God, Life and Death Revision Guide

Transcription

1 God, Life and Death Revision Guide Key Concepts AFTERLIFE - A belief that human existence continues after death. GOD The ultimate and supreme power given worship. AWE A sense of wonder in relation to God s creation or presence. REVELATION The ways in which God chooses to reveal himself to people. SYMBOLISM A representation of an idea through actions or images. COMMUNITY - A group of people who are joined together because they share something in common. Specialist Language Atheist someone who does not believe in the existence of God. Agnostic A person who believes it is not possible to know whether or not God exists / that proof of God is beyond human knowledge. Monotheistic believing in one God. Faith belief in God without proof Lord Used to describe Jesus as equal with God/ruler of the world and heaven/the one who directs or guides a believer s life. Redeemer Used to describe Jesus as the one who pays the ransom price to set others free/the bringer of forgiveness/the one who gives eternal life. The Existence of God Arguments For 1. Order, design, beauty and purpose in the world points to a creator/designer. 2. The world must have begun from something. God was the creator. 3. Humans are different from all other animals. This is the result of some divine. 4. So many people say they have experienced or felt God it can t all be nonsense. 5. To say you do not believe in God because you do not see him is foolish. We cannot see love or electricity but we know they exist. Against 1. If there is a God why is there suffering in the world? 2. People invented God to give them comfort in times of difficulty. 3. Science has proved the Bible wrong about many things 4. If there is a God why does he not answer our prayers? 5. The universe was not created, it has always been. 6. Where is the proof? How can we believe in something we cannot see?

2 What is God like? - Christian Ideas Perfect, personal, creator, loving, omnipotent (all-powerful), omnipresent (in all places) omniscient (all-knowing), un-changing, infinite, sustainer, holy, judge. The Trinity Christians believe in one God but think that God has 3 aspects Father, Son (Jesus) and the Holy Spirit/Ghost. The Father - the caring side but like a father will punish if his children go astray. The Son God in human form showed God s love by dieing for our sins. Holy Spirit Living force of God s power in the world. Explained by H2O can be experienced in 3 ways (gas, liquid, solid) but is only 1 substance. Symbols and Images Cross A reminder to Christians that Jesus died so that people s sins can be forgiven and that Christians can be saved from death and have eternal life with God. Candle Jesus called himself the light of the world Jesus spiritual light in the world /shows the good (light) getting rid of the bad (dark). Fish ICTHUS (greek for fish) reminds Christians of the important characteristics of Jesus Jesus, Christ, God, Son, Saviour. What is God Like? Islamic Ideas Allah Oneness of Allah tawhid - not made up of parts as declared in the shahadah (declaration of faith), all- powerful, all-knowing, eternal, and infinite, creator of all things according to his plan. God cannot be fully understood so is given 99 names that Muslims believe reveal different ideas about Allah s nature. Requires submission and obedience. Symbols and Images God cannot be fully understood so is given 99 names that Muslims believe reveal different ideas about Allah s nature. Drawing images of Allah is forbidden as it could lead to people worshipping the picture. So symbols can be helpful as gentle reminders of Allah. The crescent moon and star is used to show the Islam guides people through life just as the stars did in the desert and the also lights there way through life as the moon did. The crescent moon also symbolises how Muslims belief in Allah will grow How do people Experience God? Miracle Act of kindness Worship Prayer An inner feeling Reading sacred books Natural beauty and wonder How do people respond to God? Prayer and worship Acts of kindness Preaching and teaching Vocation Pilgrimage Changing Life style Service and commitment

3 Death, the Afterlife and Funerals Think about the ways that funeral services reflect the belief in an afterlife and how they help those left behind. Christianity God knows when our life ends, our body dies but our soul does not die. When Christians die they will be judged by God on the way they have behaved. If they have tried to lead the life God want and believe in him they will be rewarded with heaven, if they are truly sorry for any wrongdoings then they will be forgiven. Those who are not sorry will be punished traditionally in hell. Some Christians now think that hell is not being with God and heaven is to be with God. This eternal life with God is possible because Jesus gave up his life so humanities sins can be forgiven. Jesus resurrection proves that death is not the end. Jesus will come back at the end of time and bring everyone back to life. Christian Funeral The vicar will take the service in the church. The service starts with a Bible reading I am the resurrection and the life (John 11) as Christians believe in eternal life after death. The coffin is placed in front of the altar Hymns will be sung, Bible readings given and prayers said. Prayers will be said for the deceased on their journey but also for the family left behind. Eulogy few words about the life of the deceased. The body can be cremated or buried. The committal the body is buried again Bible reading that tell of eternal life are given. Holy Communion may be taken by Roman Catholics. A gathering after the service to talk and share memories of deceased. Memorials, gravestones are put up. Islam Akhirah is the Arabic name for life after death, and is the 3 rd most important belief. The Qur an is where the teachings on the afterlife are found. After the body is buried it will stay in the grave till the Last Day. Angel of Death will take the soul to barzakh- a place where the soul will wait till the Judgement Day. On the Last Day everyone will be resurrected and reunited with their soul to go before Allah to be judged. Allah will judge them on how they have followed the Qur an and the way they have treated Allah s creations. Those who have done mostly good will go to paradise (Jannat) to be close to Allah for eternity.

4 Allah will forgive those who are truly sorry. Those who are not will go to hell (Jahannam) to be purified, when their soul has been cleansed then they can go to paradise. Muslim Funeral The Shahdah (declaration of faith) is whispered into the ear of the person dying. The funeral will take place within 24 hours if possible. After death the body is washed 3 times (like when preparing for prayer) to prepare for Allah. The body is wrapped in a plain white shroud and placed in a simple wooden coffin both to show everyone is equal after death and before Allah. Usually only men attend the funeral, as it is considered to distressing for the women. The Imam will lead prayers at the mosque and the graveside Bodies are never cremated as Muslims believe there will be a bodily resurrection on the Last Day. Bodies are buried facing Makkah ready for this resurrection. Passages from the Qur an are read. Grave stones are very simple rather money is given to the poor. Big displays of grief are not encouraged as the death is part of Allah s plan, and the person is returning to Allah so this should not be a sad time. However grief is natural and 3 days of mourning is permitted. Is Religion of Value in a Secular Society? Secular Society This refers to a way of life in countries where the way the country is governed or peoples general way of life are not linked to religion. Secular means nonreligious. Yes Religious belief is timeless and will always be relevant to the believer. Religion can bind people and communities together. Religion has often inspired courage and self-sacrifice. Religion provides guidance on how to behave. It promotes good rather than bad values. Many religious charities. Can give people support and meaning to their life. No Few people worship in Britain today. Education and government are not lead by religion. Importance of holy days (eg Sunday) have been overtaken by material needs. Many people ignore the rules of religion anyway. Society has changed since holy books were written. People are more interested in other things. After death the body is washed 3 times

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