4 examples of religious experience
> NUMINOUS > PRAYER > MIRACLES > CONVERSION
The argument from design
The universe must have been designed because nothing that intricate could have occurred naturally
Causation argument
> Everything in life has a cause, and the ultimate cause must have been God >BUT if God made everything, who made God?
Qur’an quote on sex before marriage
‘The woman and man guilty of immorality, flog each of them’
The Big Bang Theory
> Some believe GOD CAUSED IT (No proof) > There is however proof of the Big Bang Theory
2 Christian responses to scientific theory
> If God gave us intelligence, we should use it in science > the bible is the word of God, so the creation story must be true
Why might unanswered prayers mean God doesn’t exist?
Because he doesn’t see fit to answer our prayers even though he’s omni…
3 reasons why evil and suffering prove that God isn’t real
> If he refuses to help he can’t be omnibenevolent > If he can’t stop it he can’t be omnipotent > If he doesn’t know then he can’t be omniscient
4 reasons for evil and suffering
> It’s a test > We were given free will > We shouldn’t expect to understand > We are being punished for Adam and Eve
4 reasons for unanswered prayer
> God answers, but not in the way we expect > God doesn’t want to interfere > Prayer is just a test > Communicating with God helps us to find the answers within ourselves
3 reasons to believe in life after death
> the life of Jesus > it says so in the bible > the church teaches it
3 ways the afterlife affects a Christians life
> Feel reassured > Gives them a purpose in life > and a purpose to death
Four non religious views on life after death
> de ja vu > mediums > ghosts > near death experiences
3 reasons why there is no afterlife
> no scientific evidence > it goes against common sense > isn’t it just wishful thinking?
Two reasons in favour of abortion
> The woman has the right to choose what happens in her own body > rape, severe disability etc.
Two reasons against abortion
> Sanctity of life, baby’s rights > the child could turn out to do something great
Four features of a Christian upbringing
> CHURCH Surrounded by Christian beliefs > PRAYER AT HOME Learn in an informal setting > CONFIRMATION AND BAPTISEMENT Made formal members > CHURCH SCHOOL Educated with Christian values
2 abortion quotes
> ‘Children are a gift from God’ > ‘Do not murder’
When might Christians permit abortion?
> If the mum was raped > If it is going to make the mother seriously ill > If the baby will be born with serious deformities
Quote permitting abortion
‘God is love’
Muslim quote about afterlife
‘All things shall in the end return to you lord’
Two reasons in favour of euthanasia
> It is their decision and their life to take > It wastes money and resources keeping them alive
Two reasons against euthanasia
> Sanctity of Life > People might feel pressured to be euthanised as to not become a burden to their families
2 reasons Christians reject euthanasia
> Nobody has the right to take a life but God. > Hospices exist to give people the best environment for death
1 example of life and death in media
Emma Gough. (Jehovah’s Witness) refused blood after giving birth.
3 forms of sex outside of marriage
> Adultery > Promiscuity > Cohabitation
Muslim attitude to sex outside marriage
It is completely forbidden because the Qur’an says so
2 reasons divorce isn’t allowed
> Marriage is an oath take before God > ‘Till death do us part’
Why divorce is allowed
> In cases of abuse > If the marriage breaks down and is hurting those involved.
Four reasons family is important
> Provides a stable home for children > A place to teach children religion > Gives support > Gives a sense of identity
Muslim divorce quote
‘The most detestable act that Allah has permitted is divorce’
A reason not to allow contraception
Sex is meant for procreation
Christian life after death quote
‘He who believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live’
3 reasons to allow contraception
> Freedom to choose > Want the best for children > So as not to pass on genetic disease
What muslims think happens in the afterlife
The body remains to wait for the ‘last day’
4 ways in which attitudes towards the role of women have changed
> Women allowed the contraceptive pill (1960- )
> Equal pay act (1970’s)
> Sex discrimination acts (1975)
> Employment rights act, all women allowed maternity leave (1996)
3 reasons why attitudes towards the role of women have changed
> Women could vote,
> Own property
> And satnd as local councillors
4 reasons why some christians argue that women cannot be Church leaders
> God created Adam first and then Ever, from one of Adam’s rib bones
> Jesus chose 12 men disciples
> it is traditional for men to be the leaders of the church
> St Paul: ‘I do not allow them to teach or have authority over men’
4 reasons why women should be church leaders
> God created men and women at the same time
> Gospel stories show that Jesus held women in high regard
> Evidence that women held high positions in the early church
> Church teaches equality, so women should be equal to men
What does equal but different mean?
Men and women are equal, but they have different roles within society
2 reasons for men being equal to women in Islam
> The example of Muhammed
> Pray in the same way
2 reasons for men being superior to women in Islam
> Qur’an: ‘Men have authority over women’
> Men can be imams but women can’t
2 reasons why Britain is multi-ethnic
> Economic Migrants
> Assylum Seekers
2 examples of discrimination
> Not getting a job
> Verbal abuse and violence
3 things the 1976 Race Relations Act did
> Discriminate
> Use abusive language
> Publish anything that promoted racial hatred
4 reasons Christians should promote racial harmony
> The bible teaches it
> The example of Jesus
> The Christian church has united to fight racism
> Modern church leaders work for it
what does Archbishop Desmond Tutu do?
Campaigns against the discrimination of black people in South Africa, and worked with Nelson Mandela
Christian racial harmony quote
‘Do not ill treat foreigners who are living in your land’
4 reasons why Muslims should promote racial harmony
> The Botherhood of Islam
> The scriptures teach it
> The example of Muhammed
> Shared language of Arabic and Islamic festivals
Ummah
The brotherhood of all Muslims
Islam racial harmony quote
‘All Allah’s creatures are his family’
4 benefits of a multi faith society
> Builds tolerance
> More religious festivals
> Learning about the religion of others can help us to better understand our own
> Different aiths widen our knowledge of the world
3 difficulties a couple might face in an interfaith marriage
> Which ceremony to have
> Non- cooperation of parents
> Deciding how to raise their children
Christian attitude towards conversion
Feel it is their religious duty to convert people
Muslim attitude towards conversion
Believe everyone is born a muslim, but people can only go to heaven if they accept the teachings of the Qur’an. Some feel they must teach others of their religion but the Qur’an is clear that no-on can be converted against their will.
One media example, community cohesion
East is East
What issue does east is east look at?
The problems facing Muslims in the UK today