Religion and social responsibility

Using the bible to make moral decisions
1. It is the word of God (absolute authority)
2. Contains God's teachings on how to behave (the Decalogue)
3. Has Jesus' teachings on how to live (The Sermon on the Mount)
4. Records Jesus' actions which Christians want to follow
5. BUT it was written by humans, inspired by God.
Using the church to make moral decisions
1. The Church is the 'Body of Christ'
2. God speaks to the world today through the Church
3. By following the Church, all Christians follow the same thing
4. Church authority for Roman Catholics comes from the Magisteium
Using the conscience to make moral decisions
1. Believe it is God talking to them
  1. Church says they should follow their conscience
    1. St Paul said the conscience should be the last part of the decision making process
2. Could be mistaken - The Yorkshire Ripper
  1. Life would be chaotic if everyone did what they want and not what the law said
Using Situation Ethics to make moral decisions
1. Jesus acted in the same 'do the most loving thing' way
  1. Should only do things that lead to good results
    1. Jesus said 'love thy neighbour'
      1. Christianity is a religion based on love
2. Bible is the word of God which should not be over ruled
  1. Christians should all act in the same way
    1. Church knows what's best
      1. You can never know all the facts
Why human rights are important to Christians
1. Right to life is covered by teaching of sanctity of life
  1. All humans made in God's image and are equal
    1. Christians are protected by these laws (the right to freedom of religion)
      1. Human rights ban discrimination
2. Some Christians are against civil partnerships which are protected under human rights
  1. Roman Catholics do not allow women priests which is a form of discrimination
Why should we take part in democratic and electoral process
1. Government decides on taxes and voting gives you some control
  1. They make new laws which you could influence
    1. You get a say in things like schools and the NHS
      1. People fought for the right to vote and this should be respected
2. 'Do to others as you would have them do to you'
  1. Parable of the sheep and the goats - states you will be judged on how you have treated others
    1. 'Am I my brothers keeper?' - you have a role in society to look after others in society
Genetic Engineering and Cloning
1. Could lead to cures for usually incurable diseases
  1. Using 'cybrids' does not involve loss of human life
    1. Genetic research is monitored closely by the law
      1. Jesus was a healer and so we should try all possible ways of healing
        HOWEVER there is no information on the long term consequences
        Effects are irreversible
        Gives too much power to scientists and this power could be used in the wrong way
        Killing an embryo is the same as killing a human and thou shalt not murder
        Life begins at conception, whether in a dish or the womb
        Humans should not interfere with God's will
        We should not try to make the Earth perfect - if that is what God wanted he would have made it perfect anyway

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Religion and social responsibility

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	Created by chelskii96 about 11 years ago