Rights and responsibilities

Rights and responsibilities

1. Using the Bible to make moral decisions

   • Many Christians believe the Bible is the word of God. It contains teachings on how to live life.
   • The Bible has the authority from God about what Christians should believe and how they should live.
   • Some Christians believe that only the Bible should be used to decide what is right, wrong and what they should believe.

2. The Bible's authority

   • The Bible is literally the word of God and is totally right. Some Christians believe God directly told the authors what to write.
   • The Bible is the word of God but needs to be interpreted by the Church.
   • The Bible was inspired by God and gives guidance about how to live but needs to be adapted for modern life.

3. How the Church guides Christians

   • Talking to other Christians.
   • Listening to the priest or vicar.
   • Praying and worshipping together.

4. How different Churches decide on moral issues

   • Some discuss in an assembly containing elected members of the Church. They decide on how members should respond.
   • Others look to the leaders of the Church to make decisions on moral issues.

5. Christians believe the Church has authority

   • God speaks to them through the Church.
   • Only the Church full understands the Bible and knows how to interpret and apply its teachings.
   • The Church is the body of Christ. Christians should follow the teachings of the Church as they are the teachings of Jesus.
   • The Church provides rules so everyone knows what they should do.

6. What is the conscience?

   • The inner feeling or sense of what is right or wrong.
   • Christians believe it is the voice of God within us.
   • It is the way both religious and non-religious people can judge their moral actions.
   • It makes us feel guilty if we do things that are wrong.
   • Some Christians believe that conscience is the most important guide when making moral decisions.

7. Christians and Situation Ethics

   • Love should be the only consideration when making moral decisions.
   • A good action is one which aims to do the most loving thing.
   • A person should only obey the rules of the Bible or teaching of the Church if it results in the most loving action.

8. Why use Situation Ethics?

   • It is similar to the 'Golden Rule' taught by Jesus which says '...do unto others what you would have them do to you...' (Matthew 7:12).
   • Jesus seemed to follow Situation Ethics, for example when he ignored the teachings of the Bible and acted in a most loving way in the case where a women was being abused of adultery (John 8:1-11).

9. Reasons for using Situation Ethics

   • Every situation is judged individually.
   • As love is the main principle, it follows a genuine Christian action.
   • Love is an easy principle to apply and remember in all situations.
   • Doing the most loving thing will appeal to people as a positive idea.

10. Reasons against using Situation Ethics

    • It is impossible to predict what will happen in every example, which is what this reuires.
    • In theory, anything a person felt was the 'most loving thing' could be justified including adultery or murder.
    • It is not so easy to apply Situation Ethics in everyday cases where we are used to having rules.

11. Types of moral authorities

    • Law and teaching of the Bible.
    • The conscience.
    • Teachings and guidance of the Church.
    • Principles of Situatution Ethics.

12. Why use the variety of moral authorities?

    • Christians believe they must live life according to God.
    • Different Christians believe different sources of authority contain advice and help on what God wants.
    • They may use one source of authority or refer to a combination.

13. Why are human rights important?

    • They believe every human being is created by God in his image and deserves respect.
    • They believe God loves everyone equally so all should be treated equally.
    • The teachings of the Bible, for example the Ten Commandments supports most human rights laws.

14. The Bible and human rights

    • The Parable of the Sheep and Goats teaches that it is the moral duty of Christians to help people in need (Matthew 25:40).
    • Jesus taught the Golden Rule showing all humans are worthy of value and respect and human rights are important.

15. Main political parties

    • Labour Party=the state should help the poor and provide hospitals and school for all.
    • Conservative Party=the state should encourage people to look after themselves and only provide what people cannot pay for themselves.
    • Liberal Democrat Party=green issues are important and the government and individuals need to work together to help everyone.

16. Why is it important to take in voitng?

    • Voting allows citizens to have a say about who runs the country.
    • People elected through voting are responsible for making important decisions that affect everyone.
    • Issues include taxes, benefits, rubbish collection, health treatment, schools and the armed forces.
    • Change can only be brought about through the democratic process.

17. How else can people part in voting?

    • Write to or meet MPs to discuss issues of concern.
    • Lobby=which means to influence government decisions. This could be writing letters or taking part in public demonstrations/petitions.
    • Become members of political parties which support their views.
    • Stand for election themselves.

18. Christian teachings on moral duties and responsibilities

    • The Golden Rule=The Golden Rule states '...do to others what you would have them do to you...' meaning that Christians should treat others as they would wish to be treated (Matthew 7:12).
    • The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats=Jesus taught through this story that God will at the end separate his people into those who have helped others (the sheep) and those who have not (the goats). Christians have a duty to help those in need when they can (Matthew 25:31-46).
    • Am I my brother's keeper?:St Paul=St Paul taught that Christians should not stand by and do nothing while others suffer. He used the example of Cain and Abel to warn Christians that they have a moral duty to actively care for others. Cain killed his brother Abel then denied he had anything to do with it, saying it was not up to him to care for others.

19. What is genetic engineering?

    • It is the process where the structure and characteristics of genes are changed.
    • Genes can be added, replaced or taken away. Genes that cause disorders can be removed or improvements made.
    • The UK government has strict guidelines on genetically modified (GM) crops.

20. Cloning

    • A clone is an exact copy of something.
    • Reproductive cloning is a technology used to create an animal or plant with an identical genetic makeup to another.
    • Therapeutic cloning is the cloning of embryos to harvest stem cells. Stem cells develop in an embryo.

21. What could we do with genetic engineering?

    • Genetic disorders may be cured using gene therapy to replace missing genes.
    • Inherited disorders like cystic fibrosis could be removed from embryos.

22. Concerns about genetic engineering

    • Nature is complex and we do not know the exact long-term effects of genetic engineering and cloning.
    • These technologies could be dangerous in the wrong hands because they could be used to produce biological weapons.
    • Who makes decisions over what is defective and what is not? There is no current guidance.
    • This could lead to 'designer babies' with people wanting certain characteristics for their children.

23. Christians for genetic engineering and cloning

    • God gave humans dominion (power) over the world. Christians believe that as long as it does not cause harm, some forms of genetic engineering, such as GM crops, would be acceptable.
    • The Golden Rule is '...do to others what you have them do to you...' For some Christians this could mean genetic engineering to cure diseases and disorders is acceptable.
    • Jesus held people and Christians believe they should follow his example by trying to improve the health of others.
    • Some Christians believe that God has given us the gift of knowledge and we should use this and technology to help develop and possibly save human life.

24. Christians against genetic engineering and cloning

    • Most Christians would be against genetic engineering curing 'defects' that don't cause suffering, such as being short sighted.
    • Some Christians, such as Catholics, believe life begins at conception and are opposed to anything that involves research on embryos when some are then discarded.
    • Life is sacred and special and created by God so humans should not be doing anything against this.
    • Only God can create life and humans should not 'play God'.

25. What are all the citizens of the UK entitles to?

    • Privacy.
    • Health care.
    • Education.
    • Racial, sexual, religious equality.
    • Liberty, free speech.
    • Food.
    • Life.