Year 11 Study of Religion PDF

Unit 3 Religious Ethics Topic 1: Social Ethics Study of Religion - Year 11 Unit 3 Description: QCAA In Unit 3, students continue to build on Units 1 and 2 to examine the religious–ethical principles that are evident within the traditions of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. They...

Unit 3 Religious Ethics Topic 1: Social Ethics Study of Religion - Year 11 Unit 3 Description: QCAA In Unit 3, students continue to build on Units 1 and 2 to examine the religious–ethical principles that are evident within the traditions of Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism. They are required to understand the religious foundations that form and inform ethical principles within different religious traditions. Students apply religious–ethical principles and theories to real life contexts and evaluate how they influence people, society and culture. Unit 3 Objectives Topic 1: Social Ethics Description: QCAA In this topic, students consider how ethical principles and theories in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism are understood and applied to social–ethical issues. They analyse issues from a religious–ethical perspective and evaluate the extent to which religious ethics influence decisions made. Subject Matter: Topic 1 Social Ethics Learning Goal: SWBAT describe the nature of ethics and religious ethics Year 11 Study of Religion What is Ethics? What is Ethics? Ethics is concerned with what is good got individuals and society, including how to live a good life, rights and responsibilities, deciding right or wrong and making moral decisions. It is a branch of philosophy that encourages people to think about how they live - a moral guide to behaviour Ethical decisions are influenced by a variety of sources e.g. religious adherents are influenced by sacred writings. What makes an issue ethical? There are at least 2 different opinions about the issue, leading to at least 2 potentially different course of action. Opinions and judgements about the issue are debated in terms of good and bad, right and wrong, worthy and unworthy of human behaviour Usually ethical issues involve rights, principles and the welfare of others. Ethical Issue Ethical Issues What is Religious Ethics? Religious ethics are the moral principles that guide religion and that set the standard for what is and isn’t acceptable behaviour. These fundamental principles flow from the core beliefs and ancient wisdom of religions, as well as its teachers and traditions. The most common ethical principle amongst religions is The Golden Rule The Golden Rule The Golden Rule is an ethical philosophy for leading one’s life that suggests that other people should be treated fairly and with respect. Learning Goal: SWBAT identify ethical teachings in sacred texts/writings Year 11 Study of Religion 01. Buddhism Ethical Teachings Buddha taught his disciples the the way to overcome desire was to follow the Eightfold Path - the basis of Buddhist teaching. The Five Precepts are part of the belief structure and basic ethics of Buddhism, as they follow directly from the Eightfold Path as the way to enlightenment. They are a set of guidelines to direct learning and behaviour.  When someone does not follow the precept then people suffer the results of that action Buddhists accept and understand that every action creates consequences. There is no specific religious punishment for not fulfilling the precept but the journey to Nirvana will take longer 02. Christianity Ethical Teachings Christian morality is based on the will of God, known and examples through Jesus’ life and teachings. The teachings in support of peace makers and those who are merciful are used to determine and support Christian ethics. At its centre is an idea of a love for all people (agape) Agape is an empathetic attitude of caring for everyone, regardless of who they are or what they are like. An example of agape love is the parable of the Good Samaritan, Christian ethics can then be divided into two very different approaches - authority and natural law Authority Christian ethics take as sources of authority all of: the scriptures as from the Bible tradition or authority of church leaders human experience using the inspiration of the Holy Spirit logic or reason using God’s gift of intelligence Natural Law Natural law is a term used to describe the ethical thought developed from the concept of perfect creation. The belief is that God created everything perfectly and if we study nature we will learn how to behave. This ethical philosophy was developed and stated by the Catholic theologian Thomas Aquinas. One of the main principles is to do good and not evil; for Aquinas, what is ‘really good’ is fulfilling the potential human nature Aquinas also defined what is to be human - to live, work, reproduced, educate children, have ordered society and worship God and so actions that support these purposes are good but action that deny them is bad, 03. Hinduism Ethical Teachings Hindus use a combination of three main approaches for determining ethical and moral conduct: 1. Atman - the conscious connection with everything - ‘What I do to you, I do to me’ 2. Karma - responses of good, bad or neutral karma - the path of ethical actions 3. Ahimsa - ‘do no harm; (non-violence) is the basic statement of ethical behaviour. 04. Islam Ethical Teachings The principal ethical teachings in Islam are based on the love/compassion of Allah couples with an awareness called taqwa which is the submission to the will of Allah. The main objective of the Islamic moral code is to create an ‘Islamic person; who lives by a loving faith of deliberate submission to God. The Qur’an is the basic source for ethical judgements as it present specific behavioural expectations. Islamic ethics are different from the other religions mainly because the determining factor in ethical decision making is the basic Islamic faith, as set out under the concept and description of Shariah. The Five Pillars are best known and understood under Shariah Law. 05. Judaism Ethical Teachings The principal ethical teachings in Judaism are the 613 mitzvot and the Ten Commandments. These commandments are considered laws that are the direct word of God and therefore unchangeable. Over Jewish history, other sources of ethical guidance have been used to add meaning and understanding to the commandments in the Torah to help Jews discern God’s will.  Jewish sources for ethical guidance Mishnah The best known rabbinic text associated with ethics - popularly known as the ‘Ethics of Our Fathers’ Aggadah Ethical teachings are spread through the legally oriented parts of the Mishnah and Talmud. Kantian Modern Jewish philosophers have developed a phenomenological Ethics (observing experiences) approach to ethics. Ethical This belief is simplistic and direct: There is one God who causes one monotheism morality for all humanity. From this, God’s sole demand of people is that they act decently towards each other. Religious Attitudes to Ethical Issues Worksheet Google Classroom