Revision Guide on Animal Rights Examples and ideas I can use in my test. Focus = Christian attitudes and views towards animals. Christians believe animals are NOT equally important to animals. Animals are inferior to humans but his does not give us the right to mistreat them. Christians view animals as part of God’s creation. They believe part of their duty, as stewards of creation, is to protect animals, not expolit them. Christians may agree on the use of animals for medical experiments, but would insist on humane conditions/many oppose test for make-up, etc. Many Christians campaign against animal cruelty or start organisations:
The RSPCA was started by Rev. Arthur Broome in a Christian response to animal cruelty. The Anglican Society for the Welfare of Animals (ASWA) also works to protect animal rights. The Assisi Declarations - religious leaders met together and put together a vision about animal welfare.
You have had 6 lessons this term below. The bold italics is the syllabus below. Highlight anything you are not confident about, particularly if you were away. Answer 2 questions in each box in your exercise book. 1. Religious beliefs about the origins of life; religious views about the nature of Planet Earth.
2. Religious views on animal rights and the means of protecting those rights; religious responses to the preservation of species from extinction.
3. Issues concerning meat and vegetarian and vegan diets and why religious people might choose to be vegetarian.
a. Describe Christian beliefs about creation and attitudes towards animals b. Explain and give 3 examples of stewardship.
a. Name 3 ways Christians might be able to protect animal rights. (Use a quote below to support your answer) b. Give 2 reasons why more species are become extinct.
a. Give as many reason why some religious people are vegetarian. (Use a quote below to help). b. What is the difference between a vegan and a vegetarian?
4. The slaughter of animals, farming of animals, including free range and factory farming.
5. The contemporary use and abuse of animals including: wild animals, useful animals, animals in sport and the ivory and fur trade.
6. The use and abuse of animals including: animal experiments, genetic modification and cloning of animals.
a. To what extent are animals different to humans? b. What is a Christian response to the slaughter of animals and factory farming?
a. Give examples 4 of the ways animals are used and abused through the examples above. b. Explain why should a Christian attitude be of compassion towards animals? (Use quotes below)
a. Explain the difference between genetic modification and cloning of animals. b. What is a Christian attitude towards cloning of animals? (Use quotes below)
Choose and learn at least 3 short quotes you can use in the test. “God wants us to help animals, if they need help” St.Francis of Assisi “The world and all that is in it belongs to the Lord.” Psalms, The Bible “I am putting you incharge of all the fish, birds and wild animals.” Genesis, The Bible “God cares about even the sparrows.” Jesus, The Bible “God placed humans in the garden to cultivate it and guard it.” Genesis, The Bible “Do not destroy trees” Deuteronomy, The Bible
Know all the key words from the exam board. They could come up in your test. Test each other. animal experiments Testing on animals, either for medical or cosmetic purposes, to ensure that the product is safe for use by humans. animal exports The selling of animals to other countries. animal rights The belief that animals have a dignity just as humans do and should be given care and protection. Assisi Declarations Statements about the need to protect animals and the environment made on behalf of the different major religions. bull fighting Associated in particular with Spain, matadors fight bulls (and eventually kill them) to entertain the crowds. cloning The scientific method by which animals or plants can be created which have exactly the same genetic makeup as the original, because the DNA of the original is used. compassion A feeling of sympathy that makes one want to help. creation Belief that God created the universe and everything in it. extinction When all members of a species have died out and that species will never exist on Earth again. factory farming When animals are used for meat or dairy products, but are kept indoors in very small spaces. hunting The chasing of animals to kill them, which may be done for food, protection or human pleasure. genetic modification Plants and animals that have had their natural make-up altered by scientists. natural habitats The places where species of plants or animals live in the wild pesticides Substances (poison) used to destroy insects and pests that attack crops. preservation Look after the environment and life in order to keep it safe. pressure groups Collections of people outside government who campaign for changes in society. stewardship The idea that believers have a duty to look after the environment on behalf of God. vegan A person who will not use any animal product. vegetarianism The belief held by people that do not eat meat. vivisection The cutting up of animals for scientific experiments. zoos Places in which wild animals are kept to display to the public.
Practice Exam questions. (a) What is factory farming? (1 mark) (b) Give two reasons why many religious believers are against the fur and ivory trade. (2 marks) (c) ‘Religious believers should not eat meat.’ What do you think? Explain your opinion. (3 marks) (d) Explain the attitudes of religious people to experiments on animals. Refer to religious teaching in your answer. (6 marks) (e) ‘Animals are not as important as humans.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. Refer to religious arguments in your answer. (6 marks) ACTIVITIES – Use the following web sites to research the syllabus and particularly religious views. www.bbc.co.uk/ethics/animals/ www.animalaid.org.uk www.animalethics.org www.animalsuffering.com/religion.html