20
Year 11 RE Religion & Life NAME ................................................ TUTOR GROUP.........
Year 11 RE
Religion & Life
NAME ................................................ TUTOR GROUP.........
THEME B: RELIGION AND LIFE
1. The origins of life
Essential information:
Christians and Jews use the creation stories to explain the origins of the
universe which, which they believe was created by God.
The Big Bang theory suggests there was a massive expansion of space that set
creation of the universe in motion. This theory is accepted by most Christians
and Jews.
Christian and Jewish beliefs about the creation of the universe
According to Genesis 1, God created the universe in 6 days and rested on the 7:
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3
Day 4 Day 5 Day 6
Day 7
Key terms:
Universe means…
The Big Bang means
Some Fundamentalist Christians believe that the creation story ………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
On the other hand Liberal Christians believe that the creation story …………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
The Big Bang theory
Many Christians and Jews accept the Big Bang
theory, but unlike atheists, they believe the Big
Bang was caused by God and that the universe came
about by design, not by accident.
It is possible to accept the Big Bang theory and the
Genesis creation story if the story is not
interpreted literally, and each ‘day’ in the story is
taken to mean a much longer period of time.
Give TWO contrasting ways in which people interpret the Genesis story…………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Some Orthodox Jews believe that
the creation stories are…. On the other hand, Reform Jews believe
that the creation stories are….
The FOUR main stages of the Big Bang theory…
2. The value of the world
Essential information:
Christians and Jews believe the earth to be valuable because God created it
Christians and Jews believe that people have a duty to protect and care for the
earth and its environment; this is known as stewardship
Cover the key terms up and see if you can write
down their meaning without looking…
Wonder…
Awe…
Responsibility …
Stewardship …
Dominion …
The universe started as a tiny,
dense, hot ‘point’, which then began
to expand very quickly
As the universe expanded and
cooled, matter became separated
by great distances
The universe has continued to expand
over billions of years to form the
cosmos as we know it today
Gravity grouped the matter into
stars and galaxies
“Creation continued for …millennia… until it became which we know today,
precisely because God is not … a conjurer, but the Creator who gives being to all
things. The beginning of the world is not the work of chaos … but derives
directly from a supreme Origin that creates out of love. The Big Bang…does not
contradict the divine act of creating, but rather requires it. The evolution of
nature does not contrast with the idea of Creation, as evolution presupposes
the creation of beings that evolve” Pope Francis 2014
Stewardship and dominion
Christian beliefs… Jewish beliefs… “The Lord God took man (Adam) and put
him in the Garden of Eden to work it and
take care of it.” (Genesis 2;15)
What does this mean for Christians?
What do Christians do to show that
they are being stewards?
“See to it that you do not spoil and
destroy My world; for if you do, there
will be no one else to repair it.”
(Ecclesiastes 7;13) [Tenakh]
What does this mean for Jews?
What do Jews do to show that they
are being stewards?
What are the reasons for Christians
saying that the world is valuable?
What are the reasons for Jews saying
that the world is valuable?
Dominion:
“…fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the
sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” (Genesis 1;28)
How might some Christians and Jews interpret the quote above?
Christians…
Jews…
The use of natural resources…
What are the non-renewable natural resources?
Why do Christians and Jews teach that people need
to look after the natural resources (sustainable
development)?
3. The use and abuse of the environment, and pollution
Essential information:
Air, land and water pollution (making something dirty and contaminated,
especially the environment) are a major threat to life on earth.
Christians and Jews show their concern by taking action to help protect the
earth against abuse – misuse of the world and the environment.
The main types of pollution:
Pollution
type
Cause Possible
problems caused
Air
Land
Water
Christian and Jewish beliefs
Christians and Jews want to prevent misuse of the environment. They might base
their views on the following teachings:
What do Christians and Jews do about the environment?
Christian teachings
The world is on loan to humans,
who have been given the
responsibility by God to look
after it (Genesis 1;28)
The Parable of the Talents
(Matthew 25;14 – 30) warns
that God will be the final judge
about how responsible humans
have been in looking after the
earth
Pollution is not loving towards
others – Jesus teaches
Christians to ‘love your
neighbour’ (Luke 10;27)
Jewish teachings
Humans are responsible to God
how they look after the earth.
“You have made him master over
your handiwork, laying the world at
his feet.” (Psalm 8;7 [Tenakh)
The Torah instructed Jews to
rest the land every SEVEN years
to help protect it and allow it to
regain fertility. (Leviticus 25;4-5)
Jews are instructed not to
destroy trees in Deuteronomy 20;
19.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle…
The Assisi and Ohito Conferences/Meetings…
What did Pope Francis say about pollution?
4. The use and abuse of animals
Essential information:
Christians and Jews believe that God made all living creatures and that they
should treat them well.
There are different Christian and Jewish views about the animal
experimentation and using animals for food.
Key terms:
Vegan…
Vegetarian …
What does this passage mean?
What do these
passages suggest
about the treatment
of animals?
Summarise Christian and Jewish views about the use of animals for food
Christian views on animal experimentation.
Some Christians agree with this because….
Some Christians are against it because …
Christian views… Jewish views…
Jewish views on animal experimentation.
Some Jews agree with this because….
Some Jews are against it because …
5. The origins of human life
Essential information:
Religion and science both attempt to explain the origins of human life
Many Christians and Jews think it is possible to believe in both the creation
story and the theory of evolution
“The Lord God formed man from the dust of the Earth. He
blew into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a
living being.” (Genesis 2;7) [Tenakh]
The creation story in Genesis 2 is very different from the
one in Genesis 1. Can you pick out the differences?
What
does this
paragraph
mean?
What
does this
paragraph
mean?
Using the passage on the previous page, highlight the following:
a. Why did God create Eve?
b. The main task for Adam and what he was told not to do.
c. The intention of God in creating both Adam and Eve.
d. How different Christians interpret this story.
e. Why are humans special to God?
The Theory of Evolution
In 1859, Charles Darwin wrote a book called On the Origins of
Species by Means of Natural Selection. In this book, he put forward
the theory of evolution, suggesting that as the earth cooled, conditions
became right to support life. Simple organisms then evolved over many
years into other species. Those that adapted to their surroundings
survived, those that didn’t, died (survival for the fittest)
Life started with
single celled
creatures in the sea
Over a long period of
time they evolved
(changed) into
creatures capable of
living on land
Humans started
evolving around
2.5 million years
ago
They developed into
humans with the same
anatomy as us about
200,000 years ago
Religious debate on evolution
How might Christians and Jews respond to these views
of Darwin about evolution? Can a Christian or Jew
believe in both Genesis stories and evolution theory?
Christian views on evolution:
Some Christians believe that…
Other Christians on the hand believe that…
Jewish views on evolution:
Some Jews believe that…
Other Jews on the hand believe
that…
6. Abortion
Essential information:
Abortion is the deliberate removal of a foetus from the womb in
order to end a pregnancy
Abortion is legal in the UK provided doctors agree it meets certain
criteria
Christians and Jews believe in the sanctity of life
However, when considering the issue of abortion, many people will also
consider quality of life
How might these passages be
interpreted when considering the
issues of abortion?
What are the criteria for a legal abortion in the
UK?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Christian views on abortion
Some Christians believe abortion is wrong because…
Other Christians believe abortion can be right because…
Jewish views on abortion
Some Jews believe abortion is wrong because…
Other Jews believe abortion can be right because…
7. Euthanasia
Essential information:
Euthanasia means ‘a good or gentle death’, and involves painlessly ending the
life of someone who is dying.
Christians and Jews generally oppose euthanasia, although some may agree with
it when it seems to be the most loving action.
Types of euthanasia
Forms of euthanasia
Non-religious views for and against euthanasia
For… Against…
Active euthanasia means…
Voluntary euthanasia means…
Involuntary euthanasia means… Non-voluntary euthanasia means…
Passive euthanasia means…
What do you think about this case? Was the right decision taken?
Christian views on euthanasia
For … Against…
Make sure you refer to teachings from the Bible like “Sanctity of life” and
“Love your neighbour” or the teaching of the Catholic Church.
Jewish views on euthanasia
For… Against…
Refer to scripture – the Tenakh and Torah that might be used to show that
euthanasia is acceptable or not acceptable…
8. Death and the afterlife
Essential information:
Both Christians and Jews believe that death is not the end but the beginning
of an afterlife
Both believe that God will judge everyone (both believers and non-believers) on
how they have lived their lives on earth
God’s judgement will determine what happens to people after death
Key term: Eternity – a state that comes after death and never ends
Christian views about the afterlife
How does this painting of the
Last Judgement by
Michelangelo show Christian
beliefs about the afterlife?
“I tell you that in the same way there will be more
rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than
over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to
repent.” (Luke 15;7)
What is purgatory? ……………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………….
Heaven …
Hell …
Jewish beliefs about the afterlife
Sheol means …
Gan Eden means…
Why do both Christians and Jews believe that death is not the end?
The value of human life
All religions emphasise that everyone is accountable for their actions on earth
and all actions have consequences, good or bad. Both Christians and Jews
believe that God gives guidance about how to live their lives, but God also gives
humans free will to choose between doing right or wrong
Doing the right thing involves resisting temptation to stray from God’s path.
These decisions have important consequences for eternal life after death – if
you do right, you will be with God, if you don’t, then you will go to hell/sheol.
Jewish beliefs … Christian beliefs …
Exam Practice questions…
Give two religious reasons for reducing pollution (2marks)
Give two religious beliefs about heaven (2marks)
Explain two contrasting beliefs in contemporary British society about abortion. In
your answer you should refer to the main religious tradition of Great Britain and one
or more other religious traditions (4marks)
Explain two ways in which belief in the afterlife influences religious believers in
contemporary British society. In your answer you should refer to the main religious
tradition of Great Britain and one or more other religious traditions (4marks)
Explain two similar religious beliefs about animal experimentation. In your answer, you
must refer to one or more religious traditions. (4marks)
Explain two contrasting religious beliefs about the use of natural resources. In your
answer, you must refer to one or more religious traditions. (4marks)
Explain two religious beliefs about what happens when a person dies. Refer to sacred
writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your answer. (5marks)
Explain two religious beliefs about abortion. Refer to sacred writings or another
source of religious belief and teaching in your answer. (5marks)
Explain two religious beliefs about euthanasia. Refer to sacred writings or another
source of religious belief and teaching in your answer. (5marks)
Explain two religious beliefs about the duty of human beings to protect the earth.
Refer to sacred writings or another source of religious belief and teaching in your
answer. (5marks)
‘The law on euthanasia should be changed.’ Evaluate this statement (12marks)
‘Religious believers should not eat meat’ Evaluate this statement. (12marks)
In your answer you:
Should give reasoned arguments in support of this statement
Should give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view
Should refer to religious arguments
May refer to non-religious arguments
Should reach a justified conclusion
