Starter. Copy. Responsibility: humans are accountable for the way in which they exercise their power over the world and its creatures. Stewardship: humans do not own the planet or what it contains. They have the sacred duty of caring for it. Creation: the world was created by God and should be treated with respect. Sanctity of life: life is sacred (God given) and deserves respect, including animals. All: Identify some religious views about nature and the planet. Most: Explain some religious views about nature and the planet. Some: Explain religious views about nature and the planet referring to religious beliefs and teachings. CW. Religious Viewpoints. Date.

Christianity. Judaism Hinduism Islam

Religious viewpoints. Certain ideas about the natural world influence believers: Responsibility: humans are accountable for the way in which they exercise their power over the world and its creatures. Stewardship: humans do not own the planet or what it contains. They have the sacred duty of caring for it. Creation: the world was created by God and should be treated with respect. Sanctity of life: life is sacred (God given) and deserves respect, including animals. In 1986, representatives from world religions met to discuss environmental issues. They produced the Assisi Declarations, a set of statements on beliefs about the Earth and commitments to environmental conservation. (Named after Francis of Assisi the patron saint of animals and role model for attitudes to the environment). Christianity In the past Christians believed that God created everything only with humans in mind. The words “bring it under their control” (Genesis 1:28) were understood as dominating the world and its contents rather than stewardship. Christians now believe that it is a Christian’s duty to conserve (stop something valuable from being changed, spoilt or wasted) the Earth for future generations. The Church of England General Synod has urged the government to ensure the Earth’s resources are used fairly and economically, and to limit the damage caused by pollution. Many Anglican churches are becoming “eco-churches”. The Christian Ecology Link is an interdenominational group and CAFOD, Christian Aid and Tearfund are involved with environmental issues as well as with global poverty. Most religious believers accept non-violent lawful protest. Some see actions such as trespassing or causing damage to property as justified in extreme cases. Christians point to the example of Jesus, who overturned tables in the temple in protest at its misuse.

Certain plants are sacred because of their medicinal qualities or their links with the gods. According to the Hindu Assisi Declaration, humans are a part of nature and essentially linked with all living creatures. Nature is sacred (associated with God) so it deserves to be given great respect. Reverence for life (a feeling of deep respect) and ahimsa (the Hindu principle of not harming living things) are Key concepts in Hinduism. The Chipko movement is a Hindu group committed to preventing deforestation. Chipko comes from the word 'embrace', as villagers hug trees to prevent contractors' from felling them. Supporters of the Chipko movement, mainly village women, have successfully banned the felling of trees in a number of regions. 'What do the forests bear? Soil, water and pure air'. The whole universe was created by and reveals Brahman, (God who is in everything). It is part of every Hindu’s dharma (duty) to care for and protect the environment. The well-being of the human species depend on right attitudes to the Earth and its resources. HinduismIslam Allah (God) is the source of all life Tawhid is the belief in the Oneness of God. The Islamic Assisi Declaration stated that the unity, oneness of Allah is reflected in the unity of Allah’s creation. There is a balance in the universe. When natural disasters occurred in the past, they were necessary to the well-being of the Earth. Human greed and thoughtlessness have upset that balance and increased the scale and size of natural disasters. Khalifa means steward or guardian. Allah has given humans this role to be guardians and stewards of the Earth. They are expected to use the Earth’s resources responsibly to ensure that future generations can enjoy it as Allah intended. Akhirah is the belief in life after death and is associated with accountability i.e. the expectation to give an explanation for what you have done, responsibility. At the Day of Judgement, humans will be answerable to Allah for their misuse or use of the Earth and its resources.

Humans are a part of nature, and their well-being is bound up with it. It is their God-given duty to protect and conserve (to keep something from being harmed) the planet. They have greater power than the rest of creation, so they can use or abuse it. Yet they should remember that God rules the universe. Judaism There are two central ideas behind Jewish attitudes to environmental issues: God created the universe and saw that it was good. It has value in itself, and humans were put on Earth to work it and care for it. Humans are more important then the rest of creation, for they are in God’s image, and were put in charge of the earth. The world is there for humans to enjoy, but they do not own it and must not exploit it. (to to make unfair use of something) The Torah (Old Testament bible) contains many laws intended to protect the land. The Talmud (Jewish Holy book of laws) refers to surrounding a city with a ring of fruit trees. In modern Israel trees are being planted again. Jews are concerned about pollution by industry. The Talmud’s rules show that Jewish businesses should ensure that their factories deal with waste efficiently. Sikhism God created the world so the world belongs to God. One of God’s names is The Creator. Creation is a continual process and God is in everything. “Where ever I look, I see the Lord pervading there, (present throughout something) there, in the union of consciousness and matter.”

All: Identify some religious views about nature and the planet. Most: Explain some religious views about nature and the planet. Some: Explain religious views about nature and the planet referring to religious beliefs and teachings. Explain religious views about nature and Planet Earth. Refer to religious beliefs and teachings in your answer. (4 marks) 0 marks Nothing relevant or worthy of credit. 1 mark Something relevant or worthy of credit. 2 marks Elementary knowledge and understanding, e.g. two simple points. 3 marks Sound knowledge and understanding with reference to religion. 4 marks An ability to apply knowledge and understanding of religion effectively.

Viewpoints, teachings and beliefs about the environment. 1. Christians believe that the world is God’s creation, and continues to belong to God. They believe they have a special responsibility to care for the planet 2. The world just happened by chance, Big Bang theory, so … 3. Most creation stories are just myths, so … 4. “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it” Book of Psalms. 5. Sanctity of life – This is the idea that all life is special and sacred, because it is given by God. All life includes animal and plant life. 6. The environment is not as important as people. 7. Stewardship – This means a duty to look after the world and the living things within it. God gave us the authority to do what we want 8. Methodists (Christians) are taught; all Christians should be involved, because more people can do good, and when the world is damaged then everyone suffers. 9. Pope John Paul 2 nd Head of the Catholic church “We have a responsibility to create a balanced policy between consumption and conservation.” 10 If we don’t use these resources the next generation will. 11. Judaism Book of Genesis “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden, to work it and take care of it” 12. Resources are there to be used. 13. Islam Doctor Naseef “His (Allah’s) trustees are responsible for maintaining the unity of his creation, the integrity of the earth…” 14. Humanists believe there is no God to help us. We should take full responsibility for the planet. 15. Humanists - We depend upon the earths natural resources for our existence and for those not yet born. 16. Humanists believe we only live once. 16. Live for today – forget tomorrow 17. Hindus believe in reincarnation so … 18. Hindus believe the world is sacred it is your duty (dharma) to look after it. 19. Islam teaches you will be held accountable on judgement day for how you looked after the planet environment. 20. Christians are taught gave God gave humans Freewill, so … 21. Buddhists believe in reincarnation. The Dalai Lama said Conservation is a question of our own survival. 22. “If I do damage to the world, I’ll also have a worse rebirth because of it.” 23. I want to make money – protecting the environment can be expensive.