KEY VOCABULARY Bible The Holy book of Christians Church The community of Christians (with a small c it means a Christian

place of worship) Conscience An inner feeling of the rightness or wrongness of an action The Decalogue The Ten Commandments Democratic Processes The ways in which all citizens can take part in government (usually through elections) Electoral Processes The ways in which voting is organized Golden Rule The teaching of Jesus that you should treat others as you would like them to treat you Human Rights The rights and freedoms to which everyone is entitled Political Party A group which tries to be elected into power on the basis of its policies (e.g. Labour, Conservative) Pressure Group A group government policy on a particular issue Situation Ethics The idea that Christians should base moral decisions on what is the most loving thing to do Social Change The way in which society has changed and is changing (with the possibility for future change).

The Bible:
They believe it is the word of God; it is Gods guidance and has absolute authority in decision making. It contains Gods teachings on behaviour, in the Decalogue (10 commandments) which gives Christians very clear moral guidance. It contains the teachings of Jesus on how to live, e.g. the Sermon on the Mount is Jesus explaining the Ten Commandments. The Bible records events of Jesus life. Christians read how Jesus would act in certain situations and follow his example (the best example to follow is Jesus!).

The Church:
Church leaders are given a responsibility of expanding on the meaning of the teaching held in the Bible and relating that to modern life. The Church is the body of Christ. This is how Jesus works in the world. It has the same authority as Jesus. Most Christians believe that God still speaks today through the church; he did not stop speaking after the last Gospel was written. Priests have had training and studied the teachings of the Bible and Church for many years. This means that members of their churches trust that what their leaders are telling them in Gods will.

Conscience:
Christians believe that God speaks to Christians conscience seems to be the voice of God. The Church says that Christians should follow their conscience. St Paul and St Thomas Aquinas taught that Christians should use their conscience as the final part of moral decision making process. The Bible and the Church do not come directly from God. The bible often needs interpreting. The teachings of the Church come through the Pope, etc. However, conscience is God speaking directly to individuals and so should be followed.

Situation Ethics:
Jesus followed situation ethics when he over ruled parts of the Old Testament he saw as unloving e.g. healed a paralysed man on the Sabbath (which was banned). Should be aware of the consequences of your actions and so you should only do what will produce good results. Jesus said the only laws are to love God and your neighbour. You should do what will have the most loving results. Christianity is based on love and forgiveness (agape) - treat others as you wish to be treated).

ARGUMENTS FOR: Can cure diseases. Jesus was a healer who encouraged his followers to cure the sick. Being responsible stewards includes improving the lives of others with the scientific knowledge God has allowed us to gain (or given to us). An embryo is not considered regarded as a potential life until it is 14 days old. Liberal Christians will accept most of the secular arguments for genetic engineering.

Christian Teaching on human rights:

From one human being he created all races on earth and made them live throughout the whole world ACTS 17:26 Love they neighbour as yourself. Treat others how you wish to be treated.

The U.K. is a Democracy. As a democracy every UK citizen over 18 can vote for; MPs who sit in the House of Commons (the Prime Minister and the Cabinet the national government must have a Majority in the House of Commons) Local councillors MEPs (Members of the European Parliament). As a citizen of the country not only do you have the right to take part in the electoral and democratic processes, but you also have a responsibility to do so because...

ARGUMENTS AGAINST: There could be bad consequences in the future! Life begins at conception, be it in the womb or a glass dish. Killing an embryo is taking a human life which is banned by in the Bible and by the Church. Embryos for research have been produced by methods with which the RC church disagrees. God has created the genetic make-up of a child for people to overrule that would be to interfere with Gods plans. They accept the non-religious arguments against genetic engineering. Cloning or creating a life is taking the role of Creator which is Gods role. They believe that it is wrong to try to make the earth perfect, as only heaven is perfect. This life is preparation for heaven and should not be used to try to make heaven on earth.

The Parable of the Sheep and Goats

At the end of the world, God will separate his people into those who have helped others (the sheep) and those who have not (the goats). Jesus taught that it is the moral duty of a Christian to feed those who are hungry, give clothes to the naked, give drink to the thirsty, visit the sick and help those who are in prison. If Christians do these things for people in need, then they are doing them for Jesus. I tell you the truth, whatever you do for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me

My brothers keeper
St Paul taught that Christians must not stand by while others are in need. Earlier, the Bible tells the story of Cain, a jealous man who killed his brother Abel. Cain then denied it and that it was not up to him to care for others. He asked Am I my brothers keeper? Paul used this example of warn Christians that it is their moral duty actively to care for others.

The Golden Rule

Jesus said that the Golden Rule of Christian life is to treat other people as you would want them to treat you.So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you... (Matthew 7)

KEY VOCABULARY ArtificialInseminationinjectingsemenintotheuterusbyartificialmeans Conservationprotectingandpreservingnaturalresourcesandtheenvironment Creationtheactofcreatingtheuniverseortheuniversewhichhasbeencreated Embryoafertilisedegginthefirsteightweeksafterconception Environmentthesurroundingswhichplantsandanimalsliveandonwhichtheydependtolive GlobalWarmingtheincreaseinthetemperatureoftheearthsatmosphere(thoughttobecausedbythegreenhouseeffect) Infertilitynotbeingabletohavechildren InvitroFertilisationthemethodoffertilisingahumanegginatesttube NaturalResourcesnaturallyoccurringmaterials,suchasoil,coalandfertileland,whichcanbeusedbyhumans Organdonationgivingorganstobeusedintransplantsurgery Stewardshiplookingaftersomethingsoitcanbepassedontothenextgeneration Surrogacyanarrangementwherebyawomanbearsachildofanotherwoman

SOLUTIONS to Global Warming

1) Greenhouse effect. Humans burning fossil fuels (gas, oil coal) produces carbon dioxide which forms a barrier that stops heat escaping earth causing temperatures to rise. Polar ice caps will melt, rain will increase and many places will be flooded. 2)Natural climate change. Warmest times in the last 10,000 years have come before humans were burning fossil fuels. Nature produces more CO2 than we do e.g. volcanoes and animals.

Make electricity without producing CO2 e.g.

wind, solar. Cars can be powered using biodiesel and electric batteries. Increased use in public transport could greatly reduce carbon emissions when compared to cars only carrying one person. Trains have the least emissions and planes the highest. Most cars are now made of up to 75% recycled material. Better efficiency means it would take 50 small cars built in 2007 to produce the same pollution as 1 small car in 1977. Scientists are working on using chemicals from plants rather than oil to produce things such as plastics.

3) Solar activity. Radiation from the sun is warming the Earth. Burning fossil fuels does not seem to fit with the theory because the earth got cooler after WW2 when lots of CO2 was produced.

ACID RAIN
Burning fossil fuels such as coal and oil releases sulphuric and nitric acid which goes into the atmosphere and changes the rain water in clouds making it acidic. It can burn things when it comes to Earth. Buildings and forests are being destroyed by acid rain.

HUMAN WASTE
Rubbish and sewage is a major threat to the planet. Europe produces 2.5 billion tons of solid waste per year Litter has increased rat population of the UK to 70 million! These bring diseases. It is estimated a fire breaks out every 12 minutes because of litter.

Solution - If we stop using fossil fuels, then

acid rain will not be produced. Electricity needs to be made using alternative methods e.g. solar, wind, nuclear etc.

Solution - Recycle, use incinerators to produce electricity, and methane from sewage as a fuel for power stations. People need to stop dropping litter. You can get a fine for dropping it. Councils have to clean up areas if people make complaints.

EUTROPHICATION
An excess of nitrates, nitrites and phosphates in rivers leads to a lack of oxygen and an increase in aquatic plants, which is causing fish to die and poisons to enter water supplies. This is caused by fertilisers being washed into streams, sewage pollution, and the lack of trees to soak up the nitrogen. This could lead to major health problems for humans such as septicaemia.

NUCLEAR WASTE
Nuclear power stations produce nuclear waste which takes thousands of years to be safe. Waste is buried without knowing if the storage boxes will be able to contain it safely for this length of time. When living things come into contact with radiation, they can be killed, get cancer or have seriously ill offspring.

Solution - Some nuclear waste can be reprocessed. This

Solution - Improved sewage treatment and less use of

means that 97% of the waste can be reused. But the other 3% has to be stored. The safest method for this is burying it deep underground so that phosphates as detergents (for cleaning). An increase in orthe radiation cannot escape and harm ganic farming is increasing the amount of nitrates in streams people. due to the amount of manure being used in fields.

Natural resources are naturally occurring materials which can be used by human. There are two types Renewable Resources: Resources that can be used again because they renew themselves naturally. Renewable resources usually produce little or no pollution. E.g. wind, solar, water. Using this causes no problems but using them to produce electricity is often more expensive. Non-Renewable Resources (finite) : Resources that can only be used once. Non-Renewable resources disappear once they are used and often cause pollution. For e.g. oil going will cause lots of problems. It is used to make diesel and petrol; all plastics and road surfaces.

Car makers are looking at water, sugar cane and electric batteries Recycling

Electricity can be made without using non-renewable resources e.g. wind, water and solar. Riding bikes

Christians believe God gave humans stewardship of the earth. Humans have control of the plants and animals, but they must be responsible. The Old Testament teaches that humans must treat animals and land kindly ( they should not grow crops every 50th year). The Bible talks about Judgement Day when people will be judged for their beliefs and behaviour. Most Christians believe God will look to see if they have fulfilled their duty as stewards of Gods Earth. The New Testament part of the Bible says humans need to be responsible with the world e.g. Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says the earths resources must be shared fairly. Christians believe God will judge them on how they have acted as Stewards.
God blessed them and said Be fruitful and increase in number. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and every other living creature that moves on the ground. (Gen.1:28)

Islam teaches that the universe and everything in it was created by God perfectly suited to human life. Islam teaches that God created Adam as his Khalifah (vice-regent someone who looks after things for you). Allah has given Muslims responsibility to care for the world. This teaching is set out in the Quran and Shariah. Muslims believe they will be judged by God when they die on how they have looked after the earth. Polluters will not get into heaven. Life is a test and part of that is looking after the environment in the way of Islam. God put balance in creation so humans must work to maintain it.
The Quran states: The sun and moon follow courses exactly computedHe has set up the balance in order that you may not break the balance. Surah 55:5-8. Also, But waste not by excess: for God loves not the wasters. (6:141).

Artificial Insemination by husband. Husbands sperm mechanically inserted into wife.

Artificial Insemination by donor (AID) Anonymous sperm mechanically inserted into the mother.

Why are they important? 12.5% of UK couples in U.K. have fertility problems. It is human nature to want to have children and raise a family. Psychological problems are caused if couples cant have children, like depression. 1.5 million UK men in U.K. have fertility problems.

Another womans egg is fertilised by IVF using husbands sperm, then placed in wifes womb.

Both egg and sperm come from donors. Fertilised via IVF and mechanically inserted into the wifes womb.

Catholics believe that life is given by God, not us. Allows natural methods only which do not affect the sanctity of life, therefore all treatments involving medical technology are wrong because: Sometimes fertilised eggs are thrown away which is the same as abortion. Artificial Insemination or surrogacy involves semen from the male through the sin of masturbation. Sex is for the sole purpose of procreation, however IVF separates sex from fertilisation. Other Christians allow IVF and AIH because one of the purposes of Christian marriage is to have children so couples should be helped to achieve this. The baby is still the biological offspring of mother and father. Discarded embryos are not classed as a life at that stage. Other Christians are worried about AID and any other treatments but don't ban them. This is because it could lead to problems over who the parent is which can cause distress to the child.

Islam accepts IVF and AIH because the egg and sperm are from the husband and wife. All Muslims should have a family. Discarded embryos are not classed as a life at that stage. Islam doesn't not allow AID or any other treatments because they deny the childs right to know their biological parents. It is viewed as adultery. It is the same as adoption which is banned in Islam.

Why it is important? Effective and gives life and hope to people who otherwise would die. Cures life-threatening diseases and improves quality of life. Gives chance for people to help others after they have died. It is helping doctors to develop spare part surgery (artificial organs). 2 Types:

1. Using organs from a dead person. 2. Using organs from a living person that
they can live without e.g. bone marrow, a kidney.

Most Christians agree with transplant surgery because: They believe the physical body is not needed after death. They believe that in resurrection God doesn't need the organs to raise the body. Helping others is loving thy neighbour. It is following the Golden Rule. However some Christians disagree with transplant surgery because: Taking organs from one body to another is playing God which is a sin. Payment for organs is wrong because it is exploiting the poor. It ignores the sanctity of life.

Most Muslims do not agree with transplants because: The Shariah teaches that nothing should be removed from the body after death. It is playing Allah which is a sin. The Quran teaches that only Allah has the right to give and take life. IT is against Muslim believe in the sanctity of life. They believe they need their organs for resurrection on the last day. However some Muslims allow it because: Some Muslim lawyers have allowed it. The Muslim Law of Council allows it. Islam aims to do good and help others.