when they were in slavery: the 10 plagues and the parting of the Red Sea  He came down to earth in the form of Jesus to die on the cross so that people’s sins can be forgiven and they can go to heaven after death  He sends miracles to help people in need  He is people’s strength and comfort in times of trouble  Christians believe at the end of time evil will be conquered once and for all by the goodness of God Evil Christians believe that there are TWO kinds of evil Moral (which is what people do e.g. murder) and  Natural (earthquakes etc.) o Evil causes suffering – you can have religious; mental, emotional or physical suffering. o Original Sin – is how evil and suffering and death first entered the world. Adam & Eve disobeyed God and took the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

The Devil o Some Christians believe Evil can be Satan (there are different views) – he brought evil into God’s good world  Some Christians believe there is evil in the world because of the Devil. Early Christian ideas state the Devil was once good, as the angel Lucifer – but became jealous of God. The Bible says Satan is God’s fallen Angel (red horns, tail) & is an actual physical being whose purpose is to lead people away from God (e.g. the snake in Adam and Eve with many people believing that this was the Devil in disguise). He also tried to tempt Jesus in the wilderness to obey him not God; to turn stones into bread and jump off a cliff for the angels to catch him. Also in the Bible the story of Job, Job was tempted by the Devil to renounce God but Job remained faithful to God  Views of the Devil:  Traditional: Red, horned being with a forked tail with the power to cause evil or tempt people to do wrong  Some people see him in physical form (traditional view) – the Medieval Church used the Devil as a way to frighten people into behaving as the Church wanted them to (they were threatened with eternal torture in hell if they misbehaved)

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 Alternative view: The Devil is a poetic way of describing the absence of God or the feelings that people have in being pulled towards doing wrong  Satan is the ruler of hell  Sometimes Satan is seen just as a symbolic character to represent evil within everyone o However, Evil does not have to be a person but can be an inner weakness in a person – psychological force – Corrupted mind o Evil has been described as an ‘absence of good’ (Aquinas).

Christian responses to the Problem of Evil: The problem of Evil is about the question “why, if God is all good and all-knowing and all-powerful, does he allow Evil to exist?” Possible answers to this question are: • Suffering makes us better people & Christians will help others when they see suffering • Christians need to ask God for his help when they are suffering & get closer to him • Suffering/evil is a test from God (e.g. Job in the Old Testament was tested by Satan to see if he would lose his faith in God) • We have to suffer evil because we have God’s gift of freewill – if we didn’t have freewill we would be like puppets or robots • There should be a balance between good and evil Original Sin Evil entered the world because Adam & Eve had freewill and so chose to disobey God by eating the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This was the Original Sin (the first sin) and Christians believe everyone is born with original sin and therefore babies are baptised to take away this sin. Jesus died on the cross to make up for the rest of the sins and he re-opened the door to heaven.

Coping with Suffering is also a response to the Problem of Evil because  Christians see suffering as a test or punishment and therefore they should be trying to make amends if they have committed a sin, or if it is a test they should trust and have faith in God.  They also believe that God is all-loving and forgiving therefore they will use prayer (communicating with God) and repentance (saying sorry) as a way of accepting their suffering.  They believe that it is up to people to help other people who are suffering: “Love thy neighbour” Many Christians cope with suffering through prayer.  RCs and Orthodox Christians often pray for a saint to intercede (become involved) with God on behalf of someone who’s suffering.  Christians also pray to God to accept suffering as part of his plan. Think of the story of Job and how his faith was tested by the Devil.

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Many Christians believe that when we struggle and suffer we are closest to Jesus as he struggled on the cross.  One argument that Christians make for accepting suffering is that that life is worthwhile if Jesus chose to come and share it with us.

Many Christian organisations (like Christian Aid) work to alleviate the suffering of others.

Atonement/Forgiveness Atonement means ‘at-one-with’ God. This is about humans with God for their sins and becoming one with him again.

making up

Christians believe: 

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God has not abandoned mankind to evil – he came to earth as Jesus to die on the cross so that Adam and Eve’s sin (original sin) could be forgiven. Jesus’ death conquered sin and Jesus’ resurrection conquered death.

So in order to be ‘at-one-with’ God Christians will: o Repent their sins (make sure they don’t do the sin again) o Pray o Confess their sins o Follow God’s Commandments or Rules in the Bible o Look after others/Love Thy Neighbour o Follow/Listen to their conscience

Moral Behaviour Where Christians look for help about how to behave: Christians believe that they get their sense of right and wrong from God (conscience) so they will listen to that.  They would read the Bible because it contains good teachings, such as the Ten Commandments and also the example (WWJD: what would Jesus do?) and teachings of Jesus: “Love thy neighbour”, or, “Turn the other cheek”  Christians will ask their priest or vicar because he is God’s representative on earth.  They will go to church and listen to sermons which give advice on what Christians should do.  They would look to the examples of good Christians such as Mother Teresa or Martin Luther King. Reasons why Christians follow a moral code (correct rules of behaviour): o They believe God is a judge who will look at their actions in their life time to determine whether they go to heaven or hell o They want to worship God because He is all good so they will follow the example of Christ when he was on earth – how he looked after people. o They want to follow God’s rules because they know those rules were made so that people could live in a world of justice (fairness)

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REDEMPTION This refers to the idea that God has saved humankind. He has delivered mankind from sin. God came to earth in human form as Jesus. Jesus taught people how to behave morally. He had to die on the cross to make up for original sin and all the other sins in the world. When Adam and Eve did the first sin, this shut the door to heaven. Jesus dying on the cross re-opened that door so that people who believe (have faith) in him and do good things will be able to go to heaven after their death and have eternal life The Story of Job Job and his wife lived in Uz. They had 7 sons and 3 daughters. Job had lots of land and cattle and men to help him work. Job loved God and was faithful to him. He worshipped Gov every day. One day, the devil said to God, "You have blessed Job and given him everything and this is the only reason Job worships you. If you would take away your blessings, Job would no longer praise you."

God said to the devil, “Do what you want to all that Job has but do not kill him." The devil left God and began his evil work.

Suddenly a messenger came to Job saying, "All your donkeys and the men who helped you are gone.

A huge fire has killed all the sheep. Some thieves came and stole all your camels." Then another messenger arrived saying, "All of your sons and daughter were eating together when suddenly there came a huge wind and the house fell on them." Job was so sad. In a single day, he had lost everything. Job fell to his knees and began worshipping God saying, "..the LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away, blessed be the name of the LORD." After all those bad things happened to Job, He still praised God. The devil was upset because Job was still praising God. The devil gave Job very painful sores all over his body from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Job suffered greatly.

Job's wife said to him, "Let it go. Curse God and die" Job answered her, "You talk like a foolish woman. Do we only take the good and not the bad?" Still he praised God. Job’s friends had heard about what had happened to Job. They decided they would go and be with him and sat with Job for one week. They told Job that he had sinned and that is why all these horrible things had happened. Job insisted that he loved God and he never sinned against him. They would not believe him. All of them told Job he had sinned and he must confess his sin to make things right. Job still insisted that he had not sinned against God. 12 Finally his friends were quiet. They had nothing to say to him because they felt that Job was wrong. They thought Job felt he was better than everyone else. They knew Job had sinned and wouldn't admit it.

Finally, God spoke. "Who is this that gives advice without knowledge, where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Answer if you have understanding!" God spoke to Job of all the things he created. Job said "I know that you can do everything, and that no thought can be withheld from you. Therefore, I have spoken things that I did not understand. But now I have heard you and now I understand. " God accepted Job's prayer and was very pleased with Job. As Job prayed for his friends, God returned his fortune that had been taken away by the devil. After all of this, Job lived 140 years and he loved God and praised him every day.

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Relationships Purpose of a family

Purpose of a family: • • • • •

To provide love To create a safe environment To prepare children for adulthood To educate To provide physical and emotional care of all family members

Roles of men and women in the Christian and Church family Christians accept that all families are different.In Christianity, it is recognised that some people might choose to remain single. They might do this to devote their life to God by becoming a monk, priest or a nun. Or they might remain single to do a job that does not fit with family life.

There are still Christians, and Christian denominations, who believe that a woman should stay at home and care for the children and her husband. However, most people would probably take the view that all Christians are equal, whether male or female.

Traditional view of the roles in a Christian family:

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Alternative views on the role of women within a Christian family: •

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• •

Christians should not emphasise the differences between men and women but consider them equals – “There is neither Jew nor Greek ... Male nor female ... For you are all one in Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 3:28) In the Old Testament, women are generally shown as strong, important people and rulers – for example:“Deborah, a prophetess, was leading Israel at that time ... The Israelites came to her to have their disputes decided.” (Judges 4:4-5) Jesus also treated women as equals – for example Luke 8:1-3 describes the inner circle of Jesus' followers including an unspecified number of females including Mary Magdalene.

We were all made imago dei(in the image of God) and therefore equal. Household chores as well as responsibility for look after any children and bringing in money should be shared.

Catholic perspectives on the role of men and women within the Church family: •

Only men may become priests and bishops. The Pope is therefore always male.

• Catholic priests and bishops have to remain celibate – in a sense they are married to Christ and his work in the Church.

• This idea is supported by the majority of the New Testament which suggests all Jesus’ disciples were male.

• Also, during the Eucharist, the priest represents Jesus and therefore a woman cannot perform this ceremony.

BUT: • Women do play an important role and can take an active part by becomingextraordinary minstersof the Holy Communion (giving out the consecrated bread and wine at mass) or visiting the sick and those in need.

Church of England (Anglican) perspectives on the role of men and women within the Church family: • • • •

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Both men and women can become vicars however bishops and the leader of the Church, the Archbishop, is always a man.

The Anglican Church in Britain ordained its first women priests in 1994.

Within the CoE there is disagreement over this division with many Anglicans believing that if a woman is ordained as a vicar then they should be allowed to become bishops.

Others maintain that the greater level of authority and oversight held by a bishop should remain the role of men only.

Remember: Even in the twenty-first century there are still many arguments and discussions about the roles of men and women. This can be over particular religious issues such as whether women can be ordained or other non-religious issues such as equal pay or whether women should stay at home and look after the family.

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Marriage and Marriage Ceremonies Marriage provides a relationship through which husband and wife support each other; this relationship is built on love and faithfulness. It also provides a secure environment for the upbringing of children.

The purpose of marriage:

Key words: Sacrament: An outward, physical sign of an inward, invisible grace.

Vows: Promises made between the couple getting married with God as a witness.

Remember – some couples may exchange rings. The circle represents eternity and their unending love for each other.

Main facts: - A Christian marriage is a civilceremony because the couple’s relationship is publicly witnessed by the congregation and the register signed.

- Christians also believe that marriage is a holy relationship – it is seen as a sacrament (special action which brings a person closer to God) and part of God’s plan for humanity. Because it is a religious commitment, marriage should take place in a chapel or church.

- Marriage is a gift from God and its importance was stressed by Jesus - ‘Man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh ... What God has joined together, let no man separate.’ (Mark 10:6-9) - The words of the marriage ceremony stress that the promises of the bride and groom are made before God. - At the beginning of the service the priest or minister reminds the couple of the seriousness of marriage. They are told it symbolises therelationship between Christ and the Church.

- The couple answers these vows: Will you love her/him, comfort her/him, honour and protect her/him, and, forsaking all others, be faithful to her/him as long as you both shall live?

- They promise that they will stay together: for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part; according to God’s holy law.

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Remember: The Christian Church believes that it is a sin for people to have sexual relations with each other unless they are married because of the vow to be faithful taken before God. Some Christians believe sexual relations before marriage also break the seventh commandment – ‘do not commit adultery’.

Christian responses to civil partnerships & Gay Marriage Civil partnerships were made legal in the UK in December 2005, giving samesex couples the same rights in law as married couples. However, civil partnerships are not ‘marriage’. This was because, by law, in the UK, marriage used to happen between ‘one man’ and ‘one woman’. The law changed in 2014.

Key words: Civil partnership – the legal recognition of a same-sex relationship.

Gay Marriage: -The legal union of a same sex couple which has full legal equality to that of a heterosexual marriage.

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Main facts: 

Civil partnership and gay marriage ceremonies, by law, do not have any religious content to them.

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The Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England are opposed to civil partnerships and gay marriages because they teach that marriage is the proper place for sexual activity to occur and that one of the main purposes of sex should be to create new life which homosexual sex cannot do.

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The Roman Catholic Church sees homosexual activity as essentially masturbation which it believes is always wrong because it is the misuse of sexual genitalia.

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Quakers are the only group that fully accepts homosexual couples in their meetings.

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Individual Christians may have different opinions to that of their church. They may feel that everyone is created in God’s image and that they are therefore equal and should be treated equally.

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Some Christians believe that civil partnerships and gay marriage provide companionship, unity and stabilityin the same way heterosexual marriage does.

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Rev Paul Collier, an openly homosexual CoE vicar believes that in not doing so, the Church is ‘failing to respond to an opportunity to celebrate and affirm love, fidelity and commitment.’

Bible quotes: civil partnerships & Gay marriage

“... man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:20-24) “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Neither the sexually immoral nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders ...” (1 Corinthians 6:8-10) “Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.” (Leviticus 18:22) “If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their Key words: blood will be on their own heads.” (Leviticus 20:13) Christian beliefs about divorce and remarriage Christians see marriage as being for life and consider that the promises the couple made were to God as well as to each other. Because of this divorce is always viewed very seriously. However, Christians have different attitudes on the subject of divorce.

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Adultery – When someone who is married has a sexual relationship with someone to whom they are not married.

Divorce - The legal dissolving of a marriage so that the partners are free to marry someone else.

Annulment – A declaration that the marriage was never a proper marriage in the eyes of the Church, e.g. because one of the parties was forced into it.

Main facts:

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In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said that divorce was wrong unless it was because of adultery - “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”(Matthew 5:31-32)

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In 1981 the Church of England decided that although a person had been divorced this should not prevent them marrying someone else in a church ceremony.

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The Roman Catholic Church accepts that people may get a divorce, which is a civil matter, but they are still seen as married because a sacrament cannot be undone. If they have a sexual relationship with another person or get married again in a civil ceremony, they are not allowed to receive communion as what they are doing is seen as a sin.

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In certain circumstances the Pope may grant an annulment to a couple who wish to separate. An annulment says the original marriage was flawed and therefore did not actually take place. Once an annulment has been granted, the couple are free to marry again in church.

Bible quotes: Divorce and remarriage “The two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh.Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Mark 10:8-9) “A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.” (1 Corinthians 7:10-11) Remember: Christians believe that they should do everything they can to try help the couple stay together, such as going to marriage counselling (Relate), praying, or speaking to the priest/minister.

Christian beliefs about sexual relationships

Key words: Celibate – Someone who abstains from sexual activity.

Chastity – Abstaining from sexual activity because of religious vows, e.g. a nun or a monk.

Cohabitation – To live together without being formally married.

Fornication– Sexual activity between two adults who are not married to each other.

Even though many people now choose to live together in relationships without being married, this is not welcomed by the Christian Church. 

Christianity teaches that the sexual act must take place exclusively within marriage. In Genesis 2:24 men and women are told to ‘become one flesh’. Outside of marriage, sexual activity always constitutes a grave sin.

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In the Roman Catholic Church, priests are required to take a vow of celibacy as the Church believes that is a priest was married he would be distracted from loving and serving God.

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Some Christian Churches will allow cohabiting couples into their congregations but the majority will not.

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The seventh commandment – ‘You shall not commit adultery’ is often interpreted to mean it is wrong to have a sexual relationship with anyone to whom you are not married, even if you are not married.

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Bible quotes: Sexual relationships “You have heard it said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”(Matthew 5:27-28) “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you...You are not your own...honour God with your body.”(1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Christian beliefs about contraception Christians believe that life is a gift from God and sacred, and that the purpose of sexual activity is to create new life. Because of this, the Roman Catholic Church does not approve of artificial contraception. Some other Churches accept the use of artificial contraception in order to ensure children are planned and wanted.

Main facts:

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No specific teachings in the Bible about contraception. Christians instead, interpret the teachings and believe that life is a gift from God therefore using contraception is preventing a new life which God wishes to be born and is therefore a sin.

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Many others believe the Bible should be interpreted in the age in which Christians live.

Although they think that the teachings on life being scared within the Bible should be considered carefully, because the world is becoming overpopulated and there is a great deal of poverty, they believe contraception should be allowed.

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The Roman Catholic Church considers that conception is a natural outcome of sexual intercourse and that anything which prevents this is wrong. It teaches that married couples have an obligation to obey God’s command to Adam and Eve to “Be fruitful and increase in number” (Genesis 1:28)

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The only form of contraception which is permitted by Catholics is the ‘rhythm method’ (also known as ‘natural family planning’). This involves planning sex around the most infertile times in a woman’s monthly cycle.

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The Church of England teaches that decisions about the number of children in a family and when to have them is a matter for the parents’ conscience which is influenced by God.

Exam questions a) What is divorce? (1 mark) b) Give two aspects of a Christian marriage service. (2 marks) c) Why might Roman Catholics not want to be divorce? (3 marks) d) Explain how Christians might respond to someone contemplating having sex before they are marriage. (6 marks) e) ‘The only purpose of marriage is to have children.’ Discuss this statement. You should include different, supported points of view and a personal viewpoint. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. (12 marks)

a) What is contraception? (1 mark) b) Give two types of contraception. (2 marks) c) Why do some Christians disagree with sex outside of marriage? (3 marks) d) Explain different Christian views on the role of men and women. (6 marks) e) ‘Times have changed, the Church needs to change too.’ Discuss this statement. You should include different, supported points of view and a personal viewpoint. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. (12 marks) a) What it a sacrament? (1 mark)

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b) Give two symbols in a wedding ceremony. (2 marks) c) Why are the vows an important part of a wedding ceremony? (3 marks) d) Explain how Christians would respond to a same sex couple wanting to get married. (6 marks) e) ‘Marriage is outdated’. Discuss this statement. You should include different, supported points of view and a personal viewpoint. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. (12 marks)

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Religion and Science

In this topics the examiners expect you to have considered:  Scientific views on the Creation of the world and the origin of humanity  Christian ideas about the Creation of the world and the origin of humanity  Christian views about what sets people apart from animals  Christian ideas about stewardship and their responses to environmental issues.

Key words and terms  Big Bang – Scientific theory of how the world began  Evolution – Scientific theory of how humans have evolved from other less complex organisms  Genesis – Book in the Bible containing creation stories  Myth – story with a deeper meaning  Creationists – literally believe the world was created in 7 days as in Genesis  Natural Selection – Darwin’s idea of survival of the fittest  Omnipotent – God is all-powerful  Stewardship – looking after the world and creation  Dominion – having control/power over creation The question of how the world and humans originally came to exist is one that people, both religious and scientific, have sought to find the answer to for centuries.

The study of the universe and its origins is called COSMOLOGY. Scientific views on the origin of the world and humanity Scientific views on the origin of the world Most scientists accept that the universe began about 18 billion years ago. Some (but not many) scientists believe that the earth has always been here, and that matter is always coming into existence. The majority of scientists state that there was a massive 'explosion' in which matter came into being, and it caused the newly formed matter to expand rapidly out in all directions. This is popularly called the BIG BANG. This explosion formed all the matter in the universe, gradually taking the form of the gases hydrogen and helium.

Scientists believe that as the gases cooled, and other elements formed, they condensed into stars and planets. The earth was one of the planets formed. Background radiation can be detected in space that seems to be left over from the Big Bang.

Scientific views on the origin of humanity Devised by Charles Darwin and published in his book „The Origin of Species‟ (1859) He believed that human life began with very simple cells that later developed into different species.

From his studies he saw species develop and continue to change to suit their surroundings and environment . He concluded that the species best suited to the environment would survive and reproduce to create a new, even better generation. This process he called NATURAL SELECTION. Darwin recognised that through his theory humans must have evolved, he suggested that as we share similar DNA and features to apes it was a strong possibility that humanity had begun as a well developed species of ape.

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Christian views on the origin of the world and humanity How do Christians view the Bible – literally or liberally?

Christians believe that the Bile account of the Creation world vary depending on their view on the Bible itself. LITERALISTS or CREATIONALISTS believe that the Bible and all that is in it is 100% true.

They believe that, as it was inspired by God through the Holy Spirit, there is no reason to suspect falsity within the records and a Christian should have FAITH in the face of science. They would suggest that everything in the world has a purpose and reason, linking to the belief in the SANCTITY OF LIFE

LIBERALS alternatively argue that whilst the Bible is a source of knowledge and wisdom it should not be followed exactly. It provides a meaning and understanding to an unanswered question that provides a role for God in the world. They would say the world is there to explain the purpose and direction for the world. For example these Christians suggest that a „day‟ as in the story actually stands for a period of time.

Beliefs in the Genesis 1 account Recorded in Genesis 1 Christians follow the account that suggests God created a „good‟ world in 6 days, resting on the 7th.

The literalist and liberal groups of Christians would argue about how factually true the biblical accounts of creation are. They do, however, agree that the Biblical account of Creation does suggest key ideas and beliefs about God: 1. God is Omnipotent - ‘In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth’ Genesis 1:1 Christians believe that only God as an ALL-POWERFUL being can create the world as we have come to know it from scratch. The world is so complicated it can not have just happened by accident but rather by a powerful designer in control of everything. All of creation is well ordered and interdependent.

2. God is Omnibenevolent - ‘God looked at what he had created and it was good’ Genesis 1 Christians believe that God created a perfect world that humanity could live in. This suggests he did not want them to worry or suffer and so is ALL-LOVING in humanity‟s favour. They were the last creatures made, and were created IN GOD’S IMAGE. They were also given the special responsibility to RULE OVER CREATION.

3. God should be praised for the world created. ‘The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it’ Psalm 24 This Bible quote is taken from the book of Psalms, a collection of prayers and poetry in thanks and praise of the gifts given to humanity by God. 4. Humans are special and unique as they were created ‘In the Image of God’ This quote suggests to Christians that there is a spark of God present in every human being which is what makes us different and/unique to other animals .

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Implications of Humanity’s Special Responsibility Christians believe that because they are made in the image of God, they have special responsibility toward the rest of creation. The two most important terms are stewardship and dominion.

STEWARDSHIP- some believe they are to be caretakers- given the task of looking after and protecting the world as given to them by God. But what role do they play in God’s plan?

This involves not abusing the planet, instead protecting both the environment and the animals in preparation for future generations.

DOMINION- suggests that Christians have been given ‘Kingship’ or control over the environment.

God placed the earth in their hands and they have the control. It’s important for Christians to remember that a true king is JUST and KIND, not an abusive tyrant. In either opinion of the role they play, Christians accept the responsibility of trying to look after the environment- this can take form in a number of ways.

The environment ….

Christians believe that the earth and all that is on it belongs to God. They should therefore play a part in protecting the earth as best they can for future generations. This takes place in everyday decisions like recycling and transport, as well as bigger decisions like choice of energy and sustainable communities.

“The Earth is the Lord’s and everything in it” “And God saw that it was good” Both the above quotes suggest that Christians should respect creation as it belongs to God and God created it ‘good’.

Human Responsibility is to:  Look after animals  Ensure a protected world for future generations  Support the work of a charity such as AROCHA and GREENPEACE  Walk more and use the car less.  Save Energy Christians may get involved in conservation groups or environmental campaigns in order to show they are being good stewards of the environment. One such charity that is based on Christian beliefs is A Rocha.

A Rocha o A Christian Nature Conservation organisation o Its aim is to show God’s love for creation through practical projects e.g. turning wasteland sites into country parks. o It works with local councils and communities to promote looking after the environment and respecting God’s creation.

The difference between humans and animals ….

For many Christians the account in Genesis suggests that Humanity is set apart from animals, that humans are to be seen as a higher with rights and duties that are not shared by other animals.

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“God breathed life into the nostrils of man‟ (Genesis 2:7) This passage suggests that humans have a special connection with God, often discussed as a SOUL. This is the spiritual part of a person, that is everlasting and can survive death.

“Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name‟ (Genesis 2:19) This quote suggests that humans have control (dominion) over animals and therefore some Christians believe we can use animals to our benefit.

Different Christian views on the use of animals Many Christians believe that as rulers over animals, it is acceptable to use them for human benefit e.g. food, medical advancement…

However, as stewards over creation, humans also have a responsibility to ensure animals are not mistreated, abused or kept in unacceptable conditions.

Unnecessary or abusive use of animals goes against the teaching, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it”.

For this reason many Christians will be against using animals for cosmetic testing or non-essential clothing e.g. fur coats.

The Roman Catholic Church Medical and scientific experimentation on animals is morally acceptable if it remains within reasonable limits and contribute to saving human lives. Unnecessary suffering though should not be brought upon the animals.

Church of England We should care for animals and look after their welfare, however it may be necessary to use animals in experiments for new drug/diseases medication that will help humans. Any suffering towards animals must be kept to a minimum, even in medical experimentations.

Medical Ethics

Sanctity of Life Christians often say that they believe in the ‘sanctity of life’. They mean that they believe that there is something special and holy about human life.

Main facts: 

For Christians, human life is different from other kinds of life because people share something of the nature of God.

Key words: Sanctity of life: The belief that all life is given by God and is therefore sacred.

Soul: The non-physical part of a person that may go to heaven when the person dies.

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The book of Genesis describes how God made Adam and then “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.” Christians regard this as God giving humanity a soul.

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Genesis also says that people are made imago dei– in the image of God.

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Christians believe that each person has a soul which does not die when the body and mind die, but lives on after death. It is the soul that is judged by God, and which can join God in heaven forever.

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The Bible teaches that God plans every human life – “All the days planned for me were written in your book.”

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Christians believe life should be treated with respect. They have a responsibility to take care of themselves and others.

Remember: Christians believe that God makes each person so everyone has value, whether they are newly born or elderly, healthy or ill, useful members of society or in need of care.

Bible quotes: Sanctity of life “The body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17) “The Lord gave and The Lord has taken away.” (Job 1:21) “Do not murder” (Exodus 20:13)

Attitudes to abortion Most Christians believe that abortion is wrong but some would permit it in some circumstances.

Key words: Abortion: The deliberate expulsion of the foetus from the uterus before the pregnancy reaches full term (usually 40 weeks) Doctrine of double effect: If doing something morally good has a morally bad side-effect, it is right to do it providing the bad-side effect was not intended.

Ectopic pregnancy: When a foetus starts to grow in a Fallopian tube rather than the womb.

Miscarriage: When a baby is aborted through natural causes.

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Main facts: 

Roman Catholics believe that life begins from the moment of conception, on the very first day of pregnancy.

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Some other Christians believe that the foetus cannot really be described as a person until later on in the pregnancy, when it becomes more recognisably human. Others believe that it becomes a person when it is capable of surviving on its own, at about 22 weeks.

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Roman Catholics believe the killing of an unborn baby is morally wrong in all circumstances.

However, if an abortion is needed to save the mother’s life, such as in the case of an ectopic pregnancy, they would accept the doctrine of double effect.

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The Church of England also opposes abortion but recognises that there can be certain conditions when abortion would be morally acceptable such as the child would experience a low quality of life due to severe medical disabilities, or in the case of rape.

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The Methodist Church says that abortion is always an evil but recognises that there are cases where abortion may be the lesser of two evils: if the child were born with an incurable disease for example.

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Some Christians are more willing to accept early abortions than those that take place later in a pregnancy.

Bible quotes: Sanctity of life

“Do not murder” (Exodus 20:13) “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13-16) Remember: Many of the Christian Churches have a relative morality in their approach to abortion – they adapt the rules to different situations but would still see abortion as a last resort. The most common secular view is that the woman should have a right to choose whether she has an abortion after she has had counselling as she has personal autonomy over her own body.

Religious and secular viewpoints hinge on the question of when life begins.

Attitudes to fertility treatment Fertility treatment is used when people want to have children but are unable to conceive naturally.

Usually, this is because of some kind of medical problem. However, there are different Christian attitudes to fertility treatment.

Key words: AID: Artificial insemination by donor AIH: Artificial insemination by husband 28

IVF: When sperm and an egg are put together in a tube until an embryo is formed which is then transferred into a woman’s womb

Main facts:  IVF involves the egg and sperm being brought together in a test tube. If conception takes place and an embryo is formed, it is placed inside the women’s uterus.  Another method of fertility treatment is artificial insemination. Sperm is collected and placed in the woman’s uterus artificially: - Sometimes this is the husband’s sperm (AIH) - Sometimes sperm can be used which as come from an anonymous donor (AID). The law now states that anyone donating sperm or eggs has to provide their details, so that at the age of 18, a person conceived this way can seek out their biological parents.  The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990: - Frozen embryos may be stored for a maximum of 10 years. However, these can only be implanted if both partners agree.

- Scientific experiments may only be carried out on embryos up to 14 days after conception; after this time they may not be kept alive  Some Christians believe that fertility treatments should be encouraged because they bring so much happiness to people who would otherwise not be able to have children – Agape.  God has also given humanity the ability and intelligence to develop the technology to enable fertility treatment to take place.  However, other Christians believe that fertility treatment is wrong. They consider that God chooses whether people have babies or not. This is part of the teaching about sanctity of life.  Roman Catholics believe that life begins at conception. This causes a major problem, particularly with IVF, which can produce spare embryos. Some of these embryos may be thrown away during the process, stored, or used in medical research, which they believe goes against the sixth commandment.  The Roman Catholic Church does not believe that having a baby is a God-given right but a divine gift.  Roman Catholics are also against AID because they think that the introduction of a third partyis a form of adultery.

Remember: Some people object to fertility treatment because it may be used by people in a homosexual relationship or are not in relationship but still want to have children. People who have passed the natural age for childbearing can also use it.

Bible quotes: Fertility treatment “The Lord had closed her [Hannah’s] womb.” (1 Samuel 1:5) “Give me children or I will die.” (Genesis 30:1) 29

Attitudes to cloning Cloning creates a genetically identical animal or plant from another. The most famous example of a cloned animal was Dolly the sheep (1997-2003).

Main facts: 

Most of the concerns about cloning relate to the possibility that it might be used to clone humans. Most Christians feel that the cloning of a human, were it to be possible, is unacceptable.

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Most countries have banned the use of cloning to produce human babies (reproductive cloning).

 In therapeutic cloning, tissues are created. Single cells are taken from a person and ‘reprogrammed’ to create stem cells. These cells have the potential to develop into any type of cell in the body in order to provide replacement organs or limbs.

In 2001, the Human Fertilisation and Embryo Act allowed the use of human embryos in stem cell research, using leftover embryos from IVF treatment. 

Many Christians feel that research into therapeutic cloning is against the will of God as it is unnatural. They argue that each person has individuality tampered with – we should not ‘play God.’

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Others would say that people have a God-given responsibility to care for creation and if therapeutic cloning would benefit humans then it is a good thing as long as it is strictly controlled.

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The Roman Catholic Church teaches that cloning separates the procreation of children from the sexual act and often involves the creation and subsequent destruction of a large number of fertilised eggs. This is against the Roman Catholic teaching on the sanctity of life.

Key words: Cloning: The making of a replica Reproductive cloning:Cloning which creates offspring Stem cells:Single cells which have the potential to be ‘reprogrammed’ to develop into any type of cell in the body.

Therapeutic cloning:A medical procedure where single cells are taken from a person or embryo and ‘reprogrammed’ to create stem cells which can be used in medical treatment.

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Attitudes to suicide Most Christians believe that it is wrong for a person to commit suicide, although they recognise that these people may have gone beyond the stage where they are able to make rational decisions.

Main facts:    -

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Suicide is when a person ends his or her own life. In the UK less than 1 in 100 deaths every year is the result of suicide.

In the past, suicide was considered a serious crime and the Christian Church treated it as a sin.

Christians might argue against suicide by saying: God chooses when people are born and when they die.

Suffering can bring people closer to God. Suicide is a form of murder, even if the murderer and the victim are the same person – and one of the Ten Commandments is ‘You shall not murder’.

Paul said the body was a temple of the Holy Spirit and so the body should be treated as a place where God lives, and should be respected.

Suicide is sometimes viewed as a mortal sin against the Holy Spirit which prevents the person entering heaven. In the past this meant that suicides could not be buried in consecrated ground.

Suicide is sometimes regarded as a selfish response which ignores those people left behind.

Remember: Most Christians believe that the right response to suicide is to be loving and forgiving.

People who attempt suicide should be helped to overcome the reasons which made them want to kill themselves. People who do commit suicide should be regarded with respect and understanding, not condemned.   

The Samaritans is an organization that was started in 1953 by the Rev. Chad Varah who was a Church of England vicar.

It provides confidential emotional support to anyone needing it – including those contemplating suicide.

The Samaritans is available to anyone, or any religion or note. The volunteers do not give advice or tell the caller what to do, but listen and help people to work out their own answers.

Bible quotes: Suicide

“Do not murder” (Exodus 20:13) “There is a time to live and a time to die.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-3a) “The body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

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Attitudes to euthanasia The word euthanasia comes from two Greek words: ‘eu’ meaning good and ‘thanatos’ meaning death. Literally it means a ‘good death’. There are different Christian attitudes and beliefs on what constitutes a ‘good death’ and whether or not the quality of life is more important than the sanctity of life.

Main facts:  There are different types of euthanasia: - Voluntary – someone chooses to ask for the ending of their life (also known as assisted suicide) - Involuntary – other people decide it would be best is someone’s life ends (e.g. coma).

- Active – action is taken to end someone’s life; for example a lethal injection might be given. This is illegal.

- Passive – treatment is withdrawn, resulting in death (debatable whether this is actually euthanasia)  The Roman Catholic Church is totally opposed to euthanasia and teaches that any act which deliberately brings about death is the same as murder. It teaches that ordinary treatments, such as feeding a patient, must always be continued, but that ‘extraordinary’ treatments, such as a complicated operation that is unlikely to succeed, need not be given. They do this applying the doctrine of double effect.  The Church of England has similar views to the Roman Catholics. It teaches that although the deliberate taking of human life is forbidden, there are strong arguments that people should not be kept alive at all costs when they are suffering intolerable pain. To allow someone to die may be the most loving thing to do and applies the Christian principle of agape.  The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) does not have a united view on euthanasia. For Quakers, what is important is that they do the most loving thing.  Many Christians support the hospice movement. Hospices care for the dying. They do everything they can to make a patient more comfortable, such as keeping severe pain under control (called palliative care). They try to give the dying patient a peaceful and happy end to life and aim to provide an alternative to euthanasia, believing that a ‘good death’ can be achieved without killing, if the patient is surrounded by care, love and support.  The acceptability of euthanasia revolves around the question of quality of life versus sanctity of life. Many Christians and non-believers would wish to consider the quality of life of the patient. Christians in particular would want to compare this with teachings about the sanctity of life: should a patient be forced to live even though they are in desperate pain which cannot be relieved?

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Remember: Euthanasia is related to suicide because it is about people choosing when and how a life should end. The difference is that euthanasia involves more than one person as the person is usually incapable of taking his or her own life.

Beliefs about the use of animals in medical research Many Christians would follow their individual consciences as to whether or not animals should be used in medical research. However, most Christians recognise that animals are part of God’s creation and should be created with care and not be hurt unnecessarily.

Main facts:   

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The Bible teaches that humans have a role of stewardship over the earth and should care for it.

In the past, animals were not considered as important as humans and many Christians do not believe animals have souls or can have a relationship with God. The Roman Catholic Church and Church of England both consider animal experimentation as an important method of testing for life-saving drugs but the animals must not be hurt unnecessarily.

In the past, medical experiments on animals have produced a vaccine for polio, assisted in the development of anesthetics and helped to produce drugs for the treatment of asthma.

Quakers are opposed to research on animals for trivial matters such as cosmetics but are divided on whether experiments should be done in order to save lives. They believe that to say you love God but then impose cruelty on his creations is a contradiction.

However, many Christians do not approve of using animals in medical research. They believe God made his covenant with animals as well as humans and that both humans and animals have the same origin in God. So, while many Christians would be happy to eat animals, they still believe that animals are God’s creation and should not be allowed to suffer.

St Francis of Assisi said that animals ‘had the same source as [himself]’. Therefore inflicting pain on any living creature is incompatible with living in a Christ-like way.

Remember: There are no specific passages in the Bible about animal testing but many Christians will refer to passages from Genesis about stewardship and dominion to support their opinions.

Bible quotes: The use of animals in medical research “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; 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 1:28) “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” (Genesis 2:15)

a) What is cloning? (1 mark) b) Give two types of euthanasia. (2 marks) c) How have Christian responses to suicide changed? (3 marks) d) Explain how Christians might respond to someone who wants to commit suicide? (6 marks) e) ‘God has a plan for everyone. We mustn’t interfere with Gods plan’. Discuss this statement. You should include different, supported points of view and a personal viewpoint. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. (12 marks)

a) What is euthanasia? (1 mark) b) Give two types of fertility treatment (2 marks) c) What is the sanctity of life? (3 marks) d) Explain Christian views on fertility treatment. (6 marks) e) ‘Abortion is murder’. Discuss this statement. You should include different, supported points of view and a personal viewpoint. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. (12 marks)

a) What is abortion? (1 mark)

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b) Give two reasons why a Christian might object to abortion. (2 marks) c) How would a Christian treat someone who is terminally ill? (3 marks) d) Explain Christian views on cloning. (6 marks) e) ‘Embryos have the same value as a human being’. Discuss this statement. You should include different, supported points of view and a personal viewpoint. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. (12 marks)

Christianity and Equality- Key words and terms

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Equality – Everyone should be treated the same, with the same dignity and human rights.

Prejudice – Thinking and believing that someone or a group of people are inferior to you Discrimination – Acting on the belief that someone or a group of people are inferior to you.

Diversity – Differences between individuals or in society.

Inter-faith dialogue – Discussion between people of different faiths.

Ecumenism – Different Christian denominations coming together to promote Christian unity.

Pluralism – All religions are valid paths to God Exclusivism – Christianity is the only route to God and salvation Inclusivism – All religions have some truths, but Christianity has the full truth.

Missionaries – Go abroad and carry out practical work to share God’s love Evangelism – Christians who believe it is their mission to share their faith with others.

Convert – Trying to convince people to change their beliefs to Christianity.

Racism – discriminating against people based on skin colour or race.

Gender – Male or female.

Forgiveness – accepting the apology of someone who is sorry for their wrong-doings.

Reconciliation – The ending of a feud – bringing together those who were once opposed.

Repentance – Being sorry for what has been done wrong.

Penitence – asking for forgiveness Sexism – Discrimination on the basis of gender.

Christian Teaching is opposed to all forms of prejudice and discrimination.   

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Creation God is the creator & Father of all people; people are made in God’s image and are all of equal value.

Good Samaritan Parable (Luke 10) Through this story Jesus teaches people to love one another and to look after everyone even your enemies and people of different races 1 Corinthians 13 (Love) Paul talks about what love is and says that it doesn’t anger and doesn’t show prejudice, by this he meant that Christians should love all people no matter what their race or background was.

Jesus frequently shows that you should respect and treat people equally of any race, religion or Sex. In his teachings he doesn’t discriminate against people and often tells his disciples to do as he does. e.g. he heals both Jews & no-Jews such as the officers son, he speaks to a Samaritan woman (people did not speak to Samaritans & Jewish men did not speak to women so he is breaking down racism & sexism in this case. Jesus taught to „love your neighbour as yourself‟

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Galatians 3:28 Paul taught „In Christ's family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal‟ showing that division on the basis or race, sex or social class was wrong.

Churches The Church of England has a Race & Community Relations Committee to address issues relating to racial discrimination. The Roman Catholic Church has The Catholic Association for Racial Justice which campaigns against racism.

Martin Luther King Martin Luther King was a Black American Baptist Minister who believed that all people were created by God and were, equal he campaign against racism in the USA by organising peaceful protests marches & speaking out against inequality, he made his famous „I have a dream‟ speech where he talked about his dream of a time when there would be no more racism. He was assassinated in April 1968.

South Africa & Apartheid Apartheid was a system in South Africa that saw the separation of black & white people and was enforced by law. Apartheid came to an end in the 1990s.

Many Christians who believed in the Bible‟s teaching about equality campaigned against Apartheid. Trevor Huddleston was a white vicar who lived in a black township, he organised non-violent protests & urged countries to boycott sporting & cultural links with South Africa until Apartheid came to an end. Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a black bishop who used his sermons & speeches to explain how apartheid was against Jesus teaching, he travelled to pursued other governments to help bring apartheid to an end.

He led non-violent protests & saw prayer as vital to seeing change.

“God does not show favouritism” Is another quote from the Bible which reflects the belief Christians have that God loves everyone equally.

“If there is an alien living in your land do not ill treat him” Is a quote that suggests prejudice and discrimination against people of different races or ethnic origin is wrong and that instead we should, ‘Treat others as you wish to be treated’.

Are all Religions Equal?

Christians try to always respect other cultures and beliefs. This fits in with Jesus’ teaching and the way he lived his life (He helped all people, Jews and non-Jews eg: The story of the Good Samaritan Luke ch 10).

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However because of their faith Christians believe that they are right, that there is one God and that Jesus was the Son of God. This means that Christians believe other religions to have got bits wrong (ie: their view on Jesus is wrong).

Therefore they are able to respect and appreciate other religions but at the same time believe that their way is the one true way. This is a view shared by all religions (eg: Muslims believe that Allah is the one God and Muhammad the true messenger and everybody else is wrong).

Christians believe in religious freedom i.e. everyone has the right to follow or not follow any religion.

However they believe that Christianity is the only religion that has the whole truth. Other religions may have elements of truth e.g. Muslims believe Jesus was born of a virgin & performed miracles but not the whole truth e.g. Muslims don‟t believe that Jesus was God. Jesus make a bold claim by saying “I am the way the truth and the life, nobody comes to the father expect through me.”

Jesus was claiming that he was the only way to God. Christians believe that all people sin (do things wrong) and that to know God & ultimately get into heaven you must be forgiven of your sin.

Christians believe that nobody is perfect and all people have sinned & that the punishment for sin is separation from God & eternal death. Being good is not enough; you need your sins forgiven.

Therefore according to Christians the only way to heaven is by having your sins forgiven which they believe they can achieve by believing that Jesus died on the cross in their place to take the punishment for their sin. A famous quote from the Bible in John’s gospel says: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”.

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Ethics

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Christianity, Peace and Justice - Key words and terms

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Just War Theory – Thomas Aquinas’ criteria for when a war is considered justifiable Pacifism – Belief that war and violence is always wrong Quakers – Christian denomination that are pacifists Justice – Bringing about fairness and appropriate punishment for wrong doings Social Injustice – A person/group of people being treated unfairly in society.

Retribution – The punishment fits the crime and the criminal pays for what they have done.

Reformation – A chance for the criminal to change their behaviour.

Protection – To ensure that society is safe and protected from criminals.

Deterrence – A way of putting people off committing a crime because of the fear of the consequences.

Capital Punishment – Another term for the Death Penalty Restorative Justice – This allows the victim to meet the criminal and question them. This allows the criminal to face up to what they have done.

Reparation – Seeking to repair some of the damage their crime as caused.

Liberation Theology – Christian idea that God has the power to change situations in the world that are unjust.

Key Key words: people: Artificial Suicide: Euthanasia Dominion: Adam – contracept :When Authority A gentle The ion someone or easy rule.

-first human Medicine ends death; his or Medical being who or devices her helping own research: was given which life. someone Scientific the task of prevent to die.

Sin: An act experiment stewardsh conception which sHospice: carried goes A ip of the Contracept against place out toand help earth dominion ion – The God’s where disease. over it. prevention wishes. terminallyStewardshi of patients ill Suffering: p: Looking pregnancy are cared Physical, after

by Francis for. using St mental or something of Assisi – artificial spiritual Palliative for Believed methods pain. care: someone Care that such as given else. to a animals condoms terminally had souls. or the pill ill patient or natural to help methods them die in such as the as much rhythm comfort as method or possible. withdrawal .

Natural contracept ion Techniques such as ‘natural family planning’

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