Belief in Deity Nature of God - Beliefs about the nature of God Body and soul - Concept of the soul Relationship between the body & the soul Belief in God - The End of Life Reasons given in support of belief in God o o o o o o o Miracles Concept of miracles including different beliefs within Christianity - God intervening in the world through: o Miracles o Jesus o The Holy Spirit Life after death - God as a judge Relationship between God the judge, life on earth and the afterlife Funeral rites - GCSE Philosophy & Applied Ethics Miss Rosbrook 2012/13 Concept of the afterlife Beliefs about: Heaven Hell Purgatory Salvation Redemption Suffering of Christ Resurrection Funeral rites Ways funeral rites reflect belief and aim to support the bereaved Nature of God (what God is believed to be like by Christians) Christians are monotheists – they believe in one God. God can be defined as a supernatural or supreme being and for Christians, He is made up of three parts or ‘persons’ – The Trinity. This means that there are three different parts that make up God: God the Father: The transcendent creator. God the Son: Jesus – immanent and personal. Came to earth and lived a human life. God the Holy Spirit: Immanent but impersonal, the way God inspires and guides Christians every day. People find it difficult to explain what God is like because He is beyond human understanding. God is a concept (an idea, a theory, a thought) that we understand as being a spirit and has no form or shape. When people talk about God they tend to use pictures, symbols or symbolic language to describe God. The writers of the Bible often used picture images: God is a shepherd, a warrior, a judge, a father, a king. PROBLEM! Using these kind of human images limits God and God is not a human or an animal. To say that he is makes him less than God. This way of explaining God is called anthropomorphism – attitubuting human characteristics to a non-human. God’s ‘nature’ means his characteristics, his attributes or qualities. Key characteristics of God • Eternal: Without a beginning or an end, outside time and space. • Omnipotent: All-powerful. • Omniscient: All-knowing. • Omnibenevolent: All-good and all-loving. • Omnipresent: Everywhere at the same time. • Transcendent: Above all. • Immanent: Within all. • Perfect • A judge • Personal: a friend who is concerned about people’s needs and feelings. • Impersonal: mysterious and holy, a force for good. Nature of God: Key quotes - “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” (John 4:12) - “You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” (Exodus 33:20) Reasons given in support of belief (and their flaws!) There are several different arguments that attempt to prove the existence of God which people have developed over 1000 of years. Some are more convincing than others. 1. Ontological Argument: - First put forward by St Anslem of Canterbury. - Argument: God is ‘That than which nothing greater can be conceived’. We cannot think of anything greater than God therefore he exists. - Flaw: If God is transcendent and beyond human imagination, the ontological argument is effectively telling us we can know the nature of an unknowable God. 2. Cosmological Argument: - Devised by St Thomas Aquinas. - Argument: The universe must have come from somewhere – Christians believe that it came from God. God is the ‘first cause’. - Supported by: The Big Bang Theory. The universe had a beginning. It was not something that happened in the universe – it created the universe. Cosmic background radiation proves the Big Bang Theory and we know the universe is still expanding. - Flaw: We cannot answer the question ‘what caused the Big Bang?’ – Atheists/agnostics/scientists etc would say it was merely chance. Theists would say it was God. 3. The Teleological Argument: - First put forward by Isaac Newton, explained by William Paley using the example of a watch. - Argument: The order and complexity of the natural world shows that it has been designed and so must have been created or designed by someone – that someone being God. - Flaw: Natural Selection / Theory of evolution (Charles Darwin) – all life developed through natural selection – species mutate and adapt to their environment – strongest survive, weakest die out (‘survival of the fittest’) However - Darwin is only explaining how life changed and adapted once it was here, not how it originated. 4. The Experience Argument: - Argument: People can experience God which proves he exists. This may, for example, by through miracles, answered prayers, conversion experiences or the numinous (a mysterious power that suggests the presence of a spirit or God – put forward by Rudolf Otto). - Flaws: Little evidence to prove someone has had a religious experience. We sometimes feel awe and wonder during emotional moments in life or when we feel the presence of something greater than ourselves. A piece of music might move us to tears or we may marvel at a view. This emotional response does not necessarily prove the existence of God. 5. The Moral Argument: - Argument: People have a basic understanding of ‘good’ and ‘bad’, ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ and this knowledge must have come from God. - Supported by: Cardinal John Henry Newman - Reason we have a conscience is because God has given it to us. Its presence proves the existence of God – “... The voice of conscience implies that there is one whom we are responsible.” Other views about belief in God Things to consider: - If there is a God, why are there so many evils? - Why did God make humans imperfect and incomplete? - No need of God for people to be moral and to make good moral decisions. - Faith is blind and not rational. God was once the explanation for things we did not understand but now it is God who needs explaining. The concept of miracles Christianity is founded on miracles which are the beliefs that God became human (the incarnation) and that he has power over death, shown in the resurrection of Jesus. A miracle is: - Something out of the ordinary that catches the attention. - Intended by God as a sign of his love and/or power. - A marvellous event which cannot have been brought about by humans or by nature and so is said to be performed by God. - Something that usually shows control over the laws of nature such as dead person being brought back to life. Remember: Many people are said to have recovered from illnesses after visiting Lourdes in France where, in 1858, Bernadette Soubirous had 18 visions of the Virgin Mary. Many Christians go on pilgrimages to places such as Lourdes in the hope of physical and/or spiritual healing. God intervening in the world through miracles, Jesus and the Holy Spirit God coming to earth as Jesus, both fully human and divine, is one of the greatest miracles, as is Jesus’ resurrection from the dead after the crucifixion. According to Aquinas, miracles are: - Those things that God does that nature cannot do (e.g. God stopping the sun in the sky.) - Those acts that God does that nature could do but not in the same order (e.g. someone recovering from a terminal illness) - Those things done by God that nature could do, but that God does without using the forces of nature (e.g. someone who quickly recovers from an illness after prayer) Jesus performed many miracles of different types – they are mentioned throughout the New Testament: - Healing miracles (e.g. healing of the paralytic in Matthew 9:1-8) - Nature miracles (e.g. calming of the storm in Mark 4:35-41) - Exorcisms (e.g. the healing of Legion in Mark 5:1-15) - Raising people from the dead (e.g. Lazarus in John 11:1-44) Many miracles are seen as the work of the Holy Spirit. The first miracle of the Holy Spirit was Pentecost when the disciples were filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues (Acts 2:111) Remember: Some Christians have argued that it does not matter whether the miracles of the New Testament really happened or not. What is important is the spiritual message about God’s love for humanity behind these miracles. Belief in Deity: Practice Questions OCR Specimen: June 2010: Body and soul The soul is described as the non-physical, immortal part of a person that lives on after death. 1. Philosophical views: Plato: - Soul is the ‘essence’ (core) of a person – it makes us who we are as individuals. - The soul is separate from the body. It is eternal and lives on after the body dies. - The soul is made up of three parts: The logos –(the mind), the thymos – (our emotions) and the pathos – (our physical needs) - The soul is not separate from the body. When the body dies, so does the soul therefore the soul is not eternal. - For Aristotle, human beings have bodies for rational activity, the ability to act in a reasoned way. He said that our capacity for rational activity was our essence, what makes us who we are, our soul. - Aristotle used the analogy of a knife to help explain the human essence: Aristotle: 2. Christian views: Christianity teaches that when Eve picked the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden, she introduced original sin into the world. Original sin is the way in which humans are born with a lack of holiness about them. It is cleansed when someone is baptised. When Jesus died and was resurrected three days later he atoned (fixed the relationship between God and humanity) for the ‘original sin’ or Adam and Eve and overcame the power of death. This is why Jesus also known as the saviour or redeemer. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, humans were forgiven their sins and their souls achieved immortality – they could survive death and reach heaven. Remember: For Christians, it is the soul which separates humans from animals. Most Christians do not believe animals have souls as it was only to Adam that God gave the breath of life. Life after death Christians believe that because of Jesus’ crucifixion they are freed from the punishment of original sin and now have the chance to go to heaven depending on the way in which they live their lives. Main facts: • One day Jesus will return during an event known as the ‘second coming’ or ‘Parousia’. At this time God will judge everyone. • Those who have ignored the teachings of Jesus & the Bible will be sent to hell where they will receive eternal punishment. • Those who have accepted Jesus as their saviour and followed his teachings will go to heaven and receive eternal life. • Some Christians believe this judgement will take place as soon as a person dies. Others believe there will be a Day of Judgement in the future. • The Roman Catholic Church teaches that there is also another place called purgatory. People who have been good Christians but have still committed some sins go to purgatory where they are fully cleansed until they are in a state ready for heaven. Purgatory is not a place of judgement and people go from purgatory to heaven by never from purgatory to hell. Remember: - Christians do not believe in reincarnation. Christianity teaches that people have ‘one soul and one life to save it in.’ - Non-religious people may also believe in some form of afterlife – ghosts / near-death experiences may be useful evidence of this however you should also discuss the problems with this kind of ‘evidence’ in any Part E response. Beliefs about Heaven Christian believe is that death is not something which people should be frightened of but that they should look forward to a life in heaven when there will be no more suffering and where they will live happily with God for ever. Main facts: - Christians believe heaven is being in the eternal presence of God. Some Christians believe that they will get to haven in their physical bodies – ‘I believe ... in the resurrection of the body’. (The Apostles Creed) - The Bible describes heaven using many images including those of blinding light, singing and beauty. Revelation 4 speaks of ‘a rainbow, resembling an emerald’ encircling the throne of God. From this throne come ‘flashes of lightning, rumblings and pearls of thunder’. - It is believed to be a place where suffering and evil no longer exist – “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” (Revelation 21:4) - A belief in heaven encourages Christians to serve God and be obedient to him. It may also be of comfort in times of suffering. - Some Christians believe that that heaven is a state of mind and is not a physical thing that can be described. - Other Christians believe that when people arrive in heaven they will see the ‘Beatific Vision’ – a direct view of God which gives people total happiness. Beliefs about Purgatory Main facts: - A Catholic belief although there is nothing in the Bible about it. - Catholics believe that if you die in a good spiritual state, in friendship with God, you will go to heaven. However, many people are not pure enough to come into God’s presence immediately because although they may have lived good lives, they are still not free from all sin e.g. may have been envious some point in their life – very difficult to be ‘forgiven’ for envy. - They undergo purification to achieve the holiness necessary to enter into heaven. - Purgatory is different from hell because the people in purgatory know that they will go to heaven when they have been purified – this is why Catholics pray for the dead – to give support and shorten the time the souls of their relatives stay in purgatory. Beliefs about Hell Main facts: - Original Christian teaching concentrated on hell as being a place of everlasting fires and indescribable, eternal torture. - The Church often used the fear of hell as a way of getting people to follow their religion. Pictures were often painted on the chancel arches of churches to remind the congregation of what could happen to them. - Many Christians no longer believe that Hell is a physical place. Instead they say hell is a state of mind. The description of hell is symbolic, and a way of explaining the existence to God to non-believers - Because God is loving and forgiving, it is a way of expressing an eternal existence without God’s presence or blessing. Hell is the thought of being abandoned by God. Salvation, redemption and the suffering of Christ, and judgement Remember: The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus is central to all Christian beliefs about salvation, redemption and judgement. Christians believe that through Jesus’ suffering humanity received redemption for original sin. This redemption allowed humans the possibility of reaching heaven. In order to reach heaven Christianity teaches that after death God will judge people for the way in which they have lived their lives. Christians believe it is important to show care for others and to show devotion to Jesus. Key words: Redemption – Jesus saved people from punishment for the sins of humanity and redeemed them Salvation – Jesus saved people from the consequence of sin Main facts: - Two kinds of judgement in Christian teaching: 1) ‘General’ (Last) Judgement – God will pass his final sentence on the whole of humanity as well as on the soul and body of each individual – The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats is Biblical evidence of this. 2) ‘Particular’ Judgement – Judgement given to every soul when a person dies. The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus is Biblical evidence of this. - Humans were forgiven their sins because Jesus’ death, which he chose willingly, cleansed humanity which meant that people’s immortal souls were now able to survive death and reach heaven. In this way people achieved redemption. - Christians believe they will be judged on the concern they show for others. Jesus’ teaching in The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats shows that people who care for others will receive eternal life. Those who simply ignore the suffering of others will be punished in hell. - Christians believe they will receive salvation and redemption through devotion to Jesus. - Roman Catholics and some Anglicans believe that people can help themselves lead better lives by confessing their sins (sacrament of reconciliation) to a priest who will forgive them. Salvation, redemption and the suffering of Christ, and judgement: Key quotes • ‘So Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people’ [Hebrews 9:28] • ‘my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ [Matthew 27:46] Funeral Rites ‘Rites’ are customary acts. Funeral services are an opportunity for the relatives and friends of the dead person to show their respect and say a final goodbye to them. Christian funeral services are based on the teachings of the Bible and contain words and symbols which are chosen to comfort the relatives and express Christian beliefs in life after death. Remember: Although black is a traditional mourning colour, Christians do not see funerals as sad events as they celebrate the new life with God which the dead person is now entering. Main facts: - When a Christian is dying a Christian minister will try and visit them to help them prepare for their death. The person may wish to confess their sins to the minister and, for Roman Catholics, they may wish to receive a sacrament which is known as the Anointing of the Sick. - The anointing of the sick renews confidence and faith in God and prevents feelings of despair and anguish at the thought of death. It prevents the person from losing hope in God's salvation and is seen as preparation for passing over to eternal life. - A funeral marks the close of a human life on earth but for Christians it also serves as a reminder of the hope of an afterlife with God. - Christian funeral services usually take place in church and the body is either then buried or cremated. At committal the words ‘Ashes to ashes, dust to dust’ are often recited to remind mourners that the physical body is irrelevant and it is the soul that goes on to achieve eternal life. - The opening of a funeral service is usually the reading of a passage from John: ‘I am resurrection and the life. He who believes in me shall live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.’ (John 11:25b-26a) - A eulogy (Greek for ‘good words’) is often read as a celebration of the person’s life. - At a ceremony some Christians may have Requiem Mass, a eucharist service where special prayers are said for the soul of the dead person. - Churches are often decorated with white flowers to represent the new life with God which the person is now entering. - Candles are lit as a reminder that Christians are saved because Jesus was the ‘Light of the World’. Also, the smoke rising is said to represent the soul or prayers for the soul rising to heaven. - A gravestone is placed at the site later. An epitaph contains details of the person’s life and often a prayer or quotation from the Bible. Secular funerals: • Usually held at a crematorium as opposed to a church and may consist of particular pieces of poetry or music which were chosen by the person who has died. • One or more people will speak about the person and the ceremony is seen as a celebration. • A funeral or memorial service shows respects to the person who has died but it is not believed to help the dead person in any way. The End of Life: Practice Questions OCR Specimen: June 2010: