| UNIT H: Religion and society based on a study of Christianity and Islam. |
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Religion and Social Responsibility. How Christians make moral decisions: the authority of the BIble, the authority of the Church, the role of conscience, Situation Ethics. A guide to Christian morality. The electoral system in the UK (first-past-the-post, proportional representation, local government, national government). Difference among Christians in their attitude towards politics, including the separation of religion and politics (Mark 12:13-17, Romans 13:1, Titus 3:1 and statements by the Churches), and involvement in politics (Mark 11:15-20, Matthew 6:24, James 2:14-26 and statements by the Churches). The structure of the Welfare State in the UK and non-religious arguments about it. The Christian basis of the Welfare State: the Decalogue (Exodus 20:1-20), the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12), the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46) and Faith without Works (James 2:14-17). |
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Religion and the Environment. The different types of pollution and how they pose a threat to the future of the planet (including the greenhouse effect and acid rain). The scarcity of natural resources and how they pose a threat to the future of the planet. Non-religious arguments about environmental issues. Christian and Muslim teachings on creation and stewardship which could have an effect on attitudes to the environment. The work of ONE religious person, community or organisation in support of the conservation of the planet and its resources. The issue of animal rights and non-religious arguments concerning animal rights. The teachings of Christianity and Islam on animal rights. |
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Peace and Conflict. TWO areas of conflict in the world today, including the reasons for the conflict. Nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction. Differences among Christians in their attitudes to war, including pacificism and the just war, and the reasons for them. The attitudes to war of Islam and the reasons for them. Christian attitudes towards conflict. Biblical quotes relating to peace and conflict. Muslim attitudes towards war and conflict. The work of ONE religious person, community or organisation for world peace. Religious and non-religious attitudes to bullying. Causes of conflict between friends and families. The teachings of Christianity and Islam on forgiveness and reconciliation.
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Crime and Punishment. The difference between a sin and a crime. The need for law and justice. Christian and Muslim attitudes to justice. Theories of punishment (deterrence, retribution, reform). Christian and Muslim teaching on judgement, forgiveness and punishment. A study of a prisoner of conscience imprisoned for his/her beliefs, including the reasons for arrest and the effects of the punishment. Christian attitudes towards punishment. Christian attitudes towards forgiveness. The nature of capital punishment and the non-religious arguments about it. The attitudes of Christianity and Islam to capital punishment. The views of Amnesty International on capital punishment.
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General Links The Church of England's views on a range of moral issues.
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