Christian Ethics: 18th May 2015: Poverty and Christianity These notes contain the key facts you need to know plus all past paper questions and model answers in a clear lay out

Explain briefly what is meant by emergency aid. (2)

Explain briefly how voluntary aid agencies give emergency aid to Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs). (3)

1.Aid meet a crisis e.g. drought, hurricane 2.Aid meet need in the short term e.g. food, medical supplies, tents – tailored to need 3.Aid help people survive who otherwise might quickly die 4.Setting up of emergency funds to which the general public is asked to make donations.

Long Term = Sustainable/ Country take lead themselves/build confidence/ education/tools/ funding/shelters/ road building/ well digging/ help victims of war /creating self sufficient communities

Explain causes of poverty in Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs). (4)

1. Unfair trade - producers of goods not given fair price /world trade rules penalise 2. Long-term debt - some owe more in interest than they borrowed 3. War destroys producecould be sold / defence spending =increased debt 4. Disease prevents people support themselves and their families 5. National disasters destroy sources of income 6. Lack of educational opportunity reinforces and intensifies poverty.

Explain Christian teaching about caring for the poor (4)

1. Helping others is in effect helping Jesus 2. Jesus told the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats

in Matthew 23 which stated that God will separate us like a farmer divides sheep from goats as to whether we have helped the poor, clothed the naked, given a drink to the thirsty

3. Jesus told the Parable of the Rich Fool – he horded his wealth by building bigger barns for his crops but then God took his life

4. Luke 16: Jesus told the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus – the Rich man goes to Hell because he did not help the Poor Man (Lazarus)

5. All human beings are children of God – life is sacred

6. Jesus said we should love our neighbour and told the Parable of the Good Samaritan to show this. A man is beaten up on the road to Jericho but it is a Samaritan who helps. Samaritans were people of mixed race at that time (Jews who had married non Jews) and they suffered bullying/racism as a result.

7. “Blessed are the poor” (Jesus in Matthew 5)8. 1 John 3: God will love us if we have loved others

Choose one of the following aid agencies: CAFOD, Christian Aid, Tearfund, Trocaire Describe how the aid agency you have chosen helps people in Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs( (6)

1. Involvement in provision of emergency aid in response to natural disasters and other crises – e.g. food, clothing, shelter

2. Involvement in long term aid projects aimed at creatingself-sufficient communities – e.g. well digging, education, agricultural and medical advice and training

3. Use of local partners enables communities to retain self-respect

4. Projects to help war victims – e.g. drama workshops to work through trauma

5. Funding students to attend universities in UK

6. Creating awareness in this country through education

7. Pressuring wealthy nations to drop debt and reform trade rules

Explain briefly how individual Christians might help those in Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs). (3)

1. Donations to aid agencies 2. involvement in sponsorship activities 3. creating awareness in own community 4. putting pressure on government to relieve debt, etc. 5. gap year voluntary work 6. taking unpaid leave to offer a particular eg doctor

working in a refugee camp) 7. prayer for those who need help

‘

‘Aid should never be given to countries that are ruled unjustly.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. Refer to Christian arguments in your answer. (6)

Agree with question statement Disagree with question statement Country will misuse (bad stewardship) Not giving money might bring change Others in need Might encourage the bad government Need guarantees where money spent eg

where debt chancelled where it is clear would be spent on schools

Would cause many to suffer Jesus – love of neighbour Christian teaching on poor (see above0 Does not have to be given to bad rulers Can help people climb out of poverty and

bring change

Everyone should buy fair trade products.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. Refer to Christian arguments in your answer. (6)

Agree with question statement Disagree with question statement Christians concerned for Justice Jesus – love thy neighbour Christian teaching on poor (see above) Products available in supermarkets so no

excuse Lives of producers and their families

transformed

Products expensive May prefer another brand May prefer local shop Can be expensive Free Will

Everyone should give generously when Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs) need emergency aid.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. Refer to Christian arguments in your answer. (6)

Agree with question statement Disagree with question statement Saves lives – no other funds Shows generosity of spirit – Jesus once praised

a widow for giving all she had even though it was not much

Human life sacred and created by God Love of neighbour said Jesus Giving benefits giver Gives hope to people in despair

Free Will – giving not compulsory as that is not point

Not all can afford it – family must come first Parents must look after children Can trust where money goes? Good stewardship involves looking after

money People in UK need help Encourages dependency

‘British Christians should help the poor in Britain before helping the poor in Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs).’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. (6)

Agree with question statement Disagree with question statement Know where money going Poor in UK Money given can be wasted eg on weapons /

corrupt governments Wrong to encourage dependency – people

stand on own two feet as children of God

Poverty in LEDCs far worse State helps people in UK Greed of developed world the issue eg unfair

trade Compassion to all – love of neighbour Parable of Sheep and Goats Can help both

Islam Ethics: 2nd June 2015: Poverty and Islam These notes contain the key facts you need to know plus all past paper questions and model answers in a clear lay out

Give two causes of poverty. (2)

Explain the causes of poverty in Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs). (4)

1. Wars destroy countries and cause poverty

2. Natural disasters devastate 3. Debt with unfair interest 4. Unfair trade 5. Lack of education6. Poor diet / health7. Failure of harvests8. Drought9. Unemployment

Explain briefly what is meant by emergency aid (2)

Help given immediately after disasters happen Providing people and equipment to help search and rescue or

find bodies Clearing rubble Medical help for those injured Short term shelter / food / fresh water.

Explain briefly what is meant by long term aid. (2)

Help given over many years To help people re-build their lives and communities To deal with long term problems e.g. poverty To help people become independent again Aid development.

Explain what is meant by Sadaqah. (3)

1. Giving of money 2. Giving of time 3. voluntary but highly

recommended 4. Can be given to Muslim or non-

Muslim organisations, individuals or families

5. Projects receiving money or help must be acceptable to Islam.

Describe the work of Muslim Aid. (4)

1. Responds to emergencies such as natural disasters, wars, famine

2. Strategic programmes for poverty eradication eg education3. Provision of clean water 4. Healthcare 5. Income generation projects 6. Tackling root causes of poverty 7. Work with local community and partner organisations 8. Raises awareness throughout UK - web site, newsletters, etc

Describe the way in which Muslim communities in the UK help to relieve poverty (4)

1. Description of the activities of Muslim Aid or Islamic Relief (see above)

2. Sponsored events to raise money 3. Recycling things like clothes, paper, glass, etc. in a Muslim

charity’s recycle bank to raise money 4. Travelling to a developing country to assist in work there5. Helping the needy in the UK eg giving money or meat to

the needy at Ramadan or a special celebration6. Giving regular sadaqah.

Explain how Muslim organisations support world development (4)

Organisations like Muslim Aid and Islamic Relief distribute aid to LEDCs / campaign for fairer treatment for the poor including debt relief / work with other aid agencies to help in disaster zones / supply long-term aid / work towards the UN Development Goals.

‘Muslims should keep only the money they need to live.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. (6)

Agree with question Disagree with question Sadaqah Zakah – 3rd pillar

– 2.5% of income Giving to God’s

creation God judge us Don’t be greedy Muhammad gave

First priority is family Wealth given by God

not evil in itself Use of wealth more

important than how much one has

Muslims should only support Muslim charities.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. Refer to Islam in your answer (6)

Agree with q Disagree with q Sure money

used in way acceptable to Muslims

More trust in charity

Ummah is world for Muslim community

Other opportunities o help in some countries

Muslims should help all

All created by Allah

Emergency aid after disaster

No Muslim charity in that country

Muslims should not be rich.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view (6)

Agree with q Disagree with q All Muslims care for

those who have less

Muhammad helped poor

Qur’an teaching All created by Allah Allah will judge us Zakah – 3rd Pillar

Wealth given by Allah – nothing wrong with it

Zakah purifies wealth remaining

So long as money fairly earned

What Muslims do with money that matters

‘Giving money to the poor only makes them more dependent on others.’ Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. Refer to Islam in your answer.(6)

Agree Disagree Onne money run

out, community back to start

Better to set up long term projects for poor rather than short term aid

Governments squander money?

Goods better than money

Loss of life unless money immediately

Self esteem Short term aid

can lead to long term aid and independence

Sadaqah and Zakah

1. Muslims are responsible for their family or community (Ummah) . Stewards or khalifahs

2. Zakah was one of the 5 Pillars commanded by Allah to Muhammad (pbuh). Give 2.5% income to charity. Purifies wealth and giver.

3. Sadaqah = money or time given at any time 4. Humble – left hand not know what right giving 5. No interest on loan – usury and gambling wrong =

exploit poor 6. HADITH: “He who eats and drinks while his brother

goes hungry is not one of us”7. QUR’AN 5.32 “If anyone saved a life, it would be as if

he saved the life of the whole people”8. QUR’AN 2.274: “Those who (in charity) spend of their

goods by night and by day, in secret and in public, have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve”

9. QUR’AN 7.31: “Waste not by excess for Allah loveth not the wasters”

10. QUR’AN 5.34: “Those that bury gold and silver and spend it not in the way of Allah, announce to them the most grevious penalty”

11. QUR´AN 6.165: ¨ He hath raised you in rank , some above others, that he may try you in the gifts he hath given you¨

Muslims should not spend money on themselves.’ What do you think? Explain your opinion. (3)

1. Muslims should be generous - give money for the poor and needy rather than spend it on themselves

2. They should not worship themselves than love of God

3. Zakah – 2.5%4. Sadaqah5. But Must provide for family first