UNIT FIVE: GLOBAL CONCERNS This unit explores Christian views on the world focussing on their attitudes towards

creation, responsibility and poverty. What Christians believe about the creation of the World: Things created by God have value The natural world was created for humans to use responsibly Many Christians believe they are stewards of the world To till and keep the land What is meant by the word stewardship? (2 marks) Some Christians believe that humans beings have dominion over the earth

What is meant by the word dominion? (2 marks) What does the creation story tell you about the role of humans on earth? Then God said, Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground. Genesis 1:26 Environmental Issues The people on the Earth face increasingly serious environmental problems. In the table below you need to think about the different environmental issues facing our Earth, think about how it has developed, the affect on future generations and finally, how a Christian would respond to this problem. Environmental Issues Pollution How has this happened? Car fumes, littering, nuclear waste Affect on future generations Christian Response to till and keep the land Christians should help with climate change and look after the earth

TOP TIP Make sure you give specific examples of Christians acting on their beliefs about the world around them. Responses to poverty Individual response Recycling and reducing unnecessary packaging Home energy conservation and insulation Community response Non-polluting forms of transport Buy local National response The Stern Report review of climate change UK Government Policies looking at ways to reduce carbon emissions International response Earth Summits An individual Christian can do very little to protect the environment. What do you think? Explain your opinion (3 marks) Christian responses to environmental problems Many Christians believe that you shouldnt be wasteful, especially with natural resources because they are part of Gods creation. Pope John Paul II wrote that the misuse of the natural world is like blasphemy destroying part of Gods plan Many Christians argue that there needs to be a change in lifestyle. One way that Christians have responded to their concerns through the Earth Charter Movement. Some evangelical Christians see these environmental changes as part of Gods plan. They believe that we are entering an end time (end of

the world) and that rather than trying to avert the problems, we should be preparing for the second coming of Jesus and the final judgement. Ultimately, Christians believe that they should care for the earth and everything on it because it is given to them by God. Wealth and Poverty Poverty Poverty is when you live with out the five basic needs of human beings. These are food, water, education, health and work. Extreme poverty is defined as living on less than $1 a day. What do the following quotes mean for those in poverty? The poor are blessed and the kingdom of heaven is theirs (Luke 6:20) The poor are waiting for justice (Luke 1:17) Christians believe it is their duty to show respect for people and the whole world. Christians believe the should have to help those in need out of love for God. Love your neighbour as you love yourself (Matthew 22: 34-40) Actions of love: Looking after those who are sick or in prison Providing for those who are hungry and thirsty Caring for strangers Respecting those who have lost everything There is a big difference across the world between rich and poor. In the below table complete the differences between poor and rich people and how their needs are met. You may need to research some areas online. Need Food Rich world Poor world

Water

Education

Health

Work

Outline the cause of poverty (2 marks) Environmental problems Healthcare Conflict Bad government HIV/Aids Debt Trade barriers Greed in MEDCs

TOP TIP Make sure you can explain human cause, as well as natural cause, of poverty. Task: Design a diagram or picture that illustrates the different causes of poverty. How do Christians respond to the needs of the poor overseas? Christians will respond in a number of ways. They will pray to God for them to be relieved of suffering, they may form charities to help raise money or volunteer to help whenever/wherever they can, they might also campaign against exploitation to ensure no one is being taken advantage of and they may support the campaign for fair trade. Example question and possible responses Aid should never be given to countries that are ruled unjustly. 6 marks Agree bad stewardship to give aide to a country that will misuse it, not giving money might enforce change, giving aid might enable regime to be even more oppressive/others are in need, so money could be used elsewhere, similar to government only cancelling debt of nations where it was clear the money would be spent on schools.

Other views would lead to terrible suffering for thousands of innocent people, helping the poor climb out of poverty is the only way to enable change, aid does not have to go to the rulers, can be given to partners. Faith in action Christian Aid is a Christian organisation that insists the world can and must be swiftly changed to one where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. We work globally for profound change that eradicates the causes of poverty, striving to achieve equality, dignity and freedom for all, regardless of faith or nationality. We are part of a wider movement for social justice.

Core to our Christian values is the belief that aid must be given regardless of race, religion, nationality or gender, and that it will never be used to further a particular political or religious standpoint. This is of vital importance to us, because Gods love is for everyone, and this is the kind of development work the Bible describes.

CAFOD is the official Catholic aid agency for England and Wales. We work with partners in more than 40 countries across the world to bring hope, compassion and solidarity to poor communities, standing side by side with them to end poverty and injustice. We work with people of all faiths and none.

Trcaire is the official overseas development agency of the Catholic Church in Ireland. We were set up in 1973 by the Bishops of Ireland to express the concern of the Irish Catholic Church for the suffering of the worlds poorest people