Different Interpretations Regarding the Origins of Life (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A (8062))
Revision Note
Written by: Glenn Millington
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Comparison of Religious & Scientific Teachings
Religious and scientific teachings
Scientists look for scientific theories to explain how the universe came to be
Religious people might look to scripture for the answers to questions about the origins of the universe
Scientific teachings develop from theories which result from reason and evidence
The basis of religious teachings is faith and an acceptance that scripture is based upon truth
Scientific questions about the origins of the universe examine how the universe came to be
Religious explanations are also interested in why it happened in the first place
Some religious people believe that science and religious views about the origin of the universe are compatible, but some do not
People may argue scientific truth is more important for many reasons:
They are atheists or agnostics and do not believe that scripture contains any truth as God does not exist
Based on experimentation, scientific truth is more reliable because it is repeated and verified,
Religious experiences and scripture are based more on personal opinions and views
It explains facts about the world, and how things work – this is practical and useful information
Others may argue that religious truth is more important for other reasons:
It is the knowledge that comes from God, who is all-knowing, which means religious truth is as reliable as scientific truth
It answers questions about meaning and purpose. This is more important for humans who as intelligent beings need to understand their place and role in the universe
Scientific truth is constantly proven wrong, and ideas about science change all the time
Based on scripture religious truth does not change and is absolute, therefore more reliable
Incompatibility of Science & Religious Views
Scientific and religious views on the origin of the universe are incompatible
There are clear differences between some scientific and religious accounts of the origins of the universe
Christians believe that God created the universe whereas some scientists believe it happened by chance
Some Christians (literalists) interpret the bible to mean that God created the universe in 6 days and rested on the 7th
Scientific theories claim that the universe has changed over a longer period
Some religious people believe that God created human beings in their current forms
Scientists believe that living creatures have evolved over a long period. The process of natural selection led them to evolve from simple organisms to complex life forms
Religious interpretations may be more authoritative for some religious They believe that scripture contains the absolute truth even if this contradicts scientific theories
Some religious people might completely reject scientific theories regarding the age of the They believe that God has made it appear older than it is
Compatibility of Science & Religious Views
Scientific and religious views on the origin of the universe are compatible
Many Christians have no problem accepting the Big Bang Theory
They see the cosmologists as helping them to understand how God brought the world into being
Some Christians do not interpret the biblical account Instead, they believe it was appropriate for the time when it was written
They believe that the Big Bang could have been the mechanism God used
They might argue that there is nothing in the theory itself which proves that there is no such being as God
Some Christians don't see any contradiction between their understanding of the biblical account and the scientific theory of evolution
They believe that the bible provides a simple guide to the order in which God created the universe
They believe that science and religion are asking different questions and so are compatible
Christians who don't see any problem with evolution see the Bible as an authoritative account of God's relationship with human beings and the wider universe
They might view it as part of God's plan, and that humans have special rights and responsibilities as a result
Worked Example
Give two beliefs about the origins of the universe
[2 marks]
Answer:
Scientists believe that the universe was created by the Big Bang which happened 13.8 billion years ago (1 mark)
Some Christians believe that God created the universe in 6 days (1 mark)
Examiner Tips and Tricks
You may be asked to evaluate this topic as part of a 12 mark question. For example, the statement might look like this;
‘It is possible to believe in both the Big Bang theory and religious teachings about the origins of the universe’
Evaluate this statement
In your response you must provide a well-argued response, reasoned consideration of different points of view. It must also contain logical chains of reasoning leading to judgement(s) supported by knowledge and understanding of relevant evidence and information. It must also contain references to religion applied to the issue
Arguments in support of the statement could include the following arguments
Some believe that God caused the Big Bang as a way of forming the universe
Most scientists believe that the universe had a beginning, so perhaps God is the first cause
Some creation stories suggest that God created the universe in six days but the days might represent longer periods and so do not disagree with the Big Bang Theory
The creation stories may only be designed to show that God was involved in creation and not to explain how it happened
Arguments against the statement could include the following arguments
The Big Bang theory does not need a supernatural cause as the universe could have come into being by accident
Scientists say that the universe has evolved naturally over billions of years not in six days for instance
There are contradictions in the religious teachings about the origins of the universe
The creation stories are just myths, etc
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