Theme B: Religion and Life
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Origins of the Universe
Christians believe God created the heavens and the earth. Muslims believe Allah is the Originator of all creation. The Big Bang theory states the universe began from a singularity approximately 13.8 billion years ago.
Students need the teachings and the scientific theory as separate facts — the evaluation of whether they conflict is AO2.
Origins of the Universe — Key Knowledge
- Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth"
- literalist Christians Genesis is factual — young earth creationism
- liberal Christians Genesis is metaphorical — compatible with science
- Surah 6:101 "He is the Originator of the heavens and the earth"
- Surah 21:30 "The heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We separated them"
- Big Bang theory universe from a singularity ~13.8 billion years ago
The Value of the World
Stewardship is the belief that humans are caretakers of the world on God's behalf. Dominion is the authority God gave humans over creation.
Stewardship and dominion are the two key terms for this section — students must know both definitions and the scripture behind each.
The Value of the World — Key Knowledge
- stewardship humans as caretakers of creation
- Genesis 2:15 "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it"
- Psalm 24:1 "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it"
- dominion Genesis 1:26 — "Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky"
- Khalifah Islamic concept — humans as trustees of Allah's creation
- amanah trust — the earth belongs to Allah, not humans
Pollution and Deforestation
Religious teachings oppose the abuse of the environment. Christians see environmental care as part of stewardship; Islam forbids waste and condemns corruption of the land.
The named example of Laudato Si' and the two Qur'an references are the key recall items here.
Pollution and Deforestation — Key Knowledge
- pollution contamination of air, water, and land
- deforestation clearing forests — loss of biodiversity and increased carbon emissions
- Surah 7:31 "Eat and drink, but do not waste"
- Surah 30:41 "Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea because of what the hands of people have earned"
- Laudato Si' Pope Francis's 2015 encyclical on environmental responsibility
Use and Abuse of Animals
Christianity teaches humans have dominion over animals but must care for them. Islam teaches animals are communities like humans and must be treated with respect.
The two scripture quotes (Proverbs 12:10 and Surah 6:38) are the most commonly cited in exam answers on animal welfare.
Use and Abuse of Animals — Key Knowledge
- Proverbs 12:10 "A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal"
- Surah 6:38 "There is no creature on earth, nor any bird that flies with its wings, but they are communities like you"
- halal slaughter swift, humane, prayer — Bismillah — said over the animal
- factory farming intensive farming raising ethical concerns about animal suffering
- animal testing used in medical and cosmetic research
- Islam forbids hunting for sport
Origins of Human Life
Evolution is Darwin's theory of natural selection — humans evolved over millions of years. Creationism holds that God created humans directly. Intelligent design argues the complexity of life suggests a designer.
Students must know the three positions (evolution, creationism, intelligent design) and theistic evolution as a compatibility view.
Origins of Human Life — Key Knowledge
- evolution Darwin's theory of natural selection — supported by fossil evidence and DNA
- creationism God created humans directly — literal reading of Genesis
- intelligent design complexity of life suggests a designer
- theistic evolution God used evolution as His method of creation
- Jeremiah 1:5 "I knew you before I formed you in the womb"
- Surah 15:26 Allah created Adam from clay
Abortion: Law and Definition (6.6a)
Abortion is the deliberate termination of a pregnancy. In England, Scotland, and Wales it is legal up to 24 weeks under the Abortion Act 1967 (amended 1990), with the agreement of two doctors.
The legal framework and the two key concepts (sanctity of life vs quality of life) are essential recall for any abortion question.
Abortion: Law and Definition (6.6a) — Key Knowledge
- abortion deliberate termination of a pregnancy
- Abortion Act 1967 amended 1990 — legal up to 24 weeks
- two doctors must agree, sanctity of life all life is sacred because it is God-given
- quality of life the idea that life should be worth living
Abortion: Religious Teachings (6.6b)
The Catholic Church teaches abortion is always wrong — life begins at conception. The Church of England says it is generally wrong but may be the lesser of two evils. Islam permits abortion before ensoulment (120 days) for serious reasons.
Three distinct positions (Catholic, Church of England, Islam) — each needs a teaching and a scripture reference in exam answers.
Abortion: Religious Teachings (6.6b) — Key Knowledge
- Catholic view abortion always wrong — embryo has full human rights from conception
- Church of England generally wrong — may be lesser of two evils in some circumstances
- ensoulment at 120 days Hadith — Islamic teaching
- Exodus 20:13 "Do not kill"
- Surah 17:33 "Do not take life which Allah has made sacred"
- Surah 5:32 "Whoever kills a soul... it is as if he had slain all mankind"
Euthanasia: Types and Definitions (6.7a)
Euthanasia means deliberately ending or allowing the end of a life to relieve suffering. UK law prohibits active euthanasia but passive euthanasia can be legal in some circumstances.
Knowing the four types and their definitions is essential — exam questions often ask students to distinguish between them.
Euthanasia: Types and Definitions (6.7a) — Key Knowledge
- active euthanasia deliberately ending life — e.g. lethal injection — illegal in the UK
- passive euthanasia withdrawing or withholding treatment — allowing natural death
- voluntary euthanasia the person requests their own death
- non-voluntary euthanasia the person cannot give consent — e.g. in a coma
Euthanasia: Religious Teachings (6.7b)
Christianity and Islam both uphold the sanctity of life. The Catholic Church teaches euthanasia is always wrong. Islam considers euthanasia haram (forbidden) because life belongs to Allah.
The hospice movement as a named Christian example and the concept of haram are high-value recall items.
Euthanasia: Religious Teachings (6.7b) — Key Knowledge
- Catholic view euthanasia always wrong — life sacred from conception to natural death
- suffering can have redemptive value uniting with Christ's suffering
- Islam — euthanasia is haram forbidden
- Surah 17:33 "Do not take life which Allah has made sacred"
- hospice movement founded by Dame Cicely Saunders — palliative care as an alternative to euthanasia
- some Islamic scholars permit withdrawing futile treatment accepting Allah's will
Sanctity of Life (6.6/6.7)
The sanctity of life is the belief that all human life is holy and belongs to God. It underpins Christian and Islamic teachings on both abortion and euthanasia.
This principle connects abortion and euthanasia — students who know these references can use them across both topics.
Sanctity of Life (6.6/6.7) — Key Knowledge
- sanctity of life life is sacred because it is created by God
- Exodus 20:13 "Do not kill"
- Jeremiah 1:5 "I knew you before I formed you in the womb"
- Surah 17:33 "Do not take life which Allah has made sacred"
- life belongs to Allah not the individual
Map your gaps
Theme B: Religion and Life
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