Unit 8: Section 1

Question 1

Why do many Christians use only the Bible when making moral decisions?

Answer 1

• It is the word of God so is Gods guidance on how to make decisions.
• It contains Gods laws on how people should behave (e.g. the Decalogue).
• It contains letters from Jesus’ disciples (they knew Jesus and were guided by the Holy Spirit when writing).
• It contains Jesus’ teachings on how to live, and these should be followed as Jesus is the Son of God.

Question 2

Why do some Christians think the Bible is not the most important tool for making moral decisions?

Answer 2

• It was written by humans (inspired by God) many years ago, so some attitudes need to be updated for the modern world (e.g. Pauls attitude to slaves/women).
• They need the Church to tell them what the Bible means for today.
• They use conscience/reason to decide wether to follow the Bible.

Question 3

How does the Church help Christians to make moral decisions?

Answer 3

• Christians believe the Church is the body of Christ, so it must have the same authority as Christ.
• Christians believe that God speaks to the world through the Church.
• The Church is guided by God on (modern) moral issues.
• Many Christians believe the Pope gives perfect guidance.
• Following the Church stops Christians being confused, as other Christians can ensure they’re doing the right thing.

Question 4

How does the conscience help Christians make moral decisions?

Answer 4

• The voice of conscience seems to be the same as the voice of God.
• Paul and Thomas taught Christians should use their conscience as the final part of making a decision (so Christians should use their conscience to decide about things the Church says is wrong).
• The Church says Christians should follow their conscience as if it were the voice of God.
• The Bible has to be interpreted, but the conscience is God speaking directly to the individual so should be followed.

Question 5

Why do Christians think they should not follow their conscience?

Answer 5

• Christians need to follow the Bible (as it is the word of God) and is not corrupted like our consciences.
• People have heard ‘God’ telling them to do bad things, and if people are mistaken about God speaking to them then they can be mistaken about their conscience.
• If everyone followed their conscience instead of laws, there would be chaos.
• If Christians follow Church teachings, then they are doing what other Christians think is right.

Question 6

Why do Christians think they should use Situation Ethics?

Answer 6

• Jesus seemed to use Situation Ethics (he did not allow a woman who committed adultery to be stoned to death).
• Christians should only do what produces good results and base decisions on love, not laws.
• Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God and love your neighbour, so Christians should do what produces the most loving results.

Question 7

Why do Christians think they shouldn’t use Situation Ethics?

Answer 7

• The Bible is Gods word on how to live, so should be the basis for making moral decisions.
• Christians should follow the Decalogue and Jesus’ sermon on the Mount (which tell them how to behave) instead of relying on their own ideas.
• The Church knows better what Christians should do rather than an individual Christian.
• It is confusing and unreliable because people may disagree upon what is loving.

Question 8

What methods would Christians use to make moral decisions? Give advantages and disadvantages.

Answer 8

• The Bible - A - Straightforward, e.g. ‘Do not murder’. D - Difficult to used for modern issues e.g. contraception.
• Authority of the Church - A - Applied Bible teachings to modern life. D - Christians may feel unable to apply the Churches ban on artificial contraception to African states with lots of AIDS.
• Conscience - A - It is God-given and easy to use, and encourages them to do good by making you feel bad about dishonest acts. D - The conscience has been corrupted by the Fall, as it can be selfish. Advice may be needed from the Church.
• Situation Ethics - A - Based on Jesus’ teaching to love your neighbour. Simple to understand. D - The issue may be complicated or effects of the choice may be uncertain, so it would be easier to follow the Church/Bible than decide alone.

Question 9

Why are Human Rights important?

Answer 9

• Without the right to freedom and a fair trial we could end up in a dictatorship, where opposition parties are banned (For example Nazi Germany).
• Without the right to freedom of thought/expression minority religions/political parties could be banned.
• There would be no democracy without the right to take part in free elections.
• Everyone is supposed to be treated equally, so there should be no more prejudice/discrimination (e.g. homosexuality is no longer illegal).

Question 10

Why are Human Rights not important?

Answer 10

• People abuse Human Rights (e.g. prisoners claiming their punishment goes against their Human Rights).
• We should be allowed to torture terrorists to find out information which will save lives (e.g. bomb locations).
• In a democracy we don’t need Human Rights as people can vote for what they want.

Question 11

Why are Human Rights important to Christians?

Answer 11

• Every human is created by God in his image, so everyone should be treated with respect.
• God loves everyone equally so they should be treated equally.
• The teachings of the Bible agree with most Human Rights laws.

Question 12

Which Bible passages support Human Rights?

Answer 12

• Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (long talk on mountainside).
• The Parable of the Sheep and Goats (teaches Christians to help people in need).
• ‘Love your neighbour as you love yourself’ (most important commandment after loving God).

Question 13

Why may Christians not approve of Human Rights?

Answer 13

• Many Christians are against the right to form a civil partnership as the Bible says homosexuality is against God’s will.
• Some Christians are against the right to marry someone of a different religion, because they believe Christians should marry Christians so the children are brought up as Christians.
• Some Christians are against the idea of homosexual couples raising a family, as they believe children should be raised by a mother and father.
• Problems may be caused for the Roman Catholic Church if people used Human Rights laws to argue that women should become priests, or for priests to marry.

Question 14

Why is it important to take part in democratic/electoral processes? (vote)

Answer 14

• Your ancestors fought to have these electoral/democratic rights so you should use them.
• You pay income tax on your wages and VAT on what you buy, voting gives you some control over how much this is.
• Local councils are responsible for waste disposal, leisure services and social services. These are important areas you need a say in.
• The national government is responsible for the army, NHS and schools. Voting gives you a say on how these are run.

Question 15

Why is it not important to take part in democratic/electoral processes? (vote)

Answer 15

• There are 60million+ people in the UK, one vote makes no difference.
• It doesn’t matter who wins, they will just have to follow EU laws.
• Politicians cannot be trusted, they’re not worth voting for.

Question 16

What Christian Teachings guide Christians when they take part in electoral/democratic processes?

Answer 16

• The Golden Rule (Teaches to love your neighbour).
• The Parable of the Sheep and Goats (Teaches to help the homeless, sick and hungry).
• ‘Am I My Brother’s Keeper?’ (Teaches that Christians are responsible for the rights of others).

Question 17

Why shouldn’t Christians be guided by Christian Teachings when voting?

Answer 17

• Jesus said loving God is the greatest commandment, so this is more important than taking part in elections.
• Going to Mass every Sunday is more important than voting.
• Christianity is about loving God, not politics, and the two should not mix.

Question 18

Why may non-religious people be in favour of genetic engineering?

Answer 18

• It offers cures for currently incurable diseases.
• It is being done in other countries, and those rich enough to travel can access it.
• Cloning uses animal eggs, as in cybrids (human nucleus in an animal egg) so no human life is lost.
• Genetic research is closely monitored by the law and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, but offers great benefits.

Question 19

Why may non-religious people be against genetic engineering?

Answer 19

• There isn’t enough knowledge of long-term effects.
• It has effects which cannot be changed, so any negative changes would also be permanent.
• It gives scientists too much power, as they could produce scientifically altered/created human beings.
• It treats the human body as no different from plants.

Question 20

Which Christian denomination supports genetic engineering? Why?

Answer 20

Liberal Protestants.
-Jesus showed that Christians should do all they can do to cure disease.
-Genetic cures are the same as drug cures.
-There is a difference between creating cells and creating people.
-Embryos are not foetuses until they are fourteen days old.
(Plus non-religious arguments for genetic engineering)

Question 21

Which Christian denomination agrees with some aspects genetic engineering? Why?

Answer 21

Roman Catholics (as long as it doesn’t involve foetuses).

• They believe that life begins at conception regardless, and ending life is wrong.
• Killing an embryo is killing human life.
• The embryos are produced by un-Christian means.

Question 22

Why are some Christians against all genetic research?

Answer 22

• They believe that God creates the genetic make-up of every person at conception, and people have no right to interfere with this.
• It is trying to play God which is a great sin.
• It is wrong to try and make Earth perfect. Only Heaven is perfect.