Weobley High School

Religion and Morality

Unit 3

Please use the Website for more revision materials

Religion and Morality Revision BookletReligious Attitudes to Death

What is death?

Forty years ago if your heart stopped beating you were considered dead. Now brain death seems to be more of a factor. However people who are brain dead can be kept “alive” on life support machines. There are three concepts that are important when considering death –

Sanctity of Life – All life is sacred and a gift from God. It should always be respected

Value of Life – What value or importance you put on a persons life

Quality of life – What standard of life someone has – disability has a huge effect on this

Life after Death

Christians and Muslims believe that when a person dies God (or Allah) decides where they will spend eternity, either in heaven or hell. This depends on how they have behaved in this life. Roman Catholics believe in purgatory – a place of cleansing before people go on to heaven.

Muslims believe in Barzakh a state of waiting for the final day of judgement. People then rise and have to cross the Assirat Bridge: Good people go on to heaven and people who have committed sins against Allah will fall off the bridge into hell.

Heaven is seen as a paradise and place of happiness with peace and tranquillity. Hell is a place of pain and suffering, images of hot fire and torture are associated with hell.

Reincarnation means that you are reborn in another form. This is the belief of Hindus and Buddhists.

Problems faced by the elderly

Many have to rely on state pensions. Poverty can be a real problem. Fuel poverty has continued in the 21st Century.

Many elderly feel forced to retire Illness is much more serious in the elderly The elderly are less mobile and more dependant on others They can often feel worthless or lonely if their wife or husband dies (More than 2

million live alone)

Who should care for the elderly?

Living at home – Many can cope living at home with the help of a social worker, or a cleaner or meals on wheels service

Living with family – Many people prefer to have elderly members living with then. Muslims in particular think it is a duty and responsibility to look after the extended family.

Community options – Some people have to move into sheltered housing which are adapted to make life easier for the elderly. There is a warden on duty to help

with any issues. Residential homes provide security and care for people who can no longer look after themselves. They may have their own room but there is a communal lounge where activities take place. Hospices look after the terminally ill in their final weeks, so medical care can be provided.

What religion teaches about the elderly

Christianity

Christianity is deeply involved in the hospice movement Christians are encouraged to recognise experience and wisdom is associated with age Christians believe the elderly should be supported and respected. Christians prefer the elderly to have independence but will consider care options Churches often provide support for the elderly such as services in the residential homes

Islam

Muslims believe in an extended family so different generations often live with each other It is an expected duty to look after elderly parents which provides spiritual growth It is seen as disrespectful to put the elderly in a home

Euthanasia

Sanctity of life Religious people believe that life is sacred and special. They argue that all living things have a right to life. All the major religions stress the importance of caring for and respecting the seriously ill.

The word euthanasia means a “gentle death” it is sometimes called mercy killing.

Voluntary Euthanasia – helping someone to die when they have asked for help to end their lives.

Involuntary Euthanasia – when someone else makes the decision without or against the persons will – often amounts to murder

Non – Voluntary Euthanasia - when the person is not capable of making the decision or give permission (on life support etc)

Passive Euthanasia – withholding treatment with the intention of ending life. Examples are removing life support or not giving medicines.

Active Euthanasia – deliberately “actively” ends life – injection of drugs or pills etc

Euthanasia and the Law Voluntary Euthanasia is legal in Switzerland and the Netherlands. There are strict guidelines that must be obeyed. In Britain Voluntary euthanasia is illegal although many would like a change in the law. Until 1961 it was a criminal offence to commit suicide.

Hippocratic Oath

All doctors must take this – it is a promise to look after patients and not cause them harm. It makes it impossible for doctors to practise euthanasia. Despite this 46% of doctors would support a change in the law. There have been many cases in UK courts where leniency has been shown to people who have committed euthanasia.

Voluntary Euthanasia Society

This is a group that take the view people should have the right to their own decision about their death. They suggest members carry a “living will” to declare they do not want to be on a life support machine if there is little chance of recovery.

Arguments for euthanasia People should have the right to die with dignity We put animals down when they are suffering Everyone should have the right to a good quality of life At least 5 % of terminal pain cannot be controlled

Arguments against Euthanasia It is a form of murder It is “playing God” as to who has the right to live and die Hospices provide excellent care for terminal patients Mistakes could be made – people could have recovered People could abuse the system – Harold Shipman a serial killer preyed on the seriously ill

Christianity The bible includes many references to the value of life – Sanctity of life It breaks one of the 10 commandments “do not kill” Christians believe God has fixed our life spans – Only he has the right to

take it away Suicide is wrong but most Christians recognise people who try to kill

themselves need care and understanding. In the past some denominations (types of Christians) refused to bury

suicide victims on church ground – the Quakers did not take this view Christians support the turning off life support machines

Islam

The idea of the “right to die with dignity” is NOT acceptable to Muslims Islam teaches that it is Allah who created life – only he can take it away -Life is a sacred gift Suffering is for a purpose – it is the will of Allah who is testing them Muslims do not oppose the turning off life support machines or passive Euthanasia - To prolong life

unnaturally is to go against the will of Allah Muhammad taught it is wrong to take one’s own life – it will result in torment on the day of judgement

Tony Bland

Tony Bland was an 18 year old Liverpool fan which was crushed in the Hillsborough disaster. On 15th April 1989 just before the game kicked off there was a surge of supporters who were in the area of the ground. As a result a hundreds of supporters were injured in the crush, some very serious and 95 men, women and children lost their lives. One of the most seriously injured was Tony Bland; he was taken to hospital unconscious. It took until November 1992 for the family and Airedale NHS trust, which were treating Tony to overcome moral objections and legal difficulties and receive court’s permission to stop feeding him. This would allow him to die with dignity. On 22nd February 1993 with permission having been gained, feeding was withdrawn and Tony life support machine was switched off. Tony died on 3rd March 1993.

Hospices

A hospice is a home that cares for the dying – aim is to control pain and relieve suffering. This is known as palliative care. They were set up by Dame Cicely Saunders.The emphasis is on quality of life. They want to relieve anxiety about death and prepare them for the journey. Families are involved in the process. It helps people die with dignity. Many hospices in Britain are of Christian foundations.

How religions help with the dying

Christianity and Islam teach that there is an after life and people will be at peace with their God after they die. This is a comfort for both the person dying and the ones left behind. Christians believe that you should not fear death and that God will look after you in your suffering. Hospices are a Christian based home for the dying.

On a practical level religions are keen to support the dying. Priests listen to confessions and help with funeral arrangements. They may visit the family after the funeral to offer support in their mourning.

Religious Attitudes to Drug Abuse

Drugs – A drug is a substance that can be natural or manufactured in a laboratory, which if introduced to the body has an effect on the way the mind and body work.

Prescription Drugs – drugs legally obtained only with a doctor’s consent.

Drug Abuse – using drugs in a way that harms the user.

Illegal Drugs – drugs which are illegal to possess, sell or use, put into three classifications according to their potential harm and addictiveness.

Social Drugs – legal drugs which are still addictive, such as alcohol, nicotine, caffeine etc.

Solvents – some aerosols, glue and gas lighter refills abused by sniffing which can cause hallucinations and can be fatal.

General religious beliefs

None of the six major religions permits followers to take illegal drugs. Some groups within the religions may take a specific drug for a certain reason. Rastafarian Christians allow cannabis because it is a natural herb that God provided.

Main stream Christians and Muslims are both strongly against illegal drugs and the misuse of prescription drugs because of the damage they do to the mind and body God created. The body is a temple and it must be looked after as such.

Drugs and the law

Social drugs are legal despite the damage that they can cause. Age restrictions d apply

Some over the counter medicines are restricted in quantity such as pain killers

Solvents are illegal to sell if there is suspicion that some one is abusing themselves with aerosols, glue or lighter fluid. Some solvents are restricted to over 18s

Illegal drugs such as cocaine or heroin hold prison sentences for people caught using or selling them

Caffeine

Caffeine is a mild stimulant that is not illegal, but can cause ill effects in some people. It is naturally found in coffee, tea, chocolate and soft drinks, and is used in some headache pills. It can also be taken in tablet form by people who need it to keep them awake or alert or to give them a temporary feeling of well-being. It is the most widely used mood-altering drug in the world. In large quantities it can be addictive and cause interruption of sleep patterns, problems with digestion and anxiety disorder leading to panic attacks. Regular users of caffeine can suffer withdrawal effects if they reduce or stop their intake. This can lead to headaches, fatigue, and difficulty in concentrating, irritability, anxiety and depression. Yet caffeine is illegal, not controlled in any way and regularly given to very small children in the form of chocolate and soft drinks.

Drug Classification

This is based on how harmful or addictive each particular drug is. Class A is kept for the most dangerous drugs such as heroin. Class B for less harmful drugs such as amphetamines (speed) and finally class C is for the least harmful such as steroids. Class A drugs have a more serious punishment if you are caught using or selling the drug, much long prison sentences are given for these drugs.

Classification Examples Effects / Dangers Legal PunishmentA Heroin A painkiller that gives a

feeling of well being. Very addictive and easily can cause an overdose

Max: 7 years Possession

Max: lifeSupply

A Ecstasy Stimulant taken at parties, sense of euphoria followed by calm. Easily leads to dehydration and liver problems

Max: 7 years Possession

Max: lifeSupply

A Cocaine A white powder snorted or injected (crack is smoked). After effects lead to depression and confusion

Max: 7 years Possession

Max: lifeSupply

B Amphetamines (speed)

Stimulant that increases wakefulness. Causes depression, paranoia and sometimes schizophrenia

Max: 5 years Possession

Max: 14 yearsSupply

B Cannabis Usually rolled and smoked. Helps people to relax. Skunk is more powerful. Can cause psychological damage, but some people use it as a medicine

Max: 5 years Possession

Max: 14 yearsSupply

C Steroids Often used to increase body mass. Outlawed by the sports world. Can cause heart conditions. Prescribed by doctors for some conditions

Max: Legal Possession

Max: 14 yearsFor ILLEGAL Supply

Cannabis

Currently a class B drug - During the 1990s campaigners wanted it downgraded to class c as many people believe it is less dangerous than alcohol or tobacco. In 2004 it was reclassified as class c and adults were unlikely to be prosecuted for possession. In 2009 cannabis went back to class B as a much stronger form of the drug became available – skunk. This has increased the health dangers:

1000 people a year develop psychotic illness due to cannabis Mental health hospital admissions due to cannabis rose by 63% In 2007 150 000 people claimed disability benefits for conditions relating to cannabis use Cannabis is seen as a gateway to other drugs – cocaine and heroin

Social Drugs

Alcohol and nicotine are classed as social drugs. Sale is restricted to people over 18

1. Tobacco causes lung cancer and heart disease2. 120 000 people die a year due to smoking3. From 2007 it is illegal to smoke in enclosed public places4. Nicotine and alcohol is very dangerous for unborn or young children5. 30 000 deaths are a result of alcohol in the UK 6. Alcohol causes liver and heart disease7. Both drugs are addictive8. Excessive use of alcohol results in anti social behaviour such as violence

Taxes on tobacco and alcohol

Both drugs are heavily taxed (80% of cigarettes is tax.) This makes them very expensive habits. Some of the money collected in tax goes to the NHS to cope with the health problems caused by these drugs. In 2007 the health issues cost the NHS £2.7 billion. The tax collected is more than this amount and is used in other areas of public spending like education

Why do people use drugs?

Alcohol Tobacco Illegal DrugsPubs and nightclubs are good places to meet socially and drinking alcohol is part of that scene.

They are addicted to nicotine. They are addicted to them.

They are addicted to alcohol. They think smoking helps to keep their weight down.

They progressed from legal drugs such as alcohol.

They think alcohol makes them more of a person and it gives them confidence.

They think they will look antisocial if they refuse a cigarette when offered.

They start to take them to help with a crisis in life.

They are influenced by peer pressure.

They have grown up in a smoking household so it seems like the normal thing to do.

They are influenced in peer pressure.

Family life encourages drinking at meal times.

They need smoke to relax. They mix with people that take and deal in illegal drugs.

They enjoy the taste of some alcoholic drinks.

They think it will not cause harm even though it harms other.

They are following role models in the entertainment industry.

Pubs and nightclubs are good places to meet socially and drinking alcohol is part of that scene.

Their friends smoke It helps them to enjoy a night out – Ecstasy

Christianity – Smoking – YOUR BODY IS A TEMPLE OF GOD

Some Christians do smoke, but it is not something that is encouraged A healthy lifestyle is much preferred and the dangers of passive smoking are also

recognized. Most Christians avoid smoking or seek help to try and give it up. There isn’t any direct teaching on the subject in the bible, but Christians are taught to

be faithful stewards and those who are in need. It is recognized that some people are addicted to nicotine and find it very difficult to

stop smoking.

Christianity – Alcohol

Some Christians are tee-totallers (Salvation Army.) They have made the decision not to drink alcohol at all.

In the 19th century Christians supported organizations like the Band of Hope, which encouraged men not to waste their money on getting drunk.

Many other Christians believe in moderate drinking. They are careful not to drink too much and avoid getting drunk. It is recognized that excessive drinking causes people to do things which they otherwise would not do.

But some see nothing wrong with drinking some alcohol. Jesus drank wine, and at the wedding he turned water into wine.

At the last supper Jesus told his followers to share bread and wine as they remember him, and Paul encourages timothy to take wine for medical reasons.

Islam – Smoking – DO NOT HARM THE BODY GIVEN TO YOU BY ALLAH

During the fasting of Ramadan, Muslims are not allowed to smoke, but there isn’t a verse in the Qur’an that actually says that smoking is forbidden.

Smokers are encouraged to give up because it is addictive and is a danger to health. In the Qur’an Allah says ‘do not with your own hands contribute to your destruction.’ Muhammad said ‘anyone who believe in Allah and the last day should not hurt his neighbor’ This is

interpreted Muslims who oppose smoking as warning the smoker that Allah will judge them on any damage they have caused others as a result of smoke.

It is wrong for a Muslim to smoke in the presence of non-smokers in a public place.

Islam - Alcohol

When Islam first started alcohol was fairly widely drunk however Muslims now believe that the harm it causes is far greater than any good that comes out of it.

Over time, more and more restrictions on drinking alcohol were introduced until finally its use for social drinking was banned altogether – Haram meaning forbidden

Alcohol makes your mind unfit to worship Allah “Believers, wine and games of chance, idols and diving arrows, are abominations devised by Satan. Avoid

them, so that you may prosper.”

Christianity – Illegal Drugs

Christians are very concerned about drugs – they believe should glorify God in their bodies “you are God’s temple”

Christians offer love and compassion to drug users – salvation army do lots work with drug users

Parable of Good Samaritan encourages them to help and Jesus’ teaching “love your neighbour”

Believe in the sanctity of life, every person is valuable to God and Jesus died to save people, however bad they might be

Jackie Pullenger – a Christian who spent 30 years helping heroin users in Hong Kong

Rastafarians believe the bible gives them permission to smoke cannabis. It gives them a religious experience. God created herbs and plants. Mainstream Christians are against this.

Islam – Illegal Drugs

Anything that affects the mind is not allowed in Islam. Drugs such as heroin cocaine opium are forbidden Any drug that acts as an “escape” (LSD ) is forbidden The penalty for taking drugs in a Muslim country is a public flogging The taking of performance enhancing drugs is seen as cheating and dishonourable Muslims will be judged on their actions on the day of judgement by Allah – Anyone that has caused suffering (e.g. drug smugglers) could face eternal torment in hell Muslims try to lead good decent lives – follow the 5 pillars (including giving 2.5% to Charity) and Allah’s

words in the Qur’an

Social Consequences of drugs

- Addiction can lead to crime such as stealing money to support the habit - As people commit more crimes – prison is likely- An addict will lose their jobs, family and friends after being disowned or because they have been hurt- Health implications – damage to the heart or liver is likely- Overdose and ultimately death

Rehabilitation

Addicts can go to rehabs to help them recover from addiction. However these are expensive and often very difficult to get a place. Sometimes a prison offers rehab programs. Despite some success stories, often people go back to their old lifestyle when the support is removed.

Other options include:

- More investment on stopping the drug trafficking in the first place- Sentences on dealers should be increased- An increase on drug education in schools

Religious views on Addicts

Whilst all religions are against drug taking believers are keen to help those in need. Many Christians refer to Jesus’ teachings of helping those in need. The Salvation Army does lots of work with addicts. Muslims are encouraged to help those people who have fallen into temptation.

Religious Attitudes towards Crime and Punishment

General Attitudes towards Crime

Christians believe that you reap what you sow. Most Christians teach that criminals need to be punished but also forgiven and given a second chance. It is important to stop the causes of crime. Christians are encouraged to respect the law. The Ten Commandments were given by God to teach people how they should live their lives.

Muslims believe in the importance of law and order. Shari’ah law is based on the Qur’an and the practices of Muhammad. Muslims believe in corporal punishment – high punishments are used as a deterrent. They believe in the death penalty for some crimes.

Causes of Crime

Duty – a moral or legal obligation / Conscience - inner voice of what is right or wrong (some people think that this comes from God, others say that it is a product of the environment you have been brought up in / Responsibility – duty to care

Social reasons

Most young people in prison were either excluded from school or have very few qualifications Abusive or violent parents, broken homes or little guidance increase the likely hood of someone turning to

crime Drug, gambling or alcohol addiction may be financed through crime

Environmental reasons

High unemployment means people turn to crime for financial reasons or out of boredom Rivalry gangs on estates has led to people carrying weapons

Psychological reasons

Many people in prisons are suffering from a mental illness It is human nature to be selfish and greedy Violence on the television or on computer games has led to some people believing that this has had an

impact on crime

Types of Crime

Civil law – concerned with private disputes between people - examples include disputed wills, divorce and arguments between landlords and their tenants

Criminal law – this is when the law of the country or state has been broken. Criminals are either tried in a magistrate’s court or the crown court (one with a jury) depending on how serious the crime was.

Non indictable – less serious crimes such as, cycling without lights, driving at 36mph in a 30mph zone. Offenders are not sent to prison.

Indictable – such as rape or murder, more serious and a person may face a prison sentence is found guilty.

Crime against the person – crime directed against an individual or a group of people, includes serious crimes such as murder, assault and rape and also slander, hate crime such as targeting someone for violent abuse,

neglect of children and mugging.

Crime against property – crimes of dishonesty such as burglary, vehicle theft, shoplifting, film and music piracy. Also includes criminal damage such as vandalism and arson.

Crimes against the state – terrorist activities, selling secrets to another nation (e.g. military documents) and false accounting in order to deceive the tax office so less tax is demanded.

Sin is a religious offence or crime against God including ‘do not steal’ and ‘do not kill’

Blasphemy includes insulting God, religion or sacred thing. In some Islamic societies it is both a religious and a state offence to convert from Islam to another religion.

Aims of Punishment

Protection – keeping the public from being harmed, threatened or injured by criminals

Retribution– to get your own back: ‘an eye for an eye’.

Deterrence – to put people off committing crimes. The more serious the punishment; the less likely people are to commit a crime

Reformation – to change someone’s behaviour for the better so they do not commit another crime

Vindication –means offenders are to be punished to show that the law must be respected.

Reparation –Designed to help an offender to put something back into society for example community service or working with other offenders

Religious responses to the aims of punishment

Most Christians do not support the idea of retribution but would support the other main aims of punishment. Christians believe that laws need to be upheld (the idea of vindication). They also believe in crime prevention and the need to work towards removing the causes of crime. They believe that the most important aim of punishment is to reform criminals and to help them become law-abiding citizens. Most Christians believe that offenders should repent their wrong doing and receive both punishment and forgiveness, so that once the penalty is paid, they have a second chance and can start afresh.

Punishment in Islamic society is designed to deter people from breaking the law. This is often achieved by public humiliation. The aim is to ensure that the law is respected and to give victims satisfaction. Muslims hope that offenders will repent reform and seek forgiveness from Allah and their victims.

Prisons

Advantages of Prisons

Protect society from dangerous criminals / to stop people from committing crimes / act as a deterrent

Disadvantages of Prisons

Prisoners educate others on their criminal activities / prisons breed resentment / 70% of criminals re offend / a criminal record makes it hard for people to get a job / families suffer as well

Religious Views on Prisons

Christians believe that prisons are necessary to protect people Christians believe that prisons should have a strong focus on reform and support the idea of education Muslims also believe that prisons are important – religious leaders will visit people to offer support

Capital Punishment

UK abolished the death penalty in 1969 – although many people would like to see it returned

For

Finance – it costs taxpayer thousands of pounds to keep murders alive in prison Retribution – Terrorist and murderers deserve to die – ‘A life for a life’ Deterrence – The death penalty deters people from doing horrendous crimes because

they know if they are caught they will die Protection – The public needs to be protected. However, those given a life sentence are

often let out of prison about 15 years later.

Against

Mistakes – innocent people have been executed. Right – only god has the right to end a person’s life. Reformation – reformed criminals can be enormous influence for good. Deterrence – there is no evidence that the death penalty is more of a deterrent than life imprisonment. Protection – pitting a murderer in prison protects society.

Religious Views

Christianity

Some Christians support capital punishment using the principle of’ a life for a life’. They see the threat of the death penalty as a deterrent that helps to prevent serious crime. In America, many people, including Christians, support capital punishment for convicted murderers and the use of lethal injections and the electric chair.

Other Christians doubt whether capital punishment is a deterrent and oppose it because an innocent person might be executed and it removes the possibility of repentance they believe that only god has the right to take away a life. One of the commandments is “do not kill”

Muslim

Most Muslim countries retain the death penalty for murder. In some places it is also available if a Muslim converts to another religion or make statements attacking Islam. The next of kin of the victim sometimes accepts financial compensation instead of the offender being executed.

Other forms of punishment

Punishment Definition Advantages Disadvantages

Community Service Unpaid work that an offender performs for the benefit of the local community rather than going to prison.

People can give back to the community after taking things out of it.

Some people see it as an easier way out of prison and they may re-offend whilst or after doing their service.

Corporal Punishment

Punishment that is designed to give physical pain such as beatings, stoning, limbs being cut off. This is typical in Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia or Iraq

High deterrence - people will avoid crimes because the punishment is seen as harsh

Against human rights. People become bitter. There is little focus on rehabilitation and reform.

Electronic Tagging An offender has to wear an electronic device which tracks their movement to ensure restrictions of movement are observed.

It has cut down re-offending to just under 2% now

It costs a lot of money; About £2000 a year.

Fines Money paid as a punishment for a crime or other offence.

They can be costly if you commit a serious crime.

This is seen as something that is not serious. People can still re-offend again and again.

Probation An alternate to prison where an offender has to meet regularly with a probation officer to ensure that they do not re-offend. Movement may be restricted.

Tags can be kept on them so people know what they are doing. People can still re offend while

they are on probation

Key Terms

Parole is when a prisoner is released without completing their sentence, this is because they have shown good behaviour in prison and are no longer considered a risk to society. If they are granted parole they need to report to a parole officer on a regular basis.

Life imprisonment is the most severe punishment given. The average life sentence is 15 years although it may be longer such as in the case of Myra Hindley. There are less than 50 prisoners in the UK who will remain in prison until they die.

Early release is when a prison is let out of prison before they have served their full sentence. This may happen in the case of political prisoners or due to overcrowding in prisons

Many people, including Christians, think that prison reform is needed. Christians and Muslims are concerned that the living conditions are not good enough, and Christians believe that overcrowding does not help prisoners to be reformed. In Britain, organisations such as the Prison Reform Trust are trying to improve the prison system. They believe that prisons should be reserved for the worst criminals, such as murderers and rapists, and those with crimes which are minor offences should not have to go to prison. This would solve the problem of overcrowding.

The term young offender means a criminal that is under 18 years old.

If a young offender commits a crime they may be given a reprimand, a final warning or an ASBO.

A young offender will be put in front of a youth court, if found guilty then they may be sent to either of these: Secure training center-aimed on improving education and rehabilitation. Secure children’s home-run by the authority focuses on the physical, behavioural and emotional needs of young people. Young offenders institution- run by the prison service provides security for the public and rehabilitation.

Religious Attitudes to the rich and poor British society

Facts

Top premiership footballers earn £5 million per year

Bankers get bonuses in the region on £ ½ million per year

Total personal debt (mortgages, loans and credit cards) was estimated to be £1.44 trillion

Religious Attitudes to the Rich and Poor

Religions acknowledge that there will always be rich and poor however they think that a person should always be valued and shown respect. They do not think that people should be exploited. Religions teach that spiritual reward is more important than riches. Wealth is not important in the after life.

Christianity

The Bible teaches that all life was created by God. People should use their talents to earn money but money should not take away people’s attention from God. You cannot serve both God and Money

Islam

Wealth is a blessing from Allah and should be used to help others. True richness is richness of the soul.

Why are some people rich?

Inheritance – When a family member or friend leaves you money or property in their will after they die

Excessive / Fat Cat Salaries – Large amounts of money earned with bonuses – Executives from companies earn these

Inherit wealth from family Marry someone wealthy The National Lottery Stocks and Shares Inventing a new product – Microsoft / Apple Talents – Football or Music Well paid jobs – Lawyers or Doctors

Why are some people poor?

WHAT IS MEANT BY APATHY? – Some people are not bothered about work and employment. They quite happily live off benefits rather than put themselves out to get a job and earn money themselves. People often say that it is “too much effort”!

Unemployment – 2 million people in UK are unemployed (This is on the increase)

Some people seek benefits because they can not work however homeless people can not get a job or benefits without an address

Low Wages – despite the minimum wage people who do not have specialist skills or enough qualifications find it difficult to earn wages that allow them to afford more than the basic necessities. The cost of food and fuel is always on the rise.

Wasteful spending patterns – Some people spend their money on tobacco, alcohol, drugs or gambling leaving little money left

Debt – Many people get themselves into serious debt through financial problems. Credit cards and loans have high interest rates that some people can not afford. Mortgage inflation has meant that many people have lost their homes

What does being poor really mean?

There is a difference between relative poverty and absolute poverty. Absolute poverty refers to people who have to live without the basic things in life – food, water and shelter. Relative poverty in the UK could mean that there is not enough money for TV, computers or electricity

Children in poverty often suffer because their clothes are different. They may feel left out when people are discussing the latest mobile phones, games consoles or Ipods

Young people may not be able to afford their first step on the poverty ladder. Many now have to live with their parents well into their 30s. A lack of jobs can lead to crime and drugs.

The elderly suffer from poverty. They can not afford the fuel bills and rising prices on their state pensions.

How is it possible to overcome poverty?

Poverty Trap – This refers to people not being able to break out of poverty. They are born into poverty and can not find an escape as they live in deprived areas and have little aspiration to get an education

Minimum Wage - The legal minimum amount which must be paid per hour in the UK

Education and Training

Some people escape the poverty trap through education – gaining more qualification leads to a better paid job. This then increases aspiration to the next generation of that family

Vocational training has helped many in skills such as brick laying or mechanics. Some students will attend college for these courses.

Counselling

Many young people need help to make a choice about their life after school. Specialist career advice from connexions also helps them with housing, money and rights.

Adults can get advice from the Citizens Advice Service which is a national charity

Government help

In 1999 The British Government introduced the minimum wage to stop workers from being exploited

Unemployment benefits (for people job seeking) Invalidity benefit (for people who are too ill to work) Child benefit (to help with the cost of raising children) Tax Credits (reduce the amount of tax to be paid) Housing benefit (to pay for accommodation) State Pension

Religious Attitudes to the use of money

All religions teach that people should use their wealth responsibly. God expects people to use it to help others, as well as themselves. Everyone has a duty not to be greedy and selfish but to help others less fortunate than themselves

Religions teach that responsible use of money helps a person’s spiritual growth. Many believers, and also non-believers, teach their children from a young age that it is a good thing to raise or save money to donate to charity and help the less fortunate.

Christian attitudes towards money

Christianity teaches that excess wealth should be shared with the poor. Most church communities, including youth organisations, get involved in raising money to support charity work.

Christians remember Jesus teaching his followers that the poor would always be with them and that people should do what they can to help them. He told several rich people, either directly or in parables, to give their riches to the poor.

He also praised a poor widow for giving a tiny amount (which she probably could not afford) to the poor, saying she had in fact given more than the rich who had given larger amounts. He said this is the way to build ‘riches in heaven.’

Muslim attitudes towards money

Islam teaches that the value of money is in what it can do, rather than what it is. Muslims believe that because wealth is a blessing from Allah, it should be used wisely for the benefit of the poor, as well as for oneself.

Often families will help each other to provide assistance with business opportunities and interest-free loans.

Zakah, the third pillar, ensures that all Muslims give 2.5% of their wealth to the poor every year. Voluntary sadaqah encourages giving extra.

What other help is available?

Local Authorities have a responsibility towards the poor:

Social workers assist people in need Support workers offer the elderly practical help Housing is supplied

Charities help people in poverty by:

Collecting clothing and household goods Help lines to support people such as NSPCC or Help the Aged - Some are religious

organisations like the Salvation Army Raise funds and donate money Volunteers offer practical support as well

Families

Many relatives help each other in time of need

The National Lottery

19th November 1994 the first national lottery was drawn on live TV. Since then many people have won the lottery and scratch cards have also been released

Critics have argued that the National Lottery is nothing more than extra tax being paid by people hoping to escape the poverty trap. There have also been cases where criminals have won the lottery. People have also committed suicide over the national lottery.

Money to good causes

Currently over £21 billion has been distributed to good causes such as

Arts

Heritage

Sport

Health, education and the environment

Although some people criticise the validity of the projects

Religious Attitudes to the National Lottery

Islamic teachings forbid any form of gambling, including the national lottery as it is seen as a way of earning money and that does not involve doing honest work, and can promote greed and encourage laziness.

Money should be used for the necessities of life and not for speculating to win more. For every person who becomes richer as a result of gambling, many others become poorer.

Muslims will not bid for lottery funding for projects supported by their faith, whether it is for the upkeep of places of worship or to support charity organizations they run.

Some Christian denominations (e.g. Methodists) share these views on gambling, but other denominations (e.g. Church of England, Roman Catholics) whilst not actively encourage gambling, will allow believers to gamble in moderation.

‘Good causes’ funds have been used by some Christian charities and the heritage fund has provided finance for the up keep of churches and cathedrals.

Religion and World Poverty

The Scale of world poverty

LEDCs – Less Economically Developed Countries – Means that the countries are poor and people there live in great poverty. Examples would be parts of Africa and India

EDCs – Economically Developed Countries – Means it is a rich country where most people enjoy a comfortable standard of living. Examples include USA and Britain

The Causes of World Poverty

Location – This can affect the wealth of the country partly due to climate but also whether it has natural

resources like oil and gold. Saudi Arabia has a poor climate but is a rich country because it has 25% of the world’s oil. Sudan which has a similar climate and is close in location to Saudi Arabia is very poor – Life expectancy is only 57 for men (71 in Saudi)

Natural Disasters – The location also adds to whether the country is prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes, flooding or drought. LEDcs suffer far more than EDCs which have the money and resources to recover

Politics and corruption - Sudan is not a stable country, civil war in the Darfur region has cost 200 000 people their lives. Corruption is a problem throughout Africa, the government, police and rich people exploit the poor and keep aid money for themselves

Climate – This is one of the biggest causes of poverty, in order to grow crops a certain amount of rainfall is needed. 92% of Africa has insufficient rainfall for crops or drinking water. Global warming is making the problem worse. In 2006 over 25 million people in Africa were facing a food crisis

Population growth – Population growth tends to be greater in poor countries where there is a lack of contraception and education. People also tend to have more children because the death rate is high

Economic Reasons – World Trade governs what countries buy and sell to each other and the price they can charge. Producers of crops sell them to the country that pays the most. This means that poor countries have to rely on what they can grow themselves

Global interdependence – Where different countries around the world are dependant on each other for trade and survival.

Religious Teachings about world poverty

Christianity:

The main teaching is to ‘love your neighbor as yourself,’ which introduces the parable of the Good Samaritan. The parable teaches Christians that people in need must be helped, even if they are from a different race or religion.

Spending life obsessively gaining money prevents a Christian from getting closer to God or showing their love for God. Instead, money should be used to help the poor and homeless.

There are many Christian charities working throughout the world (e.g. Christian Aid, CAFOD, Tear fund, World Vision) to help the poor.

Islam:

Wealth is given by Allah for the good of humanity and therefore should be shared.

Giving to charity is not voluntary. Zakah (2.5% of savings) has to be given every year and extra giving (sadaqh) is encouraged.

Charging interest or loans (which could be seen as exploitation) is forbidden in Islam. This helps the poor by reducing repayments and preventing debt. If repayments cannot be made, the loan can become a gift.

Logically, this may be extended to debts to Islamic governments accumulated by LEDC’s. Islamic charities and relief organizations such as the Red Crescent and Islamic relief provided worldwide help.

Justice, Stewardship and Compassion

Justice brings about what is right and fair according to law. Things that are just are considered as correct. Unjust things such as children dying of starvation are seen as unfair and need to be changed.

Stewardship is the idea that religious believers have a duty to look after this world and its inhabitants on behalf of god.

Compassion is a feeling of pity that makes a person want to help another, and that is why people believe we are different to other living creatures.

The work of religious organisations and charities

Voluntary service – a person who chooses to help, without being paid for their work

VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas)

Many people including religious believers work for charities that help people in poverty. Major religions have set up religious organisations that help people across the world.

Christian Aid

Set up after WWII designed to help refugees. Provides practical help and publicises the causes of poverty to help change the root of the problem. In 2005 they set up the “make poverty history” campaign which resulted in rich countries cancelling debts from 18 of the world’s poorest countries.

Campaign Awareness of Christian Aid

1. A focus on Climate Change2. Help with HIV3. Conflict - War is expensive and innocent civilians suffer as a consequence 4. Unfair Trade – Some countries exploit poor countries by paying less for goods5. Corruption – To stop the government from keeping money that should be used to help the poor

Islamic Relief

Started in Britain in 1984, to help the suffering of some of the worlds poorest. Inspiration for the charity came from the Qur’an. They are keen to encourage people to take control of their own lives by offering opportunity and equipment to develop. Education, health child welfare and clean drinking water are important.

They also respond to emergency situations such as natural disasters (Haiti and Pakistani Floods) and assist in the rebuilding of countries.

Fair Trade

Fair trade is a system of trading that ensures farmers in LEDCs get fair prices for their produce.

Unfair trade is where farmers and producers are exploited by international buyers.

Fair-trade labeling organisations int. is working with producers to establish a minimum price for their goods. The fair-trade price covers the cost to sustain the production of the goods, and provides the community with money for things such as schools, hospitals and accommodation.

The growth of fair trade products has been remarkable – in 2000 retail of fair trade bananas was at £7.8 Million in 2007 this rose to £150 million. Most retailers now stock some fair trade products like fruit or coffee

Case Study - Burma Cyclone

The cyclone stuck Burma on the 2nd and 3rd of May 2008. The cyclone ripped through Burma’s biggest city, most of the homes were nothing better than wooden huts. They didn’t stand a chance. All of their crops were swept away and the fresh water supply was completely polluted.

On May the 4th the government of Burma announced 4000 dead and 3000 missing, although it was obvious that those figures were completely wrong. The next day the figures rose to 22,000 dead and 40,000 missing. The true

figure for the number of deaths will never be known but the estimate is that around 120,000 and 140,000 people lost their lives because of the cyclone.

The British Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) issued an appeal for funds. The committee is made up of 13 different British charities some religious and some not (Christian Aid, Oxfam, Islamic Relief, The Red Cross and Save the Children). This appeal raised £18 million to help support Burma and its people rebuild their lives and homes.

Emergency Aid and Long Term Aid

Emergency aid; this is the immediate aid after a disaster occurs. Emergency food, clean water, shelter and medical supplies can be made available to the areas most in need. At

this stage, saving life is still the most important factor- success is judged on how many lives are saved or lost. In the case of Burma, emergency aid was not as effective as it could have been and the death toll was probably higher than it needed to be.

Long term aid; it does not only follow on from emergency aid. For example, many charities work in LEDCs in an educational role. One of the most important educational tasks is teaching people about healthcare. In many parts of Africa, AIDS is a major problem, and across the continent around 6000 people die of AIDS-related illnesses every day. Advice on methods of contraception, supported by a supply of contraceptive devices, is also believed by many to be important if population growth is to be controlled.

Sustainable development; this is about teaching the local community how to continue to rebuild and develop. Examples would be how to grow crops more efficiently and how to sustain (keep) the water supply clean and safe. Long term aid helps set these things in motion and then the local community must sustain it for the next generation.

Quotes / Teachings from the Bible or Qur’an

Christianity IslamReligion and Death “Do not commit murder”

“God has fixed our life span”

“Allah fixes the time span of all things”

Drugs - Smoking No direct teaching – but stewardship “Do not with your own hands contribute to your destruction”

Drugs – Alcohol Jesus turned water into wine

“Drinking makes you loud and foolish”

“Do not dink water only, but take a little wine”

“Wine and games of chance… are abominations devised by Satan”

Drugs - Illegal “Surely you know that you are God’s temple”

“Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the holy spirit”

Any drug is strictly forbidden and are heavily punished e.g public flogging

Crime and Punishment “Forgive us for the wrongs we have done”

“How many times must I forgive him…not seven but seventy seven times”

“an eye for and eye”

Pope John Paul II – execution only allowed in cases of absolute necessity to defend society”

Stealing - “cut of their hands a punishment by way of example”

“If anyone is killed unjustly, we have granted the right of retribution to his heir”

Poverty “Love your neighbour as you love yourself”

“whoever refuses to work is not allowed to eat”

“It is much harder for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God than a camel to go through the ye of a needle”

“No one can be the slave of two masters…you can not serve both God and money”

“no one has eaten better food than which they have earned”

“He who eats and drinks while his brother goes hungry, is not one of us”

Richness is of the soul

If anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people