Written before Jesus How the world was created Contains 10 commandments About life of Jesus The beginning of the first Christian Church

Literally the word of God – God speaks to them through the Bible. God directly told the authors of the Bible what to write therefore it is completely right without any errors. The Bible is the word of God but needs to be interpreted by the Church – to stop confusion. It was written by people who have been influenced by God but they weren’t speaking the literal truth.

1.It’s the word of God. The Bible is the actual words of God and tells us how God wants us to live our lives. 2. Laws of God It contains God’s laws – the most famous are the Ten Commandments 3. The teachings of Jesus – it contains rules on how Jesus taught us to live our lives 4. The leaders of the early Church

The community of Christians

The Bible was written hundreds of years ago and because of this some Christians believe that it doesn’t have the answers to modern moral dilemmas.

Talk to other Christians Explains and teaches God’s word Pray and worship God together Advice from priest/vicar

Bishops Clergy Laity Example: Roman Catholic Church Pope and Council of Bishops Act as the Magisterium Catechism/Encyclicals

God continues to communicate through the Church Church is the body of Christ. This means that through the Church, Jesus continues to act in the world today. The Church is a community of believers in God. Church leaders have had training and have studied the Bible and their denomination for many years. It makes sure that everyone abides by the same rules – there is a mutual understanding of what is right and wrong.

An inner feeling of the rightness or wrongness of an action

A way in which people, both religious and non – religious can judge their moral actions It makes us feel guilty if we do things that are wrong The inner part of a person where the sense of what is right and wrong is developed A guardian that prompts the believer to respond rightly to their moral code Some believe it’s the voice of God within us

What does the Bible say? What does the Church say? What does my conscience say ?

The idea that Christians should base moral decisions on what is the most loving thing to do The way in which society has changed and is changing (and also the possibility of change in the future)

I came up with Situation Ethics in the 1960s – a time of great social change

Love should be the only principle upon which to make moral choices A good action is one which aims to do the most loving thing. It is based on the teaching of Jesus ‘My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you’ (John 15:12) A person should only obey the rules in the Bible or of the Church if the teaching results in the most loving thing to do

Jesus sometimes had to set aside rules in order to do the most loving thing – for example when he healed the sick woman on the Sabbath day The New Testament over writes the Old Testament for many Christians – it was written after and it focuses on love therefore love must be the most important thing.

1.Can we always predict what will happen? 2.In theory anything could be justified… 3.Is it possible when we have laws and rules?

1.6 human rights completed at work

It’s a why question! It’s a Christian question! What can we use?!

1.Every human being is created by God, in God’s image – everyone should be treated equally 2.The teachings of the Bible are very similar to those of the human rights rules

‘Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are maltreated as if you yourselves were suffering’ (Hebrews 13:3) Tells us that it is the moral duty of Christians to help those in need

The example of Lord Shaftsbury A Christian reformer who campaigned against awful working conditions in factories and the lack of health care for the children of poor families.

The example of William Wilberforce Campaigned against the slave trade Wilberforce was a deeply religious English member of parliament and social reformer who was very influential in the abolition of the slave trade and eventually slavery itself in the British empire.

Remember that

The ways in which citizens can take part in government (usually through elections) The ways in which voting is organised A group that tries to be elected into power on the basis of its policies, e.g. Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrat

Explain democracy in the UK Word democracy comes from the Greek word demos (people) and kratein (rule) A political system used in the UK Western countries in which ordinary people decide who should represent them Every 5 years a general election is held where people vote for the political party that will form the next government Everyone 18 or over is allowed to vote for the party they want in power The party with the most votes will be responsible for governing the country for the next 5 years They will make important decisions regarding everyone’s lives Examples of decisions: How schools and colleges should be run, the NHS, how much tax people should pay, the police

1.There were times when many people weren’t allowed to vote. In the past only rich men could vote. It wasn’t until the 1800s that working class men were allowed to vote. It took even longer for women to get the vote! It wasn’t until after the First World War in 1918!

2. Politics affects every single person in the UK. The policies and laws made by the national and local government rule our lives. They decide things like the taxes people will pay and how much money people will receive in benefits, how often our rubbish is collected and, whether we go to war. Many people think that politics doesn’t affect them but it does!

Write to your local MP about issues you’d like them to address Taking part in a demonstration or petition Become a member of a political party You could even stand for election yourself

Jesus’ teaching that you should treat other people as you would like to be treated

Love your enemies Give to the needy Don’t store up treasure on Earth Don’t judge others Matthew Chapters 5 – 7

Tells the story of how God will, at the end, separate his people into those who have helped others (the sheep) and those who have not (the goats) Story tells us that it is the moral duty of Christians to feed those who are hungry, give clothes to the naked, give drink to the thirsty, visit the sick and help those in prison. ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’.

Story in OT of Cain and Abel – two brothers Cain kills his brother and declared that it was not up to him to care for others. He asked ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ In the NT Paul uses this example to warn Christians that it is their moral duty to care for others. ‘If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?’

Genes make up the DNA of every living thing DNA is like a code that determines what a living thing will be like – e.g. your DNA determined the colour of your eyes Genetic engineering is a process where the structure and characteristics of genes are changed

Genetic engineering is the process where the structure and characteristics of genes are changed Genes can be added, replaced or taken away This can be used to stop disorders or to make ‘improvements’

Genes can be inserted so that animals can grow human parts This could help people who need organ transplants

Genetic engineering can also be used to change the genes in an embryo. This could be used to get rid of disorders such as cystic fibrosis.

Genetically engineered crops Grown from a seed whose genetic make up has been engineered to promote specific characteristics There are very strict rules about GM crops in the UK but they are sold for people to eat in other countries

Cloning Producing an exact copy of an animal or plant An identical genetic make up Could be used to clone animals that are particularly good at something – a brilliant racehorse or a cow that produces a lot of milk.

Embryo research Aims to find cures for serious illnesses by using tissue or cells from embryos Most concentrates on use of stem cells and regenerative medicine (the repair of damaged organs and body parts)

We can use GE to help people – to stop children growing up with some illnesses, We can use it to produce better crops Nobody knows what the long term effects could be – nature is very complicated This technology could be misused It could lead to us valuing some life more than others

The sanctity of life – life belongs to God. He creates it and it belongs to him Life starts at conception so removing stem cells from embryos is wrong God has a plan for everyone – we shouldn’t interfere with it We have ALL been made in God’s image – we should value all life

It may be the most loving thing to do – use technology in order to enhance people’s lives God has given us ‘dominion’ over the plants and animals. This means that we are in charge of them and can change them as we see fit Treat other people the way you would like to be treated – genetic engineering is acceptable if it improves the health and lives of human beings Jesus healed people which suggests that Christians should do all they can do improve the health of human beings