1. How belief impacts on people's lives – GodWord used to describe a personal transcendent Being, the world and others.

2. The changes (if any provided).

3. The benefits on individuals, communities, the world.

4. Examples of worth.

There is a necessary relationship for Christians between belief and action. To profess to be a Christian means professing to act like a Christian and this involves adhering to the Christian ethic of love. In the same way that a person loves another human being and must act upon this love, so a Christian must act upon their beliefs. Thus JesusFounder of Christianity' example of serviceReferring to either an act of worship or working for a cause, even unto death, is the template for Christian action. Accordingly, a Christian will consider the best way to follow a vocationHaving a sense of calling to service by God by asking God, through prayer, what it is that they should do as a career. Jesus had a lot to say about politics and finance, much of it being both radical and thought provoking.

It has been argued that the Christian ideal would be the institution of the Kingdom of GodThe central message of Jesus on earth. i.e. an earthly theocracy where the rule of love is seen in the equality and freedom of all human beings. As this is not apparent in the world today, many Christians see their role as helping to bring about this state. Some Christians, for example in South America, promote the principle of Liberation TheologyThe study of disciplines associated with God which believes that Christians should physically fight against poverty, exploitation and lack of human rightsFormal attempts to guarantee, for all human beings, decent treatment and protection from discrimination and abuses of power. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is based on belief in the 'dignity and worth of the human person'. The universality of human rights appeals very much to humanists.. Other Christians choose to enter politics in order to bring about social change. The World Council of Churches, which includes Orthodox, Protestant and PentecostalA word usually used of charismatic churches churches, is a platform for the churches of the world to talk and work together for a better future. Alongside this, it funds long-term development programmes and promotes dialogue with other faiths.

Christian pro-activity has resulted in all areas of social concern being addressed, from individuals, to society and to those of world concern. Action against suicide, action for urban renewal, health care, support for the aged, action against weapons which kill millions and nuclear weapons are all causes which have been supported by Christians.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) was a German pastor and theologian. He was an active participant in the German Resistance movement against Nazism. He was involved in an unsuccessful plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler, was arrested in March 1943, imprisoned and eventually hanged just before the end of the World War II. What is notable about Bonheoffer's life and writings is his willingness to follow Jesus' example for the good of the world whilst supporting violent action in order to stop the spread of Nazism.

Websites

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietrich_Bonhoeffer - Biography of Bonhoeffer

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/ethics/euthanasia - BBC site on euthanasia.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/rs/sanctity/chabortionrev1.sht... - BBC bitesize on abortion and contraception.

http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/consumer/patient/chap5.htm - the euthanasia debate from historical quotations.

Bibliography

Sobrino, J. & Ellacuria, I. (eds.), 1997. Systematic Theology: Perspectives from Liberation Theory. USA: Orbis Books.

Swinburne, R., 1993. The Coherence of Theism (Clarendon Library of Logic and Philosophy). Oxford: Clarendon Press.

Wiles, M., 1999. Reason to Believe. London: SCM Press.

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