GCSE RE Revision & Homework Booklet 2

Transcription

1 GCSE RE Revision & Homework Booklet 2 Exploring creation and our place in the world Name: Topic: Our world Exploring Creation and our place in the world Religious beliefs, practices, values and traditions Religious practices and teachings about: Creation stories and their meaning Using talents Place of humankind in the world Purpose of humankind in the world Stewardship issues in terms of current exploitation of the planet Animal rights Care for the world and the environment Example of a religious individual or community using talents for care of the planet Human experiences and issues How did the universe begin? How can we use our talents? Why should we use our talents? Why are we here? What makes us human? How should we use natural resources? How should animals be treated? Why should we care for the world? Key concepts creation dominion environment humanity stewardship Our World Key words Humanity Soul Intelligence 1

2 Morality Language Creation Creation story Be fruitful/multiply In God s image Big bang Evolution Literalist Non-literalist Dominion Stewardship Khalifa Fitrah Ummah Deforestation Pollution Recycling Chico Mendes Talents Animal rights Vegetarian Past Exam Questions: 1) Explain what religious believers mean by the term Stewardship? [2] 2) Explain Christian teaching about stewardship. [4] 2

3 3) Describe the teaching about looking after the world in one religious tradition. 4) Believing that the world was created is not in line with modern knowledge. Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. You must include reference to religious beliefs in your answer [8] 5) What are the differences between a religious view of creation (or the beginning of the universe) and scientific views? You may answer from any religious tradition. [6] 3

4 6) Religious creation stories have no value in a scientific world Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, sowing that you have thought about more than one point of view. You must include reference to religious beliefs in your answer [8] Example Answers: a.) State two ways people can care for their environment [2] any from; Recycling, Turning off wasted energy Not dropping litter Behaving in a responsible way towards all living things Sponsoring wild life Giving to charity Planting tress b.) Explain what religious believers mean by the term Stewardship [2] Stewardship is the Christian responsibility to care and look after God s Creation, out world and all living things in it. c.) In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. [Genesis 1:11] Explain what is meant by the word created. [4] The word created here means, God s creation. Christians believe that God created the world for a purpose. God planned his creation; he planned and designed all he made. The world and living things in it were not made by chance or by accident. 4

5 d.) Explain why many religious believers consider it important to care for animals. [4] Religious believers follow the teachings found in their holy books. Christian look in the Bible and Muslims look in the Quran. It their holy books religious people are taught that animals are part of God s creation and therefore humans have the responsibility of caring for them as they are God s appointed Stewards and Allah s khalifahs, guardians of the planet. To care for animals is to show respect for God. Religious people believe that it is their duty to care for animals on behalf of God. We share the planet with animals and progress in science has shown that animal and human existence is intertwines. e.) Describe two examples that show how believers care for the world. You may answer from one or from two religious traditions. [6] (i) Name of religious tradition: Christianity: Christianity teaches that humans are God s chosen stewards having responsibility for caring for God s created world. So they try to stop pollution, care for all plants and living things. They have the power as they have dominion over the animals and care for things by looking after them. They should work with nature and show respect for it. Christians believe they are worshipping and showing respect to God by caring for the world. (ii) Name of religious tradition: Islam: Muslims believe that Allah made them the world and all that is in it. So Muslims believe it is their duty, they are Khalifah s, guardians of Allah s creation. They use their talents and intelligence to look after the world and care for the environment. By looking after the world Muslims are showing obedience to Allah Muslims believe they will asked questions on judgement day about how much they have done for the world. f.) Humans beings are more than just bodies Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. [6] I agree with this statement because humans do have more to them than just their bodies made of flesh, bones and blood. They also have a social, emotional and spiritual natures which help them in their lives. Religious people such as Christians and Muslims believe that humans have a soul which is immortal and lives on after death of the body. Christians believe the soul is made in the image of God. It is the soul that has the relationship with God. Humans also have a conscience which gives them morality, letting them know the differences between right and wrong. On the other hand some humans do not have any religious views or beliefs about humans at all. They believe that all you are is a body that will die and decompose. They do not believe that anything else happens to them. More example answers: 1. ) State two influences on people that affect their character, attitude and values. [1] Religious beliefs [2] Their personal background and upbringing. 2.) Christianity and Islam teach that human beings are special and unique. How are we different from other living things? We have intelligence which is the ability to think and reflect; to apply knowledge and learning; to reason. We have morality which is the sense of right and wrong values. We have language, the ability to write/read languages; use of learned languages. 3.) Explain what religious believers mean by the soul? The part of human nature that is not just physical. The part of humans that will live on after the body has died. A reflection of the image of God in human beings. The spiritual aspect of human nature that affects the real you. The part of humans which allows people to relate to God and worship. 5

6 4.) Explain what religious believers mean by the term revelation? Christians believe that humans are created in God s image; are capable of religious behaviour and beliefs; having a conscience; in possession of a soul. 5.) What responsibilities do Christians and Muslims have to their planet? Christians are Stewards according to the book of Genesis in the Bible. This means they must look after the planet for God. Muslims (Islam) are to act as khalifahs or guardians of the planet for Allah. 6.) Describe the teachings about looking after the world in one religious tradition. Name of religious tradition: Islam Name of religious tradition: Christianity: Muslims believe that Allah made the Christian believe And God said to them, world and everything in it. Humans Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth are seen as the most important, and and subdue it; and have dominion over the understood to be khalifahs, or trustees, fish of the sea and over the birds of the as it says in Surah 6:165 He has made air, and also over everything that moves you his ruling agents in the earth. It is upon the earth. (Genesis 1:28) They also therefore humanity s responsibility to believe that God put man in the Garden of maintain the pattern and balance in the Eden to till it and keep it. (Genesis 2:15) world. To do this requires humans to Christians also believe that God is still working actively use their skills to look after within his creation. So they respond in thanks such the environment and not allow it to be as in worship at Harvest. Christian feel they have spoiled. Islam regards this as very given the responsibility as Stewards to look after important, and humans will be and care for the earth and the environmentquestioned about their caretaking for Stewardship. Allah on the Day of Judgement. 7.) Describe the beliefs from one religious tradition about the world and the purpose of human beings. Christian believe God created the earth and that humans are given the job of being stewards for God. they also believe it is each person s responsibility to do good to others. Love your neighbour as yourself. 6

7 8.) Believing that the world was created is not in line with modern knowledge. Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. I do not agree with the statement, although I do understand why some people may make such statements. The reason I disagree is that religious views about the beginning of the universe do not necessarily try to explain the practical details, but more the purpose and reason. So, Christians who believe God created the world are actually underlining four key things: 1.) That everything was created by God. 2.) That life s beginnings were not accidental. 3.) That humans are different from animals. 4.) The world is basically good. Likewise, scientific views try to explain the mechanisms and processes, but are only hypotheses based on current evidence and knowledge, and are open to being re-written later on when more or knew knowledge becomes available. As such, they are not as certain or authoritative as some would believe. Of course, there are those who believe that scientific knowledge and understanding of the world has displaced most of traditional religious views on creation. They are convinced that studies and research give sufficient evidence to reject religious views. So the ability to study things in microscopic detail, ant to collate all the information gathered using modern technology, raises serious questions for them about religious creation stories and beliefs. However, I feel that religion and science need not be seen to be in conflict. Once a person realises that they are answering different kinds of questions, we can find they both have something to offer to our wider understanding of our universe. I do not, though, accept that belief in creation is either out of step with modern knowledge or an indication that a believer is not willing to take account of modern scientific research and investigation. 9.) What does the word dominion mean? kingship or being the boos over something. The Bible story of creation says humans were given dominion over the world and its creatures and for most of them it means being in charge of the world for God. 10.) What agencies person/s have worked to help the environment and our world? Greenpeace United Nations Save the whale World Wild life trust 11.) What do Christians believe are the main purposes of humans on earth? Man has responsibility for God s creation. Humans should respect and look after his creation. Humans have been given by God dominion over the planet, they are in charge. 12. ) What is stewardship? Humans have been put in charge of the earth and should look after it on behalf of God. They have responsibility and authority but are answerable to God. 13.) What are the differences between religious and scientific views pf creation? Religious God created the world in 6 days, finally creating humans who should lock after the world. Scientific Big Bang theory. (world created by a large explosion billions of years ago) Humans evolved from apes which in turn had taken millions of years to evolve. 7

8 14.) Explain the difference between a literal and non-literal view of the Bible creation stories. Literal view- believes the main points of the story actually happened exactly as described accepting it word for word. Non-literal view doesn t accept the story word for word, but does accept its meaning that God did make the world on purpose, and that there is a special relationship[ between God and humans. 15. Jesus said to love God first and then your neighbour where the two greatest commandments. Explain how Christians believe theses commandments might work out in everyday life. Loving God means you are more likely to obey hid rules (e.g. 10 Commandments). This means you aren t likely to steal, tell lies, cheat on your partner, murder etc. If you love your neighbour as yourself, you are likely to respect other people and care for them. This means there should be no hatred / violence / abuse / towards other people. There should be less poverty because people would share what they have with those in need. E.g. Sir John Templeton, The Iona community, Mother Teresa. 16. State two things that show Christian believe that they are made in the image of God. Humans have a soul they are spiritual beings. Humans think for themselves and have moral values ( sense of right and wrong) Humans pray to God and think about religion. 17. Humans are not just physical, so religion ought to be an important part of everyone s life; without religion life can never be very fulfilling. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. I agree because I disagree because. Agree: Most religions teach about the spiritual side of human nature and that following merely physical needs and desires can never be truly fulfilling. For many, religion and worship gives their lives focus and direction; the religious experience of many confirms this. Faith and prayer has been found to stimulate courage, motivation and determination. Disagree; It is simply not true to say that non-religious people do not find fulfilment. Many people found it through their work, family, friends or hobbies. Strength and courage can be found within every human being, this has been demonstrated by many people who have overcome huge odds in the face of adversity ( very difficult circumstances) without having religious convictions at all. 18. State two things humans have or do not have that make them different from other animals. Intelligence - the ability to think, learn, apply knowledge, the ability to reason. Morality a sense of right and wrong. Language the ability to read, write and communicate. Humans were created in God s image, they have religious beliefs, souls and a conscience. 8

9 19. And God said behold I give you every plant yielding seed which is upon the face of the earth, and every tree with its fruit, you shall have them for food. Explain how some people might see this as a strong case for being vegetarian. (not eating any meat) There is no reference to killing animals for food it implies that fruit is for food; there was great variety in God s provision for food There was no need to eat meat as well; we know today how good crops / plants / fruit / vegetables are for healthy bodies this must be what God intended; we know today that certain meats are dangerous to health (think of the salmonella poisoning, mad CJD disease etc.) However this quote is only one small part of the Bible story; elsewhere in the Bible animals are killed and eaten; Jesus himself ate meat and most Christians today are happy to eat meat. 20. What is the Muslim teaching on caring for the world. Allah created the world and everything in it. Humans are the most important part of Allah s creation. Humans are Khalifa s (Guardians) of the planet. They must use their talents to look after the environment and not allow it to be spoiled or wasted. They will be asked questions about their care taking role and on Judgement Day. Muslims must care for and respect animals blood sports are forbidden, and they have certain rules to follow when killing meat for food, so that the least possible pain and distress are caused. Mankind should submit to the will of Allah, follow His laws to bring justice, peace and happiness into his world. The greatest Commandment. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all you soul, and with all your mind. Love your neighbour as yourself. The Golden Rule Treat other people are you want people to treat you. Then God said, Let us make main in our image..and let them have dominion over the fish and the sea, and the birds of the air, and over all the earth.. Genesis 1 :26 Explain how this dominion might be used in a harmful way? Pollution, deforestation, ozone depletion / CFCs; over fertilisation, nuclear waste dumping, acid rain, intensive farming or mining, over fishing, hunting animals to extension. Explain how these ideas of dominion and responsibility might go together. Dominion should not be seen as domination; rather it should be understood in terms of stewardship being in charge of something on behalf of another and this brings with it a sense of responsibility. 9

10 All religious should be involved in animal rights.. Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer showing that you have thought about more than one point of view Agree: All religions express concerns about poor treatment of animals and teach that living things should not be harmed; most religions acknowledge that humans have a responsibility towards animals; so much information is available now about the cruelty of animal testing and its effects, the cruelty of factory farming etc. that no-0one should ignore it. Disagree; People don t have to actively be involved e.g. taking part in demonstration they can show they care in other ways, e.g. not buying health products and beauty products that are tested on animals buying free range eggs, etc. Sometimes animal experimentation is necessary e.g. for medical research. Sometimes we pay more attention to animal right than to human rights, and neglect humans who are dying of starvation etc. top spend money campaigning for care of animals. Consider also that in the modern world it is not necessary to eat meat to survive so killing animals no matter how humanely it might be done is both unnecessary and wrong. We should show consideration for God s/allah s creatures. 10