1. Key words on Science and Religion
In teams, write down as many key words and meanings as you can think of!

2. Revision – Science and Religion

3. Science vs. religion
Scientific theories about the origins of the world and humanity.
Christian teachings about the origins of the world and humanity.
The contrast and comparison between scientific and religious understandings of the origins of the world.
Stewardship and Dominion in relation to the environment and animals.

4. The origin of life Genesis Science
The world was created in six days.
God created the world ex nihilo (out of nothing) by the power of His will alone.
God created all life on days 3, 5 and 6.
Some have claimed the earth is the centre of God’s creation.
Some have claimed the world was created 4004BCE.
All matter was created in the Big Bang.
Planets are formed from the material of exploding stars, themselves formed after the Big Bang.
This happened 13,500,000,000 years ago.
All life on Earth evolved over the past 4,000,000,000 years.

5. Galileo vs. the Church
Unfortunately for Galileo, the Roman Catholic Church believed in the Ptolemaic system which tells us that the planets revolve around the earth. They believed that the Bible makes this clear in Genesis 1, where God made the heavens and the stars after he had created the earth.
In the 1630s, Galileo was thrown into prison for life by the Inquisition because of his views. He was later put under house arrest. Galileo died whilst under house arrest.
Galileo concluded that in our solar system, the planets revolve around the sun. This is known as the Copernican system.

6. Does the modern world need both science and religion?
Many scientists and religious believers argue the modern world needs both religion and science. Science explains the facts but the spiritual needs of people have to be catered for as well.
‘Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind’ -Einstein
Remember terms such as God as the Gap and clockwork universe!

7. The place of humanity in relation to animals.
Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them look after the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth.
(Genesis 1:26-28)
They believe that humans have a special relationship with god because we were made in his image.
It is this special relationship with God that gives humans special value.

8. Stewardship
Stewardship is a religious idea which says we should protect the planet as God’s caretakers.
Christianity teaches that God has put us in charge of the earth, but that we must do our duty responsibly.
Christians believe that this means Christians have a responsibility to leave the earth a better place than they found it.

9. Dominion
Christians believe they were given dominion over the world to care for both the environment and animals. This concept of caring for the environment is known as stewardship and is a duty referred to in Genesis 1:26.

10. Concept of stewardship and the environment
Christians believe that we have had this responsibility since the day God made us.
We should therefore do our best to ensure every part of our day to day life is environmentally friendly, from recycling to energy efficiency.

11. Scientific theories about the origins of the world and humanity
Harmony? Conflict?
Christian teachings about the origins of the world and humanity
Science and Religion
Christian responsibility to the environment
Humanity and animals
Literalist (creationist)
Non-Literalist
Treatment of criminals
War is wrong

12. Exam practice!
A01 Explain the views of one religion towards: (6 marks)
‘Explain Religious beliefs about the creation of the world and life’
‘Explain scientific theories about the origins of life’
‘Explain why some Christians may find it difficult to accept the story of creation’
A02 Discussion (12 marks)
‘God is the only logical cause of the universe’
‘Science and Religion can never agree’
‘Religious people have a special duty of care for the environment’

13. What do you think to each others plans?
Read their plan and give it two stars and a wish. Two things good about it and a target to help them improve.