The Difference between Religious and Non-Religious Worldviews

Question 1

compare the response of ONE religious and ONE non-religious belief system to: (Christianity)
– the human person

Answer 1

• Both Christianity + Humanism believe human person is of supreme value, whilst also having communal or social responsibilities
• however, this is based for Christians on ‘all made in the image + likeness of God’ (Gen 1:27), thus all humans must be shown dignity + respect as well as authentic freedom to reach their full potential
• Both have an ethical code = Christianity ethics = Bible e.g. Beatitudes + 10 Commandments
• as such required to care for other human beings e.g. Salvation Army = Christian
• Christians have a model for the ‘ideal person’ in Jesus Christ, = embodiment of a ‘perfect’ human being
  = is the model for how to live a moral + ethical life e.g. helping the poor + accepting marginalised
• their actions + decision making = driving force = revelation of God (Mt 22) + hope for eternal life = affect human behaviour
• Christians do not condone euthanasia = based on the Word of God (Ex 12:13)
• Christians believe the human person is loved by God + has been saved by his Son, + will receive eternal life by acknowledging his death for their sins

Question 2

compare the response of ONE religious and ONE non-religious belief system to: (Humanism)
– the human person

Answer 2

• Humanists, like Christians, believe each person is worthy of dignity + respect + are entitled to inalienable human rights
• both have an ethical code: Humanists = based on e.g. those in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights or 10 Humanist Commandments
• as such required to care for other human beings e.g. Greenpeace = Humanist
• For Humanists = believe are members of a species that has evolved a rational mind which can discover how to live as a good person, without a higher power like Christianity does
• Like Christians, humanists have role models, in other human beings e.g. Fred Hollows who cares + values the rights of each human
• their actions + decision making are based on free will + the mindset that they are the captain of their souls –> thus based on logic, reason + QOL rather than divine word of God –> driving force = improving QOL as humans are at the top of the hierarchy
• e.g. Humanists accepts euthanasia as believe humans are the master of their fate

Question 3

compare the response of ONE religious and ONE non-religious belief system to: (Christianity)
– social responsibility

Answer 3

• Both Christians + Humanists hold strong views on social responsibility + community involvement.
• Both place emphasis on making a contribution to help world become a better place + improve QOL for all ppl
• Christians believe that all humans have free will + must be allowed freedom to make just choices in accordance with the will of God
• Many Christian social welfare groups e.g. St Vincent de Paul + the Salvation Army help those less fortunate e.g. refugees + the poor = each indiv given support + comfort - As Christians regard human beings as a part of creation + made in ‘image of God’ = place value + feel socially responsible to care for each indiv
• hence Christians mimic gospel values e.g. being like Good Samaritan
• Some Christian groups = been criticised for placing too much emphasis on concerns of the afterlife = neglecting needs of people in this life
• Christians live in response to communal beliefs drawn from outside the human sphere = why care for others
• Both Christians + Humanists regard accumulation of excess possessions as harmful, particularly in the face of the deprivation of others
• e.g. a baptised Christian, initiated into belief system, will attempt to live life according to God’s instruction e.g. assuring the preferential option for the poor

Question 4

compare the response of ONE religious and ONE non-religious belief system to: (Humanism)
– social responsibility

Answer 4

• Both Christians + Humanists hold strong views on social responsibility + community involvement.
• Both place emphasis on making a contribution to help world become a better place + improve QOL for all ppl
• Humanism through secular organisations e.g. World Vision + Red Cross, contribute to making life a better place for all indivs
• As Humanists have no belief in the afterlife, unlike Christians, they place a larger emphasis on the contributions made in this life
• Humanist motivation = more centered on idea that the earth is the env of human beings = therefore must be sustained in order for human life to continue
• e.g. have a large focus on env + preserving it so that irreversible damage is avoided = humans can continue to live + prosper
• Humanists e.g. Fred Hollows + Tim Flannery, helping others + preserving env = emphasise Humanists value of social responsibility
• Humanists contributes to society because believe it is positive for humans based on human experience
• Both Christians + Humanists regard accumulation of excess possessions as harmful, particularly in the face of the deprivation of others
• The Council of Australia Humanist Societies lobbies for humanist viewpoints + for human rights

Question 5

compare the response of ONE religious and ONE non-religious belief system to: (Christianity)
– the concept of the transcendent

Answer 5

• Christianity = based on belief in God, a transcendent being who exists outside of + beyond the human
• Christians believe that God is the source of creation + it is God who gives meaning + purpose to life
• Christians believe = important to worship God + obey His commandments in order for humans to be happy in this life + eternal life beyond death - live a good life for the afterlife
• Christian views e.g. heaven, hell, judgement contrast Humanist views
• Some groups within Christianity don’t accept scientific views of the origin of the universe e.g. evolution, while many do accept evolution while retaining a belief in
  God as the source of creation
• The purpose of human life can be found in sacred texts, celebrated in rituals + explained by clerics
• Examples that prove concept of transcendent: Apostle’s Creed, ‘I believe in God Almighty, maker of Heaven and Earth’ and the Nicene Creed, ‘We believe in one God, the Father Almighty’ and the belief in the Holy Trinity
• Theists embrace the challenge of accepting the existence of the transcendent, + of god’s agency in human society
• Theists = argue that the transcendent nature of God is a mystery that should be embraced
• believe have capacity of the human mind to expand when in contact with divine agency

Question 6

compare the response of ONE religious and ONE non-religious belief system to: (Humanism)
– the concept of the transcendent

Answer 6

• Do not believe in a God: believe that the human person is the highest form
• believe in living their best life to leave a legacy
• Humanists think that: this world + this life are all we have, hence reject the notion of the transcendent
• Secular humanists believe that once a person has died their life has ended + there is no continuation of their life in any form = clear contrast to the Christian view of eternal life beyond death
• Secular humanists accept only the scientific view of evolution w/o any reference to God/religious dimension
• Secular humanists align themselves w/ some scientists who believe that creation was a spontaneous event without any motivation or cause e.g. Big Bang Theory
• Humanism is said to be an unbiased search for truth, as all statements must be put to the test before accepted as truth + all claims are backed w/ evidence
• All beliefs are founded on rationalism not a higher power, divine word/revelation, sacred texts
• Atheists (or humanists) argue that there is no evidence of God or of a transcendent aspect to reality
• Therefore, belief in a higher power than humanity
  actually limits human autonomy
• personal behaviour, moral + ethical frameworks based on preferred outcomes + social responsibilities than it does to give responsibility for this behaviour to religious institutions