Christianity - Beliefs and teachings Flashcards
What does atonement mean?
The belief that Jesus’ death on the cross healed the rift between humans and God
What is a sacrament?
An outward sign of a blessing of God
For example, Baptism, Eucharist
Arguments for God
Miracles (water to wine/resurrection) Awe and wonder Personal experience God created the universe (Genesis) Many people are religious
Arguments against God
Scientific ideas contradict religion
Evolution
No evidence
Suffering in the world (earthquakes)
Evil and suffering
Natural Evil (suffering by earth) = earthquakes/diseases
Moral Evil (suffering by man) = murders/theft
What is the story of Job?
- God and Satan test Job
- Job is stricken with poverty, disease and the death of his family
- He remains faithful
- This shows Evil is a test of faith
List examples of Symbolism within Christianity
The Cross - ressurrection
The Crucifix - Crucifixion/Sacrifice
Candle - Jesus is the light of the world
The Trinity - “Father and I are one”
List examples of Symbolism in Islam
99 names of Allah
Qur’an is the word of God
Tessellating shapes and Calligraphy - used to show God
No images - seen as blasphemy
Creation
God made world in 6 days + 1 day rest
Literal view - God created world in 7 days
Non Literal view - God created the world, but not exactly how Bible stayed. For example, one day could equal 1 million years
Adam and Eve
Christians believe Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden of Eden. This explains suffering.
- God gave us free will so we can make choices
- people suffer because they make bad choices
Information on Easter
Lent is preparation for Easter = Remembers when Jesus went into the desert and was tempted by the devil
Ash Wed= “remember you are dust and to dust you shall return. Turn away from evil and follow Christ”
Mon= “ …Den of thieves”
Thurs = Last Supper “ this is my body”
Fri= the crucifixion “Forgive them they know not what they do”
Easter Sunday = resurrection is celebrated
Do you need holy buildings for worship?
Yes - “House of God”/Where community of believers can come together/Special furniture help to worship/Show God is worth time, commitment,money/Reflect Glory of God
No - God is omnipresent, not in a building/‘Church’ means community of believers, not place/Waste of money + could be spent on helping ppl “love thy neighbour”/Quakers don’t need, empty room will do
Symbols in Christianity
Stained-glass windows = depict bible stories + teaching aid
Crucifix = remind catholic of Jesus’ crucifixion
Cross = remembers resurrection, promise of eternal life, give ppl second chance
Icons = touch + kiss
Mary = Jesus’ Mother, birth was a miracle, intercesor - taking Catholic prayers to God
Should religious believers be allowed to wear whatever they want?
Yes = many items are symbols (Cross)/evangelising/proud of being a Christian/“catch men like fish”/break down prejudice, learn about faith No = Led to Prejudice + discrimination/‘pride’ is a deadly sin/religion should be implicit not explicit/items can be intimidating (Islam-Burkah)/safety hazard
What are the Christian and Islamic beliefs about death?
Christian = Ressurection/Heaven+Hell/Purgatory
Islam=Jannat - Paradise, lush gardens/Jahannam - Hell, fire + torture
Heaven is a place w/ God
Hell is a place away from God
Catholic and Muslim - Funeral Service
Catholic = mass/poems/Hymns “Lord is my Shepherd”/prayers for deceased + family/eulogy - words before departed/ Committal “ashes to ashes...”/ cremation + burial/wake - gathering after service Islam = Shahadah (decl. of faith)/Qur’an prayers/wash body X3/mourning days X3/Imam lead prayers/ buried within 24hrs/only men attend
