Our world

Our world

1. Keywords

   • Big Bang Theory - Belief that the universe/everything started with an explosion about 14 billion years ago; the universe began to expand, then cooled down, forming the earth and other planets.
     • Example - Some believers think God caused the big bang.
   • Atman - The soul in Hinduism; the part of God inside us.
     • Example - The atman moves on to another body or form after death.
   • Creation - Way in which something is uniquely made.
     • Example - Most religious believers think God created the universe.
   • Dominion - Being in charge and having power over others
     • Example - This is a form of authority.
   • Environment Surroundings of the place in which human beings live.
     • Example - Believers think they have a duty to look after the environment.
   • Non-literal Believing that the creation account as told in the Bible is not a literal account of how creation occurred.
     • Example - Genesis One is a poetic account of what God did at creation.
   • Literal Believing that the creation account as told in the Bible is true.
     • Example - It happened literally as it is described in Genesis,
   • Ex nihilo Out of nothing
     • Example - Christians and Muslims believe God created the world out of nothing.
   • Natural resources Substances that occur naturally and have a valuable purpose for humans and the world today.
     • Example - Coal, oil, water, and wood are all natural resources.
   • Humanity All the people who live on the earth.
     • Example - It is also a sense of compassion or benevolence towards other members of the human race.
   • Soul Part of human nature that is spiritual in form and influences an individual’s personality.
     • Example - Most believers think the soul goes to heaven or hell after death.
   • Stewardship To look after and care for the world.
     • Example - Most believers think they have a duty to pass it on in a better state to the next generation.
   • Secular Non-religious.
   • Talent Something a person is good at.
   • Evolution Theory that life began in simple forms.

2. Our World - What makes us human?

   • 1. Bodies – that grow and help us move. 2. Minds – to think and decide. 3. Emotions – make us react. 4. Personalities – make us unique or different from others. 5. Experience and influences – affect the kind of people we are and the decisions we make.

3. Our world - Big bang

   • 1. Scientific explanation for creation. 2. Universe began with a big bang and is still expanding. 3. As the gases cooled they formed together. 4. Big bang is a theory; some religious people are prepared to accept the Big Bang but believe God caused it.

4. Our World - Why are we different from animals?

   • 1. Humanity – compassion, caring for others. 2. Intelligence – ability to think and reflect. 3. Morality – a sense of right and wrong. 4. Language – the ability to read and write languages. 5. Soul – spiritual part of humans that allows us to relate to God. (Hindus believe animals have souls too).

5. Our World - Theory of Evolution

   • 1. Scientific theory about creation of life. 2. Everything changes and adapts to its environment. 3. God did not make creation. 4. Humans are not special – not in God’s image. 5. Some religious people believe in evolution. It was how God created people.

6. Our World - Christian Creation

   • 1. God made the world in six days and rested on the seventh day. This is written in the Bible – (book of Genesis). 2. God made everything out of nothing; ex-nihilo. 3. Literal view – it happened exactly as the Bible says. 4. Non-literal view – it is not a full explanation of how it all happened. Key points – God created everything, it was perfect, human beings have spoilt it.

7. Our World – Christian: looking after creation

   • 1. Should care for the environment because: a. It is God’s creation, so it is holy and precious. b. Adam and Eve were given dominion and were told to look after the world. c. Stewardship; it is a Christian's duty to leave the world in a better state. d. Parable of the talents; do all you can to make world a better place.

8. Our World - A Rocha

   • International Christian environmental organisation. Work to protect the earth e.g. educating farmers and working to save endangered species and combat climate change for example in Kenya. They do it for God – showing love to Him by caring for God’s world. Obedience – Adam and Eve were told to look after the world. Justice – the poor suffer most because of climate change.

9. Chico Mendes

   • A Brazilian rubber tapper who cared for the rain forest.  Many forests were being destroyed for logging and cattle.  He believed you could earn an income from the forest without destroying it.  He led non-violent protests against deforestation.  In 1988 cattle ranchers stopped deforestation of the area, but Mendes was shot dead by the son of a cattle rancher

10. Our World – Christian teachings about Animals

    • Most believe:  Animals can be used for medical experiments and for food.  Humans should not be cruel to animals and farmers should care for their animals humanely. Believe this because:  God is the creator of animals as well as humans  Bible says that humans should respect God’s creation  Humans have dominion (authority) over animals and that brings with it responsibility

11. Our World - Muslim creation

    • 1. One of Allah’s 99 names is Al Khaliq (The Creator) 2. Allah created everything in 6 days (he did not rest on the next day) 3. Allah created unseen beings – Jinn 4. Iblis (an angel) refused to bow down to Adam 5. Renamed Shaytan and tempted Adam and Hawa to disobey Allah.

12. Our World - Muslim beliefs about looking after creation

    • Should care for the environment but humans come first because: a. Allah has given us the role of Khalifah - steward b. The ummah is the brotherhood of Muslims; all Muslims working together. c. Teachings of the Shari’ah are to look after creation. d. We will be judged on how well looked after the earth.

13. Our World – Muslim teachings about Animals

    • They can be used for medical experiments and should be used for food.  We shouldn’t be cruel to animals - farmers should care for animals humanely. because:  God is the creator of animals and humans.  The Qur’an teaches that animals have feelings and must be dedicated to God when being slaughtered.  Story of Muhammad and the crying camel.