Religion and Animal Rights Revision

Animal rights Animals are often used for medical experiments in order to improve the lives of humans. Without animal testing many life saving drugs could not be used. Animals are part of the food chain but are often kept in poor conditions until slaughter. This has led 10% of the UK not eat meat (vegetarian) or even not use any animal products (vegan). Sometimes animals are used in blood sports. This is when animals are killed in the name of sport. Their deaths are often violent and painful. Many people in the UK hate the idea of blood sports and have called for a complete ban of fox hunting.

Companionship Food Medical testing Clothing Entertainment Cosmetic testing Sport Transport Work Use & Abuse of animals

See blog for website link to clip Factory Farming Factory farming Make notes on the clip See blog for website link to clip 4

Christianity and Animal Rights Attitude 1: Most Christians believe that animals do not have rights but humans should not be cruel to animals and that farmers should care for their animals humanely. 2 reasons: 1. God gave humans the right to control animals according to Genesis when he appointed them as stewards 2. God is the creator of animals as well as humans and the Bible says that humans should respect God’s creation. Attitude 2:Some Christians believe that animals should have similar rights to humans 3 reasons: God is the creator of animals as well as humans and the Bible says that humans should respect God’s creation it is impossible to use animals for food or experiments without being cruel to them and this is wrong The Bible says that God morns the loss of one of his creations

Buddhism and Animal Rights Buddhists believe that all life, in all forms, should be respected, and no suffering should be caused e.g. so no experimenting on animals, bull fighting etc Buddha taught compassion (love and kindness) for all life. Harming animals is not showing compassion. ‘Do not harm others’ (First Precept) Right Livelihood includes NOT having a job that exploits animals There are Karmic consequences for all our actions. Karma affects our rebirth. Most are vegetarian for these reasons. However, it doesn’t say you can’t eat meet but animals must be slaughtered humanely.

See blog for website link to game Animal Rights See blog for website link to game

Test yourself Name 3 things that animal are used for What are the 2 different Christian attitudes to animal rights? What reasons are given? What is the Muslim attitude to animal rights? What are the 4 reasons given?

ANIMAL RIGHTS Give two ways animals and humans are different. (2) Give two reasons why people use animals in sport. (2) Name two ways in which humans misuse animals. (2) Name the first Buddhist precept and explain its meaning. (3) Explain briefly why some religious believers choose not to eat meat. (4) Explain Christian and Buddhist attitudes to making animals extinct. Use beliefs and teachings in your answer. (6) ‘Zoos should all be closed down, and the animals released.’ (6) Do you agree? Give reasons and explain your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view, including the two religious views you have studied. 8. ‘We’ve learnt most of our medicine from animal research, so it must continue.’ (6) 9. ‘Eating meat is disrespectful to God’s creation.’ (6)

Explain the religious attitudes to making animals extinct Explain the religious attitudes to making animals extinct. Use beliefs and teachings in your answer. (6 marks) Example Answer Christians believe that humans were given dominion over animals, which was to care and respect all living things. This is known as stewardship. God created the world and all creatures in it, which means all creation belongs to him and we are looking after it for him. In the Ten Commandments, it says ‘do not kill’, and so if you are killing animals and making them extinct, you are against what God’s rules. Buddhists believe your actions have consequences, which means you should respect all life, otherwise you will have bad karma and affect your rebirth. You could also affect the animals chances of improving their karma. In the Five Precepts, its says not to harm sentient beings, because they should practice ahimsa, which is non-violence towards all life. Both Christians and Buddhists believe that destroying habitats, is destroying creation and animals chances of survival.

Religion and the Environment Revision

Key words: write out the answers then click to check them Pollution The contamination of the natural environment Global warming Increase CO2 in the atmosphere raises the temperature of the earth, with potentially devastating effects on the environment Conservation Preserving and protecting the environment and its natural resources Stewardship Taking care of the environment on behalf of God and for the benefit of future generations Animal rights The principle that animals have the right not to be exploited by humans

Air pollution Water pollution Types of pollution Noise pollution Land pollution

Effects of pollution Most scientists say that pollution has caused a hole in the ozone layer and the greenhouse effect which is heating up the earth This in turn has caused the polar ice caps to melt It has also meant that we experience more freak weather conditions However, not all scientists agree! Some believe that this is a natural worldly cycle that happens every so many thousands of years Also, not all pollution is damaging e.g. noise pollution only effects people, not the environment

Non-religious attitudes to the environment Many non-religious people are concerned about the environment. Governments have pressured large companies such as McDonalds and B&Q in to making sure that they recycle waste and that they ethically source good. Governments have also set targets to reduce CO2 and to recycle more, hence many houses now have recycle bins and tips are more accessible. It is understood that the effects of global warming are felt everywhere but especially by LEDCs who experience more drought and so have food shortages. It is estimated that over the next few hundred years much of low land in countries will be under water due to the melting of the ice caps e.g much of Holland On the other hand some people still don’t care what the damage is and refuse to do their part. If governments really wanted change then more could be done to make people have environmentally friendly cars and use solar panels on their houses to get electricity

Greenpeace This is a non-religious group who: Work for sustainable development Campaign against climate change Try to protect the rain forests from being destroyed Stand up for animal rights e.g. they try to stop whaling They do this because they believe that the planet belongs to everyone and so no one should destroy it.

Ways people try to reduce pollution Recycle clothes, plastics, paper etc Use public transport or walk rather than use a car Use energy efficient products e.g. light bulbs, washing machines Carry re-useable bags to cut down on plastic bags Buy local produce to reduce transports carbon foot print

The Christian attitude to the environment All Christians believe that they have a duty to protect and care for the environment and should not pollute it

This is because: The Bible says that people were created by God to be stewards – to take care of it on God’s behalf and for the benefit of future generations God made the world and so it is not ours to ruin Christians believe they should protect the environment for future generations, because God wants the world to continue developing, not being destroyed. If Christians look after the world then they will be rewarded by God in heaven. Pollution is NOT looking after the planet. It is selfish and does not look after the world as God intended.

Buddhist attitudes to the environment All Buddhists believe that they have a duty to protect and care for the environment and should not pollute it

This is because: Buddhists believe that all life, in all forms, should be respected, and not destroyed through e.g. deforestation Buddha taught compassion for all life. Destroying the environment affects humans, animals and the whole of nature. The Dalai Lama said the ‘destruction of nature and natural resources results from ignorance, greed and lack of respect for the earth’s living things…this lack of respect extends to future generations who would inherit the degraded planet. ‘Do not harm others’ (First Precept) There are Karmic consequences for all our actions. Karma affects our rebirth.

Christian Aid This is a Christian group who work for conservation. They do this because they believe that humans are stewards of the earth, and should look after it for God They believe in the parable of the talents which says that those who leave the earth in a better state than they found it will go to heaven They campaign against climate change and put pressure on the international community to reduce CO2 They believe that we all have a responsibility to recycle and to save the rainforests which are the lungs of the earth

See blog for website link to game Planet Earth See blog for website link to game

Test yourself Name the 4 types of pollution Which do not physically damage the environment? Name 3 ways people try to reduce pollution What is the Buddhist and Christian attitude towards the environment? Give 4 reasons a Christian has this view Give 4 reasons a Buddhist has this view

PLANET EARTH Give two ways we damage the earth. (2) Give two reasons why humans should look after the environment. (2) Name two forms of renewable energy. (2) Name two ways we use natural resources. (2) Explain briefly how science believes the world began. (4) Explain what makes it difficult to look after the environment. (Think about in school, in your home street, in your country, across the world) (4) ‘Only religious people have a duty to look after the world.’ (6) Do you agree? Give reasons and explain your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view, including the two religious views you have studied. 8. ‘People today only think of themselves, not the planet.’ (6) 9. ‘A hotter world is a better world.’ (6)

Religion and Prejudice Revision

How did Racism develop? Western History has not always kept to the teaching of the Bible. The white man saw himself superior to others and this led to the slave trade and exploitation of many countries (particularly in Africa). In USA when slavery was abolished in the southern states racist attitudes continued. Black people made to live and work in poverty, lacking civil rights and proper education.

In S. Africa the apartheid (separateness) system was started in 1948 when the white (Boer) government forced strict rules on where black and “coloured” people could live and work. They had no civil rights and were subject to strict laws. They were segregated from whites and had separate schools, cafes, cinemas etc

Why do people discriminate? Bad experience – 1 bad experience can lead you to think everyone is like that. Parents/upbringing – Families have a huge influence on us from a young age. Media – The media is often biased. People tend to believe what they read/hear in the media. Ignorance – Judging someone before you know anything about them. Scapegoating – When you blame others as an excuse for a problem. E.g. Hitler blamed the Jews for Germany’s economic problems.

Prejudice Racism Discrimination Ageism Sexism Stereotyping Homophobia KEY WORDS Prejudice A thought - Judging someone before knowing them Racism Discriminating against someone because of their race or colour Discrimination Ageism An Action – putting your prejudice into action e.g. not employing a woman because you don’t believe they’re good enough Discriminating against someone because of their age Sexism Discriminating against someone because of their gender Stereotyping Homophobia A common belief that a person or country have the same characteristics or behaviours e.g. all French people wear a beret Discriminating against someone because they are attracted to people of the same sex

Martin Luther King Born in 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia where his father was a Baptist Minister. Brought up in segregated way of s. States. Became a Baptist minister in Montgomery, Alabama when Rosa Parks started her bus protest in 1955. Helped lead bus boycott that led to change in the law. Became leader of the Civil Rights Movement. Followed Christian ideas of non-violence, ‘Love thy neighbour’ and that God created everyone equally. Led marches, sit-ins, demonstrations.

MLK continued … Very effective leader because of powerful speeches. Often imprisoned, home bombed, physically attacked. Gained a lot of support because of his non-violence, let others use violence against him and supporters. March of ¼ million in Washington in 63 led to change in law. 1964 won Nobel Peace Prize. 1968 assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.

Christian attitudes to Discrimination The Golden Rule – do unto others as you would have them do to you. Everyone is created in the likeness of God. Good Samaritan: helping a neighbour, not judging. St Paul “In Christ there is no Greek or Jew, slave nor free man, male nor female. We are all one in Christ.” Love your neighbour as you love yourself, pray for those who persecute you.

Attitude of the Churches and Christians Churches are united now in putting Bible teaching into practice. All Christians would: try to avoid making judgements, try to have equal opportunity policies in place, disapprove of racist jokes bring up children to share views on equality.

Bible and Gender The Bible gives 2 differing images of the role of women: Timothy and Paul (books in the Bible) write that women should not be heard in church, they must dress modestly and do good deeds. In the OT women were seen as possessions and could be divorced by their husbands. Jesus only chose men as his disciples/apostles. On the other hand on the OT women were brave, loyal and set good examples. In the NT many women followed Jesus and were more faithful; being at the cross, at the tomb and the first to see him when he rose from the dead

Christian Churches and Gender For nearly 2,000 years men have taken all priestly roles in the churches. For many there is the strong belief that a priest represents Jesus at the altar and that therefore his place cannot be taken by a woman. In some churches in the 20th century Baptist, Methodist and even Church of England changed their minds and allowed women to become priests. The Roman Catholics believe that women have a special and distinct role in the Church but it is not priestly.

Buddhist Views on Prejudice Discrimination leads to suffering – its wrong and should be avoided Do not harm others (1st precept) Do not use harmful language (3rd precept) Everyone should develop metta (loving-kindness) – be kind & respectful to others Karmic consequences – your actions affect you karma, which affects your rebirth – bad karma = lower rebirth Dalai Lama said “Always think compassion” (kindness) Show beliefs actions racism through Eightfold Path – Right Action (work for company that promotes equality), Right Livelihood (respect all life and treat people kindly), Right Thought (think kind thoughts), Right Speech (tell your friends your against racism, speak out against racist comments)

A. What do the following terms mean: Tolerance (1) Justice (1) Prejudice (1) Discrimination (1) Stereotype (1) Ageism (1) Sexism (1) Racism (1) Homophobia (1)

PREJUDICE Give two ways people are prejudice. (2) Give three examples of stereotyping. (3) Give some examples of ageist behaviours. (3) Explain briefly religious teachings about sexism. (4) Explain how attitudes towards women can conflict in religion. (6) Describe the story of the ‘Good Samaritan’ and explain its meaning” (5) If prejudice creates bad karma, how could it have a negative effect on rebirth? (3) Describe the work of one individual who has worked against discrimination. (5) ‘Without Gandhi, violence would always have been the main method of protest.’(6) Do you agree? Give reasons and explain your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view, including the two religious views you have studied. 11. ‘Disabilities hold you back in the work place, so the job should be given to someone healthy.’ (6)

Explain the attitudes of religious believers towards racism Explain the attitudes of religious believers towards racism. Use religious teachings and beliefs in your answer. (6) Example Answer Religious people would disagree with racism. Christians believe all forms of discrimination are wrong because God created everyone equal and so we should treat everyone with respect. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus teaches that it doesn’t matter what skin colour you are or where you come from, you should ‘love your neighbour’, which means to treat everyone equally. A Buddhist might say discrimination leads to suffering, which is wrong, because all life should be respected. The Dalai Lama said ‘always think compassion’, which means to be loving and kind to others. If you do good actions in life, Buddhists believe you will get good karma and be reborn as something better. This is why they believe they should treat everyone equally and with respect.