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WJEC
RE Model
Answers
Unit 2
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Religion and conflict
Religion and medicine
Religious expression
Authority – religion and state
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Religion and conflict
1.
a. Explain what religious believers mean by the term conflict.
Conflict involves clashes and breakdowns of relationships. For example relations
between two countries breakdown and they end up going to war with each other.
b. Explain how having a religious faith might influence a persons’ attitude towards
suffering.
Some Christians believe that suffering comes as a result of ‘original sin’, it is a
punishment sent by God to make people repent their evil ways and turn back to God. The
suffering caused by people (moral evil) is the result of using our free will to make the
wrong decisions. Some Christians believe that without suffering and evil people would
not really know what good is. Suffering can show human weakness yet at the same time
help people to make a real effort to end the suffering of others (through
discipleship/vocations) i.e. by following the example of the Good Samaritan. Also Jesus
himself suffered and he showed his followers how to deal with suffering in a dignified
and faithful way and many Christians today believe they should do likewise.
c.
‘War is evil’
Give two reasons why a religious believer might agree or disagree with this
statement.
(i)Some Christians would agree because war results in suffering and death. It is often
caused by greed and jealousy and it is mainly innocent people that suffer most during
wars. For example Amnesty International claimed that over 100,000 innocent Iraqis were
killed following the US and British invasion in 2003.
(ii)Some other Christians would disagree because they believe that in certain situations
war is necessary and justified and therefore people have a duty to fight. For example in
situations were innocent people are being tortured and killed force should be used. Or for
self defence when wrongly attacked, war is just. On this basis many Christians would
argue WWII was a just war.
d. Explain from two different religious traditions the teachings about forgiveness.
(You must state the religious traditions you are referring to)
Catholic view = The Catechism teaches that forgiveness is very important. People must
forgive one another in order to receive forgiveness from God – ‘forgive us our trespasses
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as we forgive those that trespass against us’. One of the sacraments is Reconciliation.
This focuses on the need to admit the wrongs we have done, repent (be truly sorry) and
ask for forgiveness. Asking and receiving forgiveness is very important otherwise
damaged relationships could never be repaired.
Quaker view = Forgiveness is also very important to Quakers as it is a demonstration of
love, understanding and mercy. They recognise that to build a better world people must
listen to one another and show compassion to those that have did wrong but wish to make
amends. Quakers seek to create a world based on justice and recognise that forgiving
someone is often the first step towards creating such a world. For Quakers justice is about
rebuilding and restoring it is never about revenge. They believe that if a person opens
their heart to God’s spirit it will guide them towards being a more loving and forgiving
person. During silent worship Quakers make a special effort to open themselves up to
God’s spirit.
This (d) question might be worded in such a way that you
are asked to ‘Explain from two different religious
traditions how an individual or a community has worked
for peace’
If using a community
Catholic view = Cafod is a Catholic organisation that works for justice and peace. Cafod
are actively campaigning for peace in some of the worst war torn countries in the world
such as Sudan and Somalia. Cafod organise prayer vigils, non-violent protests and
numerous support projects aimed at helping those most affected by war and violence.
Cafod offer advice and support to help end conflicts and build a just and lasting peace.
Cafod aims to make the Gospel message of peace and reconciliation a reality in the
world today.
Quaker view = Quakers have a programme called ‘Turning the Tide’ which carries out
work using the power of non-violence to turn the tide of injustice and oppression. This
programme aims to build an inclusive, sustainable and fair world. This programme offers
workshops, resources and advice on nonviolent activism aimed at creating a just and fair
society. Their message is that protests need not be violent. There is no need to throw
stones at the police or burn down shops in order to get a message across. Quakers pride
themselves on their passive approach to solving problems.
If using an individual
Catholic view = Oscar Romero campaigned for justice and peace in El Salvador
throughout the late 1970s. The government was very corrupt and treated the majority of
people very badly. When the people spoke out they were often beaten, imprisoned and
sometimes murdered. Some of the poor people wanted to use violence to overthrow the
government. Romero refused to support anyone that used violence. He said ‘violence was
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not what God wanted’ and therefore supported non-violent protest only. He preached a
message of peace, forgiveness and reconciliation. Even when threatened and imprisoned
Romero continued to pray and work for peace. Romero was murdered whilst saying Mass
yet even in this final Mass Romero called upon the soldiers as fellow Christians to obey
God's higher order and to stop carrying out the government's repression and violations of
basic human rights sadly these appeals fell on deaf ears.
Quaker view = Eric Baker was a British Quaker and a peace maker who was one of the
founders of the human rights group Amnesty International. He also served as the head of
a Quaker organisation called Quaker Peace and Social Witness. The aim of this group
was to promote and practice the Quaker testimonies of peace, equality, simplicity and
truth. He was a pacifist and a conscientious objector during WWII. During the war he
worked on the Famine Relief campaign which raised funds to buy food and other basic
supplies for those suffering due to the war. While working for Amnesty International
from 1961 until his death in 1976 Baker worked tirelessly for peace in various parts of the
world. He also helped to make the world aware of many of the human rights abuses that
were taking place. Baker is remembered today as being an honest, hard working and
inspirational figure who tried to change the world for the better.
e. ‘You can’t be a true religious believer if you mix with people of other religions’
Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have
thought about more than one point of view. You must include reference to religious
beliefs in your answer.
Many Christians would disagree with this statement. Jesus himself mixed with Jews,
Romans, Greeks and other Gentiles of mixed faiths. He did not ignore or discriminate
against those with different faiths and therefore nor should his followers. In fact one of
Jesus’ last instructions to his disciples was for them to ‘go out and spread the good news
to all the peoples in all the nations’. Today many Christians support things like Christian
Unity where different types of Christians come to work and worship together. Many
Christians also work with members of other faiths such as Jews, Muslims, Hindus and
Sikhs to promote interfaith dialogue in order to build trust and friendship so that people
can work together to achieve common goals for the good of the whole community.
Some religious believers consider their faith and way of life to be superior to others.
Some Christians for example are exclusivists (they believe only Christians can go to
heaven) and this attitude may prevent them working and building meaningful
relationships with people of other faiths. Some Jews and some Muslims refer to people of
other faiths as ‘infidels’ which means non believers and they are reluctant to mix with
these people.
I think it is not only possible but desirable for people to mix with people from other
faiths. At the heart of every major world religion lays a basic teaching similar to the
Golden Rule in Christianity – ‘treat others the way you would like to be treated’. It
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therefore seems to me mixing with others of a different faith is natural and very
worthwhile.
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2.
a. Explain what religious believers mean by the term interfaith dialogue.
This involves exploring common grounds between different faith groups. For example
some Jews and Muslims talk with each other in Palestine in an effort to build trust and
friendship and hopefully reduce levels of violence and tension.
b. Explain how having a religious faith might lead some religious believers to say war
is acceptable.
Some Christians believe in the just war theory. This theory claims that in certain
situations war is necessary – war becomes the lesser of two evils. For example if the aim
of the war is to bring about justice and peace to people that are being unjustly tortured,
killed and discriminated against. Some Christians might also say the use of violence was
acceptable to Jesus in some situations. For example Jesus over turned the money lenders’
tables in the Temple – showing anger and aggression. He allowed his disciples to carry
weapons and two of his disciples (Simon & Judas) were themselves Zealots (members of
a group that used violence against Romans).
c.
‘Religious organisations should
work towards reconciliation’
Give two reasons why a religious believer might agree or disagree with this
statement.
(i)Some Christians would agree because they believe that God wants everyone to live in
peace and harmony therefore they should work towards this end. For example the
Corrymeela Community in the north of Ireland is a Christian peace and reconciliation
organisation that promotes reconciliation between the Catholic and Protestant
communities in the hope of overcoming years of hatred and division.
(ii)Some other Christians agree because if reconciliation does not take place between
individuals, communities and sometimes nations evil wins and conflict continues. In
South Africa Archbishop Desmond TuTu was a key figure in the Truth & Reconciliation
process that went on between blacks and whites aimed at building a more peaceful and
loving future.
d. Explain from two different religious traditions how believers might take practical
action to relieve suffering.
(You must state the religious traditions you are referring to)
Catholic view = Catholics believe they have a moral duty to care for those less fortunate
than themselves –‘love your neighbour’, ‘treat others the way you would like to be
treated’ etc. Cafod is a Catholic charity that aims to overcome suffering abroad. They
raise money to feed, clothe and shelter people. They also provide long term aid by
providing education, training and technical assistance so that communities can become
self sufficient.
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Quaker view = Quakers try to show their faith through practical action. They organise
and support many initiatives aimed at ending human suffering and social injustice. One
such project is Quaker Housing Trust. This is a project which supports homeless people
by giving advice, support, loans or grants that would be difficult to find elsewhere.
Through social witness they aim to help homeless people of any age, colour or creed
when they are vulnerable. They believe that without a home a person will struggle to find
God living inside them.
e. ‘Forgiveness is a sign of weakness’
Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have
thought about more than one point of view. You must include reference to religious
beliefs in your answer.
Most Christians would disagree. Jesus himself taught his followers about the need to
forgive others. When the prostitute was about to be stoned to death Jesus said; ‘let he who
is without sin cast the first stone’ which was a reminder that we are all sinners and all in
need of forgiveness. Jesus also forgave Peter for denying him and even when on the cross
Jesus cried out; ‘father forgive them for they know not what they are doing’.
Many Christians today value forgiveness because it allows for reconciliation. If
people refuse to forgive one another then hatred and bitterness take over. People will
become obsessed about getting revenge and ‘two wrongs don’t make a right’ or as Gandhi
once said ‘an eye for an eye simply leaves everyone blind’.
Some Christians think that only God has the right to forgive and that punishment is
far more important and worthwhile than forgiveness. In the Old Testament God punished
sinners. For example he destroyed the army following Moses. He also destroyed the cities
of Sodom and Gomorrah for the amount of sinning taking place there. Some Christians
believe certain sins cannot be forgiven and this is why they support the death penalty for
certain crimes. They claim to forgive murderers and rapists is not only a sign of weakness
but also irresponsible as these criminals might repeat their actions in the future.
I think having the grace to forgive is a sign of strength not weakness. As
Alexander Pope once famously remarked ‘to err is human to forgive is divine’. I want
God and others to forgive me when I make mistakes therefore it is important that I too am
willing to forgive.
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3.
a. Explain what religious believers mean by the term just war.
This refers to a war undertaken to protect the innocent or those being violated and to
restore justice and peace. An example of a just war was WWII. The allies fought against
Nazi injustices such as the holocaust.
b. Explain how having a religious faith might inspire a person to support those that are
suffering.
Christians believe that they have a moral responsibility to help those that are suffering –
‘treat others the way you would like to be treated’, just like the Good Samaritan did. Jesus
himself cured the blind and lepers. He made the paralysed walk again and he fed the
hungry. These examples inspire many Christians to take up a vocation or career to help
people suffering i.e. nursing, charity worker or peace keeper. Even Christians that perhaps
do not dedicate their whole life to supporting those that suffer might make a special effort
at certain times of the year for example Lent. Many schools and parishes have Good
Shepherd appeals or Good Samaritan initiatives aimed at overcoming human suffering.
c.
‘Pacifism is a waste of
time’
Give two reasons why a religious believer might agree or disagree with this
statement.
(i)Some Christians believe pacifism is a waste of time in certain situations because it will
not protect the innocent or allow for justice. This is why many Christians support the just
war theory. Evil aggressors must be stopped and ‘if you are not part of the solution then
you are part of the problem’. It was on this basis that many Christians fought against the
Nazis.
(ii)Some other Christians such as Martin Luther King believe that violence can never be
justified. They gain inspiration from parts of the Gospel such as when Jesus said things
such as ‘love your enemy’, ‘if someone strikes you on one cheek offer them the other’
and ‘he who lives by the sword will die by the sword’. These people support pacifism
rather than conflict.
d. Explain from two different religious traditions why terrorism is not acceptable.
(You must state the religious traditions you are referring to)
Catholic view = The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that it is wrong to
deliberately intimidate and hurt others. Christians are supposed to treat others with
dignity and respect and in doing so uphold the teachings of ‘love your neighbour’ and
‘treat others the way you would like to be treated’. Catholics believe the unjust killing of
people is a mortal sin because it breaks the commandment ‘thou shall not kill’. Catholic
leaders such as Oscar Romero have spoken out against those that use terror in order to
control others such as the government in El Salvador in the late 1970s.
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Quaker view = From early in their 350 year history, Quakers have taken a clear stand for
peace. Their words and actions in opposition to war and in support of peace have come to
be known as 'the Quaker peace testimony'. Quakers are committed to working for peace
and justice through nonviolent social change. Quakers seek to wage peace at all levels of
society, from teaching mediation to school children to being active in disarmament. Acts
of terror go against everything Quakers stand for. Quakers will therefore condemn all acts
of terror and seek to act in non violent ways that overcome terrorism at home and abroad.
e. ‘Religious organisations aren’t likely to create peace’.
Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have
thought about more than one point of view. You must include reference to religious
beliefs in your answer.
Many Christians would disagree with this view and that is the reason why so many are
prepared to join and support various organisations based on Christian values that seek to
bring peace to various parts of the world. For example Pax Christi is an organisation
working in the Middle East that has successfully worked to bring about cease fires in
Palestine and Syria. They arrange for representatives from different sides to meet and
speak in the hope of ending conflict on a permanent basis.
The CHristian International Peace Service (CHIPS) is another organisation that has
helped to end conflicts across the world over the last 40 years. They are currently
focusing efforts on creating and maintaining peace in Uganda. They often act as
mediators to help resolve issues between different tribes and political groups.
Quaker organisations have for many years helped to establish and maintain peace in
different parts of the world. Quakers are often trusted because they do not get involved in
politics and are viewed as neutral. This gives them an advantage that most other
organisations do not have and therefore increases their chances of being successful.
Some people disagree with this statement. They feel that religious organisations may
be well intentioned but they lack the resources and authority to be truly effective. Instead
more powerful third parties are needed to bring peace such as the United Nations or
NATO. If those fighting refuse to listen then they can be forced to stop fighting by an
even greater power.
I think religious organisations can and do help to create peace across the world. Most
people in the world have a faith of some description and most faiths value justice and
peace. This means that people of faith can work together through interfaith dialogue to
build bridges and help stop needless wars and suffering.
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4.
a. Explain what religious believers mean by the term non-violent protest.
This involves showing disapproval without damaging property or causing any threat.
Martin Luther King organised a bus boycott which was a peaceful demonstration against
discrimination.
b. Explain how having a religious faith might influence a persons’ attitude towards
peace.
Many Christians pray and work for peace in their everyday lives. In the bible it says
‘blessed are the peacemakers’ and Jesus himself told his followers to ‘love one another’.
He even said ‘love your enemy’. This is very difficult but can be very worthwhile and
rewarding. By being peaceful to your neighbour, foreigners and even your enemy helps
create the kingdom of God here on earth. Peace allows people to live without fear and this
is why Christians support and encourage peace in the world today. Where conflict does
exist Christians will try to act in ways that will bring about peace and reconciliation.
c.
‘People are the cause of
suffering-not God’
Give two reasons why a religious believer might agree or disagree with this
statement.
(i)Some Christians would agree with this view because moral evil is the result of human
actions. Examples of moral evil include stealing, raping and killing. These acts are carried
out by people with free will. These people choose to act in this way therefore they are
responsible for the suffering caused not God.
(ii)Some other Christians might disagree with this view because natural evil causes
suffering and this is not caused by people. For example the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004
killed almost 300,000 people and left thousands more injured and homeless. This was not
caused by people. In fact some would describe it as an ‘act of God’.
d. Explain from two different religious traditions the attitude towards non-violent
protest.
(You must state the religious traditions you are referring to)
Catholic view = The Catholic Church encourages its followers to stand up and speak out
against injustice in a non violent manner. The Catechism teaches about the importance of
social justice. These teachings echo the prophets such as Amos who wrote ‘let justice roll
down like waters, and righteousness like an ever flowing stream’. Micah also wrote we
must ‘act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly’. There is no room here for needless
aggression and acts of violence because even those that you are protesting against are
children of God. Catholics try to recognise Christ in others and therefore treat them with
dignity and respect. Peaceful protests are attempts to remain dignified and respectful to
others in the hope that conflict and injustices will end and this will eventually lead to
reconciliation.
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Quaker view = One of the core testimonies of the Quaker faith is their total commitment
to non violence. The Quaker way implies non-violence in thought word and deed. Most
Quakers refuse to fight in wars, and make clear their opposition to all preparations for it.
The Society of Friends (Quakers) is regarded as one of the traditional ‘peace churches’.
Quakers have a long history of seeking peaceful solutions to problems and tensions that
arise in the world. During WWI & WWII Quakers on mass refused to fight much to the
annoyance of the government, the army and many others. Some though did carry out
heroic work as front line ambulance workers risking their lives to tend to the needs of all
soldiers. Their commitment to pacifism is admired by many worldwide.
e. ‘Non-violent protests achieve nothing’.
Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have
thought about more than one point of view. You must include reference to religious
beliefs in your answer.
Most Christians disagree with this statement. There are numerous examples in history
where non-violent protests have achieved a lot. For example Martin Luther King was a
civil rights leader who refused to use violence even when he and his followers were
attacked, imprisoned and in some cases killed. Eventually their efforts were rewarded and
a civil rights bill was passed giving black people equality in the eyes of the law in the US.
Furthermore Christian missionaries throughout Africa and South America organised nonviolent protests and campaigns highlighting social injustices and in many cases
succeeded in bringing about change.
People from other faiths have also held successful non-violent protests. Gandhi on
several occasions refused to eat until those fighting in India stopped. As both sides had
such respect for him and didn’t want him to die they did as he requested. Another
example of people that use non-violent protests are Buddhist monks led by the Dali
Lama. They have gained a lot of international support for their protests against human
rights abuses carried out by the Chinese government in Tibet.
Some people disagree with the statement. Some Christians would say that in certain
situations only violent protest will work. For example Dietrich Bonheoffer was a German
Christian and a pacifist who originally thought only peaceful protests was justified.
However he eventually changed his mind and actively took part in a failed attempt to kill
Hitler. Some Christians will also say that the fact there is a just war theory itself proves
that in some cases non-violent protest will achieve nothing.
I think non-violent protests can and do achieve a lot. I believe that most conflicts in
the world can be solved peacefully. However I also feel that in certain extreme cases
physical force is needed. When this is the case only the minimum amount of force should
be used and peace restored as quickly as possible.
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5.
a. Explain what religious believers mean by the term pacifism.
This refers to the belief that any form of violence or war is wrong. Martin Luther King
always told his followers to be peaceful even when threatened or attacked by others.
b. Explain how having a religious faith might influence a persons’ attitude towards
forgiveness and reconciliation.
Christians believe that forgiveness and reconciliation is very important because
relationships get damaged. For example trust can be broken, people sometimes tell lies
about others and in some cases people physically hurt others. Forgiveness is needed to
rebuild the relationship. Christians believe that without forgiveness a person is unable to
move on from a painful event. Forgiveness is important to create peace, particularly in
situations of conflict and war. However forgiving others is difficult and sometimes
Christians pray for the strength and courage to do this. Catholics have the sacrament of
reconciliation which focuses on the importance of saying sorry, receiving forgiveness
and rebuilding relationships.
c.
‘People who suffer
usually deserve it’
’
Give two reasons why a religious believer might agree or disagree with this
statement.
(i)Some Christians will disagree with this view. They might refer to the phrase ‘innocent
victim’ which unfortunately we hear quite a lot. The young child killed in a house fire, the
mother paralysed in a car crash caused by another driver, or the father who loses his job
through no fault of his own are all examples of people suffering through no fault of their
own. Jesus suffered for being loving and kind as did his disciples. Other innocent victims
in history include Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and countless others.
(ii)Some other Christians will agree. They might say that people who suffer due to illness
usually cause it due to living unhealthy lifestyles e.g. drinking, smoking, poor diets etc.
Also many poor people made bad choices in life e.g. messed around in school, too lazy to
look for a decent job etc. Then there are criminals who get fined, sent to prison or even
executed, again they are responsible for their actions and therefore deserve the
punishments. Finally there are those Christians that will say all human suffering is the
result of original sin.
d. Explain from two different religious traditions the attitude towards war.
(You must state the religious traditions you are referring to)
Catholic view = The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that every effort must be
made to avoid war because of the suffering wars cause. However Catholics accept that in
some extreme cases war is sometimes necessary (‘the lesser of two evils’). In such cases
the just war theory must be followed. This outlines rules that must be followed before,
during and after the war. For example a war must be the last resort, it must be waged by a
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lawful authority and it should bring about good. The war should also be winnable,
minimum force used and only legitimate targets attacked.
Quaker view = A basic belief of the Quaker way of life is their commitment to nonviolence. The vast majority of Quakers are absolute pacifists. They refuse to accept that
violence can ever be the answer. Their attitude is simply that violence of any sort
increases the amount of suffering that exists in the world and is therefore wrong. When
conflict occurs Quakers support dialogue (talking), they promote things such as
compromise, understanding, patience and forgiveness. They believe that alternatives to
war can always be found even though this may take considerable time and effort. This is
why many Quakers are actively involved in peace initiatives across the world today for
example in Palestine where they promote interfaith dialogue between Jews and
Muslims.
e. ‘If someone is suffering, it is probably their own fault’
Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have
thought about more than one point of view. You must include reference to religious
beliefs in your answer.
Some Christians believe that all human suffering is the result of original sin. In the book
of Genesis we are told that because Adam and Eve disobeyed God they were thrown out
of the Garden of Eden. As a result they inherited original sin which meant human nature
became flawed and people had a tendency to sin. The story claims that God inflicted
suffering on men and women by forcing all future men to work to earn a living and
women to experience pain through child birth. Being no longer in paradise meant that all
future generations would experience pain and suffering in life.
Other Christians would say that a lot of human suffering is the result of poor choices
made by people. Many so called ‘accidents’ could be avoided if people simply stopped
and thought about what they were doing and took the necessary precautions. For example
if people didn’t drink or speed then they wouldn’t lose their driving licences. If people
didn’t smoke they probably wouldn’t get cancer. Glen Hoddle (former England manager,
Spurs legend and devout Christian) went as far to say that all human suffering was a
punishment for sins by God. In other words the child in a wheelchair was being punished
by God for something they or their parents did! Needless to say he was sacked as England
manager for holding such views.
I think, and am sure many religious believers would agree that a lot of human
suffering is not the fault of the person suffering. For example the innocent victims killed
in a war even though they did not start the war or fight during the war. Then there are
people who are born with or develop awful diseases again through no fault of their own.
Finally there are those that suffer due to natural evil again they had no control over this.
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6.
a. Explain what religious believers mean by the term reconciliation.
This involves bringing harmony to a situation of disagreement and discord. For example
black and white people learned to live as equals in South Africa after the Apartheid
system had ended.
b. Explain how having a religious faith might encourage a person to support non
violent protest.
Christians believe that they should follow the example of Jesus. Jesus taught a message of
love and forgiveness – ‘love one another’, ‘forgive those that trespass against you’ etc.
Even when Jesus was about to be wrongfully arrested and sentenced to death he
prevented his angry followers from resorting to violence in Gethsemane – ‘he who lives
by the sword will die by the sword’. Today Christians try to lead by example. Christians
will try to show compassion and understanding and to treat those that they are protesting
against with dignity and respect. This is because those that they are protesting against are
also children of God and they too have human rights which must be respected. Therefore
most Christians will always promote peace and reconciliation over violence and conflict.
c.
‘Reconciliation is a sign
of weakness’
Give two reasons why a religious believer might agree or disagree with this
statement.
(i)Some Christians would totally disagree because it takes great courage to seek
forgiveness when you have done something wrong or to forgive another when you have
been wronged. The bible teaches that reconciliation is needed for people to live in peace
and harmony with one another. The Lord’s Prayer (Our father) says ‘forgive us our
trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us’. By doing this you create the
conditions for reconciliation to take place.
(ii)Some other Christians might agree in cases where a person has not apologised or does
not mean it when they have said sorry. For example in the case of a cheating husband or
wife why should their partner forgive them and be ‘reconciled’ if they have done this
thing many times before? Adultery goes against a commandment and breaks sacred
marriage vows to simply ‘forgive and forget’ would not only be a sign of weakness but
stupidity also.
d. Explain from two different religious traditions the attitude towards suffering.
(You must state the religious traditions you are referring to)
Catholic view = The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that suffering is a part of
life in an imperfect world. Our health, well being and life itself is only loaned to us by
God. God gave us life and at some point we will be called back to God. Jesus shared in
our human suffering and promised those that offer their suffering up to God the Father
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will receive salvation. Sometimes suffering is a mystery however Catholics believe that
so long as they do what God wants and expects they will be rewarded for their suffering.
As Jesus said in Gethsemane ‘not what I want but what you will’. Therefore Catholics
turn to God in prayer during times of suffering and ask for strength and continued faith.
Quaker view = Quakers too accept that suffering is a part of life. One of the Quaker
‘Advices’ is to think about your own suffering and eventual death. Accept that old age
and illness is natural and prepare for this as best you can so that you do not burden others.
Quakers though will often point out that that whilst old age may bring increasing
loneliness and disability it can also bring wisdom and peace of mind. They believe it is
better to adopt a healthy attitude towards the unpleasant things in life that you have no
real control over. By remaining positive in mind and spirit a person is able to deal with
suffering in a much better way.
e. ‘War doesn’t achieve anything’.
Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have
thought about more than one point of view. You must include reference to religious
beliefs in your answer.
Many Christians would agree with the statement that is why so many are against war.
Quakers are a good example of Christians that are passive. They believe that the use of
violence in any situation is wrong because of the hurt that it causes. Quakers have
famously campaigned for peace and refused to take part in wars ever since they were
founded in 1650. They believe in peace and that people need to find an inner peace first.
They believe that when you open yourself up to God’s spirit you will find that peace.
Once you have found peace in your own life you will want others to share in this and
therefore you will campaign against all forms of conflict and war.
Some Christians would claim that Jesus himself taught us to be peaceful – ‘love one
another’, ‘love your enemy’, ‘blessed are the peace makers’, ‘he who lives by the sword
will die by the sword’ etc. Instead of fighting Christians try to promote key values such as
love, compassion, empathy, patience, understanding, forgiveness and reconciliation.
However some Christians would disagree with this claim. They might say that parts of
the bible support the use of violence. In the Old testament God is described as a ‘great
warrior’. God destroys the Egyptian army to save Moses and the Israelites. God helps
David kill Goliath on the battlefield. Furthermore these religious believers might say that
war alone stopped evil men like Hitler, Saddam Hussein, Osama Bin Laden and Colonel
Gaddafi.
I think war can achieve things but I believe the war must be just. I support the just
war theory which puts certain conditions on when force can be used and how that force
is to be used. Nobody really wants war but sometimes it is necessary.
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Religion and medicine
1.
a. Explain what religious believers mean by the term conscience.
Conscience is an innate moral sense that guides actions and responses. For example when
faced with a moral dilemma it is often our conscience that directs us towards doing what
is right/good.
b. Explain how having a religious faith might influence someone’s choices in matters of
life and death.
Christians believe their faith helps them make important choices in life. Christians place
great importance on the sanctity of life. They believe life is a sacred gift given to us by
God and therefore ought to be respected. Many Christians will pray, read the bible or talk
to a priest or vicar about important choices relating to life and death they may be faced
with. Christians try to do what is right. They try to follow the will of God though this is
sometimes very difficult especially when dealing with medical ethics. For example is
abortion or euthanasia ever right and if so when?
c.
‘It’s your body, you should be
able to do what you want with it’
Give two reasons why a religious believer might agree or disagree with this
statement.
(i)Some Christians would agree with this statement. They might say that God has given
us free will to make decisions about what we do with our own bodies. Some Christians
believe that the individual has a right to choose what happens to their body and others
should respect this right even if they disagree with the choices we make.
(ii)Some other Christians will disagree with this statement. They might say that to do
whatever we want to our bodies is selfish and we ought to stop and think about the
consequences our actions have on others. For example does a foetus have rights or the
relatives of the person that wants to end their life? Failure to think of others is selfish and
unchristian.
d. Explain from two different religious traditions the teachings about abortion.
(You must state the religious traditions you are referring to)
Catholic view = The Catholic Church take an absolute stance on abortion. The Catechism
teaches that all human life including the life of the unborn is a precious and sacred gift
given to us by God. They believe abortion is a sin because it violates the sanctity of life.
Pope Benedict described abortion as ‘an intrinsically evil act’ that is beyond any
justification. Therefore even in difficult situations such as when a girl has been raped or a
foetus is severely disabled the Catholic Church remains totally opposed to abortion. They
believe that the killing of the innocent is always wrong.
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Quaker view = Quakers take a relative view of abortion. They believe that the individual
must search their own conscience and act in a way that is best for them. Therefore most
Quakers will allow and support the right of a mother to choose whether or not she wishes
to have an abortion and they would pray that the mother is guided by the Holy Spirit to
make the correct choice. Quakers are well known for their tolerant attitude towards others
and the decisions that they make. They tend to try and understand the choices a person
makes rather than simply condemning them.
e. ‘Doctors should do what the patients ask them to do’
Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have
thought about more than one point of view. You must include reference to religious
beliefs in your answer.
Many Christians and indeed religious believers from other faiths will disagree with this
statement. They will point out that doctors are in a privileged position of power and trust
and that they should never abuse this position. At the beginning of their medical careers
doctors take the Hippocratic Oath. This is a promise that they will never do anything to
damage or destroy human life. Many Christians for example Catholics would say that
because of this doctors should not consider carrying out abortions or euthanasia and
should instead always respect the sanctity of life.
In the case of voluntary euthanasia some people would argue that the patient’s wishes
should be respected especially if that person had little quality of life. However many
religious believers would say that sometimes patients don’t know what is in their best
interests. Some patients would feel pressurised into ending their lives because they feel
they are a burden to their families and to the health service. Other patients are depressed
because of illness and in need of treatment not being killed.
Some Christians would argue that doctors should not carry out IVF treatment either
because it is unnatural. If God has decided for whatever reason that a person is not to
have children then God’s will ought to be respected. Doctors have no right playing God
even if it is what the patient wants.
Some people will say that a person has the right to decide what they want to do with
their bodies and that doctors should accept this. If a person is a sensible adult it is their
right to choose what happens to them. They have the right to exercise their free will
regardless of what others may think.
I think doctors have a moral and legal responsibility to care for their patients and
sometimes this will mean acting in a way different to what patients might want. They are
the experts and often know what is in our best interests even if we disagree.
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2.
a. Explain what religious believers mean by the term free will.
This relates to the belief that nothing is determined. For example when making moral
decisions I am free to choose which course of action to take. I can do what is right or
what is wrong, the decision is mine.
b. Explain how having a religious faith might support the view that life is special.
Christians believe that life is a special gift given to us by God. Christians believe that
human beings are made in the ‘image and likeness of God’ and because of this all human
life is sacred. Christians believe their bodies are temples and that the Holy Spirit lives in
each one of us. Christians believe people should treat each other with dignity and respect
because human life is so important (sanctity of life). This is also the reason why they are
so against killing – ‘thou shall not kill’.
c.
‘Free will means that I can
choose when to end my life’
Give two reasons why a religious believer might agree or disagree with this
statement.
(i)Some Christians believe that God has given us free will so that we can take control of
our own lives and make the important decisions in life including whether or not to end
our own lives. This is why some Christians support euthanasia. They believe that a person
has the right to live with dignity and when illness takes this away the person should be
free to end their own life. Free will gives a person choice, power and responsibility.
(ii)Some other Christians disagree. They believe that only God has the right to decide
when a person’s life is to end. Life was given by God therefore it belongs to him and only
he should decide when it ends. Life is a sacred gift from God and to destroy life is a
mortal sin.
d. Explain from two different religious traditions the teachings about euthanasia.
(You must state the religious traditions you are referring to)
Catholic view = Catholic teachings take an absolute position on euthanasia. Catholics
believe that all human life is sacred (sanctity of life) and ought to be respected. The
commandment says ‘thou shall not kill’ and Catholics believe this refers to euthanasia
also. Even in a situation where a person is suffering greatly and wants to die the Church
teaches that this is a sin. Life is precious and every effort must be made to protect and
preserve life even where the quality of life is low. Pope John Paul II once famously said
‘we live in the midst of a titanic struggle between a culture of death and the Gospel of
life’. He taught that we should always choose life over death.
Quaker view = Quakers take a relative approach to euthanasia. This means they make a
decision on euthanasia based on the particular situation. Therefore in some situations
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Quakers would respect a person’s wish to end their life prematurely especially in cases
where a person was terminally ill and suffering greatly. However Quakers value life very
highly and would encourage people to live with illness where possible because even when
a person is very ill they can often still enjoy a quality of life. Euthanasia should therefore
never be seen as a first choice. Quakers seek to embrace and cherish life; they seek to find
the good in every situation even when this is extremely difficult.
e. ‘Life belongs to God, nobody should intervene’
Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have
thought about more than one point of view. You must include reference to religious
beliefs in your answer.
Many Christians would agree with this statement. According to the book of Genesis God
made man ‘in his own image and likeness’. Christians consider human life to be sacred
because it was God given and because they believe the Holy Spirit lives in each one of us.
Many Christians believe that people have no right making life and death decisions
whether this be in relation to abortion, euthanasia, IVF, the death penalty etc.
Many religious believers from other faiths including Jews, Muslims, Hindus and
Sikhs also believe that all life belongs to God. God is considered to be the supreme
creator and therefore only he has the right to make life and death decisions. For people to
try and play the role of God is wrong/sinful.
However there are many people that would disagree with this statement. For example
atheists believe there is no God therefore life belongs to the individual. Therefore when it
comes to making life and death decisions many atheists believe that the person should
decide for themselves what they wish to do. They do this by following their own
conscience.
Some religious believers believe that God creates life but then he gives it over to us
and it is therefore our right to make life and death decisions in relation to issues such as
abortion and euthanasia. God gave us free will to make decisions. He also gave us
instructions and guidance to help us make the correct decisions through the bible, Jesus
and the Church.
I think all life does belong to God because he has complete authority over all of
creation. God gave us life therefore he alone has the right to decide when that life should
end. Once people begin to play God it causes a lot of problems for example do doctors
have the right to create ‘designer babies’ or end someone’s life because they believe the
person has no real quality of life?
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3.
a. Explain what religious believers mean by the term Hippocratic Oath.
This is a special promise made by those working in medicine to do their best to preserve
life. For example this means a doctor should always try and treat their patients to the best
of their ability and never to harm or breach patient confidentiality.
b. Explain how having a religious faith might influence a persons’ attitude towards
abortion.
Some Christians e.g. Catholics are against abortion because it violates the sanctity of life.
Catholics believe all life including that of the unborn is a sacred gift from God and ought
to be protected. Many Catholics join organisations such as Pro-Life or SPUC to campaign
on behalf of the unborn. These religious believers see abortion as breaking the
commandment ‘thou shall not kill’. Abortion for them can never be justified.
c.
‘People should be able to choose
the gender of their baby’
Give two reasons why a religious believer might agree or disagree with this
statement.
(i)Some Christians will disagree with this view because they think any kind of genetic
engineering is unnatural. God chooses who should be born what gender they should be,
what eye and hair colour they will have and the type of person they will become. People
have no right interfering in the natural process and trying to play the role of God.
(ii)Some other Christians may disagree. They might argue that God gave us intelligence
so that we could improve the natural order. God allowed us to develop the skills and
technologies needed to be able to carry out IVF or genetic engineering. God also gave us
a conscience and free will to make difficult decisions in life. Therefore if done for the
right reasons then people should be allowed to choose the gender of their baby.
d. Explain from two different religious traditions the teachings about free will.
(You must state the religious traditions you are referring to)
Catholic view = The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that when God created
mankind he created rational and intelligent creatures. God gave mankind the ability to
control his own actions. Free will allows a person to shape their own life. Catholics
believe that free will is a force for growth and maturity in truth and goodness. If used
correctly free will should direct us back to God, we will act in a way that pleases God and
allows us to achieve salvation. If used incorrectly free will allows a person to sin and
move away from God. Church teachings help Catholics to use their free will correctly.
Quaker view = Quakers believe that there are many paths to God. They believe that God
reveals himself to people in different ways and therefore people have the freedom to
listen to the truth revealed to them and then act according to their own conscience.
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Quakers, unlike Catholics do not believe in absolute truths such as ‘abortion is always
wrong’. They believe that the right thing to do varies depending on the situation. They
will use free will to try and do the most loving thing in a particular situation. Quakers
believe that silent worship and God’s Spirit will help them use their free will correctly.
e. ‘Decisions about birth and death should be left to God’.
Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have
thought about more than one point of view. You must include reference to religious
beliefs in your answer.
Many Christians will agree with this statement. Christians consider God to be the
supreme authority because he is the creator of everything that exists. Christians also
believe that God is omnipotent (all powerful), omnibenevloent (all loving) and omniscient
(all knowing) and because of this God alone has the right to make decisions about birth
and death.
Some Christians would disagree with the statement. They might claim that whilst God
is the supreme authority he nevertheless gave us free will and dominion over the earth
and the creatures in it. God trusted mankind and gave us the skills and abilities to make
important decisions including those about birth and death. This is why some Christians
will support abortion as ‘the lesser of two evils’ in some cases i.e. rape or if the mother’s
life is at risk (this is also known as the theory of double effect). It is also the reason why
some Christians support euthanasia. They argue that God would not want people to
needlessly suffer and that a truly loving and merciful society would pass laws that allow a
person the right to die when there is no quality of life.
Atheists would argue that God does not exist and that man alone should make the
important decisions about life and death. Some would say that laws are made by people
based on what people want and what they think is right.
I think there is too much interfering in the natural process concerning life and death.
Increasingly people and particularly doctors are playing the role of God and I think this is
causing many problems that could easily be avoided. For example women in their 60s
receiving fertility treatment or people in wheelchairs claiming they have no quality of life
at all and wish to die. For me neither of these examples is right and should not be
allowed.
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4.
a. Explain what religious believers mean by the term medical ethics.
These are the moral principles that affect medical issues and practices. For example it is
generally considered wrong for a doctor to deliberately harm his/her patients.
b. Explain how having a religious faith might influence a person’s views on euthanasia.
Some Christians believe that an all loving God (omnibenevolent) would not want a
person to suffer immense pain and indignity when there is no hope of recovery. They
would argue that in cases where there is very little or no quality of life at all then a
person ought to be allowed to die. In some cases euthanasia is the most loving and
merciful thing to do. To allow a person to carry on suffering is not only cruel it is also
unchristian. Jesus used miracles to end the suffering of others but in situations where
miracles are not forthcoming a person’s right to die with dignity should be respected.
c.
‘Hospice care is better than
euthanasia’
Give two reasons why a religious believer might agree or disagree with this
statement.
(i)Some Christians would agree. They would argue that palliative care is often so good
that many patients are in little if any pain at all. Also every effort is made in hospices to
protect the dignity of patients. Time spent here is also very valuable as it gives loved ones
time to spend in each other’s company. Dying naturally also respects the sanctity of life.
(ii)Some other Christians would disagree. Patients in hospices are often in a lot of pain
and discomfort. Even when powerful painkillers are used to remove physical pain there
remains the mental torture of dealing with your own death and the grief this causes loved
ones. Christianity is based on love, compassion, mercy and empathy. Surly these values
allow for a person to have their lives ended prematurely avoiding continual needless
suffering and indignity when all quality of life has been removed.
d. Explain from two different religious traditions the teachings about IVF.
(You must state the religious traditions you are referring to)
Catholic view = The Catholic Church teaches that fertility treatment is unnatural and
therefore immoral. Through IVF embryos are discarded or used for medical research and
this violates the sanctity of life, given that life begins (according to Catholics) at
conception not birth. In the Acts of the Apostles we are told that ‘every child whether
born or unborn is a child of God’ therefore the destruction of embryos is a violation of the
commandment ‘thou shall not kill’. Artificial Insemination is equally unnatural and given
that sperm from a donor is often used it violates the exclusive relationship between
husband and wife. Furthermore Psalm 127 clearly points out ‘children are a gift; a reward
from God’. Therefore Catholics believe children are a precious gift not an absolute right
that every person has.
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Quaker view = Quakers are generally in favour of IVF. Many Quakers believe that
fertility treatment aids and assists the natural process of creation and therefore ought to be
welcomed and embraced. After all we have been instructed by God in the book of
Genesis to ‘go forth and multiply’ and fertility treatment helps this to happen. Fertility
treatment allows infertile people to experience the love and joy of parenthood and brings
a sense of fulfilment to those involved. The failure to have children can cause pain and
tension within a relationship. Fertility treatment can help overcome these problems and is
therefore seen as a good thing by many Quakers.
e. ‘Scientific advancements cause more problems than they solve’.
Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have
thought about more than one point of view. You must include reference to religious
beliefs in your answer.
Some Christians would agree with this statement. Advancements in science are making
medical ethics more and more complicated. Whilst developments in science and
technology help to save lives and to improve the quality of peoples’ lives it does cause
new problems. Contraception, fertility treatment, designer babies, cloning etc simply
weren’t problems until relatively quite recently. Now due to advancements in science
doctors are increasing playing the role of God when it comes to making important
decisions relating to life or death. Some Christians argue this is unnatural and immoral.
Take the example of abortion. Advances in science means that more illnesses or
abnormalities can be detected during the course of the pregnancy and this might well
encourage more women to have abortions. This for many Christians is a violation the
sanctity of life.
Some Christians and religious believers of other faiths would argue that scientific
advancements solve more problems than they cause for example new and more effective
medicines and procedures such as the ability to save premature babies as young as 22
weeks. Science also allows us to have a more developed knowledge and understanding of
the universe.
I think science is a tool and just like any other tool it can be put to good use or it can
be abused. This is not the fault of science but the people that use it. Therefore
advancements in science can be of great use but it can undoubtedly cause many problems
also.
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5.
a. Explain what religious believers mean by the term quality of life.
This refers to the extent to which life is meaningful and pleasurable. For example a fit and
healthy young person would be said to have a very good quality of life.
b. Explain how having a religious faith might influence a persons’ attitude towards
IVF.
Catholics are taught that fertility treatment is unnatural and therefore immoral. Through
IVF embryos are discarded or used for medical research and this violates the sanctity of
life, given that life begins (according to Catholics) at conception not birth. In the Acts of
the Apostles we are told that ‘every child whether born or unborn is a child of God’
therefore the destruction of embryos is a violation of the commandment ‘thou shall not
kill’. Catholics would therefore avoid using IVF and encourage others to do likewise.
c.
‘Euthanasia is always
wrong’
Give two reasons why a religious believer might agree or disagree with this
statement.
(i)Some Christians would agree with this statement. They believe that human life is of
great value. Biblical teachings that reflect this view include, ‘God created man in his own
image’, ‘you yourselves are God’s temple’ and ‘rescue the weak and the needy’. Perhaps
the clearest teaching about the sacredness of human life comes from the Commandment
‘thou shall not kill’ instead Christians are expected to ‘love their neighbour’. Euthanasia it
would seem goes against these teachings.
(ii)Some other Christians believe that in certain circumstances doctors ought to assist in
the ending of someone’s life. In such cases the patient may be in extreme pain and
discomfort due to a terminal and debilitating illness and therefore have no real quality of
life. Or perhaps the patient is in a persistent vegetative state (P.V.S.). These Christians
feel that helping someone to die with dignity is the right thing to do. They often argue that
God loves us and that He would never want people to suffer needlessly. Therefore those
who assist others in their death through active euthanasia are motivated by a sense of
love, compassion and empathy and these are considered to be key Christian values.
d. Explain from two different religious traditions the teachings about medical ethics.
(You must state the religious traditions you are referring to)
Catholic view = The Catholic Church teaches that all medical research and treatments
ought to respect the sanctity of life. They believe that the natural law as intended by God
should be respected. The Catholic Church believes that certain medical treatments are
wrong such as abortions, euthanasia, and IVF because they go against the natural order.
The Church considers these actions to be sinful because human life is being destroyed.
The Catholic Church takes an absolute position in protecting all forms of human life
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whether it be that of the embryo, the foetus or the terminally ill pensioner – ‘all human
life is sacred and must be protected’.
Quaker view = Quakers do not hold one clear set of teachings in relation to medical
ethics. Instead they allow each individual to search their own conscience and decide for
themselves whether or not certain medical treatments are justified or not. Therefore in
certain situations some Quakers would support a woman’s right to choose in relation to
abortion or for childless couples to undergo fertility treatment. Similarly in certain
situations some Quakers would respect the wishes of a person who wanted to die.
Quakers believe that there are many paths to God and that they should be respectful and
tolerant of the views of others. They try not to judge or condemn the actions of others
instead they try to be understanding.
e. ‘A women should not be able to ask for an abortion’
Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have
thought about more than one point of view. You must include reference to religious
beliefs in your answer.
Catholics and some other Christians would agree with this statement. The Catholic
Church teaches that no woman has the right to ask for an abortion. According to their
teachings human life begins at the moment of conception and that all human life is a
sacred gift given to us by God. As such we have a moral responsibility to protect and
preserve life in all its forms especially that of the weak and the vulnerable – ‘rescue the
weak and the vulnerable: deliver them from the hand of the wicked’. Organisations such
as S.P.U.C and Pro-Life support the Catholic viewpoint on abortion. The Salvation Army
hold a similar viewpoint. They too believe that every effort must be made to treasure and
cherish human life however in extreme cases they will allow abortion for example if the
foetus was the product of an incestuous relationship.
Many Christians will use biblical teachings to support their views on abortion.
They may refer to the commandment ‘thou shall not kill’, or the teaching in Genesis that
‘God created man in his own image and likeness’ to support their claims. Biblical and
church teachings are often used as evidence to support and justify certain ethical
viewpoints.
Some Christians disagree with this statement. They believe that a woman should
be allowed to ask for an abortion in certain conditions. Despite claiming to recognise and
appreciate the sanctity of human life certain Christians amongst them some Anglicans,
Lutherans, Baptists and Methodists claim that in certain situations abortions are
permissible. Reasons for this may include if the woman has been raped. Or perhaps she is
too young, too poor or the baby she is carrying is severely disabled. Many within the
United Reformed Church hold similar viewpoints. Here abortion is regarded as the lesser
of two evils.
Some Pro-choice supporters claim that a woman has a right to decide what
happens to her body and if she wants to have an abortion even for social reasons i.e.
pregnancy interferes with education, career, looking good in a bikini while on holiday etc.
then this is her right.
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I personally believe that abortion is wrong and I believe the law that permits
abortion in the UK ought to changed. This would help to reduce the number of abortions
that take place each year (approx. 43 million worldwide!!!). Whilst I can empathise with
the girl who has been raped or living in extreme poverty nevertheless I don’t quite see
how this justifies abortion. Alternatives such as adoption, fostering or care homes still
exist. I consider the unborn themselves to be innocent and voiceless and as such I believe
that we have a moral duty to do all in our power to protect them.
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6.
a. Explain what religious believers mean by the term sanctity of life.
This means life is precious and utterly priceless. For example a person’s life should never
be bought or sold because it is beyond monetary value.
b. Explain how having a religious faith might influence someone’s attitude towards
medical ethics.
Many religious people have very clear views about medical ethics. Catholics for example
are taught that abortions, euthanasia and IVF are wrong because they go against the
sanctity of life. They believe that in all three cases human life is being destroyed and this
goes against the commandment ‘thou shall not kill’. Another example of how a person’s
religious faith might affect their attitude towards medical ethics is that of Jehovah
witnesses and their views on blood transfusions. Jehovah Witnesses believe that the bible
forbids the ingesting of blood therefore even in a medical emergency they will refuse
blood transfusions.
c.
‘If the doctors can do it,
then it must be right’
Give two reasons why a religious believer might agree or disagree with this
statement.
(i)Some Christians will disagree with statement. Just because someone can do something
this does not mean that they ought to do it. Doctors can perform abortions yet many
religious believers such as Catholics would criticise them for doing so because they
believe this goes against the sanctity of life and is therefore sinful.
(ii)Some other Christians will disagree with this statement because there have been
examples of doctors acting in ways that have gone against the wishes of their patients and
their families. An extreme example was Harold Shipman who was a family GP from
Manchester. He killed many elderly patients in his care despite having taken the
Hippocratic Oath. Just because he had the medical expertise to act in this way did not
make it right. Religious believers from all different faiths were appalled at his actions.
d. Explain from two different religious traditions the teachings about the sanctity of
life.
(You must state the religious traditions you are referring to)
Catholic view = The sanctity of life is an important part of Catholic teachings. Catholics
believe that all human life is created by God and is therefore sacred. Catholics believe
that humans are created in ‘the image and likeness of God’ and that any violation of the
sanctity of life is sinful. We are the reflection of God. His image is captured in us. This
highlights the special bond that exists between God and mankind. We are not the product
of some random event. There is nothing accidental about us. We are valuable and
precious in his eyes. This belief is reinforced by the commandment ‘thou shall not kill’
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because of this many Catholics are against war, capital punishment, abortion, suicide and
euthanasia.
Quaker view = Quakers tend not to hold absolute views in relation to most things.
However Quakers do strongly believe in the value of human life. Quakers believe that we
should treat one another with dignity and respect. This is why Quakers are so against the
use of violence and war. However in certain situations Quakers will accept the use of
artificial contraception, abortion, fertility treatment and even euthanasia. They are very
much guided by their individual conscience and if in a particular situation a person’s
conscience allowed it then they would consider this course of action to be right.
e. ‘Euthanasia is just another name for murder’
Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have
thought about more than one point of view. You must include reference to religious
beliefs in your answer.
Some Christians would disagree with this statement. They believe that in certain
circumstances doctors ought to be allowed to assist in the ending of someone’s life. In
such cases the patient may be in extreme pain and discomfort due to a terminal and
debilitating illness. Or perhaps the patient is in a persistent vegetative state (P.V.S.) and
has no quality of life. Some Christians feel that helping someone to die with dignity is
the right thing to do and is therefore no way like murder. They often argue that God loves
us and that He would never want people to suffer needlessly. Therefore those who assist
others in their death through active euthanasia are motivated by a sense of love,
compassion and empathy and these are considered to be key Christian values. Refusing to
end the suffering of another is cruel and inhumane. This is the view taken by Debbie
Purdy and her supporters. She is campaigning for a change in British law that would
allow her husband to assist her in her death abroad but avoid prosecution on return to this
country.
There are also those in society who claim that a person ought to have the right to
decide how and when their life is to end. It may be argued that this is a basic human right
which respects the free will of the individual. Pro euthanasia groups such as Dignitas and
Exit support this viewpoint. Again they reject claims that euthanasia is similar to murder.
Many Christians strongly oppose all forms of active euthanasia. They believe that
human life is of great value. Biblical teachings that reflect this view include, ‘God created
man in his own image’, ‘you yourselves are God’s temple’ and ‘rescue the weak and the
needy’. Perhaps the clearest teaching about the sacredness of human life comes from the
Commandment ‘thou shall not kill’ instead Christians are expected to ‘love their
neighbour’. Catholics take an absolute stance against all forms of active euthanasia.
Teachings from Vatican II make this very clear, ‘life must be protected with the utmost
care’. Pope Paul VI later declared ‘human life is sacred; all men must recognise this’.
I personally believe that all forms of active euthanasia are morally wrong and I do
think them similar to murder. The taking away of human life is in my opinion always
wrong. Whilst I can empathise with the person who is terminally ill and wants their
suffering to be brought to an end, I still believe alternatives exist. The vast majority of
29
pain can be managed and many people can still enjoy a certain degree of quality of life
despite their illness. Life ought to be cherished and celebrated not devalued and brought
to a premature end. Finally many people have gone on to recover despite being told their
illness was ‘terminal’.
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Religious Expression
1.
a. Explain what religious believers mean by the term community.
This refers to a group of people who are joined together because they share something in
common. For example teachers, pupils, governors, cleaners, technicians, support staff etc. all
help to make up our school community.
b. Explain how having a religious faith might lead a person to wear special clothing.
For many Christians their faith is expressed through what is worn and clothing reflects
something important about their religion. Some Christians may wear symbols on their
clothing, for example a fish which tells others about their faith and reminds them of the
original meaning of the word for fish which is icthus, meaning Jesus Christ, God’s Son and
Saviour. A priest will wear vestments to show that a ceremony is important, for example a
baptism or wedding. Other Christians might wear a cross or a crucifix to show their faith.
c.
‘People should go out and spread the Word of God’.
Give two reasons why a religious believer might agree or disagree with this statement.
(i)Some Christians may agree because they are convinced that they have a duty to go out and
preach the message about their religion to others in order to convert them. This is because
they believe they have a duty to lead others along that path to God. Jesus asked the apostles
to spread the word “to all nations” and therefore all should be converted. This type of
preaching is known as evangelism.
(ii)Some other Christians may disagree because they believe it is better to keep their religion
a deeply personal matter between them and God. They may express their faith through
prayer, reading from sacred texts or meditating in a quiet place on their own and believe that
others should be allowed to do the same.
d. Explain from two different religious traditions how the work of a religious charity or
organisation expresses faith through actions.
Catholic view = The work of Cafod expresses faith through actions in many ways and lives
out the parables of both The Sheep and the Goats and The Good Samaritan in all aspects of
its work. Cafod works to promote human development and social justice through fundraising,
long term education and emergency aid. One example of this was following the natural
disaster in Haiti where Cafod supplied drinking water, food, clothes and beds. Their beliefs
led them to assist with long-term aid as well, in order to get people back on their feet.
Quaker view = Quakers try to live what they believe. For example their work on human
rights is rooted in the Quaker testimonies of peace and equality. Quakers were instrumental in
setting up Amnesty International to work for human rights, also the work of Quaker Peace
and Social Witness, works on translating faith into action from grassroots to global level by
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the promoting and protecting of human rights. Quakers believe that they must act in ways that
that are beneficial to others. It is therefore important for them to give their time and energy to
others in the hope of creating a more just and peaceful society.
e. ‘Evangelism is a good thing; how else would you know about religion?’
Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have
thought about more than one point of view. You must include reference to religious
beliefs in your answer.
Some Christians may agree because they are convinced that they have a duty to go out and
preach the message of God to others in order to educate and convert them. If Jesus had kept
His message to himself then nobody would have learnt about Christianity, He had to teach
people so that example should be followed, as Jesus said, take my message “to all nations”.
Some Christians even believe that the only way to be saved (get into heaven) is through being
a Christian because Jesus is ‘the way the truth and the life’ and it is only through Jesus that
person may enter God’s eternal kingdom. Such people believe that evangelism is perhaps the
most important part of their faith.
However, not all Christians
choose to express their religion through evangelizing to others. They believe that religion is a
personal matter, between you and God alone, therefore they would feel it inappropriate to tell
others about their religion. Liberal Christians are more likely to accept that people are free to
find God in different ways; they may argue that Jesus never tried to convert Jews in his
society, so they shouldn’t either. These types of believers are far more tolerant of the beliefs
and practices of those from different faith backgrounds.
In my opinion, we learn
about religion through our upbringings, either at home, Church or school, therefore it is not
necessary to try and convince others of the religious path they should follow, we will find
that place as God guides us. However if someone was to ask me about my faith I would share
it with them but certainly not try to force it upon them.
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2.
a. Explain what religious believers mean by the term evangelism.
This involves spreading a faith or religion to others. For example Jesus’ disciples spread the
good news about Jesus after his death. This involves preaching and teaching.
b. Explain how having a religious faith might encourage a person to take part in an
interfaith organisation.
Some Christians consider themselves to be part of a religious family/community and sharing
beliefs is part of human nature. Sharing faith with others provides a deeper understanding of
their beliefs as they can be discussed and shared together in worship. In a pluralist society
(many different religions in one society) it is essential that interfaith dialogue happens in
order to address any prejudices and build a dialogue based on mutual respect. Working
alongside others with a different faith can help people meet common goals for the benefit of
all living within the community.
c.
‘Religion is a private matter and not for
sharing’.
Give two reasons why a religious believer might agree or disagree with this statement.
(i)A Christian may disagree because it is only through sharing religion that people get to hear
God’s message and as long as it is sharing and not forcing, what’s the harm? Also faith is an
important part of a believer’s life and so it is honourable to share it with others.
(ii)Some other Christians might agree because they believe faith is a personal thing and
should be kept private. It may be intimidating for a person to be told about another’s faith
and may not be welcomed. If a person wants to become religious they can go and find out
about it for themselves.
d. Explain from two different religious traditions how pilgrimage can strengthen faith.
Catholic view = Pilgrimage is often seen as an opportunity to understand faith more deeply
and concentrate fully on religion. A Catholic may visit Lourdes in France in order to
strengthen their faith in times of worry or illness. Catholics believe that because of the
miracles that have happened Mary is present in Lourdes and through the Holy water many
Catholics hope to be healed. Even if a physical cure doesn’t occur, many Catholics have said
that they experienced a spiritual cure which strengthened their faith in God. Other popular
places of pilgrimage for Catholics include Bethlehem or Jerusalem in Israel which mark the
birth and death places of Christ. Many Catholics also choose to visit Fatima in Portugal
where Our Lady appeared to three children on a number of occasions. These places act as a
source of strength and inspiration for those with faith.
Quaker view = Some Quakers may choose to go on a pilgrimage in order to strengthen their
faith and reconnect with God. Quakers may visit the Holy Land in order to walk in the
footsteps of Jesus. Jesus’ teachings allow Quakers to put their faith into action in all aspects
of their beliefs, therefore actually visiting places where Jesus taught will give them the
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spiritual strength to carry on the Christian work they are active in. Other Quakers chose to go
on pilgrimages to remote peaceful and tranquil places that allow them time to reflect and
worship away from the distractions of everyday life. In doing so they hope to be touched and
guided by God’s spirit.
e. ‘Working for a charity is the best way of expressing faith.’
Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have
thought about more than one point of view. You must include reference to religious
beliefs in your answer.
Expressing religious faith often gives direction to people’s lives and many choose to work for
a charity in order to do this. Many Christians choose to spend some of their personal time
involved in charity work as they want to follow the teachings of Jesus, such as the Golden
Rule and ‘Love your neighbour. For those believers, putting faith into action through charity
work is vital to ensure that the example of Jesus is followed and those less fortunate are cared
for and supported, whether on a local, national or global level. Christians believe that they
have a moral duty to help the less fortunate just as the Good Samaritan did and the parable of
the Sheep and the Goats acts as a warning to those that ignore the needs of others. Charity
work is just one way in which many Christians believe they answer God’s calling.
On the other hand, not all
religious believers choose to express their faith by working for a charity. They may believe
that they do not have the necessary gifts or talents needed, or that they have the time to
dedicate to working for a charity. Instead they may choose to pray for the work of the charity
in a private, personal way or donate a regular amount of money to its causes. After all there
are many ways to serve God and working for a charity is just one of them.
In my opinion working for
a charity at some point is very important because it demonstrates the values of love, truth and
justice that Jesus requested of us. However I accept that this is not always practical to do due
to family or work commitments. In such times a person should still pray for those that carry
out charity work and make donations when possible to support them.
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3.
a. Explain what religious believers mean by the term faith.
This means to have trust or confidence. For example an important part of the Christian faith
is the belief in a life after death.
b. Explain how having a religious faith might be expressed through actions.
Some Christians choose to express their faith by taking action to help others such as joining a
charity like Cafod or Christian Aid. Some Christians decide to dedicate their whole life to the
service of God by joining a religious community e.g. priests and nuns. Other Christians show
their faith by wearing religious symbols such as a cross or a crucifix. Some Christians show
their faith by going on pilgrimages whilst others choose to demonstrate their faith by
producing religious works of art i.e. songs, statues, painting etc. therefore different Christians
will express their faith through different actions.
c.
‘Religious paintings are a distraction in a place of worship’.
Give two reasons why a religious believer might agree or disagree with this statement.
(i)Firstly a Christian may disagree because art can be used to provide a visual focus for the
worshipper. Religious art has a long history, with many images being produced in various
forms to display key ideas and beliefs or to tell stories, for example the Stations of the Cross.
Art is often seen as symbolic or metaphorical and can be interpreted by religious believers.
Most Catholic churches contain numerous religious paintings.
(ii)Some other Christians might disagree because art is a form of expression in itself and can
provide a focus for worshippers to meditate on, so they can feel closer to their faith and
religion. In this situation art allows a person to get closer to God. Art work also helps to
convey a message for example in medieval times when many people could not read religious
paintings helped to tell important biblical stories i.e. stained glass windows.
d. Explain from two different religious traditions why interfaith dialogue is important.
Catholic view = For Catholics interfaith dialogue is important in order for peace and
understanding to exist between religions. Understanding provides tolerance and Jesus,
through his own examples, taught that it is important to listen to the views of others. At many
points in His life, Jesus spoke with people of other faiths and Pope John Paul II followed this
example by visiting many countries and initiating dialogue between different faiths. Talking
to others creates friendship and trust and these help people to work together to meet common
goals such as justice and peace for all.
Quaker view = At the root of Quaker belief is that God is present within everyone; all of
humankind is valued. A key Quaker testimony is peace and Quakers believe that through
interfaith dialogue, resolutions can be found. A respect of all faiths is highlighted within the
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‘advices’ and Quakers believe that faiths can learn from each other; all offer relevant views
and approaches to solving conflicts. Quakers have been involved in visiting Palestine in order
to try and help the various factions (Muslims and Jews) come together in the hope of peace
restoration. In their relationship with other faiths, they aim to recognise the others dignity,
along with their own.
e. ‘A pilgrimage is just another name for a holiday’.
Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have
thought about more than one point of view. You must include reference to religious
beliefs in your answer.
Some Christians would disagree because they believe that pilgrimage is a way of expressing
their faith and think that it is a special journey. It is a massive commitment to travel to a holy
place of importance and walk in the footsteps of Jesus or a particular saint i.e. Bernadette at
Lourdes. Christians believe that it brings them closer to God and provides a necessary
environment and time for them to concentrate and reflect on their faith. Whereas a holiday on
the other hand is more a time for fun with family and friends and the focus tends not to be on
God or spiritual matters.
On the other hand,
pilgrimage may seem like a holiday if a group of friends are going together; an unfortunate
aspect of a growing secular society. Some may not take the journey seriously and not
appreciate the spiritual aspect of what they are doing and where they are going. Also many
pilgrimage sites are now over-run with souvenir shops, bars and restaurants which, for some,
may further distract them from the spiritual and holy purpose of the visit.
In my opinion pilgrimage
is not just another name for a holiday, it is a sacred journey on which a religious believer can
feel closer to God and experience a sense of peace and commitment. It is making a special
sacrifice for your faith; the same cannot be said of a holiday.
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4.
a. Explain what religious believers mean by the term pilgrimage.
This is a form of spiritual adventure. For example people that go on a special/religious
journey to places like Lourdes or Jerusalem are on a pilgrimage.
b. Explain how having a religious faith might encourage a person to work for a charity.
Some Christians choose to express their faith by taking action to help others in order to
follow the example of Jesus by showing love and compassion to those in need. The parables
of Jesus, for example the Sheep and Goats and the Good Samaritan ask that love and support
is shown towards those people who need it on a local, national and global level. This could be
in a small way by collecting donations for a charity, or on a larger scale by supporting the
work of a religious charity, for example Cafod, by actually working in a specific place i.e.
Haiti. Those that act in this manner may be seen as examples of modern day disciples.
c.
‘Pilgrimage is out of date’.
Give two reasons why a religious believer might agree or disagree with this statement.
(i)A Christian may agree because it is all about a place that was important to religion many
years ago and there are more exciting places to visit today. Also it is more important to
express belief through actions, for example donating money to charity, rather than spending it
on an expensive pilgrimage to some far of place such as Jerusalem.
(ii)Some Christians might disagree because pilgrimage can be viewed as the ultimate way of
expressing faith in God. Feeling closer to God and tracing the origins/beliefs of a religious
faith is very important and will never be out of date. Going on pilgrimage to a sacred place
also requires a person to make sacrifices and often forces them to consider what is truly
important in life and for people of faith this will always be important.
d. Explain how two different faith traditions express their faith through actions.
Catholic view = Cafod is a Catholic organisation which lives out the parables of the Good
Samaritan and the Sheep and the Goats through active involvement at both a local and global
level. Cafod works to provide emergency aid in places of need and also believes that
education is vital in ensuring that the aid provided can carry on. Jesus taught us to ‘love our
neighbour’ and to ‘treat others the way we wish to be treated’ and in no better way is this put
into action than by the work of Cafod. Their mission is to live out Gospel values in the world
today; in other words to be like Christ working tirelessly for the poor and oppressed
throughout the world.
Quaker view = Quakers strive to put faith into action in all aspects of their lives and work
e.g. as a community at a local, national and global level. Locally they work to introduce
peace education, conflict resolution skills and peer mediation programmes within schools.
Quakers were also involved in the Alternatives to Violence programmes, created to help
prisoners in handling their anger. Quakers are very active in the area of human rights which is
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rooted in the testimonies of peace and equality. In fact Quakers were instrumental in setting
up Amnesty International (Eric Baker) which works tirelessly to provide justice for those
whose human rights have been violated.
e. ‘Religion is about doing something; not just reading the Bible’.
Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have
thought about more than one point of view. You must include reference to religious
beliefs in your answer.
Some Christians would agree because they believe that following their religion is concerned
with living out the teachings of Jesus. Putting faith into action is a vital aspect of Christianity
and the most productive way to follow in the footsteps of Jesus is to ‘love thy neighbour’ and
follow the Golden Rule by actively helping those in need. The Bible is a sacred text and as
such deserves honour and respect, however the written word cannot, alone, feed the hungry
or clothe the naked. Action is needed. This is why the priest used to say at the end of Mass
‘Go in peace to love and serve the Lord’ – he was telling us (the congregation) to go out into
the world and serve God in practical ways i.e. feed the hungry, clothe the naked and befriend
the lonely.
On the other hand, the
Bible may be viewed as a roadmap for life, without which religion would have no purpose.
The Bible offers the teachings to be followed and so they should be read and fully understood
before any action can be taken in a meaningful way. This is why readings from the Bible
form such an important part of most Christian services. Most Christians will also read the
Bible in their daily lives because they attach such importance to what is written in it; it is
after all they would argue the greatest story ever told!
In my opinion, the Bible
and active religion co-exist; one cannot be completely fulfilled without the other. There is a
reason why great men have recorded the written word, the reason being that believers can
read it and then put their faith into actions to help others.
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5.
a. Explain what religious believers mean by the term identity.
This refers to the sense of who you are in terms of attitudes, character and personality. For
example each person has their own identity and uniqueness due to human diversity i.e. Lady
Gaga, Gok Wan, me!!
b. Explain how religious believers may experience God through pilgrimage.
Some Christians believe that God may be experienced through pilgrimage because it
provides the necessary environment and time for them to concentrate and reflect on their
relationship with God. Some places of pilgrimage have been the places where saints have
lived, worked, preached or been martyred and therefore God may be experienced at specific
shrines or through holy relics. Famous places of pilgrimage religious believers flock to in the
hope of experiencing God include Lourdes, Jerusalem and Fatima.
c.
‘Pilgrimage is the best way to show faith in
God’
Give two reasons why a religious believer might agree or disagree with this statement.
(i)A Christian may disagree as there are easier, less expensive ways of showing faith in God,
for example wearing a cross or crucifix, or sharing your faith with others so that they can
gain a better understanding of the religion. Some Christians believe the best way to show
their faith is by showing their love for God and others in their daily lives.
(ii)Some other Christians might agree with this view because pilgrimage involves a massive
commitment to travel to a holy place and walk in the footsteps of a saint or Jesus himself. It is
a way to become closer to God and therefore deepen and strengthen faith. This is the reason
why so many people with faith from all different religious backgrounds go on pilgrimages
every year.
d. Explain from two different religious traditions the attitude towards spreading the
Word of God.
Catholic view = Jesus told his disciples to ‘go out and baptise many’, thus encouraging
some Catholics to believe that it is their place to tell as many people as possible about the
word of God and try to convert them. Many Catholics believe that through evangelism, the
word of God can encourage others to live by the Gospel values of love, truth and justice, thus
creating a more harmonious world. Jesus spent much of his life spreading God’s word as a
guide for how people should live and so to truly follow the example of Jesus, Catholics
should do the same through both words and actions.
Quaker view = Quakers have no agreed creeds or statements of belief, therefore each
individual will have a different opinion on this. However, all Quakers attempt to live their
lives in the spirit of love, truth and justice. For Quakers the Word of God may be spread
through faith into action, in practical terms, not by evangelising to others in order to convert
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them. Quakers believe that evangelism is too intrusive; God will inspire a person with His
Word, when they are ready to receive it. Quakers believe that already God is within everyone
and how God manifests in individuals is for personal discernment (the individual must work
it out for themselves).
e. ‘The only place God can be worshipped is in a Holy building’.
Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have
thought about more than one point of view. You must include reference to religious
beliefs in your answer.
Some Christians would agree because Holy buildings have objects that remind the believers
of the importance of their faith and allow them to express their faith with people who share
their beliefs. Jesus told his followers, “Where two or three come together in my name, I am
there with them”. (Mat 18:20) It is a place where they are united and, therefore, is suitable as
a place to worship God. Also the atmosphere created in a Holy building will be completely
different from praying to or worshipping God alone. That’s what makes Holy buildings,
according to some, the only place God can be worshipped. This also helps to explain why so
many religious believers visit a place of worship each week – i.e. church, meeting house,
mosque, synagogue, temple etc.
On the other hand, a
Quaker for example, believes that what is important is what goes on between God and a
person’s mind, the place doesn’t really matter. It can be anywhere, inside or outside and
without special preparations. Indeed they would say that paintings, symbols and special
clothing are a distraction rather than a help. This is why Quakers choose to worship in simple
surroundings – (simplicity being one of the Quaker testimonies).
In my opinion, God can be
worshipped in many places and in many ways. Private prayer is equally as important in my
view, indeed at times it is written that Jesus went to pray alone for example in the dessert,
after his baptism and in Gethsemane before his arrest. I also believe that God is worshipped
through actions, when we help and support others, it is a prayer unsaid, but fully
acknowledged by God. Therefore Holy buildings are just one of many places wherein God
can be worshipped.
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6.
a. Explain what religious believers mean by the term sacred.
This refers to something to be revered or respected above other things. For example religious
believers consider their holy texts or places of worship to be sacred/special.
b. Explain how a religious believer may use symbols in worship.
Being surrounded by symbols of their faith or pictures can help to focus the believers mind
on God. The darkness of some churches and the smell of incense can help people to settle
into an atmosphere of worship. For a Christian the cross or crucifix expresses beliefs about
Jesus, stained glass windows will depict Bible stories, rosary beads are used to focus prayer
all of which are used as expressions of faith in either public or private worship.
c.
‘Religion gives people a purpose in life.’
Give two reasons why a religious believer might agree or disagree with this statement.
(i)A Christian may agree because to be part of a religion means to have trust and confidence
in God and helps to create a sense of identity and purpose. Religion gives direction to
people’s lives and a sense of belonging within a community of believers. Part of this purpose
involves helping other people and so enables a believer to live out the teachings of Jesus, for
example ‘love your neighbour’.
(ii) Some Christians would agree and this is why they dedicate the whole of their lives to
religion whether in contemplative or practical ways, so for them, religion is the whole
purpose in life e.g. priests and nuns. People that have such vocations in life often talk about
how their faith gives meaning and purpose to their existence and they find this deeply
satisfying and rewarding.
d. Explain from two different religious traditions how symbols can be used in worship.
Catholic view = Catholics use many symbols in worship in order to gain focus and feel
closer to God. Many Catholics will use rosary beads when praying in order to keep their
concentration and in a Catholic church a crucifix will be a main focal point of worship in
order to remind the faithful of the sacrifice Jesus gave with his life. A priest will also have
various symbols on his vestments at different times throughout the liturgical year, for
example at Pentecost a vestment will include symbols of the Holy Spirit such as a dove and
fire.
Quaker view = Quakers do not believe that symbols are necessary for worship and therefore
will tend not to use any. A Quaker believes that the relationship between God and a person
does not necessarily need symbols to be used; they prefer everything to be plain and simple, a
testimony being simplicity. For them, worship is what goes on between God and a person’s
mind and therefore symbols are viewed as a distraction, rather than a help. This plain and
simple approach to worship is a key feature of Quaker beliefs and practices.
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e. ‘Faith is a personal thing; no-one has the right to tell you what to wear’.
Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have
thought about more than one point of view. You must include reference to religious
beliefs in your answer.
Many Christians would agree with this statement. Christianity does not demand that its
followers wear any special clothing although many freely choose to do so. For example many
Christians will choose to wear crosses, crucifixes or rosary beads because they form part of
their identity and reveal something about what is important for that person just like a football
fan chooses to wear certain colours to show their support and devotion for a certain team.
However some Christians
believe that they have a duty to wear certain clothing for example many priests and ministers
wear dark clothing and a white collar because this acts as a kind of uniform which identifies
them as servants of God. Other religious leaders such as bishops, cardinals and the pope are
expected to wear special clothing or symbols especially on important religious festival such
as Easter or Christmas. This has been part of the tradition of the church throughout the
centuries and these leaders have a responsibility to honour and protect this rich tradition.
Some Christians believe
that faith and clothing are not linked. They believe that it is what is in your heart that matters,
not what you wear. Jesus did not make any demands on dress code for his followers, and
therefore it may seem unnecessary for religious leaders to wear various coloured vestments
throughout the liturgical year. If faith is a personal thing, it follows that clothing should be.
In my opinion, it is society or a religious tradition that demands certain clothing is worn
within the Christian faith; it is in no way connected to the personal relationship with God that
faith provides. God will not judge us on the clothes we wear, we will be judged on the
content of our hearts, minds and souls, none of which require a material covering of any kind.
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Authority – Religion and State
1.
a. Explain what religious believers mean by the term authority.
This means having right or power over others. For example the police have certain powers
such the right to search, arrest or issues warnings to people.
b. Explain how having a religious faith might lead a person to work for human rights.
Members of most religions believe that humans were created by God. It follows then that
God’s creation must be treated with respect. If life is sacred it must mean that people have
special rights and must be protected. This is summed up in the Golden Rule teaching; ‘treat
others the way you would wish to be treated’. A person of faith would wish to put this
teaching into action and thus ensure that all people have human rights regardless of race,
gender or religion as Jesus did to ensure people who had been rejected by everyone else still
received fair treatment.
c.
‘Everybody should have the same human rights’.
Give two reasons why a religious believer might agree or disagree with this statement.
(i)A Christian may agree because it states in Genesis 1 that God ‘created men equally and
made them in His own image’. Also the way Jesus both taught and behaved demonstrates this
as the Gospels tell of many times Jesus ensured the fair treatment of everyone, for example
when He healed a leper and dealt kindly with a tax collector. These people would have been
avoided/disliked by Jewish society at that time yet Jesus treated them with love and
compassion. Christians believe they have a duty to act like Jesus.
(ii)Some other Christians might disagree because, should someone who has committed a
horrific crime such as murder, still be entitled to the same human rights as everyone else? A
Christian may argue that the moment you take away the human rights of someone else, you
forgo yours – ‘an eye for an eye’. Therefore taking away the human rights of a rapist or a
killer is what justice demands.
d. Explain from two different religious traditions the teachings about duty.
Catholic view = Catholics believe that duty is wide reaching; firstly there is a duty to God
which is summarised in the Greatest Commandment, ‘love God with all your heart’.
Secondly there is a duty to your neighbour as taught by Jesus in the parable of the Good
Samaritan and to treat others as you would want to be treated. Thirdly, a person has a duty to
themselves in order to keep their body and mind healthy and to use their talents fully so as to
look after the world in which they are a steward. The teachings of the Catholic Church
(catechism) outlines the various different duties that Catholics are expected to perform.
Quaker view = Quakers try to be dutiful in all they do. The power of the ‘spirit’ leads them
to a commitment to equality, peace, simplicity and truth for all. This underpins the
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testimonies by which a Quakers’ duty is based. Quakers are not unrealistic in viewing an
‘ideal’ world, however through the testimonies they work with and support groups who are
trying to build a more peaceful just world. Quakers believe that the world would be a more
loving and just place if people were to recognise their duties and responsibilities and then act
accordingly.
e. ‘You should always follow your conscience when it comes to moral decisions.’
Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have
thought about more than one point of view. You must include reference to religious
beliefs in your answer.
Some Christians believe that a person’s conscience is their moral bench mark; it enables us to
reach sometimes difficult moral decisions. When faced with a moral decision a person may
ask advice of other people or read a sacred text in order to gain some level of clarity. In
Genesis 1, the Bible states that man is made ‘in the image of God’ not in a physical way, but
in a way that we can think and decide on appropriate courses of action. Many religious
believers have looked upon their conscience as the voice of God and feel that it ought to be
followed always.
There may however be
times when conscience conflicts with the law/authority of the land and a person finds them
self faced with a difficult decision to make. For example, according to British law, it is not
illegal to commit adultery but it is viewed within a religious capacity as being against one of
the Ten Commandments. In this difficult situation what does a religious believer do if
tempted to commit adultery? A religious believer may argue that they need to be true to their
faith and follow their conscience regardless of what the law says or allows them to do.
I am unsure about whether
a person should always follow their conscience when it comes to making moral decisions.
What if a person misinterprets what their conscience is saying? What if it is not their
conscience that is guiding them but greed and desire? Then again why follow what the
religious leaders or the government say if something deep inside (personal conviction) is
telling you to act in a different way?
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2.
a. Explain what religious believers mean by the term duty.
This refers to something that you do because it is the accepted pattern of behaviour. For
example a parent has a duty/responsibility to provide for their children.
b. Explain how having a religious faith might influence a persons’ attitude towards
capital punishment.
A Christian may be against capital punishment as life is sacred and belongs to God;
therefore no one has the right to kill another person. The death penalty is inhumane and often
barbaric, which creates a brutal, unforgiving society. Jesus taught that forgiveness and
reconciliation are vital, he himself publically forgave his executors when he said, “Father
forgive them, they do not know what they are doing”. Capital punishment can never right a
wrong doing. The death penalty violates a fundamental human right-the right to life.
c.
‘People should always try to get justice for others’.
Give two reasons why a religious believer might agree or disagree with this statement.
(i)A Christian may agree as what Jesus both taught and demonstrated highlighted the
importance of justice for all. The Gospels tell of times that Jesus went out of his way to
ensure that justice was served. There are accounts of Jesus healing a leper, dealing kindly
with a prostitute and a tax collector as well as responding to a request for help from a Roman
soldier. Jesus’ teachings about justice were revolutionary because he linked justice with nonviolence and forgiveness.
(ii)Some other Christians may agree because they believe that there is an unjust division of
wealth in the world which leads them to campaign against poverty in less economically
developed countries; ‘Make Poverty History’ and ‘Drop the Debt’ are campaigns that
Christians actively support. Striving to achieve justice for others is putting the commandment
‘love your neighbour’ into practice and most Christians believe they have a duty to do this.
d. Explain from two different religious traditions the teachings about human rights.
Catholic view = There are many biblical passages that teach Catholics the importance of
human rights, for example in Genesis 3, ‘Adam named his wife Eve, because she was the
mother of all human beings’. Thus Catholics believe that everyone is entitled to the same
human rights. Catholics also follow the teachings and examples of Jesus, who went out of
his way to ensure that people who would have otherwise been rejected (tax collectors, lepers
and prostitutes) where given fair treatment and their human rights upheld. By respecting
others human rights Catholics are living out the Gospel values of love, compassion, dignity
and justice in the world today.
Quaker view = Quakers recognise that every person has equal worth. A Quaker statement in
1991 said, “Our concern for human rights arises from our understanding of God’s will for
humankind”. They believe that all humankind has a sacred bond with God and that all people
have a holy duty to live to that will. A Quaker called Eric Baker was instrumental in setting
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up Amnesty International, through his work to ensure the humane treatment of political
prisoners. Today Quakers are involved in numerous projects and initiatives aimed at
protecting the human rights of others regardless of their colour, faith, nationality, gender or
sexuality.
e. ‘Reading the Bible is all the moral guidance you need.’
Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have
thought about more than one point of view. You must include reference to religious
beliefs in your answer.
For some Christians, the Bible is the best source of authority because it is the word of God.
This means that what is written there has God’s authority. The Bible contains rules, e.g. The
Ten Commandments and teachings e.g. The Golden Rule and numerous parables, telling
people how best to live their lives i.e. ‘love your neighbour’ and ‘treat others the way you
would like to be treated’ etc. These are the parts that some Christians turn to when they need
answers to difficult moral questions. Christians often read the teachings of St. Paul who wrote
a large number of letters to assist newly-formed Christian groups to make the right moral
decisions.
Other Christians may
consult the Bible however they interpret it in a more liberal way for today’s society. They say
that although God inspired the Bible, humans wrote the words down to help in the society
they lived in; not the society of today. As such these Christians would not always follow
literally what it says in the Bible. Instead they might follow their conscience or the teachings
of the church.
In my opinion times have
changed and many moral decisions made today may not have been relevant thousands of
years ago. A good example is the many dilemmas that advancements in medical science have
brought before us, for example issues surrounding IVF. It may be difficult to gain any
guidance from the Bible in such complex matters therefore a Christian might turn to other
sources of authority.
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3.
a. Explain what religious believers mean by the term human rights.
These are something a person is entitled to because they are human. For example the right to
life or the right to live in peace or the right to be treated fairly are all human rights.
b. Explain how having a religious faith might influence a person to use their sacred text
to make moral decisions.
Christians believe that the Bible is no ordinary book; it is sacred because it was inspired by
God. Christians look to God as the ultimate source of authority to decide what is right and
what is wrong. They will look to the rules, i.e The Ten Commandments, the teachings of
Jesus, i.e ‘Love your neighbour’ and The Golden Rule and use the Bible as a source of
revelation in the hope that God’s message will be revealed to them and so assist with any
moral decisions they need to make.
c.
‘It’s madness to speak out when you know you will be killed’.
Give two reasons why a religious believer might agree or disagree with this statement.
(i)A Christian may agree with this because they may feel that their voice is too small to be
heard and they would lose their life for nothing. Life is sacred; therefore it may seem wrong
to put your life in danger when that can be avoided. Also if you are a parent you have a duty
to love and provide for your children. These responsibilities will not be met if you are dead.
(ii)Some other Christians might disagree because it may be more appropriate to follow in the
footsteps of Jesus or Oscar Romero, who never sat back and let evil flourish; they stood up
for what they believed to be right even though it cost them their lives. If a Christian has a
strong personal conviction, not even the fear of death will stop them. As the saying goes; ‘in
order for evil to triumph (win) it is enough that good people do nothing’. Christians have a
moral duty to speak out even if it places them in danger.
d. Explain from two different religious traditions the teachings about capital
punishment.
Catholic view = The Catholic Church teaches that capital punishment is wrong because God
alone is the judge with ultimate authority no one has the right to take the life of another
person. A Catholic would use these teachings to forbid abortion and euthanasia; therefore
they should also be applied to capital punishment if all life is sacred and belongs to God.
Jesus brought a message of love and compassion, He emphasised the importance of
forgiveness not retribution (revenge). This was clearly shown when he said to those about to
carry out the death penalty ‘let he who is without son cast the first stone’.
Quaker view = Quakers place emphasis on rehabilitation rather than retribution as they
believe that the light of God is present in everyone, including criminals. Quakers oppose
capital punishment and in an official statement said that judicial execution serves no purpose,
in fact it just encourages a brutal, unforgiving society. Many Quakers are active in trying to
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reform the criminal justice system, in fact, an early prison reformer Elizabeth Fry who
campaigned for the fair treatment of women and children in prison, was a Quaker.
e. ‘If God is the judge, we have no right to punish people’.
Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have
thought about more than one point of view. You must include reference to religious
beliefs in your answer.
Religion has played an important part in the development of how society deals with
offenders; however some Christians believe that God alone is the judge, people will be
judged on their earthly actions at the time of judgement. Jesus himself said, ‘Do not judge so
that you are not judged’. (Mat 7:1). Jesus’ teachings are based on forgiveness and compassion
and so offenders should be offered the chance to atone for their wrongdoings, not punished
by others. This message was clearly given when Jesus said to prostitute after her accusers had
left ‘go and sin no more’.
On the other hand many
Christians believe that punishment and forgiveness can go together and so they see
reforming rather than punishing the criminal as important. They have also set up systems to
ensure a fair system, for example The Howard League for Penal Reform. The state of prisons
was also improved in the 19th century by the Quaker, Elizabeth Fry. Nevertheless, the
Christian Church has reinforced the right of the State to punish criminals, based on the verse,
‘Let every person be subject to the government authorities’. (Romans 13:1)
In my opinion, laws need
to be in place to ensure that people have responsibility for their actions. However a person’s
human rights also have to be addressed in order for reform and reparation to be successful.
God gave people the capability to oversee society and therefore although God should be
honoured, at times judgement by other forms of authority must take place.
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4.
a. Explain what religious believers mean by the term justice.
This refers to a situation where everyone has equal provisions and opportunity. For example
everyone ought to be entitled to a fair trial or have the opportunity to learn or get a job.
b. Explain how having a religious faith might convince a person to disobey the law.
If a personal, religious conviction is strong enough a Christian may be convinced to disobey
the law. A person may find it very difficult to stand aside and watch something happen that
will bring harm. An example of this was when ten Quakers were arrested by police because
of their pacifist beliefs. They were protesting against nuclear weapons and believe it is their
duty to work towards world peace, something they believe can never be achieved if a country
holds nuclear weapons. They say that they respect state laws however their first loyalty is to
God. Here their personal convictions and consciences prompted them to speak out against
what was going on in society.
‘Depriving someone of their freedom is the best
punishment for murder’
c.
Give two reasons why a religious believer might agree or disagree with this statement.
(i)A Christian may agree with this as they believe that capital punishment is against the will
of God. Jesus’ message was of forgiveness and reconciliation and a time in prison may allow
the offender to reflect on the crime committed. As Ghandi said, ‘An eye for an eye makes the
whole world blind’, and therefore capital punishment will solve nothing, it will not bring the
murdered person back to their loved ones.
(ii)Some other Christians might disagree because they feel that taking away a murderer’s
freedom is in no way matched to the taking of a life. After a time the murderer might be
released, to live their life with family and friends, possibly not even regretting their actions.
The person murdered will never be given their life back and their family will carry that
sorrow forever. Therefore they believe that justice will on be served when those guilty of
murder are themselves executed.
d. Explain from two different religious traditions about the authority of sacred texts.
Catholic view = Catholics believe that the Bible was inspired by God and therefore has
God’s authority. The Bible contains rules and teachings by which a Catholic is guided in life
to make the right moral decisions. For Catholics the most important teachings are given by
Jesus and are found in the New Testament. In particular the Sermon on the Mount tells
Catholics about the sort of lives that God expects them to lead i.e. to be loving, forgiving and
compassionate to those that you meet in the same way that Jesus was.
Quaker view = Some Quakers read the Bible in order to gain guidance regarding moral
issues others do not. Quakers use their testimonies of simplicity, peace, integrity, community,
equality and stewardship to guide their consciences. Most acknowledge the Bible as sacred
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text; however some do not view it as the ultimate Word of God, merely a good source of
moral guidance, especially the teachings of Jesus regarding equality, peace and justice.
e. ‘A life for a life is fair’.
Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have
thought about more than one point of view. You must include reference to religious
beliefs in your answer.
Some Christians may agree with this statement as they may take guidance from the Old
Testament which states that it is fair and just to atone the taking of a life by taking another. It
may seem fair and just to them, that if a loved one is murdered, then the perpetrator should
lose their life also, prison is not punishment enough. ‘An eye for an eye’ is retribution
(revenge) and this is just. Furthermore capital punishment protects society in that it prevents
the guilty from reoffending and at the same time it serves as a warning to others of what will
happen if they were to carry out a similar crime.
However, Jesus brought a
teaching of forgiveness for all; He himself forgave his executors when dying on the cross –
‘Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing’. Although it may be difficult to
initially forgive such a terrible wrongdoing, many Christians take strength from Jesus’
example. Gee Walker, whose son Anthony was brutally murdered for no other reason than
being black, has publically forgiven the two guilty men. Gee says that her Christian faith has
given her the guidance to realise that keeping hold of the hatred and revenge will in fact take
her life in a metaphorical sense (she will be destroyed by anger and bitterness).
My personal opinion is that
this is a really difficult statement to completely agree or disagree with. As a Christian I hope
that my faith in God and the guidance of Jesus’ teachings would allow me to forgive if
someone took the life of someone I loved. However I can’t help but think such people
deserve a severe punishment if true justice is ever to be served.
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5.
a. Explain what religious believers mean by the term personal conviction.
This refers to something a person strongly feels or believes in. For example some people feel
strongly about animal rights or environmental issues and this is reflected in what they say and
do.
b. Explain how having a religious faith might influence a person’s attitude towards
punishment.
Christians tend to support punishment as long as the punishment is just; in other words the
punishment must ‘fit the crime’. Therefore if someone has committed a serious crime/sin
such as murder or rape most Christians would support a lengthy prison sentence. The aim of
such punishment would be to protect society from dangerous people and also to deter other
from acting in a similar way. An appropriate punishment allows a person to pay for their
crimes (reparation). Some Christians believe in retribution – ‘an eye for an eye’, however
many Christians consider this approach to be somewhat spiteful and vindictive. Instead these
Christians will put emphasis on reform – ‘hate the sin not the sinner’. This attitude is
arguably more loving and compassionate. Jesus often showed mercy to sinners i.e. Zacchaeus
or the woman about to be stoned to death and many would follow this example.
c.
‘Capital punishment is a form of murder.’
Give two reasons why a religious believer might agree or disagree with this statement.
(i)Some Christians will agree with this statement because if life is sacred and belongs to God,
God alone is the judge, no-one has the right to take another life, even if a horrific crime has
taken place. Jesus brought a message of love and forgiveness, and therefore rehabilitation
would be the most loving option. Capital punishment simply increases the amount of brutality
in the world.
(ii)Some other Christians might disagree because if the teachings of the Old Testament are
considered, such as “an eye for an eye” then capital punishment is not murder; it is merely
justice and a way of deterring further criminality. Therefore some Christians will argue that
society has a moral duty to use the death penalty.
d. Explain from two different religious traditions how faith may influence personal
convictions.
Catholic view = For some Catholics many personal beliefs will be supported by the Bible
and the teachings of Jesus. At times many Catholics may be in moral dilemmas due to the
fact that the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches many ‘definite’ answers to some very
difficult personal moral situations. For example in the case of IVF, the Catholic Church is
very clear that this goes against the will of God, only God can decide when life is conceived.
For a Catholic couple, unable to have their own child, this will have a massive impact on
their course of action, with many overcoming their personal desire for a child, with the fact
that it is the will of God that is the most important factor.
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Quaker view = A key element for Quakers is that they seek to live what they believe. Both
the Quaker advices and testimonies support this and encourage that faith influences personal
convictions on many matters. Historically, Quakers are well known for their stand against
war as pacifists. Quakers refuse to take up arms and instead try to help the casualties of war.
In 1947 Quakers were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for recognition of global humanitarian
work. Quakers also have strong personal convictions in relation to stewardship, equality and
truthfulness and these in turn influence how they behave.
e. ‘Trying to reform criminals is a waste of time.’
Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have
thought about more than one point of view. You must include reference to religious
beliefs in your answer.
Jesus taught that forgiveness and love are the keys to a humane society and therefore a
Christian may strive to support rehabilitation rather than giving up on the criminal. There are
many examples of Jesus showing compassion towards those who have sinned, for example
Mary Magdalene was seen as a criminal and was about to be stoned until Jesus spoke up on
her behalf. She did reform and became a follower of Jesus. Another very good example is
that of St. Paul. He used to persecute Christians until he was transformed by God whilst
walking on the road to Damascus. St. Paul went on to become the leader of the Christian
church.
Other Christians, such as
Quakers would disagree as they believe that the light of God is present in everyone, therefore,
everyone deserves a second chance. Quakers believe that reform policy is essential and
uphold the Christian principle that good can overcome evil. Quakers believe that
rehabilitation allows healing of both the criminal and those affected by the crime, thus
creating a more peaceful, forgiving society.
In my opinion, reforming
criminals is not a waste of time in most instances. God gave us free will in order to make our
own decisions. Sometimes those decisions may be wrong, however, a second chance allows a
criminal to reflect upon that and reform their ways in order to be a valuable part of society.
At the end of the day we all make mistakes and are in need of forgiveness and the opportunity
to make amends. Therefore as a Christian I have a duty to forgive other their trespasses so
that God will forgive me for my trespasses.
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6.
a. Explain what religious believers mean by the term punishment.
This refers to a penalty given to someone for a crime or wrong they have done. For example a
person might receive a fine or even a prison sentence for stealing.
b. Explain how having a religious faith might lead a person to believe that God alone is
the judge.
A Christian may follow the Bible when considering who has the authority to judge
wrongdoings. God gave the Ten Commandments as a guide for believers to follow, thus
showing God as omnipotent. God gave the Commandments to allow people to live a moral,
law abiding life, therefore a believer may say that if those ‘laws’ are broken it is God’s place
to pass judgement. God is after all the supreme creator and sustainer of the universe and
according to the bible he will on Judgement Day judge all of mankind.
c.
‘The Bible is too old to offer moral guidance today’.
Give two reasons why a religious believer might agree or disagree with this statement.
(i)A Christian may agree with this because the Bible was written at a time when many issues
that are a concern today were not relevant then. Medical ethical decisions are a prime
example of this; religious dilemmas concerning IVF would never have been considered when
the Bible was written. The same is true about the use of nuclear or biological weapons. To
answer questions relating to these issues a person is forced to turn to other sources of
authority.
(ii) Some other Christians might disagree because if the Bible is the absolute Word of God (a
literalist perspective), can that ever be classed as out of date? The guidance given in the Bible
can be adapted to ethical issues today, as teachings such as the sanctity of life are as relevant
now as they would have been hundreds of years ago. Life is always precious and God-given
therefore any modern practices that violate the sanctity of life i.e. euthanasia, abortion I.V.F
etc. may be considered wrong.
d. Explain how an individual from two different religious traditions has worked for
human rights.
Catholic view = Oscar Romero was an Archbishop in El Salvador who fought against the
injustices faced by the people there. Romero could not keep silent when he saw rich
landowners making huge profits whilst their employees starved to death and as such had a
personal conviction to use his power and influence to tell the world what was going on in El
Salvador, even if he risked his own life. Romero condemned the government for human
rights abuses, for example people were taken and tortured for attending Catholic Mass, for
trying to organise trade unions and voting against the regime in power. Romero’s actions
were motivated by the life of Jesus, who never stood back and let evil flourish. Romero was
assassinated whist saying Mass by a government assassin. He had previously stated ‘may my
death be for the freedom of my people’.
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Quaker view = Eric Baker was a Quaker and a peacemaker, who in 1961 wrote a newspaper
article entitled “The Forgotten Prisoner”. This article started a campaign which resulted in the
founding of Amnesty International in 1962. Baker was appalled at the inhumane treatment of
political prisoners; many imprisoned without trial and believed that the Quaker testimonies of
both peace and equality should underpin the work of Amnesty International. Baker worked
tirelessly to ensure that the governments around the world were fully aware of human rights
laws, through publicity campaigns, posters and seeking meetings with prominent political
people. Baker initiated the current Quaker tradition of working in this way which is called
‘speaking truth to power’.
e. ‘A religious person should be prepared to sacrifice their life for human rights’.
Do you agree? Give reasons or evidence for your answer, showing that you have
thought about more than one point of view. You must include reference to religious
beliefs in your answer.
Throughout the history of the Christian Church there have been many examples of people
following their faith so explicitly that it has cost them their lives, e.g. Martin Luther King and
Oscar Romero. With regards to human rights, most Christians believe that it is God’s will
that all humankind have equal rights and justice, however most Christians may not be willing
to sacrifice their life for a particular human rights cause especially if they were married and
had a family to support.
If a Christian was to follow
the example of Jesus fully, for example Oscar Romero and Maximillian Kolbe, then they
would be willing to give their life for the human rights of others. Both of these great men
made choices for the human rights of others that they knew would eventually cost them their
own lives. However, because of their unending faith in the teachings of Jesus, for example
‘love your neighbour’ and ‘there is no greater love than to lay down your life for your
friends’ these men were prepared to sacrifice their lives, totally unselfishly.
Some Christians however
may feel that the lives of these men were taken in vain, as human rights abuses did not cease
to exist in either Europe after World War II or in El Salvador. Can a few brave people make
that much of a difference? It may be more appropriate to carry on campaigning for human
rights rather than to end your life.
In my opinion, human
rights should not just be the concern of religious people. Basic human rights, such as
freedom of speech, to have shelter and to be able to worship in peace are a global concern
rather than just a religious concern. Although the death of the great men mentioned did go
some way to highlight human rights abuses, I feel that more could have been achieved with
the men alive as they were very influential.