Origins Of Humans Flashcards
Describe Catholic Beliefs About Imago Dei
-Imago Dei means ‘in the image of God’ and was taught to Catholics in Genesis, “Let us make mankind in our image.”
-Catholics believe that God has made us uniquely like Him which gives humans a greater status in creation.
-It signifies that humans possess similar mental, moral and social qualities to God showing that He has chosen humans and made them special.
-Catholics also teach that Imago Dei shows that God has given humans a purpose- to reflect God’s nature and character.
Explain Catholic Beliefs in Humanity as Created Imago Dei
-Catholics believe that God has made us in His image, so believe humans are sacred as only they have a God-like soul.
In Genesis, Catholics are taught, “God breathed into him the breath of life.” This shows that Catholics that humans have a special relationship with God as He has made us in His image and given us a soul.
-Therefore, humans are unique as God has only made us like Him and chosen to give us life through the Spirit. As a result, Catholics believe that human life is holy and should be preserved.
How are Catholics Influenced by Belief in Imago Dei
Catholics believe God has made humans uniquely like Him so reject the use of abortion.
-Therefore, they believe life should be preserved from conception to the moment of natural death.
-This is because only God can take life since we are a reflection of His nature.
Explain Jewish Beliefs About Humanity as Created Imago Dei
-Jews believe that humans are created in God’s image so are set apart from the rest of creation.
-In Genesis, Jews are taught,” Let us make mankind in our image,” which shows that God has made us uniquely like Him in a mental, moral, and intellectual nature.
-Therefore, humans also differ from other animals in their self-consciousness and their capacity for moral reflection and growth.
- In turn, Jews believe that humans have authority over the Earth as God has chosen us to be special and like Him.
How are Jews Influenced by Belief in Imago Dei
-Jews will take care of the planet and not to abuse it.
-This is because, although we have been given authority, God has created the planet.
-Therefore it is our duty to protect it as He has specially made us to do so.
Describe St Catherine of Siena’s Teaching About Being Made in the Image of God.
-St Catherine of Siena teaches that it is through the goodness and love of God that we have been created in His image.
-She wrote, “By His creation she is in the image of God … for by love you created her.”
-She compares this to someone looking in a mirror- “in the gentle mirror of God, she sees her own dignity.”
-This describes how recognising the ways we reflect God helps us to recognise our own dignity.
Describe St Catherine of Siena’s Teaching About Conscience
-St Catherine of Siena teaches that the mirror helps us see our own faults, “she sees as well her own unworthiness.”
-By recognising the goodness of God in our own souls, we can recognise the blemishes of our own sinfulness even easier (our conscience).
-This helps us to learn how we can share God’s love with each other as we each see a reflection of Him in ourselves.
Describe Catholic Teachings About the Sanctity of Life
-Catholics believe all human life to be sacred because they believe humans are made in the image of God.
-God said, “Let us make mankind in our image,” which teaches Catholics that all humans have an innate dignity because He has made us like Himself.
-Therefore, from the moment of conception to natural death, all human life should be protected.
How are Catholics Influenced by the Sanctity of Life
-Catholics believe that all human life is sacred.
-Therefore, they will oppose actions such as euthanasia.
-Instead, they will suggest palliative care so that the person can die with dignity as God has made life sacred.
Describe Jewish Teachings About the Sanctity of Life
-Jews believe human life to be sacred because God is creator.
-One of Maimonides 13 principles of faith is “God alone is creator.” Therefore, only He has the power to give or take life.
-This teaches Jews life is sacred because He is the giver of life, “God formed man from dust and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.”
-However, all Jews are committed to Pikuach Nefesh which means putting aside a mitzvot to save a life. This shows that preserving life is placed above following the mitzvot.
How are Jews Influenced by the Sanctity of Life
-Jews believe God alone is creator so it is God alone who can take life.
Therefore, Jews will oppose actions such as abortion because only God can take life.
-However, because of the commitment to Pikuach Nefesh, some Jews may allow abortion.
-This will only be in some circumstances if it means saving someone’s life such as if the mother is at risk.
Describe the Theory of Evolution
-Evolution is a theory created by Charles Darwin which describe the changes in species over time. He observed that all species have a common ancestor so have come from simpler life forms.
-Over millions of years, species have then developed and gone extinct dependant on their ability to survive against new threats.
-Darwin proposed, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, it is the one that is the most adaptable to change.”
-As a result, animals in the modern day are linked to their ancestors but have adaptions to survive. Evidence of this comes from fossils.
Describe Catholic Beliefs About Evolution
-Catholics believe evolution is God’s continuous creation through natural processes. This process changes our bodies but our souls remain the same.
-Pope Benedict XVI said, “We are not some meaningless products of evolution each of us is the result of a thought of God.”
This shows that evolution is not random, but God’s will. Therefore, human life has a purpose so is sacred as it is made by God.
-Hence Catholics believe that there is no contradiction between evolution and evidence of a creator God- “there is no conflict.”
How are Catholics Influenced by Evolution
-God is the reason to the ‘why’ of creation and evolution is the ‘how’.
-Hence, Catholics may contribute to the further development of science.
-They believe science and religion can work together so more Catholics may go into scientific sectors to help both religious and scientific ideas grow.
What is the Strength of Catholic Teachings About Evolution
-Catholics provide a convincing argument because God often acts over long periods and through processes.
-For example, the 9 weeks in childbirth which allows a foetus to develop and grow into who God has made us.
-Therefore, science does not only explain the universe’s origins as God is the uncaused causer who creates through processes to allow things to develop as He wants.
-This is rather than the universe being a random creation which is hard to think about due to the world’s immense detail and intricate parts.
