Year 9 Religion and life issues: Revision Religion and Planet Earth How did life begin? a) Science: Big bang theory, Evolution theory. b) Religious creation: Genesis 7 day story in the Bible, Hindu creation- Vishnu & The cobra c) Stewardship: Humans look after the planet Future s thinking: Look after the planet for future people Wonder & Awe: God created an amazing & wonderful world. Environmental problems: Global warming & Climate change Pollution eh. Oil spills/ acid rain Destruction of natural habitats eg. deforestation of the Amazon Use & abuse of natural resources: Oil & gas running out Modern living: Things we do to cause problems: eg. Wasting electricity, wasting food, too much car use, eating fast food. How to look after the world: International agreements, treaties and Earth Summits eg. Kyoto conference: Conservation: protecting the environment eg. Set up national parks. Sustainable development: Use solar & wind energy, take public transport or cycle instead of driving. Buddhist: Destruction of the natural world caused by greed & ignorance. Do not harm animals. Be a vegetarian. Destroying the environment is bad Karma. Christian: Should not destroy God s creation. Stewardship means looking after God s creation. When we die, we all face God s judgement for damaging our planet. Many Christians are involved in Conservation work. Allah created the universe- so we should respect it. Muhammad (pbuh) gave an example of sometimes not washing before prayers to save water. Muslims are Khalifah (Stewards of the planet) Ummah means community- the entire planet is a community.
Religion and Early life When does life begin? Conception- when sperm meets the egg? When the baby starts kicking? At birth? When it can survive on its own? When its heart beats? Why people want children: Carry on religion and family name, is part of marriage promise, to show love, they like children. Why people don t want children: Too expensive, not married, too young, can t as infertile. The law on abortion: Has to be agreed by two doctors, has to be done by a doctor and no later than 24 weeks. It s illegal except if: There is danger to the mother s health- physical or mental. The foetus will be born disabled. The other children in the family will be badly affected. Pro-life argument: Against abortion because: All life is sacred God created life Abortion is murder. Aborting someone disabled is wrong as can t judge its quality of life. Foetus is defenceless Pro-life organisation: Pro-life.org.uk: Wants to preserve right for life: Has a website, runs campaigns and petitions and lobbies government to change the law on abortion. Pro-choice argument: Supports rights of women to choose if they want an abortion. Women should choose to have an abortion if they want. It s cruel to give birth to some disabled foetuses. If a Women s life is in danger, she should have an abortion. Abortion should be allowed for rape and incest. The foetus cannot survive outside the womb so it s not a human being. Pro-choice organisation: Abortion rights: set up to allow women to get abortions more easily. It has a website, holds marches and meetings and lobbies government. Quality of life argument: Should disabled foetuses be aborted: Yes: prevents suffering and discrimination, foetus would have no independence, allows parents to enjoy their life. No: How can we decide the quality of life? Many disabled people have an amazing life eg. Para-Olympians, Stephen Hawkins. Christianity: Roman Catholics are against abortion. Protestants sometimes accept it as a necessary evil. Life is sacred. All life is created by God. Not killing is one of the 10 commandments. Humans cannot destroy Allah s creation.
Allah decides when we are born and when we die. We are born from a clot of blood. Muslim law allows abortion in some cases eg. Rape. As soul enters foetus from 40 to 120 days an abortion must be carried out before then. Religion and Prejudice Prejudice: bad or negative belief or thought about a group Discrimination: act to carry out prejudice. Types of discrimination: jokes and insults, violence & murder, bullying, not employing people Reasons for prejudice: Bad experience, upbringing, media, ignorance, fear scapegoating, think they are superior. To avoid prejudice: belief in tolerance, Justice Fairness, living a community with harmony. Types of prejudice: sexism, racism, ageism, disability discrimination, looks & lifestyle, religious discrimination eg. Islamophobia & anti Semitism, homophobia. Effects of discrimination: Bad: emotional stress, mental illness (suicide and self-harming), isolation, injustice, assault and murder, work discrimination. Good: Positive discrimination eg. Recruiting more black people into the Police, community campaigns and action eg. Stephen Lawrence, makes people stronger, people learn from Martin Luther King & Gandhi Anti-discrimination laws: 1976 Race relations Act. Racist abuse and publications are illegal. Law monitors ethnic minorities in schools and Justice system. Same sex couples Act 2013- made gay marriage legal. Groups fighting discrimination: FARE- Football against racism in Europe- Kick it out: show racism the red card. Stonewall: Justice and equality for lesbian & gay men. Both have websites, teaching resources for schools. Famous people promote them and runs campaigns. Christianity: All discrimination is wrong. In the Bible God created everyone equally. In everything- do unto others what you would have done to you. Love your neighbour The story of the Good Samaritan. Allah s designed all the differences between us. Allah created everyone different but equal. The Five pillars are for all Muslims eg On Hajj all Muslims wear white. Muhammad (pbuh) allowed a black African man to lead the call to prayer at Medina Qu ran: Allah loves the fair minded.
Homophobia: All religions are against discrimination against gay people. Many religions are against gay lifestyle and gay sex because children are not naturally produced. Sexism: All religions are against sexism but in some religions women are encouraged to dress differently or have different roles in the family. You can t be a catholic priest if you are a woman. Famous religious people who fight discrimination: Martin Luther King- Christian who campaigned against racist segregation in the USA. Led marches and demonstrations, gave speeches and got laws changed. Gandhi: Indian Hindu leader who campaigned against British rule. Carried out peaceful marches and boycotts eg. Salt march. Religion, War and Peace Key words: War: Armed conflict between sides Peace: Not fighting, living in harmony. Justice:- fairness Sanctity of life: all life is special and sacred. Types of war: Between countries Civil wars- different groups fighting within a country Terrorism: eg. 911 Holy war: War fought for religions eg.crusades. In Isla called lesser Jihad. (Fight as a last resort) Just war: To fight a war for justice and human rights. Eg. To stop Hitler in the Second World War. Rules of a just war: in self-defence only, clear aims, not harm civilians must result in peace. Modern war & WMDs (weapons of mass destruction). WMDS= nuclear, biological, chemical and radiological. Nuclear weapons: For: Discourages wars (deterrent) no world war since 1945. Everyone is equally strong that has nuclear weapons. Against: Hiroshima: was morally wrong because of death and destruction. They cost too much money. Terrorists could get them. Peace & Pacifism: Victims of war are supported by organisations like the Red Cross. Pacifists oppose all wars. eg. Quaker Christians. In wars pacifists help out as medics. Ghandi opposed all violence and campaigned for peace between all religions in India. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German Christian who spoke out against Hitler and Nazi human rights abuses. He helped Jews escape the Holocaust and tried to help to assassinate Hitler to stop the war.
The United Nations & NATO promote peace and the UN gives aid to civilians in wars and sends troops to keep peace in wars. Buddhism: First precept is not to harm others. He should not kill a living being. Peace can exist if everyone respects all others - Dalai Lama. Christianity: The Bible: Those who live by the sword, die by the sword. Love your neighbour. If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other cheek. Hate your enemy mildly, for he may become your friend one day. Fight in the cause of Allah. - but do not transgress limits. If they (the enemy) cease, let there be no hostility. Mohammed (peace be upon him) Muslim greeting: Salaam alaikum (peace be upon you)