Religious Education

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• UNIT 1 INFLUENCE OF RELIGIOUS TEACHING ON THE FORMATION IN

  Key Unit competence Examine how Abrahamic religious doctrines 

  influence the development of moral values.

  INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY 1

   Using various resources, research on the meaning of values and laws 

  and their sources.

  An African wisdom says, “I am because we are.” In other words, Africans believe 

  that all humans are connected and an individual cannot be truly happy without 

  others, that is, without the community. From this perspective, human life 

  which is nothing but a series of choices and acts is understood as grounded 

  in relationships at different levels and places such as family, society, school, 

  workplace, church, etc. These relationships can be sustained or distorted by 

  one’s acts and behaviors towards those with whom they are in relationship. 

  The question is, “what should guide individuals as they choose their acts so that 

  they may bring about healthy relationships in the community?” Philosophers, 

  educationists and scholars in human sciences, answer to this question by the 

  word “values” and “laws”. 

  1.1.1. Meaning of values

   

  According to Bernard Lonergan, “values are the content of a person’s 
  consciousness in deliberative responsible actitivity.” This means that, a value is 
  a quality of a reasoned activity freely performed after weighing consequences. 
  In this vein, Friedrich Nietzsche simply interprets “values” as acts of preference. 
  This applies an intellectual development so that the individual can discern and
  refer and carry out an act. Thus, values are defined as “a set of behaviors that 
  make up the way of living of the individual and that have a meaning and an 
  appreciation (a value) to fulfill them; and that to be directed towards social 
  equilibrium must be applied to the common good” (Banos-Martinez J. & 
  Arganis-Juarez L., 2013: 2811). 
  Values are those elements which allow individuals to make reasonable judgment 
  over what is worth of being freely done and avoided. As such, those values 
  are moral and are universally accepted because they are ultimately desirable 
  for the integral development of every human being and the whole human 
  community. They include protection of the environment, love, respect, mercy, 
  solidarity, equality, or those values expressed in scriptures and in the universal 
  declarations for children, for women, and of human rights. 
  Living according to values requires having the conscience of values which is 
  definitely acquired through moral education in all its forms (traditional, modern, 
  formal, informal, etc.). To Aristotle, the four governing values are: prudence, 
  justice, strength and temperance. For Bertrand Russell, the fundamental values 
  are justice, decency and morality. Many values are viewed in the framework of 
  

  laws of society such as constitutional documents, regulations and decrees. 

  1.1.2. Meaning of laws
  

  
  

  A human baby is not born on a desert island; it comes on earth through a family, 
  that is already a society. A family is the unit cell of the large and complex social 
  organism. The child must be educated to community life and integrate the civil 
  society at its different levels: Family, Cell, Sector, District, State. As he/she grows, 
  the child must also integrate other societies, religious and cultural: parish, 
  diocese, professional organisation, mosque, sport clubs, etc. The society is an 
  essential dimension of human life. For the development of this life in society, 
  there is a need of normative rules (laws) for its organisation and conduct. Law 
  in the broad sense of the term is found in all cultures, and human groups. The 
  English word law is usually understood to refer to positive legislation enacted 
  and promulgated by the legitimate authority of the society, whether Church or 
  State (John M. Huels, “Law” in The New Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality, p. 
  588-589). 
  A certain scholar, Thomas Aquinas, enriches the above definition of term “Law” 
  by stressing its purpose. He writes, “law is an ordinance of reason for the 
  common good, promulgated by one who has care of the community” (Summa 
  Theologian, I-II, q. 90, a. c). Thus, good laws are known by their reasonability, 
  purpose and accessibility. 
  First, the purpose of the law is chiefly to provide for the common good, and this 
  includes the welfare of the all individuals who make up the community, not a 
  private or personal good. Good laws seek to foster the harmonious ordering of 
  society in which individuals’ freedoms can flourish (John M. Huels, “Law” in The 
  New Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality, p. 589). 
  Second, to promulgate a law is to make it known to those who it binds. It is 
  properly made and published by the legitimate legislative authority or lawgivers 
  who may be a physical person or a moral person, which is a body or a board 
  passing laws by joint action (John A. Hardon. 1980. Modern Catholic Dictionary. 
  Double-Day & Company, INC. Gardern City, New York, p. 311”). 
  Third, to be reasonable, “a law should be consistent, just, observable, enforceable, 
  and useful. 
  – Consistency of the law: when it is neither self-contradictory nor in 
  contradiction with other laws. 
  – Justice of the law: when it respects higher laws and distributes 
  burdens equitably. 
  – Observability of the law: when it does not demand the impossible 
  because it is cruel or too difficult. 
  – Enforceability of the law: when not only the law-abiding but everyone 
  can be expected to keep it because it is supported by appropriate 
  sanctions. 
  – Usefulness of the law: when it serves a valid purpose without needless 
  restriction of human liberty”.
  In the christian tradition, law is distinguished as divine law and human law. The 
  

  divine law is distinguished as natural and positive. 

  – The Natural law

  The natural law should not be understood as a blind or fatalistic inclination 
  to what nature may dictate human beings. Otherwise, the latter would have 
  remained naked and live the primitive lifestyle. Humans are rational, free 
  and intelligent beings. As such, they are innovative and creative which means 
  that they interact with others and the nature, and even transform it. It is that 
  interaction with others and the nature that requires a law to govern human 
  activities towards others and nature. This law is called “natural law”. The natural 
  law is understood as referring to the respect of the human person as a human 
  person, of his or her body and goods so as to make his or her life more human, 
  better and social. The natural law comprises fundamental laws that promote 
  human dignity, its development in the community, and the common good of 
  that community (TH. Rey-Mermet. 1985. Croire : Pour une redécouverte de la 
  

  morale. Droguet-Ardant. Montréal, p. 92). 

  – The positive law

  The positive law consists of the laws of God revealed in the Scriptures. 
  The founding law of the people of God is the “Decalogue”, that is, the Ten 
  Commandments (Exodus 20: 1-17). These commandments give essential 
  directives that should guide and enlighten human relationships, both vertical 
  (with God) and horizontal (with their brothers and sisters). They are valid for 
  every human being in such a way that they provide for them guiding principles 
  to discern and make decisions. The Decalogue and other related laws of the 
  Old Testament have been lead to perfection by Jesus. When he was asked the 
  greatest commandment, he replied, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all 
  your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and 
  the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as 
  yourself. 
  The whole law and prophets depend on these two commandments” (Matthew 
  22: 37-40). The law of Christ, love of God and neighbor, supersedes egoistic 
  inclinations. Who would like to be killed for example? So, whatever good you 
  wish for yourself, you should wish it for your neighbor. Love as such is the core 
  law. A certain Albert Camus wrote, “If I had to write a book on morality, it would 
  have a hundred pages and ninety-nine would be blank. On the last page I should 
  write: I recognize only one duty, and that is to love” (Albert Camus, Notebooks 
  

  1935-1942).

  – The human law
  Human laws exist in one form or another in every social group. They exist 
  because the divine law - natural and positive - is not enough to ensure harmony 
  in a given community. The living-together requires human laws to concretize 
  and incarnate the divine. Imagine that in a certain country, the road code is 
  replaced by a simple rule like “You shall not kill...” (which is a positive law) 
  or by the famous commandment, “You shall love your neighbour...”. This would 
  not be sufficient to avoid road accidents because human beings are not angels. 
  Rather they think differently, have different mental conditions, have different 
  problems and experiences. Thus, there is always a need of a positive human law 
  to regulate human relationships, behaviors and acts. 
  All important elements of community life – civil status, school, marriage, 
  property, labor, inheritance, etc.- must be governed by human laws. This brings 
  about civil law (laws that protect the rights of citizens), public law (regulations 
  of relations between individuals and State), penal law which imposes penalities 
  for the conducts prohibited by the State, etc. 
  In conclusion, every law – divine (natural and positive) or human, civil or 
  religious – every just law comes from God, because it promotes the good, the 
  common good, and God is love, love for all. Laws are not meant to alienate 
  people’s freedom and happiness but to prevent from whatever may hinder 
  them. Laws teach loving ourselves and others, share with them and build 
  together harmonious and happy communities.
  1.1.3. Relationships between values and laws
  The relation between law and value is very complex. Indeed, they are 
  intrinsically different although they both serve the same purpose: to channel 
  human behaviors in society. They both provide people guidelines of what may 
  be done or may be avoided in certain situations. For example, Rwanda has set 
  the last Saturday of every month for a community service called “umuganda” to 
  keep community spaces clean. Before this becomes a policy (a law), cleanliness 
  is a value for Rwandan people. This example help to understand the relationship 
  between values and law in that laws are systems meant to maintain moral 
  values and prevent people from violating them. Therefore, the values of the 
  society cannot be separated from the law; rather, the law reflects somehow 
  these values. 
  On the other hand, values and laws differ in their respective formation and 
  application.
  – A law is applied to the whole community, while values define how 
  individuals prefer to interact with one another. 
  – A law is published while values do not need be published.
  – A law has to be absolutely universal and applicable to every one while 
  values need not to be necessarily universal; they are more personalised.
  – A law is enforced while values totally depend on the individual and 
  the choice of the individual regarding his or her interaction with other 
  members of the society.
  – Disobeying a law is liable to punishment; not adhering to a value does 
  

  not

  1.1.4. Sources of values 

  
  

  Values are rooted in human life experiences. These vary from period to period, 
  and a culture to another. Life in the contemporary society has different aspects 
  which can be categorized in four sources of value formation in any modern 
  society. These are : social institutions, organisational values, peers and 
  

  colleagues, and work and carreer

  – Social institutions 
  

   Human life is based on values and produces them. It is supported by institutions 
  which inculcate those values to individuals. The most important institutions in 
  doing so include family, school, State and religion. For instance, the Rwandan 
  traditional school, “itorero” was the official source of Rwandan values including 
  team spirit, patriotism, mutual respect, accountability, integrity, courage, etc. 
  Social institutions are basically sources of values in that they prescribe for 
  individuals what is good and what is bad, and reward good behaviors and 
  

  punish bad behaviors.

  – Organizational 

  Organisations, like cooperatives, international and local NGOs, companies, 

  associations and clubs, usually set a number of values which guide their actions 

  and relationships within themselves. If members of an organisation suscribe to 

  these values, the new comers will easily acquire those values and will be part 

  of their lives

  – Peers and colleagues

  An individual learns some behaviors from his/her peers and colleagues with 
  whom he/she is associated. A group which is built on values is enhanced by 
  them. Therefore, the individual in a such group tries to follow the group spirit 
  

  as he/she conforms to the group norms of behaviors.

  – Work and carreer
  

  Work and carreer create special values that give unity, cohesion and meaning 
  to individuals through the responsibilities they are entrusted with and the 
  experience they gain from their carreer. Therefore, each work will have its own 
  values and persons performing the work will follow those values. For example, 
  farmers may develop special values which are different from teachers’ values. 
  According to Reshaj Mahajan, one’s age influences his or her values as different 
  things influence one at different ages (Govt. S.P.M.R College of Commerce 
  Seminar presentation). This happens as following: Age 1-7: parents; Age 8-13: 
  teachers, heroes (sports, TV, Music, …) ; Age 14- 20: peers (values because of 
  peers or peers because of values); Age 21+: values are established but they may 
  be tested time to time.
  There are others sources from which people and cultures get their values. 
  These include Mass Media, Television, Radio newspapers, books, internet,.. 
  

  From this sources people

  1.1.5 Sources of Laws 

  A) Constitution 

  A country’s Constitution is a set of fundamental ground rules setting out the 
  powers of the different branches of government (i.e. executive, legislative and 
  judicial) and how these entities operate and interrelate. The Constitution may 
  also set out basic principles, such as fundamental freedoms and rights. In Civil 
  

  Law systems these rules are usually embodied in “Codes”.

  B) Legislative Enactment (Statute)
  Legislation is the second key source of law and usually takes priority over sources 
  of law other than the Constitution. There may be more than one legislative body 
  in a country - central, provincial or state and municipal authorities may each 
  have separate power to legislate. Rules will determine the extent to which and 
  

  in what areas one legislative body has priority over another.

  C) Judicial Decisions
  In some countries, judicial decisions are authoritative and develop into a source 
  of law known as “case law”. Case law may extend the application of legislation 
  and is deemed to form part of the law.
  D) Treaties
  The host country may be subject (or may be about to become subject) to laws 
  made by a regional or world grouping by becoming a signatory to a treaty. 
  Examples are the laws of the European of Union, trade treaties, rules of the 
  WTO and bilateral treaties. It is unlikely that a country could easily amend 
  these rules.
  In some cases and countries, the following can also serve as sources of Laws
  -Writings of legal scholars - in civil law jurisdictions, academic writings 
  interpreting the constitution or legislation have considerable influence on 
  decisions of the courts;
  -Edicts from a king/ ruler;
  -In the case of certain Islamic countries, “Sharia law” in the form of religious 
  

  books and edicts from religious groupings

  
  

  
  

  1.2. Religious Teaching as primary source of values and 

  laws

  
  

  Religious intruction as a source of values
  One of the most important primary sources of values and laws is definitely social 
  institutions including school and religion. In fact, education and religion are 
  supposed to help men and women be more human. One is made more human 
  not by acquiring many university degrees and attending thousands of religious 
  services but by being converted by what he or she learns and experiences 
  through teaching, learning and religious activities. Alternatively, religious 
  education in our homes, at school or in churches should help people either 
  conform to existing values and laws and produce dedication to radical change 
  or foster a capacity for a critical judgement of both existing and potential values 
  and laws. Formation in values and law assimilation is differently organised in 
  

  every religion according to its experiences, beliefs and practices

  1.2.1. Judaism, law and values
  

  Judaism is the oldest monotheistic religion. It is embedded in Jewish culture. 
  Jews consider themselves as the people of God and they ought to behave as 
  such. Not only beliefs and religious practices, but also moral values and social 
  norms are found in the Torah. This brought about the fact that Jews all over the 
  world are united in the belief in the strenght of Torah study. Through studying 
  the Torah, Jews obey to God’s command to ensure the transmission of the Torah 
  which includes values and laws to govern their lives, behaviors and activities. 
  This is then the commandments, the statutes and the ordinances, which the 
  Lord, your God, has commanded that you be taught to observe in the land you 
  are about to cross into to possess, so that you, that is, you, your child, and your 
  grandchild, may fear the Lord, your God, by keeping, as long as you live all his 
  statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you, and thus have long life... 
  Take to hearth these words which I command you today. Keep repeating them 
  to your children. Recite them when you are at home and when you are away, 
  when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them on your arm as a sign and 
  let them be as a pendant on your forehead write them on the doorposts of your 
  houses and on your gates (Deuteronomy 6: 1-2. 6-9).
  This passage highlights how religious teachings are the primary source of values 
  and laws in Judaism. Religion itself is bound to education and the transmission 
  of knowledge, values, habits, and laws from generations to generations. God, 
  through revelation and religion, himself is a teacher and as a teacher is the role 
  model for fathers. Parents are the first in charge of teaching their children about 
  values and laws as God taught commandments to Moses. Along with God and 
  Moses, Jewish parents, priests, prophets, sages (wisemen) and Scribes (Rabbis) 
  are portrayed as teachers of laws and values in the Torah. 
  In addition, Jewish children could also learn about God’s commandments 
  and the values they reflect in their living environment, from siblings, peers 
  and colleagues, from posters hung on walls, doors and gates. Values such 
  as love, humility, service, covenant, truth and integrity, etc. among friends 
  and neighbours, between parents and children, humanity and God, are 
  understood in Judais from the experience of God, the Creator, the Savior, the 
  Almight. Moreover, these values constitute a central factor of happy, health 
  and harmonious relationships, bringing much what gives life its meaning and 
  

  longevity

  1.2.2. Christianity, values and law

  Christianity is founded on Jesus’ life, teachings, deeds, death and resurrection. 
  Christians believe that all of these elements were oriented to the salvation of 
  humankind in all its departments: social, political, spiritual, cultural, religious, 
  etc. They also believe that Jesus is the son of God sent to reveal his father 
  and implement his saving plan for humankind. Jesus carried out this mission 
  through teachings supported by miracles and eloquent acts. Jesus was known 
  by his contemporaries as the teacher who has authority (Matthew 7:29). From 
  the beginning of his ministry, Jesus preached and said, “Repent” (Matthew 
  4:17). From this perspective, one can firmly say that Jesus’ teachings intend to 
  challenge the existing ways of living, change his followers’ behaviors, and lead 
  to a new way of interacting with God and neighbours. 
  More concretely, Jesus’ mission consisted of transforming people’s lives in all 
  dimensions through gradually imparting into them values and giving a new 
  meaning of law. For instance, he praised the values of humility through the 
  examples of children (Matthew 19:14); and the integrity of Nathanael (John 
  1:47). He also recalled that laws are meant not to alienate human lives but for 
  promoting them when he saved the woman caught committing adultery from 
  being stoned according to the law (John 8:7); and when he healed someone 
  on the Sabbath day (Mark 3:1-6). Jesus also denounced Pharisees and scribes 
  for they asked people to do what they don’t do. Doing so, he taught that values 
  and laws are efficiently transmitted through living examples of those who are 
  in charge of ensuring its education. These include parents, religious leaders, 
  school teachers, christians in the city and villages. 
  In addition, Jesus initiated the processes of knowing laws, getting and embracing 
  “christian” values when he said to his disciples, the later apostles, 
  Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of 
  the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teach them to observe all that 
  I have commanded you (Matthew 28, 18-20).
  From this passage, Christians’ mission is not only to baptise but also to teach 
  all Jesus has commanded. Jesus’ command embraces all aspects of human life 
  since he willed that all people be saved. For this reason, christian religious 
  denominations hold high all dimensions of education to ensure the transfer of 
  Jesus’ command. Jerome says that “The word ‘command’ does not affirm the 
  establishment of a new law, but of a new way of life, just as the new law of 
  Moses established a new way of life (Raymond E. Brown et alii (eds), The New 
  Jerome Biblical Commentary (see the Apostolic Commission (28:16-20) (New 
  

  Jersey: Prentice-Hall. Inc., 1968.).

  Concretely, laws and values which channel the ways of living of Christians are 
  transmitted and enhanced at different levels of human life. Christian parents 
  are the first educators and witnesses to life of values. The Church Fathers call 
  parents to teach moral values to their children because these make them gentle 
  and sober and to do so when they are still tender (Mvumbi, 2013: 14). In this, 
  parents are supported by christian social institutions such as schools, centers, 
  hospitals, orphanages, charity NGOs, and religious teachings through books, 
  media (TV, Radio, etc.). Child education is central to the christian religion and 
  it insits on the need of value education as the foundation of authentic human 
  person development. 
  Hence, the concise summary of what we can get from the relationship between 
  Christianity and values and law is the following: Christian wisdom continuously 
  inspires christians to root their human affairs and activities in religious values, 
  and thus, search for the glory of God and the corporal and spiritual well-being of 
  the human person (Apostolic Constitution, Sapientia Christiana of the Supreme 
  

  Pontiff, Pope John Paul II, on Ecclesiastical Universities and Faculties, no.1.).

  1.2.3. Islam, Laws and Values 

  Islam means submission to the will of God; therefore Muslims put primary 
  emphasis on obeying God as prescribed in Islamic law (John L. Esposito. 2011. 
  What everyone needs to know about Islam. Oxford University Press. New York. P. 
  158). The Islamic law, Shari’ah which literally means the ‘straight path’ governs 
  a Muslim’s whole life. In matters of laws, Muslims must therefore know three 
  important things (Jan Thompson, 2005. A New Approach: Islam. Hodder: 114): 
  – Fard: what is obligatory; for example, the Five Pillars.
  – Halal: what is permitted; for example marrying more than one wife.
  – Haram: what is forbidden; for example to eat any product from the pig.
  The main official sources to guide the development of Islamic laws are the 
  Qur’an and the Sunnah (example of Muhammad). The Quranic texts provide 
  moral directives, setting out what Muslims should aspire to as individuals and 
  achieve as a community. The Sunnah of Muhammad (the Prophet’s private and 
  public life and his individual and communal activities) illustrates Islamic faith 
  in practice and supplements and explains Quranic principles (John L. Esposito. 
  2011, p. 159). The Islamic law is arrived at by the common consent (ijma) 
  of Islamic scholars. The common consent or the consensus, originated from 
  Muhammad’s reported saying, “My community will never agree on an error.” 
  This came to mean that where neither the Qur’an nor the Sunnah give direct 
  

  rules, the method of analogical reasoning (qiyas) was used.

  Example

  The Qur’an does not say something explicit on abortion. Or, some Muslims are 
  tempted to perfom abortion. Is it forbidden or allowed for Muslims to do so? To 
  address this issue, Scholars find a similar issue on which there is some teaching 
  and apply the same principle to the new situation. For example, the killing of 
  infants is forbidden in the Qur’an so now abortion is forbidden. 
  Islam emphasises on orthopraxy, that is, the correct action. Thus, its teachings 
  and traditions comprise not only legal principles but also associated values 
  that guide Muslims in decision making. The essentials of Islamic law have their 
  foundations in the core teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, and they touch 
  

  every aspect of human life. (http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/10256).

  

  

  Values and laws are understood as regulatory systems of human behaviors and 
  activities in society. They intend to foster the common good and prevent from 
  harmful situations to unity and harmony of a community. Values and laws are 
  therefore important elements of human culture in which individuals’welbeing 
  and community development are grounded. In other words, integral 
  development of society is possible only when individuals stick to common 
  values and obey to laws.
  The laws serve as norms of conducts for citizens. Values are the rules by which 
  we make decisions about right and wrong, should and should not, good and 
  bad. They also tell which are more or less important things to do. Both laws and 
  values are set to promote the common good, that is the welfare of individuals 
  in society. Laws are preventive, protective, and pedagogical. They warn 
  individuals on what is forbidden, protect others’ rights and punish criminals so 
  as to re-integrate them in the society. On the other hand, values act more on the 
  individual level stating what is morally right and wrong at the community level. 
  Therefore, laws and values are jointly important for they:
  • Provide for proper guidelines and order upon the behavior for all 
  citizen;
  • Sustain the equity in the society and prevent from chaos, conflicts, 
  violence, etc.
  • Organise life in society. For example, laws and values are used to set 
  education, land, security systems necessary for the development of 
  

  human life in society

  • Decrease moral decadence that includes cases like crime, married by 
  accident, violence, free sex, bullying, drugs, etc.
  • Give ways to solve social problems such as manifestation of violence, 
  social discrimination, family violence, corruption, social injustice, and 
  others that prevent a moral evolution and a social coexistence directed 
  to the common good.
  • Help character building and sense of responsibility in young people to 
  the environment and to the community.
  • Influence the child’s emotional intelligence, that is the child’s capacity 
  to control and express his emotions, and to interact judiciously and 
  empathetically with others.
  • Increase people’s achievement in various areas of life including 
  

  financially, professionally, academically, socially, etc.

  

• UNIT 2 SIN AND REPENTANCE IN RELIGIONS

  Key Unit competence: Discuss the consequences of sins and the practice 
  of repentance in different religions
  INTRODUCTORY ACTIVITY 2
  One evening, David was strolling about on the roof of his palace. From the 
  roof he saw a woman bathing; she was very beautiful. David inquired about 
  the woman and came to know that she was called Bathsheba, a wife of Uriah, 
  his soldier. Then, David sent messengers and took her to him. He made 
  unlawful sexual intercourse with her. Bathsheba turned to her house but she 
  had become pregnant. 
  Informed about that “unwanted” pregnancy, he brought Uriah back from the 
  battle and sent him to his own house so as to sleep with his wife. But Uriah 
  refused and remained with David’s servants. On the following day, David 
  invited Uriah to eat and drink with him; and Uriah got drunk. But, in the 
  evening Uriah did not go to sleep in his own house. The next morning, David 
  sent Uriah back to the battle field with a letter instructing to place him where 
  the defenders were strong. The chief-commander did so, and Uriah died.
  Once Bathsheba had finished the mourning period, David married her and 
  bore him a son. But the Lord sent the prophet Nathan to David to tell him 
  that he had done what is evil in the sight of the Lord and he will be severely 
  punished for that. Then David say to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” 
  Nathan answered David: “For his part, the Lord has removed your sin. You 
  shall not die, but since you have utterly rejected the Lord by this deed, the 
  child born to you will surely die.”
  See 2 Samuel 11-12:1-14
  1. Identify different sins committed in this scenario.
  2. Discuss the source and consequences of sin using this scenario.
  3. What do you think David would have done to please God after sinning 
  

  against Him? Explain.

  
  

  Every human being on earth has the experience of evil. He may have experienced 
  it as a victim or as the author. In both cases, the reality of evil is energetic and 
  destructive. The media constantly report murder, theft, corruption, sexual 
  abuses against young girls, and infidelity among couples among other cases of 
  evil. Though this happens in the sight of both believers and unbelievers, the evil 
  has different connotations depending on the nature of the law set to prevent 
  from it and punish evildoers. Generally, the term evil denotes every condition, 
  circumstance, or act that affect the happiness of peoples, whether physically, 
  emotionally, socially, politically or economically. 
  When evil occurs in the legal field, it is called a “crime” to denote the open or public 
  violation of the law which a society or state has framed for its own preservation 
  and the protection of its members. But sin differs from “crime” in this respect: 
  it may be in a system which knows no God, but without God there can be no 
  sin” (Upton, C. (1893). Dr. Fairbairn’s “Christ in Modern Theology”. The Jewish 
  Quarterly Review, 6 (1), 152-161). Thus, sin is “a deliberate transgression of 
  the law of God” (John A. Hardon. 1980. Modern Catholic Dictionary. DoubleDay & Company, INC. Garden City, New York, p. 507). This means that a sin is 
  committed whenever a person knows that something is contrary to the law of 
  God and then freely does the action anyway. For instance, what a foolish man 
  does cannot be considered as a sin because he does not have the full use of his/
  

  her intelligence and free will.

  2.1.1. Meaning and nature of sin

  Sin is old as humanity. In fact, people from all cultures have been asking 
  themselves about the origin of evil. In response, religions have tried to formulate 
  answers so as to make human life more meaningful. For the Abrahamic religions, 
  the enigma of evil is understood within the context of God’s plan of creation. Its 
  history refers to evil and sin just after creation (Genesis 3). 
  The plan of creation wells up from the surabondance of God’s love; a love that 
  brings order in the chaos, a love that creates man in God’s likeness, and that 
  settles Adam and Eve in a garden granted with all gifts. At this point, humanity 
  is at peace with God, other creatures and with themselves until an element 
  of disturbance and discord appears in a sphere originally characterized by 
  

  harmony and unity. This element is called “sin”. 

  Meaning of sin
  

  
  

  Sin is a transgression of a divine law, which can be natural or positive. This law 
  exists to guide human behaviors and consequently foster good relationships 
  between God and humanity and within human communities. Hence, sin does 
  not only oppose the divine law but also menaces the health or survival of the 
  relationships of a person and the community to God. Some scholars speak of 
  sin “less as an infraction of law than as betrayal of a relationship with God, 
  of freedom and the lack thereof experienced in turning from God” (Stephen J. 
  Duffy, “Sin” in The New Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality, p. 889-890). 
  Men and women are called to become holy as their Creator is and pertake in 
  his happiness. For this, they have been given the law and grace. Holiness and 
  happiness consist in living according to the law and openness to grace. Sin is 
  that which is opposed to God’s character, that is, holiness, perfection, love. 
  – Nature of sin
  The Abrahamic Religions believe in God as the Supreme being. His supremacy 
  goes with his perfection in all things including love and holiness. As their 
  Creator, God calls men and women or wants them to be holy as He is and love 
  each other as he loves them. Thus, holiness is the final goal or mark of humans. 
  Achieving not that goal is “sin”. Sin is sinful because it is unlike God. Religions, 
  specially Abrahamic ones, view sin as the infidelity of the divine initiative of 
  love. Essentially it is infidelity, refusal to enter and aintain covenant with God, 
  though this bond is the source of the happy life, prosperity and sustainable 
  development (Duffy: 892).
  In the Scriptures, the word “het” which translates sin, signifies “missing the 
  mark” or “failing” and implies action that does not achieve its goal (Stephen 
  J. Duffy, “Sin” in The New Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality, p. 890). Sin is 
  understood as incompletness for our wrongdoing is a measure of our distance 
  from what we are called to be – People of God for Jews, children of God in Christ 
  for Christians and faithfull servants/followers of God for Muslims. 
  To become who they are called and vowed to be, believers have been given laws 
  by God. For example, Jews have the Decalogue, Christians have the Law of Christ 
  which is rooted in the Decalogue – love of God and neighbour –and Muslims have 
  the Shariah. These laws are meant to guide human conducts which determine 
  the quality and the health of relationships with God and within the community. 
  In the Scriptures, sin presupposes a relationship secured by these obligations. 
  Words related to “pasa” focus on the relationship and on rupturing contractual 
  ties. Sin connotes here the breach of covenant between God and the chosen 
  people and the dissolution of community (Duffy: 891). Sin as a covenant breach 
  through violation of God’s law is less transgression than personal disloyalty, 
  infidelity to the covenant (igihango) that binds humanity and their Creator 
  and Savior. Sin becomes a trouble which implies sorrow, affliction. Concretely, 
  sinners are actually troublemakers for others, in the community and for 
  

  themselves. 

  2.1.2. Origin of sin
  

  The root of sin lies in man’s heart. That is why sin is defined as “utterance, a deed, 
  or a desire contrary to the eternal law” ( St. Augustine, Contra Faustum 22:PL 
  42,418; St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, I-II,71,6). The question of the 
  origin of sin has been approached in the history of religions. Two approaches 
  

  are distinguished: the psychological and the historical

  The psychological origin
  The psychological origin is the refusal to acknowledge the reality of God (Hosea 
  2:8; 4:1,6). Sin wells up from the evil heart (Jeremiah 7:24) as a deliberate, 
  willful act for which humans are accountable (Stephen J. Duffy, “Sin” in The New 
  Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality, p. 891).
  The historical origin
  This approach asks the question of how sin can enter a world governed by 
  God’s saving power. The Hebrew Scripture does not provide solution. However, 
  it distinguishes the origin of evil from the origin of creatures. God is absolutely 
  good. Or God created good all that exists. So, creation is good. Therefore, 
  goodness is primordial; and sin came after to corrupt good creation. Sin enters 
  through the door of human choice. The Lord God gave them this order: “You are 
  free to eat from any of the trees in the garden except the tree of knowledge of 
  good and evil. From that tree you shall not eat; when you eat from it you shall 
  die” (Gen 2:16–17). Adam and Eve had a choice, and they chose not to obey God. 
  

  2.1.3. Redemption from sin 

  Sin is the main obstacle on the journey to eternal happiness. Or, religions teach 
  that believers have the promise of the eternal happiness. So believers are 
  convinced that evil cannot triumph over good. Rather, they believe that God is 
  as faithful to his promise as Merciful and powerful that he has the remedy for 
  sins. This remedy is called “redemption”. Redemption is the only cure for of sin. 
  In the monotheistic Religions – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - redemption 
  is the saving of the soul from sin and its consequences. It may also be called 
  “deliverance” or “justification” or “remission” or “forgiveness”. Salvation is 
  considered to be caused either by the free will and grace of God or by personal 
  efforts through prayer, asceticism, or some combination of the two.
  • Redemption in Judaism
  Jews believe that God entered into a Covenant with humanity through his 
  chosen people, Israel. This covenant entails just conducts towards God and 
  the neighbour. Jews believe that whenever they violated the covenant, that is 
  they sinned through breaking divine laws, they had to face bitter consequences 
  such as exiles, slaveries, domination by foreigner powers, droughts, etc. In such 
  situations, Israel came to know that they believe in a God who saves from sin 
  and its effects that is, slavery both physical or spiritual.
  There are prayers for redemption and there are benedictions in which God is 
  praised as the redeemer of Israel. There are anxious prayers for deliverance 
  from affliction and stress and there are expressions of confident hope and even 
  

  assurance that redemption will be fulfilled

  The Psalmist sings,
  Out of the depths, I call to you, Lord;
  Lord, hear my cry!
  May your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
  If you, Lord, keep accounts of sins,
  Lord, who can stand?
  But with you is forgiveness
  And you are revered (Psalm 130:1-4).
  
  In the Jewish history, redemption may follow repentance of the sinner 
  (Deuteronomy 30:1-3) or precedes it whereby God redeems the people when 
  they are still immersed in sin (Ezekiel 36). Normally, Redemption is both 
  spiritual and physical; it requires and implies change, conversion. As such, 
  redemption is a process. In Judaism, the redemption is characterized by the 
  following process:
  – A result from sin but it is initiated by God who intervenes to save his 
  people. 
  – Redemption is achieved through personal efforts to overcome sin and 
  also through God’s interventions. 
  – Redemptive process come results in the re-establishment of the 
  kingdom of God on earth, that is, harmonious relationships with 
  

  oneself, God and others.

  • Redemption in Christianity
  

  In Christianity, redemption is an element of salvation and deliverance from sin. 
  Redemption is purely a grace, and not a merit. This means that one does not do 
  anything for redemption because it is obtained by the death and resurrection 
  of Jesus Christ for all.
  The redemptive process in Christianity is understood from the purpose of 
  creation. God created mankind so that they share in his eternal happiness. 
  There was a state of serenity in the paradise until sin occurs into the society 
  through the disobedience and pride of Adam and Eve. The sin brought about 
  many consequences including death. This sin turned humanity away the Source 
  of their life. This is the situation that brought in the need for redemption; that 
  is the restoration of the lost union or reconciliation with God. The process of 
  reconciliation engages two parts: God and the sinner. 
  – God never gives up his sinful children because of their sin; rather he is 
  always waiting for them or searching them as it is stated in the Gospel 
  (Luke 15: 8-32). 
  – An individual exercises his/her free will to recover from the fall. 
  • One can make a pro-redemptive response by accepting to 
  transform his follies through his repentance. “I shall get up and go 
  to my father and I shall say to him: Father, I have sinned against 
  heaven and against you” (Luke 15:18).
  • One can also make a counter-redemptive response by shutting 
  himself to the process like Judas in the Gospel.
  – An individual who repents from his sins is forgiven because God is love, 
  and does not hold bitterness and revenge. On the cross, Jesus cried, 
  “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34). In that forgiveness asked by the 
  Just man on the cross, the sinner who repents is accepted, forgiven and 
  restored in life and peace by God (Badru D Kateregga & David W Shenk. 
  1985. Islam and Christianity: A Muslim and a Christian n Dialogue. 
  Daystar. Ibadan).
  In short, Christians believe that God frees people from sin and its consequences 
  which include physical enslavements, psychological discrepancies and spiritual 
  blindness. The personal effort is required to make the grace of redemption 
  effective. This effort can be:
  – Following the example of Jesus, who was a man like us except sin
  – Receiving God’s graces through sacraments, rituals and practices 
  such as reading and reflection of the Word of God, ascetic practices, 
  

  charitable works, selfless service, silence and meditation

  – Striving to love and even loving their enemies;

  – Forgiving and forgiving even those who sin against them.

   Redemption in Islam
  

  In the Islam, redemption or salvation is understood as referring to the rescue 
  from sin and its consequences. It offers deliverance from fires of hell which is the 
  consequence of sin. Contrary to Christianity, Islam teaches that human beings 
  are born without sin and are naturally inclined to worship God alone (without 
  any intermediaries). To retain this state of sinlessness humankind must only 
  follow God’s commandments and strive to live a righteous life. However, Islam 
  recognises that human beings are also given freewill and are thus capable of 
  making mistakes and committing sins; they are even capable of committing 
  great evil. Redemption is therefore required because humankind is imperfect 
  and in need of God’s forgiveness and love And whenever their imperfection 
  leads them to fall in sin, human beings experience the need of redemption of 
  God, the Merciful. In such situation, Muslims are guided as follows, 
  “And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks God’s 
  forgiveness, he will find God Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Quran 4:10) 
  “And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to 
  Him, He will send you (from the sky) abundant rain, and add strength 
  to your strength, so do not turn away as criminals, disbelievers in the 
  Oneness of God.” (Quran 11:52)
  Muslims believe that sin pushes them away from the mercy of God; however 
  sincere repentance brings a person back to God. Thus, the redemptive process 
  in Islam all consists in repentance and seeking God’s forgiveness. In other 
  words, no matter what sins a person may have committed if he resolutely turns 
  to God, seeking forgiveness his salvation is assured. 
  In the redemptive process, in Islam, the individual plays a central role for he or 
  she is the one to expiate himself his/her sin through repentance, prayers, fasts, 
  sharing wealth with the poor and other charitable works. Although, redemption 
  can be achieved through personal expiation, others may also intercede for their 
  brother or sister.
  

  In short, redemption is achieved through: 
  

  – Being of sincere faith and doing virtuous actions according to the 
  

  Shariah.
  

  – Avoiding actions that would lead to the loss of faith in Allah according 
  to the Shariah
  – Sincere repentance and turning to a merciful God in repentance if any 
  sin is committed.
  – Carrying out other good deeds, such as prayer and charity, for 
  

  redemption.

  
  

  Every sin despises the commandment of love of God and of the neighbour. 
  However, some sins are bigger than others considering their matter, 
  circumstances, intention of the author and consequences on the relationship 
  

  with God and others. Categories of sins vary following religions.

  2.2.1. Judaism
  

  According to Jewish beliefs, human being are born free of sin. Nevertheless, 
  individuals are endowed with the capacity to choose between good and evil. It 
  is thus the use of that capacity which can bring about sin. A sin is a sin when 
  it strays away from making good, correct choices. Committing transgressions 
  against laws or ommiting not to act when a situation calls for it, affects God, the 
  

  other and oneself. There are three kinds of sin in Judaism:

   Sin agaist God: e.g.: idolatry, making a promise and fail to keep it, etc.
  – Sin against another person: e.g.: stealing from them, killing, lying, 
  harming, etc.
  – Sin against oneself: e.g.: addiction, despair, suicide, etc.
  2.2.2. Christianity
  The Christian tradition distinguishes original sin and actual sin. The latter 
  

  includes mortal sins and venial sins.

  – Original sin
  

  God is good and as such he could not create mankind with the sinful state. This 
  state was characterized by qualities including immortality and the happiness 
  of the paradise all grounded in the union with God. However, mankind was 
  created with the possibility to sin due to the gift of freedom he was endowed 
  with. And, the first humans actually chose to reject God and oppose him through 
  disobedience. The sin they committed was personal at their own level but it 
  was also original sin for the following reasons: 
  – It was committed by the first humans, that is, the ancestors of all 
  mankind.
  – Its consequences – referred to by the term “fall” - namely the mortal 
  and sinful state, would affect both the parents and all subsequent 
  generations. 
  – Every human sin is of the same nature as the first sin of Adam and Eve.
  – The effect of the first sin serves as the best measurements of the evil 
  character of all sin.
  The original sin is then described as an infection which propagates itself from 
  father to son through the act of generation, which being an act of organic trouble 
  caused by the sin, is a sin itself and determines the transmission ipso facto of 
  the sin to the new creature. 
  The original sin is nothing but the sin of the first humans, resulting in the fallen 
  condition into which all are born. It is the “reverse side” of the Good News that 
  Jesus is the Savior of all men that all need salvation and that salvation is offered 
  

  through Christ (CCC no 389).

  – Actual sin
  This is simply the violation of the divine law. It consists of evil acts, whether of 
  thought, word or deed. The Bible gives examples of sin: “immorality, impurity, 
  licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts 
  of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, 
  and the like (Galatians 5: 19-21). The actual sin can be mortal (death-dealing) 
  or venial (slight) sin. 
  • Mortal sin 
  The mortal sin destroys charity in the heart of man by a grave violation of God’s 
  law; it turns man away from God. For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must 
  together be met: grave matter, committed with full knowledge and deliberate 
  consent.” (CCC 1857). According to Christianity, seven mortal sin are the 
  following, pride, greed, gluttony, lust, sloth, anger and envy
  The grave matter is specified by the Ten Commandments: “Do not kill, do not 
  commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, Honor 
  your father and your mother.” (Mark 10:19). The gravity of sins is more or 
  less great: murder is graver than theft. One must also take into account who 
  is wronged: violence against parents is in itself graver than violence against a 
  stranger (CCC 1858).
  • Venial sin 
  Venial sin allows charity to subsist, even though it offends and wounds it. One 
  commits venial sin when, in a less serious matter, he does not observe the 
  standard prescribed by the moral law, or when he disobeys the moral law in a 
  grave matter, but without full knowledge or without complete consent. Venial 
  sin weakens charity however it does not deprive the sinner of sanctifying grace, 
  friendship with God, charity, and consequently eternal happiness.(CCC 1863).
  2.2.3. Islam
  In Islam, some sins are more heavier than others; and major and minor sins are 
  identified. The major sins are those which can be punished by the fires of hell 
  at the day of Judgement. For Muslims, for whom the earthly life is just a prelude 
  to life after death, sins are categorized in great sins and little ones. According to 
  Lislam pour les Nuls (2008), sins are ranked in four levels of importance:
  – First level 
  The greatest sins are unbelief in God (kufr) and idolatry which consists in 
  associating other things to God, or worshipping many gods. These sins are 
  often considered as unforgivable and can take someone in hell for eternity, or 
  thanks to the grace of God, for long time.
  – Second level
  Sins against life and family. Example: murder, adultery, etc.
  – Third level
  Sins regarding unlawful acquisition of goods. The sins of the second and third 
  levels may take a Muslim in the hell at its first level which is the painfull for 
  some times. However, whoever would have shown himself a sincere believer 
  during his lifetime, he will end up being welcomed in heaven.
  – Fourth level
  This category comprises all other remaining sins including alcohol 
  consummation and lying. Though they are also considered as sins, Muslims 
  believe that they impede them from heaven.
  
  Sin refers to the transgressions of divine laws. Those laws have been 
  summarized by religious leaders and Prophets namely Jesus as the love of God 
  and neighbours. Love requires a relationship and implies healthy, harmonious, 
  and strong ones. Love brings about life, harmony, unity, joy, trust, respect, and 
  happiness in relationships. Lacking love weakens a relationship and even can 
  rupture it. More concretely, opposing the law of love for God and neighbour 
  turns from God and neighbour and takes away all that they are for us and can 
  give us. Simply, sin consists in opposing love in us for God, for others and even 
  

  for ourselves. 

  
  

  Consequently, sin corrupts relationships with God and with others and with 
  ourselves. As such, it bears pervasive consequences on vertical (with God) and 
  horizontal relationships (with others).
  

  2.3.1. Consequences of sin on vertical relations 
  Sin opposes love in us for God. However, God is the source of life and eternal 
  happiness. So, sin distorts life and happiness in God here on earth and in the 
  life to come. The following is an outline of the consequences of sin on vertical 
  relationships:
  – The wage of sin is the spiritual death (Genesis 3:8-19; Romans 6:23; 
  Ezekiel 18:20). God is the creator of all that exists. So, all life depends 
  on Him. As sin breaks the vital relationship with the Creator, it causes 
  death for those whose life totally depends on God.
  – Sin separates one from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). Far away from God, man is 
  unhappy. True happiness, peace and the fullness of life come from God.
  – Sin will keep one from going to Heaven (Revelation 21:8). Man has been 
  created to pertake in eternal happiness which dwells in God in heaven. 
  When one commits sin, he or she chooses to reject God and his gifts. 
  – Mankind does not have the full control of nature (weather, rain, sun, etc.) 
  though they are the stewards. When their activities harm nature, they 
  sin against God and consequences follow, through the environmental 
  crisis.
  – Human nature cannot do all things by itself. For instance, they may 
  invent medicines, but they are unable to heal. Therefore, human 
  nature needs God’s grace whithout which they may not make some 
  achievements. The refusal of the grace, that is sin, keeps one from not 
  developping.
  2.3.2. Horizontal relations
  Sin opposes love in us for others. Or we are social beings. In other words human 
  beings achieve their fulfilment in community. Sin restricts one to live as if he or 
  she does not need other to be himself/herself or happy. The following are some 
  consequences of sin on horizontal relationships:
  – Sins against the love of the neighbour damages relationships at the 
  interpersonal level and the community level as well. For instance, 
  murder causes a loss of an individual’s life but also it affects those 
  whose lives depends on the departed (orphans, widows, etc.)
  – Sins affect harmony and unity with the society. For example, theft 
  causes insecurity within communities.
  – Sins keep individuals and community from true development because 
  they disturb peace which is the major condition for development. For 
  example, a society with many criminals spends much time and money 
  on settling their cases instead of spending them on development 
  projects like health, education, infrastructures, etc.
  – Sin brings other sins. For example, in the case of a murder, people may 
  think of revenge; where goods are unfairly distributed, social injustices 
  such as corruption may multiply.
  – Sins make negatively impact human rights. For example, in the cas 
  defenceless, hepless and even hopeless. For example, the case of adultery 
  allows one of the spouses to claim for divorce (Matthiew 19:10-12). 
  But this situation not only brings about psychological suffering to both 
  the husband and the wife but also children are affected in a terrible 
  way as a result of the breaking of marriage.
  

  – Etc.

  2.3.3. Consequences of sins on oneself
  Sin opposes love in us for even ourselves. In fact, sin may result in physical 
  damage to one’s body, mind and emotion. Some consequences of sin on oneself 
  are as follow:
  – Sin brings about physical, psychological, mental and spiritual sufferings. 
  For example, one may live in a sinful state (like prostitution, killing 
  many people, etc.) for long time and ends up loosing the meaning of 
  life to the extent of madness.
  – Sin makes one lose his or her right place in the community. For example, 
  one may have committed sins and he or she will never be entrusted 
  with social responsibility any more. 
  – Sin brings about lack of self-confidence. In fact, sins definitely lead to 
  guilt and shame even those committed in secrecy.
  – Sin causes distrust. When Adam and eve committed sin, their reaction 
  was to hide from each other and from God (Genesis 3:7-8).
  
  
  In almost all religious movements, the realization of sin, that is, a transgression 
  against God, has led followers to always trying to realign with a religiously 
  correct set of moral standards. This process of alignment is called “repentance”, 
  or “penitence” or “penance”.
  Repentance is an attitude that motivates believers to resist evil and sin and to 
  undo the harm done by sin. Because of the understanding of God and his laws in 
  religions, repentance is differently understood and practiced in each religious 
  

  movement

  2.4.1. Meaning of Repentance in Abrahamic Religions
  

  As sin wells up from the evil heart, its cure touches the heart as well. This 
  healing process, called “conversion” generally begins with repentance, that is, 
  the disposition of heart by which one repents of one’s sins and is converted to 
  God (John A. Hardon. 1980. Modern Catholic Dictionary. Double-Day & Company, 
  

  INC. Garden City, New York, p. 413).

  • Repentance in Judaism 
  

  In Judaism, the process of repentance is referred to by two words: “racham” 
  (read nakham), to mean “to regret, to be sorry”, and “schwb” (shoob), to mean 
  “to turn, to return”. The process of repentance itself is called “Teshuvah”, which 
  translates “returning”. It aims at building and maintaining relationships and 
  friendships in time. The fundamental features/conditions of Teshuvah are:
  – Self-examination;
  – recognition of failures against God’s laws, 
  – exhibition of a sincere remorse for the breach of good behavior, 
  – request for forgiveness and reparation as much as possible, 
  – the quest for self-renewal in such a way to be helpful to another human 
  

  being.

  • Repentance in Christianity
  

  Christians are followers of Jesus Christ. The latter began his ministry by calling 
  people to repentance (Matthew 4:17; Marc 6:12). In the New Testament, 
  repentance is referred to as “metanoia”, which means to change one’s mind. 
  Repentance is a Change of Mind resulting in a Change of Action. In Christianity, 
  repentance is understood in connection with the doctrines of creation, original 
  sin and Salvation by Jesus Christ:
  – Christians believe that God created the world and established norms 
  to govern it. 
  – Through the gift of free will, humans transgress those norms.
  – Jesus Christ alone has provided redemption from human sinfulness. 
  – Christian life, therefore, is basically penitential: Christians freely 
  acknowledge their sinfulness and their dependence on Jesus.
  Penance or repentance in Christianity is closely related to liturgical celebrations 
  such as the sacrament of penance (or of reconciliation) and other penitential 
  rituals. The fundamental features/conditions of repentance in Christianity are :
  – Contrition or sorrow for one’s sin.
  – Confession of sins either to the minister (e.g.: a priest) or to the 
  community (public confession as done in some protestant churches.
  – Reparation for sins, that is, to undo harm done to and by others. 
  Reparation should be both motivated by justice (what is due to God and 
  

  God s punishment of sin) and charity (toward ourselves and others).

  • Repentance in Islam 

  Islam means submission to God’s will as it is codified in the Islamic law. These 
  laws are meant to guide relationships between Muslims and God or relationships 
  among people. Repentance is as crucial as obligatory in Islam, because sin is 
  considered as disobedience of divine laws lead away from God. The Arabic word 
  for repentance, is tawbah, literally means, to return. Repentance is understood 
  as referring to humans returning to God away from sins while God in return 
  turns to the sinner in acceptance of the repentance. Repentance is defined as 
  “Going back from desire to sin, with the determination of not returning to it, 
  in exaltation of Allah and out of fear of his punishment” (The Great Ottoman 
  Hanafi, al-Bariqa fi Sharh al-Tariqa). The fundamental features/conditions of 
  repentance in Islam are as follows:
  – To desist from committing sin/leaving the sin
  – To feel sorry for committing sin/remorse over having committed the 
  sin
  – To decide not to ever recommit sin again/resolve never to return to the 
  sin If the sin involves a human s right, a fourth condition is required
  – To absolve oneself from such right by making it up to the indvidual 
  who was wronged by your action/return the rights or property one 
  wrongly took
  Repentance in Islam is grounded in the belief that Allah is Merciful; thus, no sin 
  is too great to repent for ... or little for that matter.
  In conclusion, genuine repentance touches three dimensions in Judaism, 
  

  Christianity and Islam:

  – Mind: repentance changes one’s mind (metanoia) and begins to think 
  differently.
  – Heart: repentance makes one feeling sorrow and begins to feel 
  differently.
  

  – Body: repentance turns one’s body and begins to do things differently

  2.4.2. Steps of genuine repentance

   Repentance is a process that leads the person from the sinful state to the holy 
  state of God. As a process, a certain number of steps must be made so as to feel 
  reconciled with God, others and self. The major stages are : regret, confession 
  and asking forgiveness. In his sermon Hopeful Sorrow (2012), Mae Gbson Wall, 
  

  identified seven steps of repentance,

  a. Culpability : acknowledging to ourselves that not only did we do the thing 
  that was hurtful, but that we are at fault. It doesn’t count if it includes the 
  words, “they made me do it.” 
  b. Remorse: feeling bad about what we have done.
  c. Confession: bringing the mistakes into the open in acceptance of ouselves 
  as miserable which is very pre-requisite for the self-transformation” of 
  repentance (Psalm 51:3-4).
  d. Apology: seeking forgiveness, acknowledging the hurt we have caused 
  and being are openly sorry to have done so. It is a plea to accept us as 
  the remorseful person we are now rather than to reject us as the hurtful 
  person we were before.” (Psalm 51:7-10).
  e. Restitution/reparation: trying to undo the wrong that was done to the 
  extent that it is possible. (Ps 51:13). “To harm someone is to incur a moral 
  debt,” says Newman, “and it must be repaid in the same currency.” When 
  that is not possible, we must make the best effort we can.
  f. Soul reckoning: turning inward to address our harmful behavior at its 
  roots. What caused us to behave this way? We look to the past in order 
  to create a different future. We cannot mend ourselves if we don’t first 
  understand what caused us to break
  g. Transformation which encompasses both an inner reorientation and a 
  change in outward behavior. The ultimate test of true transformation is if, 
  

  in the same circumstance, we can resist repeating our behavior

  2.4.3. Effects of genuine repentance

  There is repentance because of sin and its bitter consequences. Sin destroys 
  relationships with God, community, others and with oneself. Without health 
  relationship, life diminishes in the human being to the extent he or she 
  dies. Therefore, repentance aims at bringing about reconciliation as reestablishment of relationships on which the whole life depends. A genuine 
  process of repentance - that is, whith a contrite and sincere heart, and religious 
  disposition definitely results in reconciliation with God, community and others 
  and all its fruits. 
  Some of the fruits of repentance include:
  – The restoration of the sinner in God’s grace and in his friendship.
  – A true spiritual resurrection. Sin is the right way to death. Repentance 
  is that journey from death to life, that is resurrection.
  – Restoration of dignity. Humankind has been created in the likeness of 
  God who is good and perfect. Or sin is evil and distorts our dignity. 
  True repentance restores it.
  – Blessings of life of the children of God and of the servants of God.
  – Peace and serenity of conscience. The consequences of sin are not only 
  spiritual, but also psychological and social. Genuine repentance brings 
  about peace of mind and peace at the world.
  – Strong spiritual consolation. Sin is hurtful and desperate. With 
  repentance one recovers hope and creativity.
  – Re-establishment of fraternal communion with community. 
  – Individual and community development. A genuine repentance totally 
  transforms the sinner’s mind, and behavior. Transformation and 
  development are correlative concepts. 
  – Re-insertion in the community and retrieval of human rights
  – The happiness of being forgiven (la joie du pardon).
  
  
  
  
  

• UNIT 3: THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT

  Key Unit competence: Assess the practice of supreme commandment 
  and the Golden rule in various religious 
  teachings
  Introductory Activity
  

  Read attentively the answer given by Jesus to the one who asked Him 
  

  about the supreme Commandment of God “Love the Lord your God with 
  

  all your heart and with all your soul and with your mind? This is the first and 
  

  the greatest commandment. The second is like it: love your neighbor as 
  

  yourself. All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments” 
  (Matthew 22:35-40).
   Assess how all commandment linked with these two above Commandments
  
  
  a) Decalogue
  God is love 1John4:8. God who is one and Triune lives communion of 
  Love as Paul said “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of 
  God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you” (2Corinthians 
  13:13). When the man fell God did not abandon him. He called Abraham 
  and communicated him the plan of Salvation. He liberated the Abraham’s
  descendants from Egyptian slavery. God concluded Alliance with His people 
  at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:7-25) and the Sign of that Alliance is the Ten 
  Commandments of God known as Decalogue (Exodus 20: 3-17). Below are 
  

  the ten commandments of God and the values we get from:

  

  

  

  

  God ordered Moses to prepare two stone tablets like the former ones in order 
  God rewrite on the words that were on the broken ones. The commandments 
  of God were then in two categories:
  The commandments for the relationship between God and people
  According to Godfrey E.N. Nsubuga, this category groups the first four 
  commandments that talks about God’s instructions to Israelites about spiritual 
  activities: monotheistic way of praying God, worshiping and honouring Him 
  (GODFREY E.N. NSUBUGA: 2016, p6) 
  The commandments for the relationship between people and people
  There are six commandments about morality, social relationship: Children 
  responsibilities, respect of human life, respect of marriage and sexual 
  chastity. Without consider the categories of the commandments we find 
  

  each commandment in two dimensions: Obligations shown by imperative 

  verb for example: honour your father and your mother and the prohibited or 
  

  forbidden shown by shall not for example: You shall not murder

  

  3.2. The Greatest Commandment

  
  

  a) Greatest Commandment into the Old Testament
  

  The Old Testament also talks about the double greatest commandment of 
  God: Hear O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord one! Love the Lord your 
  God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your strength” 
  (Deuteronomy 6:4-6). 
  This commandment is not only limited to love for God but also it has to be 
  prove to our neighbour as it is commended in book of Leviticus “you shall 
  

  love your neighbour as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18)

  b) Greatest Commandment into the New Testament
  When a lawyer and expert of the law asked Jesus what the most important 
  Commandment is Jesus responded: Love the Lord your God with all your 
  heart and with all your soul and with your mind. This is the first and the 
  greatest commandment. The second is like it: love your neighbour as 
  yourself. (Matthew 22:35-40). All the law and the prophets hang on these 
  two commandments”
  Richard comments the first part of the greatest commandment like this:
  With all your heart: never hide anything form God. He is your best 
  confidant; trust God with your heart. He will give you wisdom and direction, 
  keep commandments into your heart and be moral “If you love me, keep my 
  commandments” (John14:15).
  With all your soul: display the fruits of self-control and having a humble 
  spirit. A balance between spiritual life, dogmas of your beliefs, feelings, 
  emotions, and daily life is necessary.
  With all your mind: renew your mind with the Word of God and do everything 
  consciously. 
  With all your strength: ask from God to give you the supernatural strength 
  to do what God is calling you to do. Do what you have to do beyond how you 
  

  fell.

  Love your neighbour as yourself: before we love others we must know that 
  we are loved. God loved us before: we must first receive God who is love 
  and then we love others for God who is inside us (Philippians 2:13). Bernock 
  confirms “Before we can give this love we need to receive it ourselves. 
  You can not give what you do not have”. We remember a clear meaning 
  of the one who is our neighbour was given by Jesus in a parable of Good 
  Samaritan (Luke 10: 25-37). Referring to the Bible, Bernock identified some 
  characteristics of loving your neighbour:
  • Acting with compassion
  • Looking out for neighbours’ wellbeing (1Corinthians13:1-13)
  • Serving from heart that means kindness (1Corinthians13:4)
  • Speak kindly
  

  • Sharing joy and sorrow: rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with 
  those who mourn (Romans 12:15
  • Forgiving (Ephesians 1:4)
  Jesus shows love as new and greatest commandment and as a tangible 
  mark of His disciple “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples” 
  (John13:35). 
  
  

  3.3. The Golden rule in various religions

  Barikunda is a student-teacher in one of Rwanda teacher training college. 
  He is clever and talented. He never explains courses to his time taker 
  classmates. He thinks he will be the first and almost alone to get scholarship 
  for University then he will serve God and the society. He always becomes 
  jealous against his some classmates who try their best to succeed and he 
  celebrates the failure of time taker ones. Study the case and thereafter 
  

  advise him about good service to God and to the society.

  3.3.1. Golden rule in Islam

  Golden rule in Islam is as an ethics of reciprocity which refers to an Islamic 
  moral principle that calls upon people to treat others the way they would 
  like to be treated (Abu Amina Elias: 2013). The Oxford dictionary defines the 
  golden rule as any form of the dictum: do unto others as you would have 
  

  them do unto you (Oxford English Dictionary: 1989).

  

  Several times Muhammad PBUH stated the Golden rule as reported by 
  disciples: None of you has faith until he loves for his brother or his neighbour 
  what he loves for himself (sahih Muslim, Book 1, Number 72)
  Sahih Muslim: refers to authentic source of reported information
  • The servant does not reach the reality of faith until he loves for the 
  people what he loves for himself of goodness (Sahih Ibn Hibban, Book 
  of faith, Number 238).
  • Whoever would be delighted to be delivered from the hellfire and 
  entered into Paradise, then let him die with faith in Allah and the last 
  Day, and let him treat the people the way he would love to be treated ( 
  Musnad Ahmad, Number 6768, Sahih).
  • The words said by Abu Huraira (May Allah be pleased with Him) were 
  reported: be kind to your neighbour and you will be a believer; love 
  for the people what you love for yourself and you will be a muslim 
  

  (By Al-Bukhali, Ali-Adab Al-Mufrad, Number 260, Hasan) in Sunan AtTirmidhi, Book of Asceticism, Number 2305, Sahih

  3.3.2. Golden rule in Judaism

  The value of empathy is deeply rooted in Jewish everyday’s life. Rabbi Tzvi 
  Nightingale recounts: Judaism depends on the ability to view another person 
  as real as oneself. For Judaism believers, to understanding God’s Word 
  cannot begin without the recognition that a person next to me is just a real 
  as me; that another person travelling through life has the self and same
  experience of love, pain, hurt and joy from the ups and downs as the life 
  that I strongly and seriously experienced (Rabbi Tzvi Nightingale: 2018). 
  The Talmud shows that the Torah mainly rolls on Golden rule as Rabbi Tzvi 
  Nightingale continues: 
  A gentile came to Shammai Jewish school (50-30 before Christian era) 
  requesting a quickie conversation to Judaism. He asked to be taught the 
  entire Torah while standing on one foot. Shammai (master and founder of 
  that school) had no patience for the ridiculous and disrespectful request and 
  chased him out of the study hall. Unworried, the gentile then proceeded to 
  visit Shammai’s colleague Hillel with the same request. Hillel instructed him 
  “Whatever is hateful and distasteful to you, do not do to your fellow man” this 
  

  is the entire Torah, the rest is commentary. Go learn

  

  What does Talmud mean? The Talmud is source form which the code 
  of Jewish (Law) is delivered. It is made up of the Mishnah and Gemara: 
  Mishnah refers to original written version of the oral law while Gemara 
  becomes record of the rabbinic discussions (Their different views) on the 
  Mishnah. It can clearly be defined as the central text of Rabbinic Judaism 
  and the primary source of Jewish religious law and Jewish theology. 
  

  The Hebraic word Rabbi refers to teachers or masters

  3.3.3. Golden rule in Christianity

  The Golden rule is defined as ethical principle of treating other people 
  as one’s self would prefer to be treated. Biblically the Golden rule is 
  founded in two synoptic Gospels Matthew and Luke: So in everything, do to 
  others what you would have them do to you, for this sum up the law and the 
  Prophets” (Matthew 7:12). Similarly, Luke said “Do to others as you would 
  have them do to you” Luke 6:31
  Brannon Deibert defined it in moral context: the golden rule covers the 
  empathic essence of morality. It is a simple yet powerful way of saying that 
  we should recognize the respective dignity of our fellow man and not forget 
  we all are capable of inflicting immoral actions.
  The golden rule particularly, guides the Christian relationships and interactions 
  

  and social life in general.

  Importance of Golden rule 

  
  

  The Golden rule 

  • Teaches us to adopt self-discipline and kindness
  • Guides principles of all morality
  • Comprises all the rules and all precepts given by the Prophets
  • Instructs us to put ourselves in our neighbours’ place and guides our 
  behaviours accordingly.
  

  So, Golden rule is a vital emphasis on empathy and the reciprocity of morality

  Examples of Golden rule
  • Put yourself in others’ shoes (empathy): is known as ability to 
  understand, receive, feel and share others’ emotions, situation or what 
  they are experiencing.
  • Do not do unto others as you would not want done to you (known 
  as the Silver Rule) it is like an inverse of the Golden Rule to remind us 
  

  to not do what we would prefer not to happen to ourselves. 

  

  • Reciting a prayer of St Francis of Assisi plants values in children
  • “Lord make me an instrument of your peace;
  • Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
  • Where there is injury, pardon;
  • Where there is discord, union;
  • Where there is doubt, faith;
  • Where there is despair, hope;
  • Where there is darkness, light;
  • Where there is sadness, joy”.
  • “O Divine Master
  • Grant that I may not so much seek
  • To be consoled, as to console;
  • To be understood, as to understand;
  • To be loved, as to love;
  • For it is in giving that we receive,
  • It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and
  • It is in dying that we are born to eternal life”
  • Amen

  Christians are encouraged to shine, to be the light for others. The must 
  evangelizes by good works in order the world that surrounds them see their 
  good deeds and glorify the Father in Heaven (Matthew5:6). The Prayer of 
  Francis of Assisi reminds us just how we can do that. It is an uplifting prayer 
  that teaches us how we can live like Jesus Christ and serve those around 
  us, putting others needs first. God wants us we feel and prove love for Him 
  through our neighbours as condition to live communion with Him “ No one 
  has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God remains in us, and His 
  

  love is perfected in us (1John4:12).

  

  3.4. End unit assessment

  1. How should you observe the supreme Commandment of God at 

  school and at home?

  2. Assess the doctrinal similarities on Golden rule between Judaism, 

  Christianity and Islam

  3. Classify the Commandments of God according to their categories 

  and their dimensions 

  4. How can the prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi be important at your 

  school? Justify your answers.

  5. What do you understand by the word Talmud?

  
  

  
  

  

• UNIT 4: THE PILLARS OF FAITH IN ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS

  Key Unit competence: Explain the fundamental elements of faith in 

  Judaism, Christianity and Islam

  Introductory Activity
  
  1. Basing on your experience and using research identify religions 
  found in your community and come up with their fundamental 
  teachings and practices.
  2. Explain what you know about Judaism.
  3. Compare the fundamental teachings of Christianity and Islam, 
  and come up with similarities and differences. 
  4. What do you think was the religion of Jesus, what did they believe 
  

  in?

  The concept of Abrahamic religions refers to three religions: Judaism, 
  Christianity and Islam. These religions are very closely related in their 
  origins and their Holy Scripture. They also have similar beliefs about morals 
  and ethics. They do differ, however, in important aspects of their beliefs. 
  Historically, relations among these faith groups reflect both conflict and 
  cooperation. They all originate from the personality and faith of Abraham 
  which is a pure monotheism. They are like children of a single parent, capable 
  of reaching understandings and living in peace together despite difference in 
  

  some aspects of faith and practice.

  .1. Jewish Faith and Torah

  
  

  
  

  Judaism is the theistic religion of Jews, which means that they believe in the 
  existence of supreme God who is transcendent. Judaism is a monotheistic 
  religion and Jews consider Abraham as their ancestor. Jewish faith is based 
  on Torah (The first five books of Moses).
  Torah is a Hebrew term which means “Instruction”, “Teaching” or “Law”. The 
  word Torah has a range of meaning. It can most specifically mean the first 
  five books (Pentateuch or Five books of Moses) of the 24 books of the 
  Hebrew Bible (Tanakh).
  Torah consists of the origin of Jewish peoplehood: their call into being by 
  God, their trial and tribulations, and covenant with their God, which involves 
  following a way of life embodied in a set of moral and religious obligations 
  and civil laws.
  The Torah starts from the beginning of God’s creating the world through the 
  beginning of the people of Israel, their descent into Egypt, and the giving 
  of the Torah at biblical Mount of Sinai. It ends with the death of Moses, just 
  

  before the people of Israel cross to the promised land of Canaan

  The first five books of Moses are Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and 

  Deuteronom

  Genesis

  
  

  The book of Genesis is the first book of the Torah. It is divisible into two 
  parts, primeval history (Chapters 1-11) which is the story of the first years of 
  the world’s existence, and the Ancestral history (Chapters 12-50).
  The primeval history (Chapters 1-11) sets out the author’s (or authors’) 
  concepts of the nature of the deity and of humankind’s relationship with its 
  maker: God creates a world which is good and fit for mankind, but when 
  man corrupts it with sin God decides to destroy his creation, saving only the 
  righteous Noah to re-establish the relationship between man and God.
  The Ancestral history (Chapters 12-50) tells of the prehistory of Israel, God’s 
  chosen people. At God’s command Noah’s descendant Abraham journeys 
  from his home into the God-given land of Canaan, where he dwells as a 
  sojourner, as does his son Isaac and his grandson Jacob. Jacob’s name is 
  changed to Israel, and through the agency of his son Joseph, the children of 
  Israel descend into Egypt, 70 people in all with their households, and God 
  promises them a future of greatness. Genesis ends with Israel in Egypt, 
  

  ready for the coming of Moses and the Exodus.

  xodus
  

  
  

  The book of Exodus is the second book of the Torah, immediately following 
  Genesis. The book tells how the ancient Israelites left slavery in Egypt through 
  the strength of Yahweh, the God who has chosen Israel as his people. God 
  

  used the prophet Moses to rescue his people Israel as their leader.

  Leviticus
  

  
  

  The book of Leviticus begins with instructions to the Israelites on how to use 
  the Tabernacle, which they had just built (Leviticus 1-10), This is followed 
  by rules of clean and unclean (Leviticus 11-15), which includes the laws of 
  slaughter and animals permissible to eat, the Day of atonement (Leviticus 
  16), and various moral and ritual laws sometimes called the holiness Code 
  (Leviticus 17-26). Leviticus 26 provides a detailed list of rewards for following 
  God’s commandments and a detailed list of punishments for not following 
  them. Leviticus 17 establishes sacrifices at the Tabernacles as an everlasting 
  ordinance, but this ordinance is altered in later books with the Temple being 
  

  the only place sacrifices are allowed

  Numbers
  The book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Torah. The name of the book 
  comes from the two censuses taken of the Israelites.
  Numbers begins at Mount Sinai, where the Israelites have received their 
  laws and covenant from God and God has taken up residence among them 
  in the sanctuary. The task before them is to take possession of the Promised 
  Land, Canaan. The people are counted and preparations are made for 
  resuming their march. The Israelites begin the journey, but they murmur at 
  the hardships along the way, and about the authority of Moses and Aaron 
  

  and God destroys many of them.

  Deuteronomy

  The book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Torah. Chapters 1-30 of 
  the book consist of three sermons or speeches delivered to the Israelites by 
  Moses on the plains of Moab, shortly before they enter the Promised Land.
  The final four chapters (31-34) contain the song of Moses, Blessing of 
  Moses and narratives recounting the passing of the mantle of leadership 
  from Moses to Joshua and finally, the death of Moses on Mount Nebo.
  
  4.2. Christian faith 
  
  
  
  Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and 
  teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Its adherents, known as christians, believe 
  that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and the Saviour of all people. His 
  coming as the Messiah was prophesied in the Hebrew Bible, called the Old 
  Testament in christianity, and chronicled (recorded) in the New Testament.
  Christians believe in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ who died 
  because of people’s sins. All christian denominations believe that Christ 
  is the word of God incarnated. They confess that He came to save them 
  through his death and resurrection. He rose from the dead and appeared to 
  the apostles who became the witnesses of what they saw (Acts 2:32). The 
  

  Christian faith came from the apostles who had followed Jesus Christ.

  The word of God about Christ was written in the Holy Scriptures. Thus, 
  Christians also believe in the written Scriptures to nourish their faith.
  The creed summarises the Christian faith and its main points include:
  Belief in God the Father, Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit
  The death, descent into hell, resurrection and ascension of Christ
  The holiness of the Church and the communion of the Saints
  Christ’s second coming, the Day of Judgment, and Salvation of the Faithful.
  Like Jews, Christians have no fundamental reason to live in disunity with one 
  another. After all the one they believe in is One! Salvation is universal for all 
  who believe and confess the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
  We note that the name Christians was first used at Antioch and it means the 
  

  Disciples of Christ, the ones who believe and imitate Christ (Acts 11:25-26)

  

  4.3. Six pillars of Islamic faith

  

  

  Islam is a theistic religion. The word Islam means submission under Allah’s 
  laws. Muhammad, the prophet of Allah started receiving the content of the 
  Quran from 610 up to 632. Officially Islam was founded in 622. Muhammad 
  was born at Mecca probably in 570. He went in Medina by exile.
  Iman, this term literally means faith or belief. In Islamic theology it denotes a 
  believer’s faith in the metaphysical aspects of Islam. Its most simple definition 
  is the belief in the six articles of faith known as arkan al iman. The term iman
  has been described in both Quran and hadith.
  Quran (Koran) is the central religious text of Islam, which Muslims believe 
  to be a revelation from God (Allah). Hadith refers to the record of the words, 
  

  actions, and the silent approval of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. According 

  to the Quran, “iman” must be accompanied by righteous deeds and the two 

  together are necessary for entry into Paradise

  The six pillars of faith: Faith (iman) breaks down into six pillars:

  1. Belief in the existence and oneness of God (Allah). Believing in 
  Allah above all else is the first and most important. It is not only belief 
  in Allah alone but in the way He is described through the Quran and 
  the hadith (Sayings) of Prophet Muhammad.
  2. Belief in the existence of Angles. The second pillar of Iman is the 
  belief in Allah’s angels. The angels are messengers of Allah. They 
  are not His children as some may think. They were created from light 
  and were created before humans, for the purpose of worshipping 
  Allah. They can also appear in the shape of a man if so ordered 
  to so. Some of the angels’ names, which we know of, are Jibra’il, 
  Mika’il, Israfil, and Malik. They have many jobs such as guardians, 
  gatekeepers, and Trumpeters.
  3. Beliefs in the existence of the books of which God is the author: 
  the Quran (revealed to Muhammad), the Gospel (revealed to Jesus), 
  the Torah (revealed to Moses), and Psalms to David. Muslims are to 
  believe in all of these books and not just the Quran alone.
  4. Belief in the existence of all prophets: Muhammad being the last 
  of them, Jesus the penultimate (second from the last, Muhammad), 
  and Moses sent before them.
  5. Belief in the existence of the Day of Judgment: in that day, 
  humanity will be divided into two groups: that of paradise and that of 
  hell. These groups are themselves composed of subgroups.
  6. Belief in the existence God’s predestination, whether it involves 
  good or bad or pre-ordainment. What this means is that everything 
  in our lives is already written. It is our duty to know that whatever 
  Allah wills will occur. Also He is creator of everything including our 
  deeds. Allah knows our past, present, and the future. Our lives are 
  set, but that does not mean that we strive any less toward perfection.
  From the above pillars, the first five are mentioned together in the Quran and 
  by Muhammad, while including a corollary of belief in Allah, the good and 
  evil of fate ordained by God, has referred to all six together in the following 
  manner in the Hadith of Gabriel. Iman is that you believe in God and His 
  angels and His books and His Messengers and the Hereafter and the good 
  

  and evil fate ordained by your God.

  Similarities and differences of Abrahamic Religions

  Abrahamic religions have things in common and have also differences. 

  The following aspects constitute the commonality and uniqueness of each 

  religion:

  • Basic Beliefs and Common Stories 
  

  Jews, Christians and Muslims believe that God made a covenant, or 
  agreement with Abraham to keep the faith in One God and to worship Him 
  and teach the practice of worship to his children down the generations. God 
  would preserve, protect and multiply the children of Abraham. 
  The Jews believe that the covenant of God with Abraham goes only for 
  their people as one nation, while Christians and Muslims believe that the 
  covenant and message of God goes for all mankind. This covenant became 
  the legacy, or trust, for the children of Abraham to continue.
  According to the scriptures, Abraham was promised that his offspring would 
  become the fathers of great nations. These nations are the people who are 
  now called Jews, Christians, and Muslims. They are called monotheists, 
  meaning people who believe in one God, the Creator of all that is in the 
  universe and on earth. The common core of Abraham’s story is his faith and 
  obedience to the call of God. It is expressed in the Jewish and Christian 
  traditions in a verse of the book of Genesis. 
  Another act of Abraham that belongs to the core story is that God told him 
  in a dream to sacrifice his son. He and his son were prepared to obey this 
  divine command, but God redeemed the sacrifice with a magnificent ram. 
  This miracle meant that God does not require human sacrifice, but only the 
  willingness to obey. The Biblical account says that the son to be sacrificed 
  was Abraham and Sarah’s son Isaac, while the Qur’an states that it was the 
  first-born son Ishmael, whose mother was Hagar. The lesson of obedience 
  

  and strength of faith, however, is the same.

  • God, Prophets, and Revelation
  All of the Abrahamic monotheistic faiths share a belief that God, the Creator, 
  has “spoken” to humankind over time. The word for this divine communication 
  is “revelation”. Adherents of the Abrahamic religions believe that God 
  revealed Himself to certain individuals called prophets over the course of 
  human history. They believe that God communicated five main messages: 
  • The nature and qualities of the one God; 
  • The purpose and nature of the universe created by God; 
  • The need to worship one God; 
  • The purpose of human life and the need to live a righteous life and the 
  news of judgment after death, and reward or punishment in the afterlife;
  • Morals and laws which people are told to follow. 
  The Abrahamic faiths have in common a belief in angels as God’s messengers 
  to human beings. The angel of revelation is named Gabriel. The human 
  beings chosen by God as bearers of revelation to other human beings are 
  called prophets. Some of them were chosen and inspired to teach people, 
  while the Major Prophets received revelations that have been memorized, 
  

  recited and written in Holy books or scriptures

  • The Messiah 

  • Jews believe that Messiah is still awaited and coming at some future 
  time. The Reform tradition does not expect an individual Messiah. 
  Jews do not believe that Jesus was the Messiah. Some Jews believe 
  that Jesus was a spiritual leader. 
  • Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah. They also believe that 
  Jesus was the son of God, who came to redeem human beings from 
  sin or wrongdoing, and that he compensated for all human sins with his 
  suffering and death. This salvation, or being saved and given eternal 
  life, is the central teaching of the New Testament (which means promise 
  or pledge, i.e. the salvation through Jesus).
  • Muslims also believe that Jesus was the Messiah. They do not believe 
  that he was the son of God, but a human being. Muslims also believe 
  that God did not allow him to die or be crucified at the hands of human 
  beings. 
  Both Christians and Muslims believe that Jesus was raised up to God, but 
  Christians believe that Jesus was raised from the dead or resurrected. 
  Muslims believe that Jesus was one of the greatest prophets. Muslims also 
  share the belief with Christians in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ near 
  the end of time. 
  Among adherents of the Abrahamic faiths, only Christians and Muslims 
  believe Jesus as a messenger of God and only Muslims believe that 
  Muhammad was a prophet, a man who was born in Makkah in about the 
  year 570 AD. They believe that he received the final revelation from God 
  through the holy book called the Quran. Historically, Muhammad was not 
  accepted as a prophet by Christians and Jews. Similarly, Jews do not accept 
  

  Christian or Muslim beliefs about Jesus.

  • The Monotheistic Concept of God and the Afterlife 

  All three Abrahamic faiths share many ideas about the nature of God. He is 
  the Creator of the Universe. The monotheistic tradition of God includes the 
  idea of a covenant, or promise, of God. The covenant is a trust placed upon 
  human beings to believe in God, to worship only Him and not to worship 
  any other gods. The scriptures describe God’s characteristics or attributes, 
  such as justice, mercy, and power over all of Creation. The scriptures of 
  the Abrahamic faiths also describe the promise of God to judge all human 
  beings on the Judgment Day, after they have died, and to reward or punish 
  them according to God’s justice. All of the faiths believe that God requires 
  human beings to show mercy to others, to do good deeds such as helping 
  others, and that He will reward those who have faith and do well in this world. 
  The promise of God is for eternal life after death, in a heavenly paradise. 
  Equally, those who do evil will be punished in Hell. The most important thing 
  for human beings, however, is to have faith in God, that He will grant mercy 
  to whomever He will, and forgive their sins or wrongdoing. Another important 
  concept of God is that He is not from the world, but He is present, and each 
  human being can approach God and become near to Him, through prayer 
  and other acts of worship
  
  • Practices of Worship
  Belief in the need to worship God is common to all religions. The most basic 
  form of worship is prayer. Each tradition prescribes specific words and 
  requirements for prayer, which takes place at appointed day. Public prayer 
  in houses of worship is common to all three faiths: Jews on Saturday, for 
  Christians on Sunday, and for Muslims on Friday. 
  All Abrahamic faiths recognize the personal, private prayer of each believer. 
  Prayers that mark the times in the day and the cycle of the year are among 
  the most important signs of obedience to God. Such rituals are also the 
  source of scientific efforts to achieve accurate timekeeping and calendars. 
  The prayer also implies fasting in these three religions and performing 
  

  pilgrimage to Holy lands.

  • Celebrations 

  Each of the Abrahamic faiths has a few major celebrations during the year. 
  Both Judaism and Islam follow a lunar calendar for the timing of these 
  celebrations, and some Christian feast days are also influenced by the lunar 
  

  calendar. Some of these celebrations are: 

  • Judaism: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot, 
  Chanukkah, Purim; these celebrations recall events in the dramatic 
  history of the Jewish people. 
  • Christianity: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Good Friday, Easter, and 
  Pentecost; these are only a few of the celebrations that commemorate 
  events in the life of Jesus.
  • Islam: Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr; Hajj and Eid al-Adha; Ramadan is a 
  month of fasting commanded in the Qur’an, and the feast day that ends 
  it is Eid al-Fitr. Eid al-Adha and the Hajj (the ritual journey to Makkah) 
  commemorate events in the life of Abraham and his family
  Sharing food and other gifts with family, neighbours, and needy people are 
  common ways to celebrate, and attending special worship services are part 
  of these celebrations.
  • Leadership 
  Individuals and the community participate in worship and follow ethical, 
  practical and religious laws. Leaders especially trained in knowledge of the 
  faith and care for the community and its members play roles in guiding the 
  faithful. 
  • In Judaism, leaders are called Rabbis, and they receive rigorous 
  training in the scriptures and other Judaic writings. 
  • In Christianity, priests and pastors serve as part of a church hierarchy,or 
  ranks of authorities. Only trained, ordained, or initiated priests can fulfil 
  certain sacred functions of worship for the lay, or ordinary people.
  • In Islam a prayer leader is called an imam“one who stands in front” of 
  the lines of worshippers. Leaders who offer advice on how to practice 
  Islam, on the law, and other kinds of guidance.
  • Moral and ethical principles and laws
  Christianity, Islam and Judaism share a set of morals and values. The 
  most basic set of moral and ethical values in the Biblical tradition is the Ten 
  Commandments, which was part of the revelation taught by Moses, and 
  are revered by Jews and Christians as they appear in the Torah and the 
  Old Testament. This part of the belief system is an important reason why 
  Muslims are taught to respect Jews and Christians as fellow “People of the 
  Book.” The Qur’an includes all of the Ten Commandments – many of them 
  stated in a similar way, with the exception of the Sabbath (day of rest).
  The Qur’an also states that its revelation came to confirm the right message 
  that the earlier prophets brought. Much of this message is the central religious 
  concept of one God, and the basic commandments to honour parents, help 
  the poor, respect neighbours, not to steal, kill, envy, or lie, and so on. Some of 
  these commandments also form the basis of civil and criminal law in secular 
  governments, and they form the basis for the concept of human rights. The 
  fact that they share values, beliefs and ethics, make them to easily interact 
  

  and allow many kinds of interactions possible

  

  4.4. End unit assessment

  1. Define the following terms: Judaism, Torah
  2. List the five books of the Law.
  3. Explain how laws can help you to live peacefully in your community.
  4. Briefly explain the beliefs of christians.
  5. How christian beliefs can help you to live in harmonious life in 
  your society? 
  6. What does the term Islam mean?
  7. Define the following concepts:
  a. Quran
  b. Hadith
  8. Discuss the Islamic six pillas of faith
  
  

  
  

  
  

• UNIT 5: THE PILLARS OF FAITH IN ABRAHAMIC RELIGIONS

  Key Unit competence: Evaluate the contribution of Religious values to the 
  

  peaceful life in the society.
  

  
  

  UN peace keeping intervention versus armed rebellion to protect people and refugees
  

  Introductory Activity
  

  1. Discuss on the things that are important to observe in order to 
  

  have peace.
  

  2. According to you, what are the causes and consequences of 
  

  insecurity?
  

  

  5.1. Learning activitiy :

  In the picture above, we see people living together peacefully. There is 

  sharing and playing together. Describe what you understand by the term 

  peace, and discuss why you think peace is very important in society

  5.1. Meaning of Peace and inner peace
  

  a. Definition of Peace
  

  The concept of peace is etymologically in line with the Latin pax and the 
  

  Greek eirenewhich are approximations of Hebrew shalom a cognate of 
  

  Arabic salaam, meaning safety, prosperity and security. Like other abstract 
  

  terms, peace is intangible. But like “happiness”, “justice” and “freedom”, we 
  

  recognize peace by its absence. Peace denotes the opposite of things we 
  

  don’t like, that disturb our peace.
  

  It is often said that peace is not merely the absence of war but presence of 
  

  justice. The word peace can be defined as a social and political condition 
  

  that ensures development of individuals, society and nation. 
  

  It is a state of harmony characterized by the existence of healthy relationships. 
  

  It is a condition related to the social or economic welfare and equality. 
  

  It is also related to a working political order that serves true interests of all. 
  

  In the context of intra-national and international relations, peace implies the 
  

  presence of socio-cultural and economic understanding and unity. 
  

  Some scholars have differentiated negative peace from positive peace.
  

  Negative peace implies that there is no visible violence. In this case, there 
  

  could be lots of unresolved underlying issues that people do not want to talk 
  

  about. 
  

  On the other hand positive peace is a situation where there is restoration 
  

  of relationships, the creation of social systems that serve the needs of the 
  

  whole population and the constructive resolution of conflicts so that situation 
  

  do not escalate to open violence. Peace therefore, is a situation that prevails 
  

  when there exist respectful attention to the legitimate needs and interests of 
  

  all concerned. 
  

  Christians are called to be peace builders. In simple terms peace building 
  

  is all activity aiming at improving the quality of life. Peace building prevents, 
  

  reduces, transforms and helps people recover from all forms of violence. 
  

  Throughout the word of God, young people have always been called to rise 
  

  and shine and be examples and role models in their communities as peace 
  

  builders (Isaiah 9:6; Psalms 34:14; Ecclesiast 9:18). God himself is a God 
  

  of peace and hope. Young people are called to be ambassadors of peace 
  

  and hope. They can become instruments of peace, harmony, love and unity
  

  in their community through mediation, mobilization, advocacy, ensuring 
  

  security, creating awareness on human rights (Matthew 5:9; Ephesians 4:3; 
  

  Romans 12:18).
  

  b. Definition of inner peace
  

  Inner peace is also called peace of mind or inner calmness. It can be 
  

  developed through a kind of exercises and behaviours or discipline. It refers 
  

  to a state of being mentally and spiritually at peace, with enough knowledge 
  

  and understanding to keep oneself strong in the face of discord or stress. 
  

  Being “at peace” is considered by many to be healthy (homeostasis) and 
  

  the opposite of being stressed or anxious, a state where our mind performs 
  

  at an optimal level with a positive outcome. Peace of mind is thus generally 
  

  associated with bliss, happiness and contentment. Peace of mind, serenity, 
  

  and calmness are descriptions of a disposition free from the effects of stress
  

  
  

  5.2. Obstacles to Peace and inner peace
  

  5.2. Learning activitiy 
  

  
  

  The obstacles of inner peace in the society, habit makes our character and 
  

  then after, our personality. When one does not develop a number of tips to 
  

  maintain his or her inner peace, he or she will find him/herself dominated 
  

  by stress and then overloaded by ideas and actions that can lead to a 
  

  disharmonious life. Being so, inner peace will progressively die and loose its 
  

  place in one’s life. Therefore, stress is the big obstacle of inner peace.
  

  The other obstacles of inner peace are: failure to achieve goals, physical 
  

  and mental troubles, fear, anger, hatred, disputes, quarrels, hunger, bad 
  

  relationships with others, 
  

  Actions that can develop inner peace: Finding peace within is a wonderful 
  

  but also a difficult thing. It is easy to go looking for it in the wrong places. So 
  

  here are five timeless thoughts to help develop your inner peace:
  

  • Simplify: The simplification of life is one of the steps to inner peace. A 
  

  persistent simplification will create an inner and outer well-being that 
  

  places harmony in one’s life. 
  

  • Accept: Acceptance of others, their looks, their behaviours, their 
  

  belief, bring you an inner peace and tranquillity instead of anger and 
  

  resentment.
  

  • Forgive: Inner peace can be reached only when we practice forgiveness. 
  

  Forgiveness is letting go of the past, and is therefore the means for 
  

  correcting our misperceptions. Forgiveness is important because as 
  

  long as you don’t forgive someone you are linked to that person.
  

  • Do what you enjoy: Never continue in a job you don’t enjoy. If you’re 
  

  happy in what you’re doing, you’ll like yourself, you’ll have inner peace. 
  

  And if you have that, along with physical health, you’ll have more 
  

  success than you could possibly have imagined.
  

  • Be careful with your inner peace: Never be in a hurry; do everything 
  

  quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything 
  

  whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.
  

  5.2. Application activity: 
  

  1. List the factors that influence the lack of inner peace. 
  

  2. Explain how stress is the big obstacle of inner peace.
  

  3. Discuss the actions that can develop your inner peace.
  

  5.3. Religious teaching on Peace
  

  5.1. Learning activitiy :
  

  1. Observe the images below and read Genesis 4:1-12 in the Bible. 
  

  2. Find out why Cain killed his brother Abel. 
  

  3. What else could he have done to avoid committing murder?
  

  
  

  In biblical view, peace describes the state of those who love the word of God 
  

  (Psalm 119:165). It depicts the concept of peace expressed in the blessing 
  

  of Aaron found in numbers 6:24, wherein it sums up all blessings and is 
  

  closely associated with the presence of God. Peace is the result of God’s 
  

  presence in a person’s life as God is the source of Peace Psalm 85:8).
  

  Peace in the Old Testament
  

  In the Old Testament, the primarily Hebrew word for peace is shalom, and 
  

  it refers to relationships between people (Genesis 34:21), nations (1 Kings 
  

  5:12), and God with men (Psalm 85: 8). Peace is a desired status in each 
  

  of these arenas, and shalom is often tired to a covenant or promise kept. 
  

  A familiar friend (literally, “friend of my peace” in Psalms 41:9) is one with 
  

  whom you would be at ease, a trusted companion. Peace was the standard 
  

  greeting (1 Samuel 25:6), still used in many cultures today.
  

  Shalom denotes completion or wholeness. The general meaning of the root 
  

  word is of entering into a state of wholeness and unity, a restored relationship. 
  

  It also conveys a wide range of nuances: fulfilment, completion, maturity, 
  

  soundness, wholeness, harmony, tranquillity, security, well being, welfare, 
  

  friendship, agreement, success and prosperity. The word shalom occurs 
  

  more than 250 times in the Tanakh and appears in 213 separate verses. 
  

  Peace in the New Testament
  

  In the New Testament the primarily Greek word for peace is eirene, and it 
  

  refers to rest or tranquillity. Peace is the state of law and order that gives 
  

  rise to the blessing of prosperity. It also used to denote peaceful conduct 
  

  towards others. The New Testament use of the eirene remains firmly based 
  

  in the Hebrew traditions of Shalom in the Tanakh. It can describe both the 
  

  content and the goal of all Christian preaching, since the message is called 
  

  the Gospel of peace (Ephesians 6: 15). The word is found 91 times in the 
  

  New Testament, 24 of which are in the Gospels.
  

  A key focus of peace in the New Testament is the advent of Jesus Christ. 
  

  As announced by the angels in Luke 2: 14 (“Peace on earth”). Isaiah had 
  

  predicted the Messiah would be the prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6), and He is 
  

  called the Lord of peace in 2 Thessalonians 3:16. It is through Christ’s work 
  

  of justification that we can have peace with God (Romans 5:1); and that 
  

  peace will keep our hearts and minds secure (Philippians 4:7).
  

  God commands us to seek peace (Psalms 34:14; Matthew 5:9). We should 
  

  “make every effort to do what leads to peace (Romans 14:19). Of course 
  

  there will be people who do not desire peace, but we are still to do n utmost 
  

  to be at peace with them (Romans 12:18). Believers have an obligation to 
  

  “let the peace of the Lord rule” in their hearts Colossians 3:15). This means 
  

  we have the choice either to trust God’s promises (letting His peace rule) or 
  

  to rely on ourselves and reject the peace he offers. Jesus gave his disciples 
  

  peace based on truth that he has overcome the world (John 14:27; 16:33). 
  

  Peace is the Fruit of the Holy Spirit, so, if we are allowing the Spirit of God 
  

  to rule in our lives, we will experience His peace. To be spiritually minded 
  

  brings life and peace, according to Romans 8:6.
  

  The world will continue to have wars and interpersonal conflicts until Jesus 
  

  comes to establish true, lasting peace (See Isaiah 11:1-10), but God will give 
  

  His Peace to those who trust Him. Jesus took the chastisement of our peace 
  

  (Isaiah 53:5) and has made it possible for us to have peace with God. Once 
  

  His peace rules in our hearts, we are able to share that peace with others; 
  

  we become publishers of peace (Isaiah 52:7) and ministers of reconciliation 
  (2 Corinthians 5:18).
  
  5.4. Peace and Conflict
  5.4. Learning activitiy :
  

  1. Find the meaning of the term conflict.
  

  2. In the conflict situation below, who is the mediator and who are 
  

  the fighters?
  3. Propose all the causes of conflict that you know
  
  Definition of conflict
  

  A conflict is situation where there is opposition between two persons or 
  

  entities. It is the result of incompatibility of objectives and manifested 
  

  behaviours by protagonists. The term conflict comes from the Latin 
  

  “conflictus” which means an “act of striking together”. In other words, conflict 
  

  basically means a situation of competitive or opposing action. Put different 
  

  conflict is a natural and even necessary part of our lives whether at home, in 
  

  our families, at work, or within the church because it helps to resolves issues 
  

  which would otherwise prevail. Intense conflicts can, but does not have need 
  

  to, lead to violence. This means that when a conflict is not well resolved, it 
  may generate severe problems.
  

  Types of conflict
  

  Conflicts can be classified in the four types:
  

  Interpersonal conflicts
  

  This refers to the conflict between two people. This is because people are 
  

  different from one another. For example, some people get angry easily, some 
  

  are emotional others are slow to anger.
  

  Intrapersonal Conflict
  

  These are the conflicts that occur within an individual. The experience takes 
  

  in the person’s mind. It is a psychological conflict as it involves people’s 
  

  thoughts, values, principles, and emotions. Intra personal conflict may be a 
  simple one like making a decision between going or not going for lunch
  Intragroup conflicts
  

  It is a type of conflict that happens among individuals within a team. The 
  

  incompatibilities and misunderstandings among these individuals lead 
  

  to an intragroup conflict. It arises from interpersonal disagreements (e.g. 
  

  team members have different personalities which may lead to tension) or 
  

  differences in views and ideas (e.g. in a presentation, members of the team 
  

  might find the notions presented by the one presiding to be erroneous due to 
  

  their differences in opinion). Within a team, conflict can be helpful in coming 
  

  up with decisions which will eventually allow them to reach their objectives 
  as a team. 
  Intergroup conflict 
  

  This takes place when a misunderstanding arises among different teams 
  

  within an organization. For instance, the sales department of an organization 
  

  can come in conflict with the customer support department. This is due to 
  

  the varied sets of goals and interests of these different groups. In addition, 
  

  competition also contributes for intergroup conflict to arise. There are other 
  

  factors which fuel this type of conflict. Some of these factors may include 
  

  a rivalry in resources or the boundaries set by a group to others which 
  

  establishes their own identity as a team.
  

  Conclusively conflict may seem to be a problem to some, but this is not 
  

  how conflict should be perceived. On the other hand, it is an opportunity 
  

  for growth and can be an effective means of opening up among groups or 
  

  individuals. However, when conflict begins to draws back productivity and 
  

  gives way to more conflicts, then conflict management would be needed to 
  come up with a resolution.
  Causes of Conflicts
  Here are some of the causes of conflict that can arise in society:
  1. Failure to apologise: Failure to apologise for the wrong done to 
  others can lead to conflict. People are human and therefore they 
  are not always perfect. They make mistakes and wrong others. 
  However, if one is wronged but the offender fails to express regret 
  for the wrong done that can lead to a conflict.
  2. Backbiting: Backbiting is another vice which can cause conflict. 
  Backbiting annoys many people. It hurts most when it is a friend that 
  has been backbiting you. You feel betrayed, such a friend proves to 
  be unfaithful to you. 
  3. Selfishness: Being selfish is about being self centred and always 
  pursuing selfish interest. A person who always puts his interests first 
  without considering the good of others is selfish person.
  4. Envy: An envious person feels bad when another person is favoured, 
  gets good grades at school or does something better than him or 
  her. Envy leads to gossiping, insulting others and or even fighting. 
  (James 4:1-2)
  5. Divisive manipulation: This is what colonialists used “divide and 
  rule”. They would turn peaceful African communities against each 
  other to fight but in the interests of the colonialists. 
  6. Nepotism and tribalism: Nepotism is about favouring one’s 
  relatives at the expense of others. An example is a leader who can 
  unjustly employ his or her relatives in Government offices. Normally 
  such persons are appointed without following the proper rules of 
  appointing civil servants. 
  7. Prejudice: This means judging someone before you know the 
  facts. It is the act of judging others without supporting evidences. 
  Many times we are prejudiced against others on the basis of their 
  personal characteristics, say obesity, disability, homelessness, age, 
  skin complexion or height.
  8. Lack of self-control: Some people are ‘short-tempered’; they hardly 
  control their anger which results in being quarrelsome person. 
  9. Poverty: When people are poor they are not happy. They tend to 
  think that those who are rich are the ones who made them poor. The 
  poor think that the rich have accumulated a lot of money of which 
  some would have belonged to the poor.
  10. Injustice: this refers to unfair treatment of one party by another. 
  It is therefore, the absence of equal treatment, misuse of laws 
  against others and victimising any person by any means. Injustice 
  of whatever kind breeds bitterness, hatred and the desire to seek for 
  revenge. It is this desire to seek for revenge which eventually leads 
  to conflict or violence
  Consequences of conflict in society 
  1. Lack of peace: The first thing a conflict takes away from people is 
  peace. Where there is conflict, people live in fear and are always 
  worried. They do not know what can happen any time. Where there 
  is absence of peace, people cannot concentrate on things that matter 
  a lot to their existence. This blocks development and progress
  2. Deaths during wartime: The most important thing for any person 
  is his or her life. Once life is lost nothing else has any meaning to 
  a dead person. Conflict that can lead to physical aggression such 
  as war is deadly because it can cause injuries or death. The main 
  reason why people flee away from war zones is the fear of being 
  killing deliberately or accidentally by stray bullets or explosives.
  3. Migration: Conflict can lead to real physical war. Where there is 
  conflict or an actual war there is neither peace nor safety. Those who 
  feel vulnerable and cannot defend themselves decide to migrate to 
  other areas where they can be safe. By migrating they leave behind 
  their homes and places of their daily activities. They often move to 
  places where they may not have relatives. This makes them refugees 
  or internally displaced people. They begin to live on handouts from 
  well-wishers, charity organisations or the Government.
  4. Destruction of infrastructure: War is always disaster. Battlefields 
  are characterised with exchange of bullets, bombs and different 
  kinds of explosives. When this land of infrastructure such as water 
  facilities, electricity generating sources, roads and buildings are 
  destroyed. All these things are important for the provision of social 
  services. Government spends a lot of money to establish these 
  social facilities.
  However, a war of a few days can destroy facilities that took 
  Government several years to establish. Even when a war ends, it 
  always takes a long times to rebuild the infrastructures that were 
  destroyed during the war time
  
  5.5. Methods of Conflict resolution
  5.5. Learning activitiy :
  

  The story of Uwineza and Gasimba
  

  Uwineza and Gasimba are Senior one students and were still fighting in 
  

  the field when Mahoro arrived. They were fighting over a lost pen they 
  

  found in the field. Each one of them claimed that the pen belonged to 
  

  them. Nobody wanted to lose the fight. Mahoro stopped them from fighting 
  

  and requested them to give her the pen. Because she was a friend and 
  

  classmate to both, they gave her the pen. Then she asked them who was 
  

  the real owner but both claimed ownership. She told them that she, as 
  

  the mediator, would take the pen. Gasimba became happy that neither 
  

  of them would get the pen. Uwineza looked innocent as she said she did 
  

  not have a pen to use in the class. Mahoro decided to take the pen to 
  

  class without the two. She went entered the classroom and asked other 
  

  students about the pen. Those close to Uwineza confirmed that the pen 
  

  belonged to her. She called the two and gave the pen to Uwineza because 
  

  she was convinced that the pen belonged to her. After that clear evidence, 
  

  Gasimba said that he only admired the pen. He therefore agreed to buy 
  

  five pens for her as they shook hands.
  

  1. From the above story did you know that it was good to be honest? 
  

  Explain.Identify at least two methods of solving conflict.
  

  2. Identify the evidence that the two classmates in conflict were 
  

  eventually reconciled. 
  

  3. What do you think was the situation after solving the conflict ? 
  Think and discuss other methods of conflict resoltion.
  
  

  There are several methods used to cope with conflict. Those methods are 
  

  called Conflict resolution methods. Some of them are: mediation or dialogue, 
  

  negotiation, arbitration, promoting democratic rule, counselling and 
  

  litigation. 
  

  1. Mediation or dialogue:
  

  Mediation is a voluntary process in which an impartial person (the mediator) 
  

  helps with communication and promotes reconciliation between the parties 
  

  which will allow them to reach a mutually acceptable agreement. Mediation 
  

  often is the next step if negotiation proves unsuccessful.
  

  The Process: The mediator manages the process and helps facilitate 
  

  negotiation between the parties. A mediator does not make a decision nor 
  

  force an agreement. The parties directly participate and are responsible for 
  

  negotiating their own settlement or agreement.
  

  2. Negotiation:
  

  Negotiation is the most basic means of settling differences. It is back-andforth communication between the parties of the conflict with the goal of trying 
  to find a solution.
  

  The Process: You may negotiate directly with the other person. You may hire 
  

  an attorney to negotiate directly with the other side on your behalf. There 
  

  are no specific procedures to follow - you can determine your own - but it 
  

  works best if all parties agree to remain calm and not talk at the same time. 
  

  Depending on your situation, you can negotiate in the board room of a big 
  

  company, in an office or even in your own living room.
  

  Negotiation allows you to participate directly in decisions that affect you. In 
  

  the most successful negotiations, the needs of both parties are considered. 
  

  A negotiated agreement can become a contract and be enforceable.
  

  3. Arbitration:
  

  Arbitration is the submission of a disputed matter to an impartial person (the 
  

  arbitrator) for decision.
  

  The Process: Arbitration is typically an out-of-court method for resolving 
  

  a dispute. The arbitrator controls the process, will listen to both sides and 
  

  make a decision. Like a trial, only one side will prevail. Unlike a trial, appeal 
  

  rights are limited.
  

  In a more formal setting, the arbitrator will conduct a hearing where all of the 
  

  parties present evidence through documents, exhibits and testimony. The 
  

  parties may agree to, in some instances, establish their own procedure; or 
  

  an administrating organization may provide procedures. There can be either 
  

  one arbitrator or a panel of three arbitrators. An arbitration hearing is usually 
  

  held in offices or other meeting rooms.
  

  4. Promoting democratic rule:
  

  The most conflicts in Africa are caused by bad governance; leaders should 
  

  strive to establish democratic rules in their countries. When people are led 
  

  democratically and can participate in the management of their countries, 
  

  conflicts will be reduced. Elections must be free and fair so that those 
  

  defeated accept results honorably. Wherever there is serious discontent 
  

  over election results, those cheated can resort to violence.
  

  5. Counselling:
  

  This is the profession of advice and guidance in resolving a personal 
  

  problem. Counselling is a framework though which the counsellor reaches 
  

  out to a person in need of advice and guidance for the purpose of enabling 
  

  that person to overcome some certain personal difficulties. Sometimes, the 
  

  cause of conflict between parties or people can be personal weaknesses 
  

  that need to be addressed in order to end dispute. Counselling can play an 
  

  important part in helping individuals involved in a dispute to be reconciled. 
  

  The counsellor can help individuals to identify better and safer ways of 
  

  solving problems that head previously seemed very difficult to deal with.
  

  6. Litigation
  

  Litigation is the use of the courts and civil justice system to resolve legal 
  

  controversies. Litigation can be used to compel opposing party to participate 
  

  in the solution.
  

  The Process: Litigation is begun by filing a lawsuit in a court. Specific rules 
  

  of procedure, discovery and presentation of evidence must be followed. The 
  

  attorney for the other side will want to take your deposition to learn more 
  

  about the facts as you see them and your position in the case. There can 
  

  be a number of court appearances by you and/or your lawyer. If the parties 
  

  cannot agree how to settle the case, either the judge or a jury will decide the 
  

  dispute for you through a trial.
  

  A trial is a formal judicial proceeding allowing full examination and 
  

  determination of all the issues between the parties with each side presenting 
  

  its case to either a jury or a judge. The decision is made by applying the facts 
  

  of the case to the applicable law. That verdict or decision can conclude the 
  

  litigation process and be enforceable; however, if appropriate, the loser can 
  

  appeal the decision to a higher court. In some cases, the losing party may 
  

  have to pay the costs of the lawsuit and may have to pay the other party’s 
  

  attorney fees.
  

  For conflict based on interest, approaches like win-win, lose-lose and winlose are frequently used. 
  

  • Active Nonviolence Methods
  

  Definition of Active Non-Violence: It is the personal practice of being 
  

  harmless to self and others under every condition. The idea came from 
  

  the philosophy of “abstention from violence: not hurt animals, people and 
  

  environment. Gandhi, Martin Luther King Junior and Mandela used this kind 
  

  of methods for several times. Among the principles of Active Non Violence, 
  

  we can cite: non-aggression, non-killing, non-violence, etc.
  

  Six Principles of nonviolence in conflict resolution (according Martin 
  

  Luther King Jr)
  

  1. Nonviolence is a way of life for courageous people. It is active 
  

  nonviolent resistance to evil.
  

  2. Nonviolence seeks to win friendship and understanding. The end 
  

  result of nonviolence is redemption and reconciliation
  3. Nonviolence seeks to defeat injustice, not people. Nonviolence 
  recognizes that evildoers are also victims.
  4. Nonviolence holds that suffering can educate and transform. 
  Nonviolence willingly accepts the consequences to its acts.
  5. Nonviolence chooses love instead of hate. Nonviolence resists 
  violence to the spirit as well as the body. Nonviolence love is active, 
  not passive. Nonviolence love does not sink to the level of the 
  hater. Love restores community and resists injustice. Nonviolence 
  recognizes the fact that all life is interrelated. 
  6. Nonviolence believes that the universe is on the side of justice. The 
  nonviolent resister has deep faith that justice will eventually win.
  • Gandhi and Active Non-Violence Methods 
  Mahatma Gandhi (2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948) was an Indian 
  activist who was the leader of the Indian independence movement against 
  British rule. Employing nonviolent civil disobedience, Gandhi led India to 
  independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across 
  the world. Gandhi’s birthday, 2 October, is commemorated in India as 
  Gandhi Jayanti, a national holiday, and worldwide as the International Day of 
  Nonviolence. According to Gandhi, nonviolence and truth are inseparable. 
  • Martin Luther King and Active Non-Violence Methods 
  Martin Luther King Junior (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) was an American 
  Baptist minister and activist who became the most visible spokesperson and 
  leader in the civil rights movement from 1954 through 1968. He is best known 
  for his role in the advancement of civil rights using the tactics of nonviolence 
  and civil disobedience based on his Christian beliefs and inspired by the 
  nonviolent activism of Mahatma Gandhi. King believed and declared that 
  violence was immoral. 
  • Mandela Nelson and Active Non-Violence Methods 
  Nelson Mandela (18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013), (imprisoned for 27 
  years) was a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and 
  philanthropist, who served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. 
  He was the country’s first black head of state and the first elected in a fully 
  representative democratic election. His government focused on dismantling 
  the legacy of apartheid by tackling institutionalized racism and fostering racial 
  reconciliation. Ideologically an African nationalist and socialist, he served as 
  President of the African National Congress (ANC) party from 1991 to 1997.
  • Effects of Conflict Resolution (individual, family and society) 
  Conflict resolution has significant impact on individual, family and society. 
  At the individual level, the person whose conflict is resolved, is peaceful 
  and can work positively and successfully. When he or she has overcome his/
  her conflicts, he/she becomes a source of benediction for others. 
  At the family level, the resolution of conflicts creates harmony between 
  family members and enhances their efforts for integral development. 
  At the society level, conflict resolution contributes to the welfare and 
  development of communities. 
  Conflict Analysis
  For conflicts to be resolved, it is necessary to understand what is going on 
  between conflicting individuals or entities. One needs to study the problem, 
  analyze it and this to be easy some tools can be helpful. 
  • Problem Analysis
  It is usually said that a problem well analyzed is a problem half solved. In a 
  basic conflict analysis, we should gather as much information and knowledge 
  about:
  • Who are the people directly and indirectly affected by the conflict? 
  What are their perspectives about the conflict?
  • What are the underlying issues and needs that are not being mentioned?
  • What are the roots causes of the conflict? Do the conflicts have historical 
  roots or do they come from the current social context?
  • If there is no immediate intervention, is the conflict likely to escalate to 
  violence?
  • Are there parties who may be benefiting from the conflict; and is there 
  anyone trying to resolve the conflict?
  • How should you intervene in the conflict?
  • Classical Problem Solving Approach
  • The following steps can help solving the problem: 
  • Define the problem.
  • Generate as many options as possible for resolution
  • Evaluate the options.
  • Pick the best.
  • Develop implementation plan. 
  • Alternative approach to Conflict Resolution
  One of the tools to resolve conflicts is by the “The conflict resolution tree”. As 
  the name suggests, the conflict resolution tree focuses on the root causes 
  of the core problems that we can visibly see. The analogy of a tree is very 
  familiar with most people hence they can easily identify with the dynamics 
  in the analysis. In the Conflicts Resolution Tree, the leaves and branches 
  represent the effects while the stem or trunk represents the core problem. Of 
  

  course the roots represent the root causes of the conflict

  

  Using the Conflict Resolution Tree, we can ask some questions about any 
  situation of conflict such as:
  • Questions about obvious issues that we can see on the green leaves.
  • Questions about the relationship between the leaves and the core 
  issues and conditions of the roots.
  • Questions about the trunk which represents the core problem. For 
  example, if the problem is drug abuse, we need to ask why young 
  

  people are engaging in drug abuse

  5.5. Application activity: 
  1. Define conflict resolution methods.
  2. Outline different means of conflict resolution.
  3. Explain the active non violence method of confict resolution and 
  out line its princples according to Martin Luther King Junior.
  4. Outline the effects of conflict resolution to an individual, family and 
  society
  5.5. End unit assessment
  1. Why is the lack of peace in any given area a great disadvantage 
  to people?
  2. Highlight the causes and consequences of conlict in society.
  3. Identify and explain the effects of war on a development.
  4. Among the following five actions, find one which cannot develop 
  inner peace: Simplify, Accept, Forgive, Do not do what you enjoy, 
  be careful with your inner peace.
  5. Explain how stress is the big obstacle of inner peace.
  6. Distinguish the different types of conflict.
  7. Explain the different ways conflicts can be resolved.
  REFERENCES
  a. Books:
  Abdul Wahid Hamid, (1989). Islam,the Natural Way. Kingdom Bahrain: 
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  Conference Episcopale du Rawanda, Bureau Nationale de Catechese(2017). 
  Church-Mystery, Church-History. Kigali: Edition bibliques et Liturgiques
   Conférence Episcopale du Rwanda, Bureau Nationale de Catéchèse (2017). 
  Initiation to the Bible. Kigali: Edition bibliques et Liturgiques
  Conseil Protestant du Rwanda (2002). La vie en abondance en JésusChrist: Contenu du Programme de Religion Protestante pour l’enseignement 
  secondaire. Kigali : CPR.
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  Esc.
  Dr. Abdrahmane Raffat Al-Pacha, (2000). Histoire des Compagnons du 
  Prophète, Volume VI. Koeit: Agence des Musulmans d’Afrique.
  Gichaga S. N, et al,(2000) Secondary Christian Religious Education, 
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  Godfrey E.N. Nsubuga (2016): Christian Religion and Ethics for Rwandan 
  Schools, Learner’s book 1, MK Publishers, Kigali, Rwanda.
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  God, Senior Four Teacher’s book. Kigali.
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  the heaven: Religious Education, Manual Upper Secondary School, Senior 
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  Religious Education, Manual Upper Secondary School, Senior Five, 
  Teacher’s Book, Kigali.
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  Onoka A. (2003). Christian Religious Education, Student’s Book one. Nairobi: 
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  Shiphrah Gichaga N., Ruth Kerre M.; Dr Philomena Mwaura N., Elizabeth 
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  Shiphrah Gichaga N., Ruth Kerre M.; Dr Philomena Mwaura N., Jeremiah 
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  Brannon Deibert, what is the Golden Rule? Biblical meaning, importance 
  and examples, on https://www.christianity.com/christian-life/what-is-thegolden-rule.html (on 10/9/2019)
  Courtnage Richard, Loving the Lord with all your heart, your Soul, your mind 
  and your strength. On https://www.ibelieve. Com (on 9/9)
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• Topic 6
• Topic 7
• Topic 8
• Topic 9