unit 1 section 1+2 P&R

unit 1 section 1+2 P&R

1. religious upbringing

   • why christian families raise their children to believe god
     • its their duty to marry, have a family and raise their children within the christian faith
     • their religion gives children a secure basis and helps them through difficulties
   • how do christian families encourage their children to believe in god
     • worship
       • children go to sunday schools to learn about Jesus, God and the church they also go to church services and celebrate christmas festivals
     • baptism
       • when a child is welcomed into the church with family, friends and the worshipping congregation promises the support them within the christian faith
     • confirmation
       • a child will have to confirm and renew there baptism when there old enough to make decisions for themselves
     • community
       • young christains meet and share in activities such as youth clubs prayer meetings. young adults are supported by the church and may also meet partners in the church community
     • parents examples
       • through their own examples, christian parents will entourage their children to believe in God. By seeing their parents praying, hearing about God through the bible stories and attending Church, children will be more likely to believe in God
     • school
       • christian parents may choose a church school that helps to educate children in the christian faith

2. the arguments

   • the design argument
     • paley watch
       • 1...paley compares the world to a watch
       • 2....first time seeing a watch you would know that it was designed because it is so complex
       • 3.....a watch has so many parts that have been carefully put together to work successfully so it must have been planned and designed
       • 4....paley argued the same of the universe saying it could not have been chance and must have had a clever designer
       • 5.....the only being capable of designing the universe is God
       • therefore God exists
   • the causation argument
     • 1.. nothing happens by itself
     • 2....everything that happens must be caused by something else
     • 3....the universe cannot have happened by itself
     • 4.. a powerful cause was necessary to cause the universe
     • 5... this cause has to be God
     • therefore God exists

3. The Big Bang Theory

   • is the idea that an enormous explosion started the universe around 15 billion years ago

4. unanswered prayers

   • problems to unanswered prayers
     • 1.... prayers are communication with God. if they are not answered, people might think God isn't listening
     • 2.. experience from pain and suffering and are praying to God. But if God doesn't do anything about it , they may feel that their prayers have been unanswered
     • 3.... Unanswered prayers may lead some Christians to question their belief in God, to reject him or believe he doesn't exists
   • Christians response to unanswered prayes
     • they may accept that they do not have enough faith that God will answer their prayers, so they must go on trying
     • that God hears and answers prayers but not always in the way they hope or expect. they do not fully understand God but go on trusting in him.
     • they may feel that God is not listening to them
     • some may accept that God does not answer selfish prayers
     • some may believe what they are praying for is not part of God's will or divine plan.

5. christian attitudes to abortion

   • sanctity of life argument
     • this is the belief that life is sacred and belongs to God
   • for
     • jesus taught compassion toward others
     • incase of rape or insect, it is the kindest action
     • abortion is the best action if the mother is at risk
   • against
     • abortion is viewed as murder
     • life is sacred gift from god
     • god has a plan for every human
     • life begins at conception

6. muslim attitudes to abortion

   • sanctity of life
     • life for muslims is sacred and a gift from God. abortion takes away a life so its wrong
   • only allowed when:
     • if the mothers life is in danger
   • fully against abortion
   • ensoulment
     • life begins when the soul has entered the foetus at 120 days. some muslims claim this happens earlier, after 40 days.

7. muslim attitudes to euthanasia

   • euthanasia is ALWAYS wrong
   • allah chooses how long someone lives
   • its part of a muslims duty to care for the sick and elderly
   • suffering is a test of faith and part of life
   • Euthanasia is seen as suicide which is not permitted
   • all human life is valuable even if a person is suffering
   • human life is sacred because it is given by allah
   • no one knows allays plans for his creation and humans should not interfere

8. christian attitudes to euthanasia

   • goes against sanctity of life argument
   • life should be valued even if someones in pain
   • no one should be able to take a judgement about the value of another persons life
   • euthanasia could be used for evil purpose
   • only god has the right to take away life

9. should the media criticise religious views on these issues?

   • for
     • it is important to debate views because they are constantly changing
     • religious views may be wrong or been seen as out of date
     • a variety of views are held and no view should be exempted
   • against
     • religious views should be respected as they've been around for a long time.
     • the media should present a range of ideas but not criticise them
     • they are based on traditional teachings such as those in the bible