Religion And Life Flashcards
(39 cards)
Beliefs about the creation of the universe
Christians believe there is an beginning and that it needs an explanation.
Most Christians believe God created the universe out of nothing.
A small number of Christians (process theologians) believe God moulded existing stuff/matter.
Christians believe God is the creator. Down the centuries, theologians have devised instruments to support this. For example, in the 13th century, Thomas Aquinas explained the Cosmological Argument. Everything had a cause but there has to be a first uncaused cause. Or in the 18th century, William Paley explained the Design Argument. The universe shows evidence of design, there is evidence of regularity (e.g. tides) and purpose (e.g. the fins of a fish) - these show a mind is behind creation.
Many Christians use the book of Genesis to explain how God created everything. - ‘In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth’
The actual creation of the universe - what did God do?
Day 1: God said ‘Let there be light.’ He called the ‘light’ day and the darkness night.
Day 2: God made the sky
Day 3: God formed the seas and the land, covering the land with vegetation and plants
Day 4: Go’s created the lights in the sky - the sun, moon and stars
Day 5: God made fish and other animals in the sea, and birds in the air
Day 6: God finished by creating all of the animals on land and by making humans. He made humans in his own image
Day 7: God rested on the seventh day and made it holy. He was very pleased with his creation because it was good.
Does the Genesis story of the creation of the universe really happen? What do people believe actually happened?
Some Christians believe that the creation stories describe exactly how the universe was created. Fundamentalists believe that every word in the Bible has been inspired by God and is therefore correct.
Some believe that everything was created in six days, but others intérêt ‘day’ as representing a longer period of time. It could, for example, mean twelve hours of daylight, or a long indefinite period of time.
However, liberals regard these accounts as more like parables or symbolic accounts where the main message is that God brought into being the universe. These Christians might look into science to help them understand how God did this.
Beliefs about the Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang Theory suggests that the universe started with a small, hot and dense something which expanded over the next 13.8 billion years.
Christian beliefs about the value of the world
Christians believe God has made it all: ‘In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth”
We have been given the earth as a priceless gift by the grace of God.
The world must be connected in some way to God, its creator. There is something of God revealed through nature. Thomas Aquinas once gave the example of a bull and it’s urine. The two are separate but they are connected as the bull makes the urine, it demonstrates something of the health and well-being of the bull. So too, we can find God in the beauty of nature - because God has made all of what we see.
Christians believe God has intentionally created everything with a purpose. We are here because God made all the factors necessary for creation be exactly in place.
God has a purpose for us too. In the book of Psalms,the writer wonders what this purpose might be: ‘What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?’
Definition of Stewardship
The idea that believers have a duty to look after the environment on behalf of God.
Beliefs about stewardship
Christians believe that God has given humans the privilege of living on Earth but with the responsibility of looking after it. There is only one Earth and cannot be replaced.
Adam, the first man as given the task of looking after the Garden of Eden. Christians believe that people have been appointed by God to respect and manage the world. In return, we are able to use what is provided for our survival.
Many Christians believe they will be accountable to God concerning how well they look after Earth - “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Genesis 2
Dominion definition
Power over something
Beliefs about dominion
In order to manage the Earth, Christians teach that humans were given the power and authority to rule over the world.
“God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in numbers; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’”
Pollution definition
Making something contaminated and dirty, especially the environment
Different forms of pollution
Air pollution - caused mainly by fumes from factories and vehicles. Long term, it can lead to asthma attacks, lung cancer and other diseases. It also causes global warming, climate change and acid rain.
Land pollution - caused by the disposal of waste. When chemicals enter the earth, this can poison wildlife, make farming less efficient and result in contaminated food.
Water pollution - caused by dumping waste into the sea. It can have an effect on marine life.
Pollution puts the health of humans, animals and plants at risk.
Pope Francis says human life is grounded in our relationship with God, with our neighbours and the created world.
What do Christians believe about pollution?
“The Earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” - Psalm
“Every human act of irresponsibility towards creatures is an abomination” Christian statement in the Assisi Declarations on Nature
Christians believe the world is on loan to humans who have been given the responsibility by God to look after it.
The parables of the talents/bags of gold warns that When God returns he will judge how responsible people have been.
Polluting the world is not good stewardship, as God’s creation is being abused.
Pollution also harms people, so it is not ‘loving one’s neighbour’ or considering future generations. They therefore believe they must help to protect the natural world from being harmed by pollution.
The use and abuse of the environment
The Genesis 1 creation story repeats several times ‘and God saw that it was good.’ This indicates that creation does not exist just for what humans can get out of it, but has its own unique value in God’s eyes. God gave permission for people to rule over his creation in a way that sustains and protects the environment.
Natural resources have been provided for people to use but not abuse or future generations will suffer. As the world’s population increases, demand for natural resources is getting greater so it is becoming increasingly important to encourage sustainable development. Non-renewable resources are running out and new methods of obtaining gas for energy (such as fracking) are causing a lot of controversy.
Use of resources
Engineers report that we have enough oil left for about 40 years at the current rate. Once used, it is gone forever.
The problem of deforestation is also important. Forests are being cut cod now fast to make the land available for other uses or to provide timber
Renewable energy sources
Scientists are developing alternatives to fossil fuels that allow us to generate electricity through wind, wave power and the sun. However, wind turbines only generate power when the wind blows and some people believe that they spoil the landscape. Wave power needs more research and is currently very expensive and solar power is only generated if the climatic conditions are right. While renewable energy sources can theoretically give us unlimited energy, in practice there are currently a number of problems with them, which is why conserving energy is so important to Christians and non-Christians.
How can Christians help the environment?
Walking, cycling or using public transport instead of the car
Selecting products that don’t have a lot of packaging
Turning off lights that are not being used
Reusing bags when shopping
Donating second hand clothes, toys and furniture to charity shops
Recycling waste
The Assisi and Ohito meetings
Leaders from five different world religions were brought together in 1986 by the World Wildlife Fund, to celebrate its 25th anniversary. They met in Assisi (Italy) to discuss how their faiths could and should help to care for the environment. Another meeting in Ohito (Japan) in 1995 brought together religious leaders and environmental scientists.
At these meetings, Christians said that being in charge of creation does not give people the right to abuse, spoil waste or destroy what God has made, as humans are only the tenants of God’s world.
Quotes of the use and abuse of the environment
“The dominion granted to man by the Creator is not an absolute power. “ - Pope John Paul (1995)
“If Christians believe in Jesus they must recognise that concern for climate change is not an optional extra but a core matter of faith” - Anglicans
The Evangelican Churches made this statement (it supports environmental problems but states poverty must be addressed first) - “We recognise that poverty forces people to degrade creation in order to survive, therefore, we support the development of just and free economies which empower the poor.”
The use and abuse of animals
Christians believe that animals were created by God for humans to use and care for. Many believe God values animals but that humans are more important because they were created in the image of God and gave souls.
There are a variety of views today:
Some people think animals do have souls, although Christianity has not traditionally acknowledged this. Animals can have souls and yet not be equal spiritually to humans, whilst others think, animals and humans do have equal value despite the Genesis: ‘God made man in his image.’
The Bible teaches that animals are to be treated equally: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treating out the grain” “The righteous care for the needs of their animals.”
How we make use of animals?
Transport Sport Pets Clothing Entertainment (circus, horse racing, zoos) Experiments on for drugs and general products Food Safety
Animal experimentation
Scientists test new products on animals to check that they are safe for humans to use (e.g. Medicine and cosmetics). Normally if it is safe to use with chimpanzees, dogs or rabbits, it is likely to be safe for humans.
For example, Ryan Wilson in 2006 was a volunteer in a drugs trial. The drug had already been tested on an animal and there were no effects. But Ryan reacted so badly, he was in a coma for two weeks, lost all his toes and the top of some of his fingers
Testing cosmetics on animals was banned in the UK in 1998 and most Christians support this. Other type of animal testing have been reduced as scientists have developed other methods such as using computers or cell culture. Most animal experiments are on mice or rats. Nowadays, Christians generally support limited animal testing. They believe all human life is sacred and should be treated with respect , using animals to develop new drugs may save lives.
In contrast, Hinduism teaches that all living creatures have souls and all deserve to be protected. It has to be balanced with the belief that some animals might contain a soul from our ancestors. Many humans believe cows are sacred animals and so no experiments are permitted on a cow.
Should Christians eat meat?
According to Romans 14:2-3, Christians have the choice to be meat-eaters, vegetarians or vegans. They should also be sensitive to the beliefs of others about what they wish to eat.
“The one who eats everything [meat] must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must it judge the one who does, for God has accepted them.”
Most Christians eat meat, as do around 90% of people in the UK.
The origins of human life
Genesis 1 states that God created humankind in his image: “So God created mankind in his own image, he created them male and female.”
Genesis 2 describes how God breathed life into Adam and how Eve was created as his companion.
The Bible is the Christian holy book. The issue arises do Christians have to regard the Bible as literally true?:
- Literalists - believe it is the absolute word of God. Genesis describes how God created all the species of each kind including humans. There is no reference to creatures changing or evolving.
- Conservatives - believe God has created us all but that the Bible may need interpretation in relation to modern scientific thought.
- Liberals - believe God has initiated creation but that the process is 12.8 Ben years so far and that Genesis is a poetic expression of this.
What does science say about the origins of human life
Charles Darwin in his book explained the theory of evolution. According to the theory of evolution, humans evolved over millions of years from other animals on land. Scientists have discovered bones from several different extinct species, which they claim are possible ancestors of the human race. Humans are thought to have started evolving about 2.5 million years ago
