Religious Education

Religious Education

1. Abortion

   • Abortion is 'deliberately ending a pregnancy, killing the foetus in the process' up to 24 weeks in pregnancy
   • Pro-life: Abortion is wrong. The foetus is innocent and defencless. Therefore should be protected
     • Pro-choice: They argue abortion is acceptable. They support womens rights and think they shopuld have a choice.
   • Arguments against Abortion: 1.All life is equal. 2.A foetus is its own person with the right to life. 3.Women should realise the risk that comes with sex and that pregnancy is a possibility. 4. Adoption is a better solution than abortion if the motheris unable to care for the child.
     • Arguments for abortion: 1.An embryo is just a cluster of cells not an actual human being. 2.Women need free access to abortion in order to achieve full equality to men. 3.A woman may not be able to cope with the birth of a child that is the result of rape etc. 4.Abortion is a responsible way of dealing with an unwanted child.
   • Risks to the mother: 1. Mental health (post natal depression) 2.Job (might have to give up her job )to take care of child) 3.The mother could die during childbirth. 4.Finnancially
   • What chuches say: CATHOLIC CHURCH; never will agree ('utmost care fromconception', 'every human life is willed by our heavenly father and is part of his loving plan') PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH; never agree (every person is made in the image of God) ANGLICAN CHURCH; Never agree but are sympathetic METHODIST CHURCH; agrees under some conditions (risk to mothers physical/mental health, if its result of rape, or grave abnormality of the foetus

2. Euthanasia

   • The word euthanasia means 'good death'. It is often thought of as a 'mercy killing', referring to someone who is terminally ill and suffering pro-long unbearable pain.
   • Active ; a person deliberately and directly causes the person to die. Passive; They allow the person to die Voluntary; it is carried out at the request of the person. Non-voluntary; The person is unable to make the decision by themselves. In-voluntary; the person wants to live but is killed anyway. Palliative care;aimed at reducing suffering rather than curing. Living wills; sets out the patients wishes if they become seriously ill and cant communicate their choices
   • Arguments for Euthanasia; 1. People believe a person has a right to choose when and how they die. 2. A civilised society should allow people to die in dignity and without pain. 3. UK law already recognises people have the right to die. It is legal for people to take their own lives.
     • Arguments against Euthanasia; 1. Human life is sacred. Only God should decide when it ends. 2. Accepting euthanasia suggests some lives are worth less than others. 3. Proper palliative care makes euthanasia unnecessary. 4. Vunerable people might feel under pressure to request for an early death.
   • Quotes against; 'Only God can create life and only God can take life away' 'God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them' 'You shall not murder' Quotes for; 'For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain' 'Would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord'
   • Catholic and Presbyterian church do not agree with euthanasia and think proper care is better. The Anglican Church however will consider it under some circumstances.

3. Capital Punishment

   • Is the practice of executing someone who has committed a very serious crime such as murder.
   • Arguments for Capital Punishment; 1. It will act as a deterrent to other criminals. 2. It is the ultimate payback for a criminal who has committed and evil act. 3. Protects society by getting rid of an evil person. 4. The bible speaks in favour of the death penalty for murder
     • Arguments against Capital Punishment Punishment; 1. The death penalty doesn't deter people, its the likelihood of getting caught and being punished that deters people. 2. 'An eye for an eye and whole world goes blind'- Gandhi, Capital punishment is inhumane, revenge is unnecessary. 3. Everyone has the right to human life,the death penalty takes this away, on top of this they could get it wring and kill and innocent person. 4. The bible also states in 35 other times that the death penalty is unacceptable in society
   • Quotes agreeing; 'You will reap exactly what you reap' 'No authority exits without God's permission'
     • Quote disagreeing; 'Never take revenge...Do not let evil defeat you, instead, conquer evil with good'

4. Care for the Enviroment

   • Stewardship ; The idea of accepting responsibility for the earth and caring for it.
   • 5 ways humans neglect the earth; 1. Carbon emissions 2. Littering 3. Failure to recycle 4. Water pollution (Factories dumping waste, oil spills) 5. Using too many non-renewable resources.
   • 'I am stranger on earth, do not hide your commands from me'- We are here on loan, the earth should be important to us. 'Whatever you do work at it with all your heart, as working for the lord not for human masters'- It is more important to look after the world that God has created, than follow human orders.
   • Methodist; Recognises the seriousness of the ecological situation effecting the earth, but to stop climate change we need to act now. 'How do you look after creation and how do you love your neighbour? If your way of life is harming others and contributing to the problem. Roman Catholic;

5. Equality

   • United Nations Declaration of Human rights (1948) 1.All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Should act towards one another in the spirit of brother hood. 2.Everyone is entitled to the rights and freedoms set forth in this declaration.
   • Social Justice
     • Justice is the right to be treated fairly.
     • Economic inequality. Unfair gap between the rich and poor. Each day 40,000 children starve to death. In Europe and central Asia, 3.5% live in extreme poverty, while in Sub-Saharan Africa the figure is 38.5%. The richest 40% of the population own 40% of the worlds wealth.
       • Extreme Poverty has been described as living on less than one dollar a day.
     • Christians believe everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the wealth of God's world and they should follow the example of Jesus.
     • Inequality of the disabled- Some disabled people face discrimination in society and are not treated as equals
     • Gender inequality (sexism)- Treating someone differently because of their gender. Refer to booklet for examples.
       • Christian view on gender inequality- Women take the lesser role. In Protestant churches women have been ordained as ministers/ priests.
     • Ageism- Discrimination against people because of their age.
       • Christian view on ageism- Believe they should show respect to people of all ages
     • Racial inequality- Unfair treatment of people because they belong to a certain race.