The Golden Rule

3 Maxims (or Principles) to the 3 Maxims (or Principles) to the Categorical ImperativeCategorical Imperative

1. All 1. All actionsactions must be able to be made must be able to be made into universal lawsinto universal laws

2. Every 2. Every human being human being must be treated as must be treated as an end rather than a means to an endan end rather than a means to an end

3. You must always 3. You must always behavebehave as if you are as if you are the absolute moral authority of the entire the absolute moral authority of the entire universeuniverse

The Golden RuleThe Golden Rule ““So in everything, So in everything, do to others do to others

what you would have them do what you would have them do to you,to you, for this sums up the Law for this sums up the Law and the Prophets”and the Prophets”

Matthew 7:12Matthew 7:12

5 Min Task5 Min TaskUse a full jotter page to create a Use a full jotter page to create a

Golden Rule logo (complete with Golden Rule logo (complete with rule)rule)

Interpretations of Interpretations of Sacred WritingsSacred Writings

Area 1: Area 1:

Relationship Between Religion and Moral Relationship Between Religion and Moral ValuesValues

aa) Euthyphro Dilemma) Euthyphro Dilemma

b) b) Religious MoralityReligious Morality

- Moral autonomy / moral heteronomy- Moral autonomy / moral heteronomy

- Golden Rule- Golden Rule

- Interpretations of Sacred Scripture- Interpretations of Sacred Scripture

c) c) Utilitarian and Kantian EthicsUtilitarian and Kantian Ethics

- - UtilitarianismUtilitarianism

- Immanuel Kant- Immanuel Kant

IntroductionIntroduction

There are many scriptures that religious There are many scriptures that religious people believe come from God(s).people believe come from God(s).

These scriptures also act as a guide to These scriptures also act as a guide to followers providing guidance on what is followers providing guidance on what is right and what is wrong.right and what is wrong.

Religions disagree with each other because Religions disagree with each other because they each believe that their scripture is they each believe that their scripture is divine.divine.

As well as this there are many different As well as this there are many different interpretations of these scriptures interpretations of these scriptures withinwithin a a religion. religion.

IntroductionIntroduction

There are many scriptures that religious There are many scriptures that religious people believe come from God(s).people believe come from God(s).

These scriptures also act as a guide to These scriptures also act as a guide to followers providing guidance on what is followers providing guidance on what is right and what is wrong.right and what is wrong.

Religions disagree with each other because Religions disagree with each other because they each believe that their scripture is they each believe that their scripture is divine.divine.

As well as this there are As well as this there are many different many different interpretations of these scriptures interpretations of these scriptures withinwithin a religion. a religion.

Quick Quiz: Name that holy Quick Quiz: Name that holy book....book....

Islam - Islam - Sikhism - Sikhism - Hinduism - Hinduism - Christianity - Christianity - Buddhism - Buddhism - Judaism - Judaism -

Quick Quiz: Name that holy Quick Quiz: Name that holy book....book....

Islam – Islam – Koran (and the Hadith)Koran (and the Hadith) Sikhism – Sikhism – The Guru Granth SahibThe Guru Granth Sahib Hinduism – Hinduism – The VedasThe Vedas ChristianityChristianity – – The Bible The Bible Buddhism – Buddhism – The SutrasThe Sutras Judaism – Judaism – The Tenak (Torah, The Tenak (Torah,

Prophets and other writings)Prophets and other writings)

What is Inerrancy??What is Inerrancy??

What is Inerrancy??What is Inerrancy?? Inerrancy refers to the belief that the Inerrancy refers to the belief that the

scriptures are scriptures are without errorwithout error

In Christianity, all Christians In Christianity, all Christians believe that the Bible was believe that the Bible was inspired inspired by God, but have by God, but have different opinions about the different opinions about the inerrancyinerrancy of the Bible of the Bible

InerrancyInerrancy

Fundamentalists/LiteralistsFundamentalists/Literalists: the scripture is : the scripture is 100% true with no errors and should be 100% true with no errors and should be interpreted literally.interpreted literally.

ConservativesConservatives: the scripture is true but should : the scripture is true but should always be interpreted in context and sometimes always be interpreted in context and sometimes symbolically.symbolically.

LiberalsLiberals: the scriptures are not seen as factual : the scriptures are not seen as factual books. The lessons and meaning of the stories books. The lessons and meaning of the stories are what's important.are what's important.

Christian Scripture Christian Scripture

Christian Scripture were written Christian Scripture were written between 2-4000 years ago when between 2-4000 years ago when many moral issues could not many moral issues could not have even been imagined!have even been imagined!

This means Christians have to This means Christians have to match up Biblical teachings to fit match up Biblical teachings to fit with modern dilemmas.with modern dilemmas.

This will still leave you having to This will still leave you having to work a few things out for work a few things out for yourself.yourself.

ExamplesExamples

Modern day problems include: -Modern day problems include: - Is abortion ever right?Is abortion ever right? Should we keep a person in a coma Should we keep a person in a coma

alive on life support for decades?alive on life support for decades? Should we give and receive blood?Should we give and receive blood? Can I kill in self defence? Can I kill in self defence? etcetc

Catholic and Protestant BiblesCatholic and Protestant Bibles

The Bible wasn't officially compiled as The Bible wasn't officially compiled as one book until 373ADone book until 373AD

The Protestant Churches have The Protestant Churches have 66 66 booksbooks in their canon of the Bible in their canon of the Bible

The RC Church has The RC Church has 73 books73 books (they (they added some over the years)added some over the years)

RC Bible (Extra Books)RC Bible (Extra Books)

TobitTobit JuditJudit Wisdom of SolomonWisdom of Solomon SirachSirach BaruchBaruch First and Second MaccabeesFirst and Second Maccabees

Languages of the BibleLanguages of the Bible

The Bible was not written in EnglishThe Bible was not written in English

Sometimes when it is translated into Sometimes when it is translated into English there can be differences of English there can be differences of opinion with regards to the real opinion with regards to the real meaning.meaning.

Languages of the BibleLanguages of the Bible

The Virgin birth example:The Virgin birth example:

““Therefore the Lord himself shall Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name and shall call his name Immanuel.” Immanuel.” KJVKJV

““Therefore the Lord himself will Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.” Immanuel.” NRSVNRSV

עלמהעלמה Hebrew: AlmahHebrew: Almah

This word can mean either 'virgin' This word can mean either 'virgin' or 'young woman'or 'young woman'

Christian Scripture Christian Scripture Christians use scripture Christians use scripture

for moral guidance. for moral guidance. However, they also However, they also compare it with their compare it with their reason and check with reason and check with their religious leaders their religious leaders or other Christians.or other Christians.

Hence, different Hence, different denominations can denominations can hold different opinions hold different opinions about moral issues!about moral issues!

Do non-religious people have Do non-religious people have 'sacred writings' that they turn to 'sacred writings' that they turn to for moral guidance?for moral guidance?

Viewpoints Independent of Viewpoints Independent of Religious Belief Religious Belief

……the peoples of the United Nations have the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger and better standards of life in larger freedom.freedom.

UN Declaration of Human RightsUN Declaration of Human Rights

What is Inerrancy??What is Inerrancy?? Inerrancy refers to the belief that the Inerrancy refers to the belief that the

scriptures are scriptures are without errorwithout error

In Christianity, all Christians In Christianity, all Christians believe that the Bible was believe that the Bible was inspired inspired by God, but have by God, but have different opinions about the different opinions about the inerrancyinerrancy of the Bible of the Bible Copy into

jotters

InerrancyInerrancy

Fundamentalists/LiteralistsFundamentalists/Literalists: the scripture is : the scripture is 100% true with no errors and should be 100% true with no errors and should be interpreted literally.interpreted literally.

ConservativesConservatives: the scripture is true but should : the scripture is true but should always be interpreted in context and sometimes always be interpreted in context and sometimes symbolically.symbolically.

LiberalsLiberals: the scriptures are not seen as factual : the scriptures are not seen as factual books. The lessons and meaning of the stories books. The lessons and meaning of the stories are what's important.are what's important.

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