What does CCEA Unit 6 An Introduction to Christian Ethics cover?

Unit 6 applies Christian teaching to contemporary moral issues. It covers personal and family issues such as marriage, sexual relationships, divorce and the family; matters of life and death including the sanctity of life, abortion and euthanasia; developments in bioethics such as fertility treatment, genetic engineering and embryo research; prejudice, equality and the duty to help the poor; and war and peace, including the Just War theory and pacifism.

What is the sanctity of life in Christian ethics?

The sanctity of life is the belief that all human life is sacred because it is a gift from God, who is the giver and taker of life, and because humans are made in the image of God. The commandment 'You shall not murder' expresses the duty to protect life. This principle shapes Christian thinking on abortion, euthanasia and bioethics, where many Christians weigh the sanctity of life against compassion.

What is the Just War theory?

The Just War theory sets out conditions for a war to be considered justified: a just cause such as self-defence, proper authority such as a government, war as a last resort, proportionate force, a reasonable chance of success, and right conduct that protects civilians. Many Christians accept that war can be justified only if these conditions are met, while Christian pacifists believe violence is always wrong.

How do Christians approach developments in bioethics?

Christians use principles such as the sanctity of life, stewardship (using God-given skill responsibly), and the worry about 'playing God.' They often support medical research that cures disease as good stewardship, but have concerns about IVF creating spare embryos, about genetic engineering producing 'designer babies' or human cloning, and about research that destroys embryos. The recurring distinction is between healing and uses that disrespect human life.

Do all Christians hold the same ethical views?

No. Christians share core teachings such as the sanctity of life, love of neighbour and the example of Jesus, but they apply them differently. On issues such as abortion, euthanasia, divorce, war and bioethics, Christians hold a range of views, from stricter positions such as those of the Roman Catholic Church to more flexible ones that stress compassion. Showing this range of views is rewarded in the evaluation questions.

Northern IrelandReligious Studies

CCEA GCSE Religious Studies Unit 6 An Introduction to Christian Ethics: a complete overview

A complete overview of CCEA GCSE Religious Studies Unit 6, An Introduction to Christian Ethics. Covers personal and family issues, matters of life and death, developments in bioethics, prejudice and equality, and war and peace, with the principles and range of Christian views.

Generated by Claude Opus 4.814 min readCCEAUpdated 2026-06-14

Reviewed by: AI editorial process; not yet individually human-reviewed

Jump to a section

What this unit demands
Personal and family issues
Matters of life and death
Developments in bioethics
Prejudice and equality
War and peace
Check your knowledge

What this unit demands

An Introduction to Christian Ethics applies Christian teaching to contemporary moral issues. It studies what Christians believe about right and wrong in family life, life and death, medicine, equality and war. The exam rewards precise knowledge of Christian teaching, an awareness that Christians hold a range of views, and balanced evaluation that refers to the statement. This overview ties the dot-point pages together.

Personal and family issues

Christians teach that marriage is a lifelong, faithful union blessed by God, for love, sexual love and raising children. They hold a range of views on sex before marriage and on divorce and remarriage, from the Roman Catholic teaching that marriage cannot be ended to more accepting positions that stress forgiveness. The family is valued as God-given.

Matters of life and death

The sanctity of life, that life is a sacred gift from God, shapes Christian views on abortion and euthanasia. Many Christians oppose both as the taking of God-given life, while others accept them in some cases out of compassion. Belief in life after death gives hope beyond death.

Developments in bioethics

Christians use stewardship, the sanctity of life and the worry about "playing God" to judge fertility treatment, genetic engineering, cloning and embryo research. They often support healing uses but oppose those that disrespect human life.

Prejudice and equality

Christians teach that prejudice and discrimination are wrong, because all are made "in the image of God" and equal. Jesus' teaching to love your neighbour and the Good Samaritan include everyone. Christians treat wealth as a responsibility and have a duty to help the poor and work for justice.

War and peace

Christians value peace, but differ on war. Many accept the Just War theory, which limits when and how a war may be fought; others are pacifists, who believe violence is always wrong, following Jesus' teaching to "love your enemies." Christian ethics also stresses forgiveness and reconciliation.

CCEA's Christian Ethics unit applies Christian teaching to contemporary moral issues. On personal and family issues, Christians value lifelong marriage for love, sex and children, but differ on sex before marriage and divorce. On matters of life and death, the sanctity of life, that life is a sacred gift from God, shapes views on abortion and euthanasia, with many Christians opposed and some accepting them out of compassion. On bioethics, Christians use stewardship, the sanctity of life and the worry about "playing God" to judge IVF, genetic engineering, cloning and embryo research, often supporting healing but opposing uses that disrespect life. On prejudice and equality, Christians teach that all are made in God's image and equal, that prejudice is wrong, and that wealth is a responsibility and the poor must be helped. On war and peace, many Christians accept the Just War theory while others are pacifists, and all value forgiveness and reconciliation. The exam rewards explaining principles, showing the range of Christian views, and balanced evaluation.

Check your knowledge

A mix of recall questions covering the whole unit. Attempt them, then check the solutions.

Name two purposes of marriage in Christian teaching. (2 marks)
What is meant by the sanctity of life? (2 marks)
What is the difference between abortion and euthanasia? (2 marks)
What is meant by stewardship in bioethics? (1 mark)
What is the difference between prejudice and discrimination? (2 marks)
What did Jesus teach in the parable of the sheep and the goats? (2 marks)
Give two conditions of the Just War theory. (2 marks)
What is pacifism? (1 mark)

Solutions

Q1: Mutual love and companionship, the right place for sexual love, and the foundation for having and raising children.
Q2: The belief that all human life is sacred because it is a gift from God and humans are made in the image of God.
Q3: Abortion is the deliberate ending of a pregnancy; euthanasia is bringing about a gentle death to end suffering.
Q4: Using God-given skill and creation responsibly, as a steward answerable to God.
Q5: Prejudice is an unfair attitude; discrimination is acting on it by treating people unfairly.
Q6: That whatever is done for "the least of these," such as the hungry and the sick, is done for him.
Q7: Any two of: just cause, proper authority, last resort, proportionality, reasonable chance of success, right conduct protecting civilians.
Q8: The belief that war and violence are always wrong and disputes should be settled peacefully.

Sources & how we know this

CCEA GCSE Religious Studies specification — CCEA (2017)