Rights and Responsibilities Unit 8 Religion and Society

What/ Who do Christians follow when making moral decisions? The Bible, the holy book of Christianity. Their conscience, an inner feeling of the rightness or wrongness of an action. The Church, the community of Christians (with a small c, it means a Christian place of worship). Situation Ethics, the idea that Christians should base moral decisions on what is the most loving thing to do. All these different authorities find their basis in God and Jesus, the Son of God. Christians may give greater emphasis upon one authority than the others. Other Christians however may use two or more authorities when making moral decisions.

Why do some Christians refer to the Bible when making moral decisions? Definition: the holy book of Christians All Christians believe the Bible is ‘the Word of God’. The Bible therefore is God’s guide book on how we should act. The Bible records Jesus’ teaching on how we should live, e.g. the Sermon on the Mount, ‘Love your enemies’ (Matthew 5-7). The Bible includes commandments, direct instructions Christians are expected to follow, e.g. the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). The details of Jesus’ life is written in the Gospels. Christians are meant to be disciples or followers of Jesus and therefore should try to follow his example. Christians disagree how the Bible is ‘the Word of God’. Protestant Fundamentalists believe God dictated what the human authors wrote down and will refer directly to the Bible. Whereas Liberal Christians believe the human writers were inspired by God, writing down God’s message in their own words. The Bible needs to be interpreted by someone knowledgeable.

Why do some Christians listen to the Church when making moral decisions? Definition: the community of Christians St Paul taught that the Bible is ‘the Body of Christ’, Jesus is the head and is leading the Church. The Roman Catholic Church believe the Pope and Bishops correctly interpret the Bible and traditions of the Church. The Church is ‘the community of Christians’ that is guided by God through prayer and reflection on the Bible. Every Sunday the priest/ minister guides Christians, relating the Bible to modern life by giving a short talk called a homily (Roman Catholic) or a sermon (Protestant). Roman Catholic Christians generally give greater authority to the Church than the Bible. The Church remains committed to some deeply unpopular beliefs, e.g. banning artificial methods of contraception, even in Africa where it could help stop HIV infection.

Why do some Christians listen to their conscience when making moral decisions? Definition: an inner feeling of the rightness or wrongness of an action Christians believe the their conscience is God’s voice telling them what they should or should not do. St Paul and St Aquinas taught that the conscience is the final part of moral decision-making. These two saints are two Great Christian thinkers. The Church teaches that what God tells a person’s conscience ought to be consistent with what is in the Bible or taught by the Church. Christians believe God created them (Genesis 1:26), including their conscience to help them decide what is right or wrong. Conscience can be mistaken and some people have claimed to have heard the voice of God before committing terrible crimes. Moreover, if everyone followed their conscience, Christians would act in very different ways, some of which may not be considered Christian.

Why do some Christians follow Situation Ethics when making moral decisions? Definition: the idea that Christian should base moral decisions on what is the most loving thing to do Situation Ethics is based upon Jesus’ Greatest Commandment (Mark 12:31) to love God and to ‘love your neighbour as yourself’. Situation Ethics focuses on achieving the most loving outcome and to do the most loving thing cannot be wrong. Jesus used Situation Ethics, putting people’s needs before the law, e.g. healing people (i.e. doing work) on the Sabbath. Situation Ethics is concerned with helping people rather than keeping the law. Situation Ethics began in the 1960s by an American Protestant Christian, Joseph Fletcher. It is however very difficult to know what is the most loving thing to do. It might be safer to follow the Bible or the Church. In fact two Christians could act in very different ways and claim it Is the most loving thing to do, i.e. abort or not abort a baby.

Why are human rights important to Christians? Christians are generally supportive of human rights. This is because: Christian beliefs aim to protect life, e.g. the sanctity of life. Christians believe we are equal, all made by God (Genesis 1:27). Christians believe that we are all made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), and therefore should be treated with dignity.. Christians benefit from having human rights, such as Article 18, ‘Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion’. Christians will however disagree with specific human rights, including: Everyone has the right to marry and have a family (Article 16) and this could be extended to include same-sex couples. Article 18 guarantees everyone religious freedom, so to not believe in Christianity or change to a different religion.

Why is it important to take part in democratic and electoral processes? Democracy in the UK means everyone is entitled to vote for: Members of Parliament; and Local Councillors. In the UK most election candidates belong to a party (e.g. Conservative or Labour). The party support can be crucial to help a candidate to win. We vote however for the individual and some candidates chose to be independent of a party. It is important to vote because: The national Government pass new laws and so your vote can affect your country’s laws. The national Government sets the rates of tax, such as VAT on most things you buy. The national Government has an important role to protect the public, including the Police and armed forces. Local Councils set the level of council tax and decide how money is spent in your local area, e.g. on leisure centres.

Why do Christians want a better society? The Golden Rule – ‘Do for others what you want them to do for you’ (Matthew 7:12) – and Christians should always think if they were someone marginal in society, they would want help and support. The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats – a story told by Jesus about Judgement Day (Matthew 25:31-46) – promises those that practical help others in need will go to heaven. Christians are taught that they are their ‘brother’s keeper’ – St John taught that our love ‘must be true love, which shows itself in action’ (1 John 3:18) – again helping to look after anyone in need.

What is genetic engineering? Why might some people agree with it? Genetic engineering is the deliberate modification of the characters of an organism by the manipulation of the generic material. Somatic cell gene therapy is used for change the cells of an individual for therapeutic reasons to cure disease, for example, cystic fibrosis. Germline gene therapy modifies sex cells (sperm or eggs), changing all of an individual’s cells and can be passed on to the next generation. Non-religious arguments for: It provides cures for currently incurable diseases. Genetic research is closely monitored by the law. Non-religious arguments against: There is too little information about the long-term consequences. The effects could be irreversible.

What are Christian attitudes towards genetic engineering? Liberal Protestants: (as long as done to cure disease and not to produce perfect humans). Jesus was a healer. All embryos tested on are destroyed after 14 days and cannot be seen as a potential human life. Roman Catholics: (as long as it does not use human embryos). Life begins at conception. Killing an embryo is killing human life. Some Christian arguments against genetic engineering: God created us as He intended and we have no right to interfere. Genetic engineering is ‘playing God’ and this is a great sin.