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| What does the Bible teach about abortion? | • There is no direct teaching on abortion in the Bible; Christian attitudes can be based on the biblical principles of sanctity of life and the uniqueness of the foetus. • The Bible teaches that humankind is made to resemble God, so human life is unique (Genesis1: 26). • The sixth commandment is ‘Do not commit murder’ (Exodus 20:13); for many Christians this means that all taking of human life is wrong – including abortion. • When Jeremiah was called by God to be a prophet he was told ‘I chose you before I gave you life’ (Jeremiah 1:5). God knows everybody from the moment they are conceived. • This is supported in the New Testament: ‘For as soon as I heard your greeting, the baby within me jumped with gladness’ (Luke 1:44) |
| “Abortion should be available on the National Health Service in Northern Ireland.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer | Northern Ireland has no adequate abortion legislation and needs the same laws as the rest of the UK. • Thousands of young women travel from Northern Ireland to England for an abortion each year making a farce of the current law. • Access to safe, legal abortion is every woman’s right. • Abortion is a lesser evil than forcing a woman to have a child she does not want or cannot care for. • A religious minority should not impose their opinions on the rest of society. On the other hand: • The UK abortion law has been widely abused and there is virtually ‘abortion on demand’. • Making it difficult to obtain an abortion could make a woman think very carefully about whether it is the right choice. • The NHS should not carry out procedures which many people in society view as immoral. • Many doctors and nurses in NHS hospitals would be unhappy at having to carry out abortions. |
| Give reasons why some people are prejudiced towards those of a different race or nationality. | • Ignorance and misunderstanding of the culture and customs of those of another race. • Fear and suspicion of those from different ethnic backgrounds. • Fear of change in communities. • Some people have been brought up with prejudices learnt from their parents. • ‘Scapegoating’ – wanting to blame others for problems in society, such as unemployment. |
| What can Christians learn from the Bible about prejudice? | • In Genesis, humankind is created in the image of God; all humans share a spiritual likeness to God. • In the New Testament, Paul taught that race, colour and national identity were irrelevant in the church. • Jesus seemed to be in favour of racial equality; in the parable of the Good Samaritan, a member of the hated race helps a man in need. • Jesus broke the barriers of sex and race by talking to a Samaritan woman. • Jesus also showed no prejudice when he healed the servant of the Roman Centurion. |
| The Christian Church does not do enough to challenge prejudice and racism in society.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer | • Christians believe in one God, the creator of humankind; Christianity teaches that any discrimination based on physical differences is wrong. • The church should be putting this teaching into practice and be at the forefront of those working to bring harmony to a divided society. • Churches should follow the example of Jesus who himself broke down barriers of gender, race and religion. • In the past, some of the key people campaigning for equality have been Christians (for example, Martin Luther King) so churches today should follow this example. On the other hand: • Many people in society today are not Christians and would not look to the church for moral guidance. • We live in a multi-cultural society where the church’s voice is just one among many; community groups would probably have more of a role to play than the church. • Some people would accuse the church of discrimination (for example, attitudes towards women) so the church may not have a lot of credibility on this issue. |
| Some people are in favour of voluntary euthanasia. Outline some of the arguments to support their point of view | • Human beings should not be kept alive against their will. • A sick animal is not left to die slowly and painfully, so why should humans be treated in this way? • Voluntary euthanasia can put an end to a person’s suffering quickly and humanely. • Voluntary euthanasia can shorten the grief and suffering of a patient’s loved ones. • If the law was changed, doctors could help terminally ill patients to die without fear of legal consequences. |
| Describe the “Just War” theory. | • The ideas were developed by Thomas Aquinas and are still used by Christians today. • The conditions are as follows: 1. The war must be declared by a legal authority. 2. The cause of the war must be just. 3. The war must be a last resort. 4. The principle of proportionality must be observed. 5. The war must have a reasonable chance of success. 6. Only sufficient force must be used. |
| Explain why some Christians are pacifists. | • The life and teaching of Jesus support a pacifist approach to life. • If killing is wrong, then war must be wrong as war is basically a matter of killing. • At his arrest, Jesus said ‘All who take the sword will die by the sword’ (Matthew 26:52) • In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus taught that violence should not be repaid with more violence (Matthew 5:39) • Some Christians believe that in wartime their efforts should be in helping the wounded rather than killing the ‘enemy’. |
| Outline the biblical teaching on stewardship. | • At creation God put humankind ‘in charge’ of the other things he had created (Genesis1:26-28). • This idea is reinforced in the psalms (Psalm 8:6). • In Exodus 23:10, the Israelites are told to let their agricultural land rest every seventh year. • Animals are to be cared for: ‘A good man takes care of his animals but wicked men are cruel to theirs’ (Proverbs 12:10). • In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught how God shows concern for all creation, even small birds and wild flowers (Matthew 6:26-28). |
| Explain what some Christians believe about animal rights. | • All creatures are part of God’s creation and therefore deserve respect. • Animals have the right not to be abused or treated cruelly by humans (for example, they should not be used in a laboratory for cosmetics testing). • Many Christians are concerned about blood sports, factory farming and circuses – they believe animals have the right not to be treated in these ways. On the other hand: • Humans are the only species created to resemble God, so they are the only species that has rights. • The official teaching of the Roman Catholic Church is that animals do not have a soul and so do not have ‘rights’ as such. • However, even though animals do not have rights, humans have a God-given responsibility to look after them. |
| Describe some of the reasons why many couples today choose to live together rather than get married. | • They may have been put off by a bad experience of marriage in the past. • They do not want to make a commitment, or do not feel ready to do so. • Nowadays, there are no financial incentives to marry (the government recognises ‘common law’ relationships for tax or benefits). • The couple cannot afford to get married. • Perhaps legally they cannot marry (one of them is already married; same sex relationship) |
| Explain how Christian teaching can help a couple in their marriage. | • Marriage is the correct place for sex; Jesus taught ‘The two will become one’ (Mark 10:8) • Marriage is a commitment and the couple should stay together no matter what happens; Jesus spoke against divorce (Matthew 5:32) • The marriage bond is exclusive; there is to be no adultery (Exodus 20:14) • Marriage should be permanent and last a lifetime; Jesus taught ‘Man must not separate, then, what God has joined together’ (Mark 10:9) • Paul taught that wives are to submit to their husbands, who are to love their wives as much as Christ loves the church (Ephesians 5:22-25) |
| Explain why a Christian couple would decide not to have sex until they are married | • the Bible teaches that sex should take place within marriage – (Genesis 2:24) • waiting until marriage for sex avoids the risk of an unwanted pregnancy or STI • people can become emotionally hurt by having sex in a relationship which is not a life-long commitment. |
| “Roman Catholic priests should be allowed to get married.” Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer. | • there is a decline in the number of young men who want to become priests; they may be deterred by the commitment of celibacy • being married would give priests better experience of the difficulties of marriage and family life • Protestant churches allow clergy to marry and they are still respected. On the other hand: • to be a priest is a very special calling from God; being celibate sets a priest apart from the rest of the community • being celibate shows that a priest is really committed to the priesthood • a celibate priest is able to devote more of his time and energy to his parish; he does not have the divided loyalties of a wife and family. |
| What can Christians learn from the Bible about caring for the world? | • God created people to look after the planet, not to destroy it – this is the idea of stewardship • at creation God put humankind “in charge” of the other things he had created (Genesis 1:26–28) • this idea is reinforced in the psalms (Psalm 8:6) “The world and all that is in it belong to the Lord” (Psalm 21:1–2) • in Exodus 23:10, the Israelites are told to let their agricultural land rest every seventh year. |
| Explain how local churches can show responsibility for the environment | • churches may follow the practical example given by Jesus in his ministry; Jesus became involved in the society around him, so Christians could lobby the government on environmental concerns • churches can lead by example, such as being actively involved in recycling, sustainable energy alternatives or schemes to clean up part of the local environment • church leaders can encourage members of their congregation to take environmental issues seriously and examine their own lifestyles • churches can support groups working in the developing world, trying to encourage sustainable lifestyles and a better standard of living (e.g. Tearfund, Christian Aid). |
| “Christians have a responsibility to be concerned with animal rights.” Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer. | • animals are to be cared for: “A good man takes care of his animals but wicked men are cruel to theirs” (Proverbs 12:10). • in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught how God shows concern for all creation, even small birds and wild flowers (Matthew 6:26–28) • following the example of famous Christians (e.g. St Francis of Assisi) it is important to show kindness to animals • practices such as vivisection, cruel sports and factory farming are wrong; Christians should take a stand against them. 6447.01 11 Section A AVAILABLE MARKS On the other hand: • we live in a world where many people have to endure living conditions far worse than those of our animals, such as starvation and homelessness; Christians should be more concerned about the rights of disadvantaged people • animals do not have souls; only humans are made in the image of God • some Christians would argue that although human beings have a responsibility to treat animals decently, animals do not have rights in the same way people do |
| Describe how some people are disadvantaged in society today. | • disability: some disabled people face discrimination in employment • economic inequality: poor people are not just those living in the developing world; many people in our society live in poverty • sexism: some people believe that women are still not treated equally to men in our society • ageism: many older people in our society are looked down on and face discrimination • racism: this is becoming a particular problem in Northern Ireland as people from many different races are choosing to live here • religious inequality: many people may feel they are treated unfairly because of their religious beliefs. |
| Give some reasons why people are in favour of abortion. | • it is a woman’s right to choose what happens to her body • every child should be a wanted child • there may be special circumstances, such as a pregnancy which is the result of rape or incest or a very young girl becoming pregnant • there may be medical considerations – the physical or mental health of the mother may be at risk, or there may be foetal abnormalities • women need access to abortion in order to achieve social and economic equality with men. |
| Explain what is meant by the terms “active” and “passive” euthanasia. | • euthanasia means “a gentle and easy death”; it is sometimes called “mercy killing” and involves the premature death of a person who is terminally ill and in pain • “active euthanasia” is when the patient asks someone to help them die; for example, a doctor may be asked to deliberately cause death through an overdose of pain killers • “passive euthanasia” is when a person does not directly take a patient’s life; they are allowed to die through the withholding of treatment, and/or nourishment. |
| Why do so many marriages end in divorce? | • pressures of modern living – debt, depression, unemployment – can weaken the marriage bond • health problems, infertility and sexual problems can cause some marriages to fail • adultery; lack of commitment to one person for life • alcohol and drug abuse; gambling • domestic violence • unrealistic expectations about being married • couples marrying too young or for the wrong reasons (e.g. unplanned pregnancy). |
| Explain how divorce affects all members of the family | • the couple themselves – one or both partners may experience depression, financial insecurity, awkwardness with shared friends or limited contact with their children • the children – loss of contact with a parent, less money in the family, a lone parent who has to work longer hours, possible separation from a sibling, feelings of guilt • the grandparents – feelings of resentment towards former son/daughter-in-law, possible separation from grandchildren, blaming themselves for not doing more to help • some may focus on more positive aspects of divorce, referring to situations where family members were suffering prior to the divorce. |
| Describe some difficulties faced by minority faith groups. | • prejudice and discrimination, as many people are ignorant or misinformed about their faith • open hostility, for example, “Islamophobia” – a hatred of Muslims as many people believe them responsible for terrorist attacks on western society • practical problems, such as a lack of religious buildings or having to travel long distances to attend worship • lack of opportunity to celebrate religious festivals and observances; employers may be unsympathetic about time off work • the school syllabus and assemblies might be inappropriate and unsympathetic towards children of minority faith groups. |
| Explain how Christians can show respect to people of other religions. | • many Christians feel it is important to work for “inter-faith understanding” and celebrate diversity in society • all the main churches here are involved in a range of activities aiming to bring about inter-faith dialogue; there is emphasis on Christians being involved with people of other faiths without trying to convert them • Christianity teaches that it is important to get on with your neighbour; this involves learning about other cultures and trying to promote a more harmonious society • some Christians may be involved with the Northern Ireland Inter-Faith Forum, an organisation which aims to promote understanding between different faiths • support and defend minorities when they witness prejudice/discrimination • practical ways – love, befriend, get to know them and their culture and customs. |
| Explain why some Christians are not in favour of euthanasia. | • the Bible teaches that taking the life of another person is wrong (Exodus 20:13) • the idea of the sanctity of human life – only God has the right to decide when a person’s life should end • following the example of Jesus, Christians should support measures to care for the sick and dying. |
| “It is my right to decide when I want to die.” Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer | • some people now make their wishes about medical care known in an Advanced Directive; patients should also be able to request euthanasia in these documents • in a civilised society, people should be allowed to die with dignity if that is their wish. On the other hand: • if Euthanasia was legal, then some vulnerable people, like the elderly or disabled, may feel under pressure to choose euthanasia • doctors also have the right to care for patients, rather than being forced to go against their beliefs and perform euthanasia • however great the suffering a person is experiencing, they should consider the family and friends they are leaving behind. |
| Describe the Just War theory | • the ideas were developed by Thomas Aquinas and are still used by Christians today. The conditions are as follows: • the war must be declared by a legal authority • the cause of the war must be just • the war must be a last resort • the principle of proportionality must be observed • the war must have a reasonable chance of success • only sufficient force must be used. |
| What can Christians learn from the Bible about war and peace? | • the life and teaching of Jesus support a pacifist approach to life • the Bible teaches that killing is wrong, therefore war is also wrong • at his arrest, Jesus said “All who take the sword will die by the sword” (Matthew 26:52) • in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught that violence should not be repaid with more violence. |
| “The world would be a better place if more people were pacifists.” Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer. | • on a global scale, there would be less wars and therefore less killing and damage to buildings and resources • more public money could be spent on education and healthcare than supporting the military and buying weapons • if more people were pacifists then there would also be less fighting and aggression in the local community, and everyone would benefit. On the other hand: • there are always examples in the news of violent and aggressive attacks by one country on another; the only way to stop this is by armed conflict • pacifist methods – peaceful demonstrations, strikes, sanctions, etc. – are not immediately effective • sometimes dictators need to be challenged; pacifism would not have worked against Hitler or Saddam Hussein, for example • in the Bible, God gives his approval for wars to be fought; this shows that armed conflict can sometimes be justified. |
| Outline the Christian teaching on marriage. | marriage is sacred and ordained by God; Jesus taught “The two will become one” (Mark 10:8) repeating God’s words from Genesis • marriage is a commitment and the couple should stay together no matter what happens; Jesus spoke against divorce (Matthew 5:32) • marriage should be permanent and last a lifetime; Jesus taught “Man must not separate what God has joined together” (Mark 10:9) • Paul taught that wives are to submit to their husbands, who are to love their wives as much as Christ loves the church (Ephesians 5:22–25). |
| Why are some people in favour of capital punishment? | • a person who takes the life of another deserves to forfeit their own life • it is cheaper than keeping a person in prison for life • other people will be deterred from committing similar crimes • society is protected from a dangerous criminal re-offending • the Bible allows capital punishment for murder. |
| Explain what the Bible teaches about repentance. | • everyone deserves a second chance; the Bible teaches that God will forgive those who repent • Matthew 18:21–35 – Jesus taught in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant that a person who is genuinely sorry can be forgiven • Luke 15:11–32 – Jesus’ Parable of the Lost Son teaching that although the son did wrong, when he repented his father forgave him • repentance and forgiveness are key teachings associated with the death and resurrection of Jesus. |
| Describe some of the causes of racism in society. | • some people have been brought up with racist opinions, learnt from their parents • sometimes people try to blame others for their problems, such as unemployment, and pick on those who are of a different race or nationality • some racism is the result of ignorance and misunderstanding about the culture of others • a person may have had a bad experience with someone of a different race which leaves them with a negative impression. |
| Explain what the Bible teaches about prejudice. | • in Genesis, humankind is created in the image of God; all humans share a spiritual likeness to God • in the New Testament, Paul taught that race, colour and national identity were irrelevant to the church • Jesus seemed to be in favour of racial equality; in the parable of the Good Samaritan, a member of the hated race helps a man in need • Jesus broke the barriers of sex and race by talking to a Samaritan woman • Jesus showed no prejudice when he healed the servant of the Roman Centurion. |
| Describe some of the ways in which people are harming the earth. | • making no effort to reduce the amount of fossil fuels used; using the car when not really necessary, for example • being irresponsible with rubbish disposal and littering • wasting energy by leaving electrical equipment running or lights left on • not making enough effort to reduce waste and recycle where possible • buying goods from overseas when locally produced items are available. |
| Explain why some Christians are against experiments on animals. | • the Bible teaches that animals are to be cared for: “A good man takes care of his animals but wicked men are cruel to theirs” (Proverbs 12:10) • experiments on animals are cruel and unnecessary and go against the biblical idea of stewardship (Genesis 1:26–28) • animals have the right not to be treated cruelly and animal testing involves suffering and pain • however, humans have rights that animals do not have. Animals can be used in the laboratory if humans will benefit, for example testing new medicines • animals can be used responsibly for the benefit of humans; we are the only creatures made in God’s image. |
| Explain what the Bible teaches about caring for the environment. | • at creation, God put humankind “in charge” of the other things he had created (Genesis 1:26–28) • God created people to look after the planet, not to destroy it – this is the idea of stewardship • this idea is reinforced in the Psalms (Psalm 8:6) • in Exodus 23:10, the Israelites are told to let their agricultural land rest every seventh year • Christians can follow the example of Jesus who took an active interest in issues concerning the society of his day. |
| “There are more important issues in the world than protecting the environment.” Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer | • we live in a world where many people have to endure starvation, homelessness and human rights abuses. The rights of disadvantaged people are more important than the environment • war, conflict and fighting between nations are another important issue • issues of human relationships, such as prejudice, racism and discrimination need to be addressed before environmental issues. On the other hand: • caring for the environment is vitally important as the earth is our home • God created the world so we should look after his creation • we have a duty to protect the environment for future generations. |
| Why do some people think euthanasia should be allowed? | • everyone has the right to decide how and when they should die; they should not have to travel overseas adding further stress to a difficult situation • if the law was changed, doctors could legally act on a patient’s desire to die without further suffering • euthanasia can quickly and humanely end a patient’s suffering • euthanasia can help to shorten the grief and suffering of the patient’s loved ones • the law in the UK already acknowledges that a person can take their own life with the Suicide Act of 1961. |
| Explain what Christians mean by “sanctity of human life”. | • people are made in the image of God • God has a purpose for individuals • only God has the right to decide when life should end. |
| A religious faith can help a person cope with serious illness.” Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer. | • there is hope of life after death • a religious faith can help a person die with dignity as they know this is God’s will • not having a fear of death can help a person get through their last days • a strong faith can also help family members to cope with a loved one’s illness and death. On the other hand: • many people with no religion can face a terminal illness with courage and dignity • some people with a religious faith may find themselves having doubts or question why God has allowed this to happen • a believer coping with the death of a loved one may also find it difficult to accept that this is God’s will. |
| What did Jesus teach about forgiveness? | Jesus taught his followers that they must be prepared to forgive others • God is willing to forgive those people who are genuine about repentance • when teaching about prayer, Jesus taught “Forgive the wrongs we have done as we forgive the wrongs that have been done to us” • the message of the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant reinforces the idea of the importance of forgiving others after receiving God’s forgiveness • a similar message is taught in the Parable of the Lost Son. |
| Give some reasons why there has been a rise in the number of abortions in our society. | • more people are having sex outside marriage, so more unplanned and unwanted pregnancies occur • abortion is easier to get nowadays; women in Northern Ireland who want an abortion can easily travel to England • women’s rights have reinforced the view that a woman should decide what happens to her body • less people in society are Christians, so sanctity of life arguments are becoming less relevant • abortion is seen by many people as being more acceptable than in the past. |
| Explain why some people believe that every woman should have the right to an abortion. | a woman has the right to choose what happens to her body • no woman should be forced to go through with an unwanted pregnancy • no contraception is totally reliable • if a woman is denied an abortion she may resort to a dangerous alternative – unhygienic back street abortions. |
| Outline Christian teaching on divorce. | • in the Old Testament, God’s standard for marriage was for it to be viewed as a permanent relationship (Malachi 2:16) • Jesus reinforced this idea: “No human being must separate, then, what God has joined together” (Matthew 19:6) • Jesus may have appeared to allow divorce if there had been unfaithfulness in the marriage (Matthew 19:9) • Paul was not in favour of divorce; if a couple separated they were not to remarry (1 Corinthians 7:10–11) • candidates may also refer to the teaching of specific churches. Note: it is a grey issue – open to interpretation |
| Explain how the vows taken in a Christian marriage service can help a couple in their married life. | • marriage is the right place for a sexual relationship: “To have and to hold from this day forward” • in marriage, two people give themselves exclusively to each other and should remain faithful to each other: “Forsaking all others” • the marriage should be permanent: “Till death do us part” • the couple should stand by each other, even during difficulties: “For better for worse, for richer and poorer, in sickness and in health” • marriage is God’s intention for a couple: “According to God’s holy law”. |
| Describe what is meant by pacifism. | • pacifism is the belief that war and violence are wrong and cannot be justified • pacifists believe that conflicts should be settled by peaceful means, such as a demonstration or strike at work, for example • an absolute pacifist believes it is never right to take part in any killing, even in self defence • conditional pacifism accepts that there may be extreme circumstances where war is the best alternative • a selective pacifist may reject certain types of war, such as a conflict using nuclear weapons, for example. |
| Explain why some Christians are pacifists. | • some Christians choose to be pacifists as the Bible says “Do not kill”; this is taken to mean in all situations, including war • some Christians reject all fighting and war, believing that the life and teaching of Jesus supports a pacifist approach to life • in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught that violence should not be repaid with more violence • at his arrest, Jesus said: “All who take the sword will die by the sword” when his disciples tried to fight the armed crowd • some Christians believe that in wartime they should help the wounded rather than kill the “enemy”. |
| Explain some of the reasons why a marriage might end in divorce. | • Pressures of modern living, e.g. debt, depression, unemployment, can weaken the marriage bond. • Health problems, infertility and sexual problems can cause some marriages to fail. • Adultery; lack of commitment to one person for life. • Addiction: alcohol; drug abuse; gambling. • Domestic violence. • Unrealistic expectations about being married. • Couples marrying too young or for the wrong reasons (e.g. unplanned pregnancy). |
| “Only couples who attend church regularly should be allowed to get married in church.” Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer. | • Christianity teaches that marriage is sacred; a church wedding involves promises being made before God, therefore it is only appropriate for committed Christians. • A church is a religious building used for worship; if a bride and groom are not Christians, their marriage is a social occasion and should not take place in a Christian place of worship. • Some people have a church wedding for the wrong reasons – they want a traditional ‘white wedding’ with all the trimmings. On the other hand: • People have the right to choose where they get married. • The rest of the family might want or expect a church wedding. • For many couples, getting married in church is traditional even if they are not particularly religious. • The priest/minister has no right to refuse anyone a church ceremony; everyone is welcome in God’s house. |
| Give some reasons why abortion is a controversial issue. | • Many people are in favour of abortion believing that it is a woman’s right to choose what happens to her body. • There is divided opinion about special circumstances, such as a pregnancy which is the result of rape or where the foetus may have abnormalities. • Many people believe that every child should be a wanted child. • However, others maintain that life begins at conception; all human life must be protected and this includes the unborn. Abortion is regarded as murder. • Those with strong religious views may be opposed to abortion and feel it has little or no benefits to society |
| Explain biblical and church teaching about the sanctity of human life. | • Humans are the only species created in the image of God (Genesis 1:28) so human life must be respected and not disposed of in the way animal life might be treated. • Only God has the right to decide when a life should end. • The Bible teaches that human life is special to God even when a baby is in the womb. Jeremiah was called to be a prophet before he was born (Jeremiah 1:5) and Luke describes how John the Baptist recognised he was in the presence of someone greater, when Mary visited Elizabeth (Luke 1:41). |
| “Abortion is sometimes the best alternative to an unplanned pregnancy.” Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer. | • Abortion is needed in cases where the woman’s life may be at risk, the baby might face severe disabilities or in the case of rape. • The future life of the pregnant woman is more important than that of the baby she is carrying. • It is not fair to expect a woman who has been raped to prolong the trauma by carrying the baby for nine months then giving birth. On the other hand: • Abortion is not necessarily a quick and easy solution to an unwanted pregnancy. It can have physical side effects and leave long-lasting emotional scars on a woman. • There is always an alternative to abortion that does not involve the destruction of the foetus, such as adoption. This option enables childless couples to bring up a child. • Abortion might seem to be the answer to an unplanned pregnancy that interferes with plans for a career or education. An alternative could be to have the baby and delay these plans until later. • Raising the child as a single parent would be better than an abortion as the baby has a chance of life |
| Describe any three of the conditions for a just war | Answers may include any three of the following points: • The war must be declared by a legal authority. • The cause of the war must be just. • The war must be a last resort. • The principle of proportionality must be observed. • The war must have a reasonable chance of success. • Only sufficient force must be used. • Peace must be restored at the end. • No harm to civilians. |
| Give some reasons why couples might choose to live together rather than get married. | • They simply feel that marriage is not necessary; their relationship is strong enough without a ceremony. • The cost of a wedding might deter some people from getting married. • There may be a reason why they cannot get married, perhaps one of them is already married or they might be a same sex couple. • They may have had a bad experience of marriage in the past, perhaps from a former relationship or from seeing their parent’s marriage end in difficulties. • Nowadays, many people do not feel there are strong religious reasons to get married. |
| Explain Bible and church teaching about sexual relationships. | • The Bible teaches that sex should take place within marriage (Genesis 2:24). This ideal for marriage is re-emphasised by Jesus in his teaching. • A married couple are to give themselves exclusively to their partner (Exodus 20:14 ‘Do not commit adultery’). • Some candidates may refer to Bible teaching on homosexual relationships. • The teachings of various churches may also be considered on sex before marriage, same sex relationships and co-habitation |
| Describe what is meant by Christian stewardship. | • Christian stewardship is the idea of accepting responsibility for the Earth and caring for it. • At creation, God put humankind ‘in charge’ of the other things he had created (Genesis 1:26–28). • This teaching is reinforced in the Psalms (Psalms 8:6). • In Exodus 23:10, the Israelites are told to let their agricultural land rest every seventh year. • Animals are to be cared for: ‘A good man takes care of his animals but wicked men are cruel to theirs’ (Proverbs 12:10). • Christians believe that although we live on this earth, people do not own it as the world is ‘on loan’ from God. |
| Explain what some Christians believe about animal rights. | • Some Christians believe that animals do not have rights. Humans are the only species made in God’s image; animals do not have souls and so do not have rights. • However, animals do have the right to be treated decently by humans. We should not be cruel to them or neglect their needs. • Some Christians believe that animals do have rights. They are creatures created by God and we should respect his creation. • Many Christians support animal rights issues. They would be against animal testing, hunting, animals used in circuses and zoos. |
| Describe what the Bible teaches about justice. | • The Old Testament taught the principle of limited revenge; the punishment should fit the crime and not be too extreme (‘An eye for an eye’ Leviticus 24:20). • However, Jesus taught ‘If someone hits you on the right cheek, turn the other cheek’ (Matthew 5:38–39). By this teaching, Jesus was not saying that justice did not matter, but that he was totally opposed to evil; Jesus said that revenge was wrong and must be replaced by forgiveness. • The Bible teaches that God wants justice. In Amos 5: 24, God says: ‘Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream.’ • Jesus taught the need for forgiveness towards people who had done wrong for example, The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant (Matthew 18:21–35) and The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 5:9–14). • A person should receive forgiveness, but still be punished for what they have done wrong |
| Explain some of the aims of restorative justice. | • Restorative Justice is a problem-solving approach to crime. It aims to involve the offender, the victim and the community. • This approach works to resolve conflict and repair harm. • Restorative Justice does this by getting the offender to consider the harm they have done and gives them the opportunity to put things right. • Restorative Justice offers those who have suffered harm or loss the opportunity to have this acknowledged and amends made. • The victims of crime, those who have committed crime and the community all need to work together; restorative justice aims to provide the opportunity for this to happen. |
| Explain Christian teaching on abortion. | • The Bible does not have any direct references to abortion. However, candidates may refer to passages which emphasise that human life is special as it is created by God. • In Jeremiah 1:5, God says to Jeremiah ‘I chose you before I gave you life, and before you were born I chose you to be a prophet to the nations.’ Psalm 139 teaches that God knows all about each person in minute detail, as he has created each one of us. In his Gospel, Luke describes a meeting between Mary and Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s unborn child leapt in the womb in recognition of Mary’s child. All these passages imply that human life is God-given and important right from the moment of conception. • Christians accept the sanctity of human life. This refers to the idea that all human life must be respected and not treated in the same way as plant and animal life. Genesis 1:27 states ‘So God created human beings, making them to be like himself.’ All human life has been created by God in his image and only he has the right to decide when it should end. Some may refer to hard cases eg rape |
| “Every woman should have the right to an abortion.” Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer | • Women need the right to abortion in order to have full rights over their own bodies, including the right to decide whether or not to give birth. Without this right, women do not have the same moral status as men. • If abortion is illegal then women can be put at risk by being forced to use unsafe methods of abortion. • A woman might not be able to cope with having a child if she has been raped, is too young or if there are health risks. • A foetus is only a potential human being but there can be no doubt about the humanity of the mother. On the other hand: • Some people argue that all human life is of equal value; even a foetus or an embryo has a right to life. • A foetus is not just a part of a woman’s body, but is a unique and individual human being. • An abortion is the deliberate killing of an innocent human being; all killing is wrong. • No one has the right to complete control over their body. For example, there are laws against euthanasia. |
| Outline Christian teaching on marriage | • Marriage is sacred and ordained by God; Jesus taught ‘The two will become one’ (Mark 10:8) repeating God’s words from Genesis. • Marriage is a commitment and the couple should stay together no matter what happens; Jesus spoke against divorce (Matthew 5:32). • Marriage should be permanent and last a lifetime; Jesus taught ‘Man must not separate, then, what God has joined together’ (Mark 10:9). • Paul taught that wives are to submit to their husbands, who are to love their wives as much as Christ loves the church (Ephesians 5:22-25). |
| Explain some of the difficulties a couple might face in their marriage. | • Pressures of modern living – these might include debt, depression, unemployment. • Health problems, infertility and sexual problems could be difficulties a couple might have to face. • Adultery; lack of commitment to the marriage from one or both partners. • Alcohol and drug abuse; gambling. • Domestic violence. • Having to cope with a traumatic situation, such as illness or the death of a child. |
| “Marriage is the best way to show commitment to your partner.” Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer | • Biblical and Church teaching emphasises that a sexual relationship should not take place until a couple are married. ‘That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united with his wife, and they became one’ (Genesis 2:24). • The Bible also teaches that a married couple are to remain faithful to each other ‘Do not commit adultery’ (Exodus 20:14). • A sexual relationship needs a deep level of understanding and commitment between a couple and this can only come from marriage. • Pre-marital sex can lead to many problems for the individual and society, such as an increase in STIs, unwanted pregnancy and an increase in the abortion rate. On the other hand: • Many people nowadays choose not to get married, but to live together as man and wife; they do not need a wedding ceremony to have a committed relationship. • Nowadays many people delay marriage to pursue their career and may have a number of close relationships before finally marrying • Some couples choose to live together as a ‘trial marriage’ before making a final commitment. |
| Describe some of the ways in which the environment has been damaged. | • Making no effort to reduce the amount of fossil fuels used; using the car when not really necessary, for example. • Being irresponsible with rubbish disposal and littering. • Wasting energy by leaving electrical equipment running or lights left on. • Not making enough effort to reduce waste and recycle where possible. • Buying goods from overseas when locally produced items are available |
| What is a pacifist? | • A pacifist believes that war and violence are wrong and cannot be justified. • Pacifists believe that conflicts should be settled by peaceful means, such as a demonstration or strike at work, for example. • An absolute pacifist believes it is never right to take part in any killing, even in self-defence. • Conditional pacifism accepts that there may be extreme circumstances where war is the best alternative. • A selective pacifist may reject certain types of war, such as a conflict using nuclear weapons, for example. |
| Explain what the Bible teaches about war and peace. | • The idea of a ‘holy war’ carried out on the authority of God is prominent in the Old Testament. The Israelites had to fight their way into the Promised Land to take possession of the country God had given to them. • The Old Testament also speaks of how war is inevitable; Ecclesiastes 3:1 and 8 states: ‘Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses…the time for war and the time for peace.’ • However, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught that violence should not be repaid with more violence and replaced the Jewish principle of ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth’ with a higher standard – that violence should never be returned. At his arrest, Jesus said ‘All who take the sword will die by the sword’ (Matthew 26:52). |
| Describe some arguments against the death penalty. | • The death penalty could be seen by some people as an easy way out. It would be better for an offender to be imprisoned for life and have to live with the guilt of what they had done. • Mistakes can be made and innocent people could be sentenced to death. • The Bible teaches that any taking of human life is wrong. Only God has the right to take life. • The death penalty makes the state as bad as the criminals they are trying to punish. Jesus taught that retribution was not the way to deal with wrongdoing. |
| Explain what Christians teach about repentance. | • Remorse without repentance is insufficient. • The Lord’s Prayer and the parable of the unforgiving servant – God will forgive, but we must forgive others. • Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. • Turn the other cheek, do not seek revenge. • When he was on the cross, Jesus forgave those who crucified him |
| Describe what the Bible teaches about prejudice. | • In Genesis, humankind is created in the image of God; all humans share a spiritual likeness to God. • In the New Testament, Paul taught that race, colour and national identity were irrelevant to the church. • Jesus seemed to be in favour of racial equality; in the parable of the Good Samaritan, a member of the hated race helps a man in need. • Jesus broke the barriers of sex and race by talking to a Samaritan woman. • Jesus showed no prejudice when he healed the servant of the Roman Centurion. |
| Explain why some people are prejudiced towards those of a different race or religion. | • Some people have been brought up with prejudiced opinions, learnt from their parents. • Sometimes people try to blame others for their problems, such as unemployment, and pick on those who are of a different race or religion. • Some prejudice is the result of ignorance and misunderstanding about the culture of others. • A person may have had a bad experience with someone of a different religion or race which leaves them with a negative impression. • Some people may believe that their religion is the only way to God. |
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