RS12Religion and Life: The Universe, the Environment and Animals
3.2.1.2 The origins of the universe
Religious teachings about the origins of the universe
Genesis 1: ‘In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth’ (Genesis 1:1, World English Bible). God creates by speaking, over six days, and rests on the seventh. Humans are made last, in God’s image. ‘God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good’ (1:31).
Genesis 2: a second account, in which God forms the first man from the dust and places him in the garden of Eden.
Literal interpretation: some Christians, often called creationists, believe Genesis is a literal, historical account: six 24-hour days, a few thousand years ago.
Non-literal interpretation: most Christians, including the Catholic Church and the Church of England, read Genesis as a symbolic or poetic account that teaches religious truths: God is the creator, creation is good and orderly, and humans have a special place and responsibility. It isn’t a science textbook.
Islam: God (Allah) is ‘the Originator of the heavens and the earth! When He decreeth a thing, He saith unto it only: Be! and it is’ (Qur’an 2:117, Pickthall’s translation of the meaning). The Qur’an speaks of creation in six ‘Days’ (7:54), which many Muslims understand as long periods.
Shared belief: for Christians and Muslims alike, the universe has a purpose, depends on God and is not an accident.
Exam tipWhen asked for religious views on the origins of the universe, don’t give the Big Bang as the ‘non-religious’ view. Examiners give no credit for that, and many religious people accept the Big Bang.
Creationism
The belief that God created the universe as described in Genesis, often read literally.
Literal interpretation
Reading a text as an exact, factual account.
3.2.1.2 The relationship between scientific views and religious views
The Big Bang and religious views
The Big Bang theory: scientists think the universe began about 13.8 billion years ago from an extremely hot, dense state and has been expanding ever since. Evidence includes galaxies moving apart and the faint radiation left over from the early universe.
Conflict: some creationist Christians reject the Big Bang because it contradicts a literal reading of Genesis. Some atheists argue that science explains the universe without God.
Compatible: most Christians see no conflict. Science explains how the universe began; religion explains why and who. Someone or something had to cause the Big Bang, and many believers say that cause is God. The idea began with Georges Lemaître, a Belgian Catholic priest and scientist, who proposed in 1927 that the universe is expanding and in 1931 that it began from a single ‘primeval atom’.
Order in Genesis: some Christians note that Genesis, like the scientific account, describes creation in stages, with light first and humans last.
Islam: many Muslims accept the Big Bang. Some see it hinted at in the Qur’an: ‘the heavens and the earth were of one piece, then We parted them’ (21:30, Pickthall).
Non-religious views: many atheists and humanists accept the Big Bang as the best explanation and see no need for God as its cause.
Conflict or compatible? Two ways people see science and religion
Exam tipDon’t confuse the Big Bang (the origin of the universe) with evolution (the origin of species, including humans). Evolution belongs with the origins of human life.
Big Bang theory
The scientific theory that the universe began about 13.8 billion years ago from a hot, dense state and has expanded ever since.
3.2.1.2 The value of the world
The value of the world: awe and wonder
Awe and wonder: a feeling of amazement and deep respect when looking at the natural world, such as the night sky, mountains or a newborn baby. Many believers say it points them to God.
Christian teaching: ‘The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork’ (Psalm 19:1, World English Bible). God saw creation was ‘very good’ (Genesis 1:31).
The world belongs to God: ‘The earth is the LORD’s, with its fullness’ (Psalm 24:1). So humans are not its owners.
Islam: the natural world is full of signs (ayat) of God: ‘In the creation of the heavens and the earth and (in) the difference of night and day are tokens (of His Sovereignty) for men of understanding’ (Qur’an 3:190, Pickthall).
Effect on believers: awe and wonder lead to worship and thanks, and to a wish to protect the world rather than spoil it.
Non-religious views: many people feel awe at nature without believing in God, and value the world for its beauty and for future generations.
Exam tip‘Awe and wonder’ is a spec term. Explain it with an example and a religious link: ‘Seeing the stars, many Christians feel God’s greatness, as Psalm 19 says…’
Awe
A feeling of respect, amazement and wonder.
Wonder
Marvelling at something, for example at the complexity and beauty of nature.
3.2.1.2 The duty of human beings to protect the world
Stewardship, dominion, responsibility and khalifah
Dominion: God gave humans authority over creation: ‘Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing’ (Genesis 1:28, World English Bible). Most Christians today read this as responsible rule, not permission to exploit. In the past it was sometimes used to justify exploitation.
Stewardship: humans look after the world for God, its owner. God put the first man in the garden of Eden ‘to cultivate and keep it’ (Genesis 2:15).
Responsibility: Christians believe they will be judged on how they treated God’s creation. Pope Francis’s letter Laudato Si’ (2015) called on everyone to care for ‘our common home’, linking care for the earth with care for the poor.
Khalifah: Muslims believe humans are God’s trustees (vicegerents) on earth: ‘Lo! I am about to place a viceroy in the earth’ (Qur’an 2:30, Pickthall). Humans will answer on the Day of Judgement for how they used this trust (amanah).
Tawhid and balance: because God created everything, many Muslims see the natural world as a balanced unity that humans must not disturb.
Key terms for the duty to protect the world
Exam tipStewardship and dominion are often confused in the multiple-choice question. Stewardship = caring for the world on God’s behalf. Dominion = authority or rule over creation.
Stewardship
The duty to look after the world on God’s behalf.
Dominion
Authority or rule over creation, given to humans by God.
Khalifah
Trustee or vicegerent. The Muslim belief that humans are responsible for looking after God’s world.
Responsibility
Having a duty to care for something and being accountable for it.
3.2.1.2 The use and abuse of the environment: natural resources
The use and abuse of natural resources
Natural resources are materials found in nature that humans use, such as water, wood, fish, metals, coal, oil and gas.
Non-renewable resources (coal, oil, gas, minerals) will run out. Renewable resources (wind, solar and tidal power; timber that is replanted) can be replaced if they are used carefully.
Abuse: using resources faster than they can be replaced; deforestation; overfishing; waste.
Christian teaching: as stewards, Christians should use resources wisely and share them fairly, because the earth belongs to God and is for everyone, including future generations.
Muslim teaching: waste is wrong: ‘eat and drink, but be not prodigal. Lo! He loveth not the prodigals’ (Qur’an 7:31, Pickthall). Muslims are told not to waste water even when washing for prayer.
Action: churches join schemes such as A Rocha UK’s Eco Church; Muslim charities such as Islamic Relief run environmental projects; believers recycle, save energy and choose renewable power.
Exam tipOn a ‘ways to protect resources’ question, give actions (recycling, using renewable energy), not just teachings. On a ‘beliefs’ question, give teachings (stewardship, 7:31).
Natural resources
Materials found in nature that humans use, such as water, timber, oil and coal.
Non-renewable resources
Resources that will run out, such as coal, oil and gas.
3.2.1.2 The use and abuse of the environment: pollution
Pollution and climate change
Pollution means making something dirty or harmful, especially the air, water or land. Examples: exhaust fumes; plastic in the oceans; chemicals and sewage in rivers; litter.
Climate change: burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, which most scientists agree are warming the planet, causing floods, droughts and harm to the poorest people.
Christian responses: polluting God’s creation fails the duty of stewardship and harms neighbours, including the world’s poorest. Laudato Si’ (2015) urged action on climate change. Many churches cut their carbon emissions and campaign on climate.
Muslim responses: ‘Corruption doth appear on land and sea because of (the evil) which men’s hands have done’ (Qur’an 30:41, Pickthall). As khalifah, Muslims should repair the damage, and many mosques run green projects.
Individual action: walking or cycling, using less plastic, saving energy, picking up litter, supporting environmental charities.
Non-religious views: many humanists campaign for the environment because humans have one planet and a duty to future generations.
Exam tipExaminers report answers that say ‘God made the world’ without linking it to pollution. Apply the teaching: ‘…so polluting it is like damaging something that belongs to God’.
Pollution
Making something dirty or contaminated, especially the air, water or land.
Climate change
Long-term change in the earth’s climate, which most scientists link to burning fossil fuels.
3.2.1.2 The use and abuse of animals
Religious teachings about animals
Christian views: animals are part of God’s good creation. God brought the animals to Adam to name (Genesis 2:19), and humans have dominion over them. Most Christians believe only humans are made in God’s image, so human life has a special value, but animals must be treated kindly.
Kindness: ‘A righteous man respects the life of his animal’ (Proverbs 12:10, World English Bible). The RSPCA was founded in 1824 by a group including an Anglican priest, Arthur Broome.
Islam: animals are communities like humans: ‘they are peoples like unto you’ (Qur’an 6:38, Pickthall). The Prophet Muhammad taught that a woman was punished because she starved a cat (Sahih al-Bukhari 3318), and that a man was forgiven for giving water to a thirsty dog (Sahih al-Bukhari 2363).
Abuse of animals: cruelty, neglect, keeping animals in poor conditions, hunting for sport, and causing needless pain.
Other religions: many Buddhists and Hindus follow ahimsa (non-violence) towards all living beings.
Exam tipIn Christian teaching, ‘You shall not murder’, the sanctity of life and the Golden Rule are about human life. Examiners don’t credit them for Christian views on animals. Use Proverbs 12:10 or stewardship instead.
Ahimsa
Non-violence and respect for all life: a key principle in Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.
3.2.1.2 Animal experimentation (named issue)
Animal experimentation
Animal experimentation means testing medicines, chemicals or products on live animals, to see whether they are safe or effective. A named issue: learn Christian views and the view of another religion.
UK law: the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 allows experiments only under licence, when there is no alternative, and with suffering kept to a minimum. The UK stopped licensing the testing of cosmetics on animals in 1998. Last checked 6 November 2026.
Catholic teaching: the Catechism of the Catholic Church (paragraph 2417) says medical experiments on animals are acceptable ‘within reasonable limits’ if they help to cure or save human lives, but causing animals needless suffering is wrong.
Many Christians accept medical research but oppose testing for cosmetics or luxury goods, because humans have dominion but must also be good stewards and show kindness (Proverbs 12:10).
Some Christians oppose all experiments on animals, because animals are part of God’s creation, can’t consent, and other methods (computer models, cell cultures) may work.
Islam: most Muslims accept experiments that are necessary for human health, if there is no alternative and suffering is minimised, because human welfare comes first and humans are khalifah over animals. Testing cosmetics or for trivial reasons is wrong, and cruelty is forbidden (the cat hadith, al-Bukhari 3318).
Buddhism: many Buddhists oppose animal experiments because of ahimsa and the first precept (not harming living beings).
Non-religious views: some humanists accept experiments that bring great benefit with the least possible suffering; animal rights campaigners argue animals have a right not to be used at all.
A range of views on animal experimentation
Main religious traditionOn this named issue, a 4-mark question may ask you to refer to ‘the main religious tradition of Great Britain and one or more other religious traditions’. Give at least one clearly Christian view, or the answer scores at most 2.
Exam tipRead the question’s direction. If it asks for beliefs that support animal experimentation, arguments against earn nothing, and the other way round.
Animal experimentation
Testing medicines, chemicals or products on live animals.
3.2.1.2 The use of animals for food
Using animals for food
Christian teaching: after the flood, God told Noah ‘Every moving thing that lives will be food for you’ (Genesis 9:3, World English Bible). So most Christians believe eating meat is acceptable.
Animal welfare: many Christians believe stewardship means animals raised for food should be treated well, and choose free-range or welfare-approved food. Some oppose intensive (factory) farming.
Christian vegetarians: some Christians are vegetarian or vegan, because of animal suffering, the environment (meat production uses much land and water) or the vegetarian diet in Eden (Genesis 1:29).
Islam: Muslims may eat meat that is halal (permitted). God created cattle ‘whereof ye eat’ (Qur’an 16:5, Pickthall). Pork, blood and dead animals are forbidden (2:173). Halal slaughter (dhabihah) involves saying God’s name and a swift cut to the throat, and the animal should be treated with respect and not see the knife or other animals being killed.
Other religions: many Hindus and Buddhists are vegetarian because of ahimsa.
Non-religious views: some people are vegetarian or vegan for animal welfare, health or the climate; others see eating meat as natural.
Exam tipName your source when explaining food rules: ‘Genesis 9 says God gave every living thing as food’, ‘the Qur’an forbids pork’. Examiners report many unnamed sources on this topic.
Halal
Permitted in Islam, including food that may be eaten.
Dhabihah
The Islamic method of slaughtering an animal for halal meat, saying God’s name.
Genious