Should nature have the same rights as humans?

Bolivia in South America has become the first country to pass laws giving nature the same legal rights as humans. Nature has been given 11 new rights including the right to life and the right not to be polluted. Bolivia's vice-president said that 'it makes world history. Earth is the mother of all'.

Bolivia has had problems in the past with pollution and other environmental problems caused by mining of resources like tin, silver and gold. Supporters of the new law say it is an attempt to protect the environment and protect it for future generations to enjoy. Those who disagree with the law believe it gives too much protection to the environment and that humans are always more important. You can read the full story in the Guardian newspaper here

Think about how you would answer the following exam question 'The earth was made for humans, we have a right to do with it what we want' Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion.

DB

Is this religious discrimination in France?

A new law came into force in France today that bans women from covering their faces. It means that it is now illegal for Muslim women to wear either a niqab (a veil covering the head leaving only the eyes visible) or the burka (this covers the entire body and has a mesh over the face). Breaking the law could mean a fine of around £130 and having to take part in a citizenship course.

Some people agree with the new law saying that it is necessary for security reasons especially to stop terrorism. Others argue that it is religious discrimination because it unfairly attacks Muslims who see covering a woman's face as part of their religious beliefs. You can read the full story here.

Think about how you would answer the following exam question Banning the niqab and burka in France is religious discrimination. Do you agree? Show you have thought of more than one point of view. Refer to religious teaching in your answer.

DB

Enola Gay

The song is named after the Enola Gay, the B-29 Superfortress bomber that carried "Little Boy", the first atomic bomb to be used in an act of war, dropped on the Japanese city of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945, killing more than 100,000 of its citizens. The lyrics to the song attack the decision to use the bomb and suggest that the bombing was unnecessary ("It shouldn't ever have to end this way"). The phrase “Is mother proud of Little Boy today?” refers to the nickname of the uranium bomb. The phrase “It's 8:15, and that's the time that it's always been” refers to the precise time of detonation over Hiroshima at 8:15am. The song was also released during a major controversy surrounding then British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's decision to allow US nuclear missiles to be stationed in Britain. Watch the video and see what you think? For the exam, think about......are nuclear weapons ever justified? Was America right to drop the atomic bomb? What would religious believers say and why? DB

S3 Prep Task - World Poverty

Your task for the next lesson is as follows :-

Watch the video below by the Barenaked Ladies, its called 'If I had a million dollars'.

Task 1: If you had $1,000,000 how would you spend it on the Kibera slum in Kenya? Describe what you would do. What would be your priorities? Explain why.

Task 2: Look at the following passages from the book of Amos in the Old Testament (that's in the Bible!) and describe the prophet's teaching on religion and wealth.

Amos 2:6; 5:11-15; 5:21-24

If you haven't got a bible to hand you can find one by clicking here

DB

3 year old criminals

Do you think we can spot criminals at any early age?

If we could, what do you think we should do with the information?

A story in the newspapers today states that some scientists believe we can identify future criminals as early as 3 years old!! Click here to read the story.

If being a criminal is genetic does that mean you can't really help it? If so, should you be punished? What do you think?

DB

Sr Helen Prejean (Dead Man Walking)

As we saw in class, the film Dead Man Walking is based on the book of the same name by Sr Helen Prejean. The story is based on true events although it is a composite of two death row prisoners that Sr Helen was a spiritual advisor to.

Sr Helen is now an active campaigner against the death penalty. You can find her website here. Its certainly worth reading.
Do you agree with Sr Helen that the death penalty should not be used?

DB

Thief!!!!

How do we treat thieves?
When a businessman discovered that one of his employees had stolen £845 from him, he decided to make his crime public!
He put a sign around the employee's neck stating his crime and marched him to the police station.
However, the businessman has had to pay the ex-employee £13,000 for distress and humiliation.
You can read the story here. Which of the 5 aims of punishment do you think the businessman was most interested in? Do you agree with his actions?

DB