1. The origins of life
I can describe religious teachings about the origins of the universe and of human life
I can explain different interpretations of these religious teachings
I can explain the relationship between scientific and religious views
The oneness of God and the trinity

2. Key Words - Match the key words to the definitions
wonder
Marvelling at the complexity and beauty of the universe
A feeling of devout respect, mixed with fear or wonder
The idea that believers have a duty to look after the environment on behalf of God
Dominance or power over something; having charge of something or ruling over it
The natural world; the surroundings in which someone lives
Materials found in nature – such as oil as trees - that can be used by people
Building and progress that try to reduce the impact on the natural world for future generations
Things the earth provides that will eventually run out as there is a limited amount of them e.g. oil, coal
The cutting down of large amounts of forest, usually because of business needs
Energy from a source that does not run out, such as the wind or sun
The process by which living organisms are thought to have developed and diversified from earlier forms of life during the history of the earth
A process of change where an organism or species become better suited to its environment
All life is holy and is created and loved by God; Christians believe human life should not be mistreated or abused
The general well-being of a person, in relation to their health and happiness; the idea that the value of life depends upon how good or how satisfying it is
The painless killing of someone suffering an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma
awe
stewardship
dominion
environment
Natural resources
Sustainable development
Non-renewable
deforestation
renewable
evolution
adaptation
Sanctity of life
Quality of life
euthanasia

3. What does the Bible say about a) the origins of the universe
What does the Bible say about a) the origins of the universe? b) the origins of humans?
The Universe
Made in 6 days
Created ex nihilo
Light (day & night)
Sky
Seas & land & vegetation
Sun, moon, stars
Fish & birds
Animals & humans
Humans
Genesis 1: made on final day in the image of God
Genesis 2: Adam made first; Eve made from Adam’s rib

4. Different Interpretations
Give two important messages from the Genesis creation story that all Christians would accept.
God brought the universe into being
The world was designed for humans
2. Explain the different ways Christians interpret this account (fundamentalists and liberals).
Fundamentalist: literally true – 6 days, humans made last
Liberals: symbolic accounts – explains why the universe was made but not how
3. Give two important messages human creation story that all Christians would accept.
Humans have a special place in God’s creation (e.g. have a soul)
God created people in his image – we have a spiritual nature like God and moral goodness
4. Explain why some Christians accept evolution and others do not.
Fundamentalist: contradicts the creation story (timescale, God made things the way they are) – can’t be true
liberal: Bible explains why, science explains how; evolution as part of God’s design

5. Charles Darwin (scientist and liberal Christian)
Reverend Lovejoy
I interpret the Bible literally
(Fundamentalist Christian)
Charles Darwin (scientist and liberal Christian)
Symbolic interpretation
Dr Sheldon Cooper
(scientist)
Bible can’t be true.
The Big Bang did not happen – the Bible does not mention it at all. God spoke and the world was created.
The Big Bang was caused by God – he could easily have done this because he is omnipotent.
The Big Bang made the world: Red Shift theory is our evidence. One day we will find out what caused the Big Bang – it definitely wasn’t God!
God created Adam and Eve as the first humans. He did this because he loves humans and thinks we are special, so he made the world for us.
I found that different places caused different varieties of the same creature to develop – natural selection. But this amazing process must have God’s omniscience behind it.
We and all other creatures evolved over thousands of years of adaptation. Fossils are evidence of this.
God made creatures exactly how they are today.
The seven days in the Bible are really different ‘ages’ which represent evolution.
Science answers questions which religion used to answer, but we don’t need the Bible anymore.
The world was made over seven days.
The Big Bang is represented in the Bible by the light on Day 1.
Evolution didn’t happen - fossils exist to test our faith!
What would each person say about the Big Bang, evolution and the Bible creation?
Match up the statements.

6. Exam Questions ‘The Creation accounts are no longer relevant.’ (12)
Choose one of these exam questions and in pairs write down arguments ‘for’ and ‘against’:
‘The Creation accounts are no longer relevant.’ (12)
‘The creation story about God making the world in seven days is made up to explain what nobody knows.’
‘There has to be a creator because it is impossible for nothing to become something.’
‘Science has made the creation story unbelievable.’

7. ‘Evolution proves that religious beliefs about the origins of life are wrong.’

8. The value of the world I can describe the concepts of awe and wonder
I can explain why the world is valuable from a religious perspective
I can evaluate the ideas of stewardship and dominion

9. This can give us feelings of
For many people the value of the world can be glimpsed from looking at the beauty of nature.
This can give us feelings of
Awe – an overwhelming feeling of respect and possible fear – woah!
and
Wonder – marvelling at the complexity and beauty of the universe – wow!
These feelings can make people want to worship God, and protect the planet.
‘When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?’
Psalm 8:3-4
AWE
WONDER

10. Pick a quote to support your answer.
The Christian Creation Story
“So God created Human beings, making them to be like himself. He created the male and female, blessed them, and said, ‘have many children, so that your descendants will live all over the earth and bring it under their control. I am putting you in charge of the fish, the birds, and all the wild animals. I have provided all kinds of grain and all kinds of fruit for you to eat; but for all the wild animals and birds I have provided grass and leafy plants for food ‘ – and it was done…the Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and guard it.”
The words ‘control’ and ‘in charge’ reflect the idea that humans have dominion over the world. This might suggest Christians can do whatever they want with the world.
But most Christians believe that we are stewards of the planet: God gave us the world as a gift and we are responsible for taking care of it for future generations. We will be accountable for our actions on Judgement Day.
Similarly, Buddhists believe should respect life, including animals’ habitats – First Precept. We should care for the world not just for our children but for our own rebirths.
What does this story suggest about how humans should treat the environment?
Pick a quote to support your answer.
Could suggest stewardship or dominion

11. ‘Caring for the environment is the most important action a Christian can take.’ (12)
To support this statement:
Why is stewardship important?
What are the implications of not caring for the environment?
Could this affect other Christian duties?
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21
On the other hand:
Which other Christian actions might be more important?
E.g. What are the implications of not caring for the poor?
What about dominion?

12. Use and abuse of the environment
I can describe ways in which humans use and abuse the environment
I can explain religious responses to use of natural resources and pollution
I can evaluate the claim that we should stop using fossil fuels

13. Test Engage Endeavour Explore Elaborate Evaluate End
Give one possible negative consequence of global warming.
Deforestation destroys habitats. Why else is it a problem?
Why are renewable energy sources better than fossil fuels?
Give one advantage of using fossil fuels.
Name one form of pollution and a problem it can cause.

14. Give one possible negative consequence of global warming.
more extreme weather (e.g. flooding and storms) / ice caps melting / rising sea levels / flooding / plants and animals unable to adapt to rising temperatures and changing habitats / spread of disease
2. Deforestation destroys habitats. Why else is it a problem?
destroys medicinal plants / trees take in CO2 and release oxygen and therefore help to stop global warming
3. Why are renewable energy sources better than fossil fuels?
unlimited energy and cause much less harm to the environment
4. Give one advantage of using fossil fuels.
Cheap, reliable
5. Name one form of pollution and a problem it can cause.
Air pollution –asthma attacks / lung cancer / global warming / climate change / acid rain
Land pollution – poisons wildlife / makes farming less efficient / contaminates food
Water pollution –kills birds & marine animals.

15. Pollution puts the health of humans, animals and plants at risk
Pollution puts the health of humans, animals and plants at risk. Pollution continues to be a problem as technology advances and the world’s population grows. Forms of pollution include:
Air pollution – caused by fumes from factories and vehicles. Long-term exposure can lead to asthma attacks, lung cancer and other diseases. It also causes global warming, climate change and acid rain.
Land pollution – caused by our rubbish. When chemicals enter the earth this can poison wildlife, make farming less efficient and result in contaminated food.
Water pollution – caused by dumping waste into the sea. One example is the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 which released over 750million litres of oil into the sea and killed thousand of birds and marine animals.
Fossil fuels
Worldwide over 90 million barrels of oil are used a day (approximately 14,310,000,000 litres). Research shows we might have enough oil left for about 40 years at our current rate of consumption. Once it is used, it will be gone forever.
Oil and other fossil fuels cause pollution, but are reliable and relatively cheap sources of energy.
We will have to adapt to living without fossil fuels.
Renewable energy
Scientists are developing renewable energy sources (such as solar, water and wave power) as alternatives to fossil fuels.
These can theoretically give us unlimited energy and cause much less harm to the environment.
However, they are problematic. For example, wave power is currently very expensive and solar power is only generated if the climatic conditions are right.

16. Deforestation means that huge areas of forests are cut down
Deforestation means that huge areas of forests are cut down. This may be to clear land for cattle to graze, or to create areas for building, mining and roads. This destroys the habitats of many species and also destroys plants which could be used as medicines. Trees are also extremely important because they take in CO2 and release oxygen and therefore help to stop global warming.
Global warming and climate change
Climate change is the idea that the Earth’s temperature is increasing and causing more extreme weather, such as flooding and storms.
Human activities over the last 100 years (mainly the production of CO2 from burning fossil fuels) have speeded up climate change.
Increases in global temperature will lead to ice caps melting, rising sea levels and flooding. Plants and animals may be unable to adapt to rising temperatures and changing habitats. Diseases prevalent in hot countries may also spread to other areas.

17. ‘We must ban the use of fossil fuels now
‘We must ban the use of fossil fuels now.’ ‘Global warming is the biggest problem facing humans today.’
Give 2-3 examples of what they do to protect the environment / what they encourage others to do. The ‘Action’ and ‘Events’ tabs are a good place to start.
Give 2-3 examples of what they do to protect the environment.
For each organisation, write a paragraph explaining why they do this using your knowledge of religious beliefs and teachings.