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ETH401 RELIGION AND ETHICS "This is the heart of the problem because kava is the food for the devil," said Mr Vulaono. "This is the heart of the problem because kava is the food for the devil," said Mr Vulaono. Source: Fiji Times, August 24, 2008. RELIGIOUS VIOLENCE – 9/11 2001, September 11th, Islamic Jihadists belonging to an organisation called Al Qaeda flew two commercial airplanes into the World Trade Centre Twin Towers in New York. 2606 people lost their lives, however arguably the later fallout has been more traumatic and devastating. The US declared a “War on Terror”, invading Afghanistan and Iraq resulting in the deaths of 100,000s. Al Qaeda remains and continues with violent attacks across the world. THE HOLOCAUST In the Second World War millions of Jewish men, woman and children were taken to concentration camps, starved and executed for no other reason than their religious identity. GUJARAT RIOTS OF 2002 The fallout, and subsequent retaliation of Hindus on Muslims was terrifying. Official estimates put the Muslim death toll at 790, however other estimates say it was closer to 1,500. Many women were sexually assaulted by roaming mobs. A smaller, but still significant number of Hindus experienced further loss of life in the riots. RELIGIOUS VIOLENCE All religious groups, often claiming authority from God have at some point committed acts of mass murder upon each other. And yet… many claim that their religion is the source of their ethical values, their spiritual guide. Their key point of reference for what is right or wrong. Religions speak of love, hope, charity (Christianity), compassion, selfless joy, serenity (Buddhism), dharma, kindness, hospitality (Hinduism), virtue, honor, humility and piety (Islam) How can religions speak so wisely, and yet be interpreted in such horrific ways and lead to such awful events? ETH401 WEEK 2: RELIGION AND ETHICS What is religion? Does it determine what is right? What does religion do? Why is religion a controversial issue? What are the main functions of religion? A very brief introduction to the world’s biggest religions and their ethical principles. What is it to live in a secular society, and what does that entail for religious belief and practice? WHAT IS RELIGION? – A SOCIOLOGY There is not a perfect definition. Many may think it is something like this… “Religion is any set of attitudes, beliefs and practices pertaining to supernatural power, whether that power be forces, gods, spirits, ghosts or demons.” (Ember & Ember, 1996) “Supernatural” – Something beyond the material world. As such, it is a matter of faith. WHAT IS RELIGION? “Beliefs” Who/what made the world? Why are we here? What are we made of? What happens when we die? QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT! • What do you gain from your religion? • Why is religion a controversial issue? What is the relationship between religion and ethics? • DIVINE COMMAND THEORY “The belief that human beings are made in the image of God influences moral judgment.” (Preston, 2007, pg 23) “To know God is to do justice.” (Jeremiah 22.13-16) “We are divine souls on a wondrous journey. We came from God, live in God and are evolving into oneness with God… becoming aware of the Life energy in all that lives is becoming aware of God’s loving presence with us.” Subramuniyaswami. S, Hinduism Today, (1996). DIVINE COMMAND THEORY (DVC) The Divine Command theory argues that: “Morality is based on the commands and character of God, and moral obligation is about obeying God’s demands” (Encyclopedia of Philosophy) The 10 Commandments of Moses given to him by God at Mt.Sinai in Egypt. ABRAHAM AND DIVINE COMMAND THEORY Abraham was commanded by God to kill his only son, Isaac, in praise of His Name. With Divine Command Theory something is right BECAUSE God says so, this means "the Good" is DEPENDENT upon the will of God. Something is wrong because it’s a SIN. But is this sufficient? Socrates (469 – 399 BC) was a philosopher from Ancient Greece. If Gabriel did not swoop down, would Abraham have been right to kill his son? Is it not the case that God commands what is right, instead, because it is the right thing to do? WEAKNESSES IN DIVINE COMMAND Believers may disagree on what God’s command is, for example Churches differ over issues such as homosexuality and divorce. What about those who do not belong to a religion? WHAT DO ALL RELIGIONS DO/MAIN FUNCTIONS OF RELIGION 1. Provide unity and identity. 2. Answer questions of people’s existence; their purpose of life etc. 3. Helps to give comfort and support in times of difficulties/hardship. 1. SOCIAL SOLIDARITY AND IDENTITY Shared values (eg: love, charity, compassion) and beliefs help bind us into a community, provides identity and instill a sense of fellowship. Members of Methodist Church Nasea, Fiji (Holy Communion) in Fiji Times, Aug 4, 2012. 1. SOCIAL SOLIDARITY AND IDENTITY It offers damnation or punishment to those who are unafraid of earthly law, who otherwise would fail to adhere to good social principles. “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:18 4. TACKLE LIFE’S GREAT UNKNOWNS STRENGTH AND HOPE IN ADVERSE TIMES In all societies many people face hardships e.g. natural disasters, poverty, illness, pain. Opposite: Fiji in the floods THE WORLD’S 5 BIGGEST RELIGIONS 1 2 3 4 5 Hinduism Buddhism Confucianism Christianity Islam (Don’t forget Judaism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Wiccan/Paganism, Ancestor worship and scientology to name just a few more!!) 1. HINDUISM Reincarnation (after death your soul/spirit is reborn into a new body) & reciprocity (depends on your actions when you were alive) Intention - selfless action for the benefit of others (karma yoga) Kindness and hospitality are key Hindu values KARMA & DHARMA Karma (deed/act): the universal principle of cause & effect, action & reaction. Reap what you sow. Dharma: moral and social order (ethics), ordinance, duty, right, morality, virtue, religion, good works. Ahimsa: one should avoid harming any living thing, and also avoid the desire to harm any living thing. Ahimsa is not just non-violence - it means avoiding any harm, whether physical, mental or emotional. 2. BUDDHISM Buddhism is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, who is called the Buddha or the Enlightened One Some people argue that Buddhism was an off-shoot of Hinduism BUDDHIST MORALITY: 5 MAIN BELIEFS Do not take/destroy life: avoid killing humans & for most Buddhists, animals Do not take what is not given Do not distort facts Refrain from misuse of the senses (do not overindulge - beauty, sexual activity etc.) Avoid self-intoxication (alcohol/drugs) BUDDHISM: CORE VALUES 1) Love: towards all creatures 2) Pity: compassion for all who suffer 3) Joy: an unselfish sharing in the happiness of others 4) Serenity: freeing oneself from anxieties of success or failure, & being equal minded when dealing with others 3. CONFUCIANISM Is a Chinese ethical & philosophical system based on the teachings of Confucius Focuses on human morality/right action Confucianism stresses the importance of education for moral development The state should be governed by moral virtue than through coercive laws THEMES IN CONFUCIANISM 1. Li: ritual & etiquette, the acts of everyday life. 2. Hsiao: love within the family, relationships 3. Chung: (loyalty) to: family; spouse; ruler/state; & friends 4. Yi: righteousness 5. Xin: honesty and trustworthiness 6. Jen: (benevolence, humaneness towards others) 4. CHRISTIANITY Sources of Christian authority include: Church; Scriptures; Faith; and the Holy Spirit Sin & forgiveness (ability to forgive those who wrong you) Guided by the 10 commandments (as code of conduct) 5. ISLAM Based upon the teachings of the prophet Muhammed The 5 Pillars of Islam are: Faith (shahada) daily prayer (salah), fasting (sawm), alms-giving (zakat) and pilgrimage (hajj). Other key values include: Shariah: the path or the right way of life Jihad: the internal struggle that Muslims undertake to overcome their personal faults, & the struggle to defend the faith globally Core values: submission, virtue & honor, humility, piety Human beings have a moral responsibility to submit to God’s will & to follow Islam THE GOLDEN RULE Hinduism: ‘This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you’ Mahabharata 5:1517 Buddhism: ‘Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful’ Udana-Varga 5:18 Confucianism: ‘Do not do to others what you do not want them to do to you’ Analects 15:23 Christianity: ‘And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise’ Luke 6:31, The Holy Bible, King James Version. Islam: ‘None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself." Number 13 of Imam, Al-Nawawi's Forty Hadiths THINK QUESTIONS Do we need to be believers of an institutional religion to be moral? Are all religious people ethical? Are all ethical people religious? RELIGION IN A SECULAR WORLD FNU is a secular university. The Republic of Fiji Islands is a secular state. But what is the ‘secular’, what does it mean for religions and what ethical issues does it generate? “pertaining to worldly things that are not religious, spiritual or sacred”. www.dictionary.com. (2012) NB: Secularism is not necessarily the same as: Atheism – the belief that there is no God. Agnosticism – the belief we can not know whether God exists or not. It means that the government does not interfere with what you believe, whatever that may be, so that everyone has the same freedom to have and manifest their beliefs. RELIGION IN A SECULAR WORLD Secularism argues that religion and the state, or any institution in the public sphere, needs to be free of religious control: Laws are not to be made on religious grounds. Discrimination based on religion is forbidden. Everyone has the freedom of religion. Why is secularism so important? RELIGION IN A SECULAR WORLD Fiji is a multicultural society with a rich diversity of cultural traditions. If the country prioritised one religion it would fail as a democracy. Restricting freedom of religion would also lead to public disorder as religion (as we all know) is something for which people are prepared to fight! Ultimately, it is an issue of mutual respect and mutual interest. RELIGION IN A SECULAR WORLD We need to be humble about what we know. All religions contain various and many wisdoms. It is truly to our mutual interests to listen to one another; especially on such matters where there is so much doubt and confusion. RELIGION IN A SECULAR WORLD In a secular society, however, one may be caught in an ethical dilemma – loyalty to one’s religion and loyalty to the rules of secular society. In the UK, road health and safety made law that all motorcyclists had to wear helmets. But this wasn’t possible for Sikhs as they have a religious duty to wear a turban. What was their dilemma? What should the state do? RELIGION IN A SECULAR WORLD What does this mean for ethical arguments? Secularism teaches respect for religions. As such we need to listen to arguments based on religious beliefs with patience and humility. However, ethical argument is about persuading someone to your side of the argument. In a multicultural society, do you think you can convince someone of the rightness of an action through religious argument if they do not share your religious views?? REFERENCES Ember, C. & Ember, M. 2011. Anthropology 13th Edition. Prentice-Hall, NJ. Preston, N. 2007. Understanding Ethics. Federation Press, NY. The Blind Men and the Elephant http://www.spiritualeducation.org/blindmenelephants.pdf