Religious and Moral Education

                                                                           9/10/2020

RECAP OF JHS 1 LESSONS

GOD, HIS CREATION AND HIS ATTIBUTES

§  God and His Creation

§  The purpose and usefulness of God’s creation

§  The need to maintain the natural environment

§  Activities which negatively affect God’s creation

God and His Creation
Creation is the act of causing something to happen or to exist.

THE CHRISTIAN CREATION STORY GENESIS 1

•In the beginning the world was shapeless, dark and empty, and then God began creation in the following order at His command

Day1 – God created light and darkness

Day2 – He created a separation (the atmosphere/ sky) between the waters above and the waters below

Day3 – He created the water bodies (seas, lakes, etc) and the drylands. God also created vegetation (plant life) of all sorts.

Day4 – God created the heavenly bodies (the sun and other stars and the moon)

Day5 – God created all kinds of sea, land and air creatures, and then He commanded them to reproduce and spread all over the earth.

Day6 – God created land animals. Finally, God created humans. Man first and woman second. The humans are the only creatures that He created in His own image and likeness. He blessed them and gave them dominion over all other living things that He had created.

Day7 – Rest day. God, having completed the creation, rested on this day and blessed it.

 

LESSONS FROM THE STORY

•HUMANKIND SHOULD BE HARDWORKING AND INNOVATIVE
Adam put his abilities to work when he named all the animals

•GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY
The message here is that human beings need to rest after working for a period.

•Man was created in the image and likeness of God.
a)Man has the physical and spiritual qualities of God
b)Man should not do anything that will lower his status as an image of God

•Creation of the universe was done step by step in an orderly way. Everything was created in an organized manner. Therefore we must learn to do things in that manner.

•Humankind should pursue righteous live to please God.

Adam and Eve were giving some basic rules and principles to follow.

Humanity was given control over all things created by God.

We should be careful and responsible for what God has entrusted onto us.

THE ISLAMIC CREATION STORY ACCORDING TO THE Q’URAN

According to the Quran, Allah created the universe in six days by divine command. The moon and sun were created by Allah to give light during the day and night and also created the heavens to demonstrate his power and majesty

Adam, the man, was created first (SURAH 15:26) “We created man from sounding clay, from mud molded into shape”....

And, "He began the creation of man from clay, and made his progeny (DESCENDANTS) from a quintessence (TYPICAL EXAMPLE OR MOST PERFECT) of fluid" (SURAH 32:7-8) After the creation of Adam God commanded all angels to bow down unto Adam and Iblis(Satan) refused. And therefore he was cursed and cast out of heaven.

“And (remember) when your Lord said to the angels: ‘I am going to create a human (Adam) from sounding clay of altered black smooth mud.So when I have fashioned him and breathed into him (his) soul created by Me, then you fall down prostrate to him.” (SURAH 38:71-72)

Eve, the woman was created next "It is He Who created you from a single person, and made his mate of like nature, in order that he might dwell with her in love" (SURAH 7:189).

According to the Quran humankind was created in stages or step by step or gradually or systematically. Humankind was created from male and female seminal fluid or secretions

(SURAH 53:45-46) and He it is Who created the two kinds, the male and the female, from a drop of sperm when it was emitted,

After fertilization, the resulting organism is deposited in the mother’s womb as a seed. Hawa first delivered the first set of twins (SURAH 5:27-28)

 

SUMMARY OF THE STORY

According to the Quran, Allah created the universe in six days by divine command.

The moon and sun were created by Allah to give light during the day and night and also created the heavens to demonstrate his power and majesty.

Adam, the man, was created first, after the creation of Adam God commanded all angels to bow down unto Adam and Iblis(Satan) refused. And therefore he was cursed and cast out of heaven. Eve, the woman was created next.

According to the Quran humankind was created in stages or step by step or gradually or systematically. Humankind was created from male and female seminal fluid or secretions

After fertilization, the resulting organism is deposited in the mother’s womb as a seed. Hawa first delivered the first set of twins.

The formation stages dust→ sperm drop → blood clot → child→ Adult → Old person

Allah created all things out of nothing, except his might, power, wisdom and goodness.

The creation of Humankind shows how powerful Allah is.

 

MORAL LESSONS

•Creation was a gradual process

•Allah regulates all affairs

•Allah is kind and generous

•Man was created to serve and obey Allah

•Allah is a person of order

 

THE AKANS MYTH ON CREATION

•God first created the court crier, who stands for order.

•After which God created the earth and plants.

•He then created the sky, waterbodies and plants in that order.

•He made animals and all other living things.

•God then created human beings to cater for and feed on the plants and animals.

•The spirits and lesser gods were then created to protect and support the human beings.

•The spirits/lesser gods were made to dwell in plants, water bodies, forests, rocks, mountains, etc.

•God then created Okyrema (the drummer) who is the custodian/symbol of knowledge.

•Finally, God created death. (Kwaku Kwabrafo) that ends the life of human on earth.

•The Akans still believe God is still creating new things and humans everyday. A newly born child into the family is considered a new creation from Onyankopon (God).

 

THE EWE MYTH ON CREATION

•The Ewes are largely found in the Volta region of Ghana. They believe that creation took the following form.

•God called Mawu created everything on earth and in heaven.

•Before he created everything, the world was without form. It was completely dark.

•Mawu commanded the earth and all the things to appear. He created the rivers, sea, lakes, land , plants, animals, sun, wind and moon.

•Mawu then created man from clay and put a soul (luvour) in him. The soul served as a guardian spirit that ensures that man knows what is wrong and right.

•Mawu ceased creating human from clay because the clay got finished. He then used dead bodies to create new ones(reincarnation). This explains why the Ewes believe that children sometimes look like their parents or late relations.

•The ewes believe that when one dies his soul goes back to Mawu, then rewards or punishes him for what he did on earth.

•Mawu later drifted gradually into the sky or heaven from humankind because they disturbed him. He then sent his elder son Lisa with a sword to clear the forest and make tools that Mawu will use to divide the world among his sons.

•One of his sons controlled the sky, thunder and lightining. The second one controlled all creation of Mawu and the last one controlled the birds, wild animals and vegetation.

 

THE DAGOMBA MYTH ON CREATION

•The great chief (God) called Naawuni created the heaven and the earth and all the things in them in six days.

•He also created the spirits and the other lesser gods called Bola to serve as His messengers. They were to also serve as intermediary between Him and humanity.

•Naawuni then rested on the seventh day after creation.

•Naawuni also gave laws and principles to humanity as a guide to enable them avoid sin. Those who live righteous will inherit heaven when they die, but will go to hell where they will burn forever in an unqueanchable fire.

•The dagomba’s are grateful to him to the extend that he takes precedence in everthing they do. For example they say, that Naawuni Sai which means if God permits)

 

Usefulness of creation

Air

•For respiration in man

•Plants use it for photosynthesis to provide food for man

•For burning of materials

•For transport by sail boats

 

Rainfall

•Softens the ground for easy ploughing and sowing

•Makes plants grow well

•Provides water for domestic use (bathing, washing, etc)

•Provides water for irrigation of farms

•Makes the weather cooler for greater comfort

•Supplies water to increase the volume of water bodies

 

Plants

•Several plants provide food for animals and humankind

•Some plants can be used as herbs or for medicine

•Certain plants (trees/ timber) are used for furniture and building materials

•Plants(trees) serve as windbreaks that reduce the destructive impact of strong winds

•Green plants release oxygen (used for respiration) into the atmosphere as a result of photosynthesis

•Green plants help to reduce the carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere by absorbing it for photosynthesis

•Certain plants are used to check erosion

•Some plants(trees) provide shade

•Some plants are worshipped as deities in certain traditional societies

•Some plants (eg, grass, plants with flowers, hedges, trees) are grown to beautify a place.

•Certain parts of / substances from some plants can be used to make various items such as adhesives, fabric, brooms, footwear, etc

•Parts of certain plants are used to provide fuel, such as firewood and charcoal

 

The sea/ ocean

•It is a source of food (sea food) for man and animals

•It is a source of water for domestic purposes such as bathing and washing

•It is used for the production of common salt

•It is a means of transport (using boats, ships, submarines, etc)

•Crude oil is drilled from below the sea bed

•It provides employment for people such as fishermen, sailors, port workers, etc

•It helps in rain formation as large amounts of water get evaporated into the atmosphere

 

Animals

•For transportation, eg, camels, horses, donkeys, etc

•For food, eg, chicken, sheep, cattle, etc

•For sports/ entertainment, eg, horses, bulls

•For working, such as ploughing, eg, oxen, bulls

•For protection, eg: dogs

•For pleasure/ tourist attraction, (zoo animals, wildlife)

 

•Stars

(i) They give light to the earth
(ii) The sun (a star) provides energy for life activities on earth
(iii) Stars can be used for navigation
(iv) Stars can be used to tell times and seasons
(v) Stars are used in many cultures and religions for predictions, prayer and as a deity

•Moon

(i) It gives light to the earth during the night

(ii) It causes the rising and falling of sea tides

(iii) It can be used to determine times and seasons

(iv) It is used by certain cultures and religions for predictions, prayer and as a deity

(v) It has been used in many works of art, including in national flags, emblems, etc.

Usefulness of Humankind to God

(i) Humans obey and submit to the will of God

(ii) They represent God on earth

(iii) They praise and worship God

(iv) They exhibit the attributes of God for the sake of all creation

(v) They are formed in the image of God, and are therefore his children

(vi) They make use of all that God has created

(vii) They continue the creation process through reproduction and inventions

(viii) They have dominion over / take care of all that God has created

 

The environment

•Activities that destroy the environment

(i) Indiscriminate sand winning.
The uncontrolled winning(mining/ collection) of sand from beaches or coastal areas degrades the land and destroys the beaches

(ii) Indiscriminate mining
The mining of minerals destroys the natural vegetation of the land. The use of chemicals for mining also negatively affects the land. Moreover, the dust produced pollutes the atmosphere.

(iii) Trees felling
The cutting down of trees for various purposes destroys the forest and causes desertification.

(iv) Overgrazing
Allowing cattle and other animals to feed on vegetation at a place for a very long time makes the vegetation get depleted

(v) Disposal of solid and liquid waste in water bodies
Solid and liquid wastes dumped in waterbodies such as rivers, lagoons, seas, pollute them and kill fishes and other flora(plant life)and fauna(animal life)

(vi) Indiscriminate disposal of refuse
Some people throw refuse about haphazardly. This pollutes the environment and promotes the spread of diseases

(vii) Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides
This pollutes both the land and waterbodies into which run off flows

(viii) Crude oil spillage
Crude oil sometimes accidentally gets spilled onto the sea from oil tankers or from oil rigs. This causes pollution of the sea.

(ix) Release of toxic gases from industries
Certain manufacturing industries release poisonous gases into the atmosphere. This causes air pollution.

(x) Bush/refuse burning
The uncontrolled burning of bush destroys vegetation. Smoke from burning of bush /refuse also pollutes the atmosphere/ air.

(xi) Smoking of cigarettes, marijuana, etc
Fumes from the smoking of cigarettes, marijuana, etc, contain toxic substances that pollute the air.

(xii) Excessive dust from sites
The construction of roads and buildings, mining, quarrying and other such activities release dust into the atmosphere which pollute the air.

                                                                            13/11/2020

COMPORTMENT and COURTESY 

Comportment is a person's ability to conduct himself to herself such that it will bring respect and dignity to the person and society 

BEHAVIOURS THAT SHOW COMPORTMENT

1. We must control our temper when provoked 

2. We must be patient in everything we do 

3. As students, we should find it very important to pay attention in class 

4. Urinating and easing yourself at authorized places 

5. Expressing a high sense of tolerance to others views, religious beliefs.

6. Refusing to fight, insult, castigate or show violent behavior towards opponents or perceived enemies. 

7. We must not throw rubbish anywhere 

8. We should handle situations of joy and enthusiasm well. 

Situations that call for comportment
1. When one is angered by another person

2. When you are waiting for a service at a public or private private institution

3. When you receive bad or good  news like loss of a dear one or wining an event etc 

4. When you are watching a football match on the TV. 

5. When you are accused falsely of having done something.