Summary: This textbook has been written to meet the needs of students following the AQA GCSE Religious Studies Specification A course who are studying Unit 2 Christianity: Ethics. Detailed analysis of the issues and discussion of a range of views are supported throughout by key word definitions and study of relevant biblical passages and other Christian teachings. Each section concludes with sample questions and answers, questions for exam practice, class activities and homework tasks. A final section on exam technique is followed by a glossary and list of useful websites.Each of the following topics for this specification is considered from the perspective of Christianity:The right to life (abortion, euthanasia)The use of medical technology (fertility treatments, human genetic engineering.cloning)Personal responsibility (sexual relationships, drugs)Social responsibility (marriage, prejudice and discrimination)Global concerns (the environment, world poverty)Conflict (war and peace, crime and punishment)
Completely updated for the new GCSE specificationsGain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the content and requirement of each unitLearn to identify and discuss, and construct arguments for and against, different beliefs and points of viewHave the opportunity to explore topic areas in greater depth through class activities and homeworkPractise answering the types of questions they will encounter in the examination
Table of Contents: Introduction1 Ways in which Christians make moral decisionsSources of moralityThe right to life2 AbortionThe law in the UKGeneral arguments for and against abortionCentral issues about abortionChristian attitudes to abortion3 EuthanasiaTypes of euthanasiaThe hospice movementGeneral arguments for and against euthanasiaChristian attitudes to euthanasiaThe use of medical technology4 Fertility treatmentsTypes of fertility treatmentsEmbryonic researchSurrogacyGeneral arguments for and against fertility treatmentsChristian views on fertility treatments5 Human genetic engineeringSomatic cell therapySaviour siblingsDesigner babiesGeneral arguments for and against genetic engineeringChristian views on genetic engineering6 CloningReproductive cloningTherapeutic cloningGeneral arguments for and against cloningReligious views on cloningPersonal responsibility7 Sexual relationshipsSecular attitudes to homosexual relationshipsChristian attitudes to homosexual relationshipsSecular attitudes to heterosexual relationshipsDifferent types of extra-marital sexual relationshipsChristian attitudes to heterosexual relationshipsContraception8 DrugsLegal drugsIllegal drugsDrug-taking in BritainHelping drug addictsChristian attitudes to drugsSocial responsibility9 MarriageChristian attitudes to marriageAlternatives to marriageWhy marriages failDivorce, annulment and remarriageThe lawChristian attitudes to divorce and remarriageThe importance of family and the elderly10 Prejudice and discriminationWhat are prejudice and discrimination?Causes of prejudice and discriminationDiscrimination and the lawRacial and colour discriminationReligious discriminationGender discriminationDisability discriminationChristian attitudes to prejudice and discriminationMartin Luther King Jr (1929–1968)Nelson Mandela and Desmond TutuGlobal concerns11 The environmentEnvironmental problemsWhat can be done?Christian attitudes to the environment12 World povertyThe situationThe responseChristian attitudes to world povertyConflict13 IntroductionJusticeForgivenessReconciliationPeace14 War and peaceCauses of warTypes of weaponsTerrorismThe Just War theoryPacifismChristian attitudes to war and peace15 Crime and punishmentCrimeWhy do people commit crime?Aims of punishmentForms of punishmentThe death penalty (capital punishment)Christian attitudes to crime and punishmentExam techniqueGlossaryUseful websitesIndex
About the Author(s): Sheila Butler is a principal examiner and experienced teacher. Until recently she was Head of Religious Studies at Durham High School for Girls. She is currently teaching part-time at Durham School.
