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Year 11 - Religious education

Non-religious attitudes to human life

Issues of life and death

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils will focus firstly on the relationship between religion and science - looking at ideas of creation. They will examine how Christians and non-religious people view the world. Finally they will examine how people speak about the sanctity of life.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to explain scientific views on the origins and value of human life.

Key Notes

  • Life began approximately 3.8 billion years ago, and modern humans appeared about 300,000 years ago.
  • Species evolve via natural selection.
  • Some see divine design in evolution, while others, such as Richard Dawkins, see natural selection.
  • Laws regulate how animals are used.
  • Peter Singer argues against speciesism and in favour of moral consideration of all sentient beings.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • evolution: scientific theory describing the development of species from earlier less complex forms through a process of natural selection and survival of the fittest
  • sentientism: the belief that moral consideration should be given to all beings that can experience pain or pleasure (sentient beings), regardless of their species
  • speciesism: the belief that humans are superior to other animals, justifying their use for human benefit, seen by Peter Singer as morally equivalent to racism

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • All scientists reject the idea that God is involved in evolution.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

Life began approximately 3.8 billion years ago, and modern humans appeared about 300,000 years ago. Species evolve via natural selection.

2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'evolution'

scientific theory describing the development of species from earlier less complex forms through a process of natural selection and survival of the fittest.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: All scientists reject the idea that God is involved in evolution. Correction: Many scientists who accept the theory of evolution do not see it as incompatible with a belief in God. For example, some see evolution as the process through which God works, allowing for the possibility of divine involvement in the natural world.

More Lessons In This Unit

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