O level Notes : FRS - Religion, Ethics, Health And Sexuality - Indigenous Religion and Unhu/Ubuntu

IR AND UNHU/UBUNTU

In the Shona, Ndebele, Venda and Xangani cultures,  any conduct is considered good if it satisfied the requirements of society and if it was not condemned. Unhu/Ubuntu/Vumunhu is a philosophy that is concerned with the reinforcement of unity, oneness, and solidarity among the Bantu people. Morality implies the form of patterns of behaviour that are considered by the members of the society to bring about social harmony and cooperative living, justice and fairness. It also teaches truthfulness, humility, love, compassion, self-control, forgiveness, mercifulness, strength, courage and industriousness. Their communitarian views of relationship, cooperation, mutual respect and understanding are informed by this condition.

Good relations are characterised by mutual understanding and respect. Extending a hand of friendship is always symbolised by sharing food. The Shona, the Ndebele, the Ndau and the Venda among others could welcome visitors for instance relatives, friends and strangers whom they fed and provided shelter.

The values of hard work are mostly practiced in the Shona, Ndebele, Venda and the Tonga culture among other language groups. They are quite aware that the people have to work hard in order to improve themselves. Physical and mental health is normally promoted by the availability of adequate life sustaining and life enhancing resources such as food and tools as well as stable and peaceful environment. The proverb “Kakara kasingapambari hakanuni”in Shona suggests that one has to work hard if they are to have happiness and well being.

Respect is another value which the Shona, Ndebele, Tonga, Venda and the Xangani practice. In their traditional families, the elderly men and women including uncles, and aunts are addressed as father and mother while those close to one's own age addressed as sisters and brothers. The eldest son in each generation occupied a special place of supremacy among all his siblings.

Fairness is a very important value regulating conduct and is central to the understanding of kugarisana in Shona and ukuhlalisana in Ndebele. To this end “hundyire” was highly discouraged. Covetousness which is called “hundyire” in Shona and 'ubuhwaba' in Ndebele is a term which is used to refer to the practise of using “natural mighty and greedy” rather than the application of the principles of justice in the distribution of social goods and services to self and to others. Communal leaders had to be fair in their judgement as well as respect the people that they lead. Failure to do so would lead to the demise in their powers and authority.

Morals and values in Judaism

The term moral comes from a Latin word morales or moralis translated to mean right and wrong. At times it refers to the conduct which is defined as behaviour in general. A person's behaviour had to be in line with what community viewed as good. Good conduct involved communitarian views of relationships, cooperation, mutual respect and understanding.

Respect is an important value in Judaism. People are to show respect to God by worshipping him and him alone. They are to respect their parents, “Honour your father and mother… so that it may go well with you in the land which the Lord your God gives you.” (Deut 5:16). They are also to respect fellow human beings as well as the environment.

They were not supposed to kill, that is to say they were not to commit murder. They were to respect life. Adultery in the Decalogue as well as in Jewish interpretation is a commandment referring to breaking another man's marriage. Any woman caught in adultery was to be stoned while men went away freely. Adultery was punished by death of the female partner. If a man raped a girl the man must pay dowry to the girl's father and marry the girl and never divorce her.

Stealing was not allowed at all. People were supposed to respect other people's property like their land, livestock, wives and even children. No one shall take something that is not his without asking for permission from the owner. Philippians 2:3 says, 'do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves…' People were not supposed to covet their neighbours' wife, nor desire their neighbours field or house.

Moral and values in Christianity

Murder is not allowed as shown in Matt 5:21. Jesus said it is mainly caused by anger. Saying spiteful words is worse than anger. Jesus taught that spiteful words are aimed at hurting someone's spirit so they should be avoided. These words also affect the self-worth of the other person. To avoid anger, Jesus taught that people should not pay evil with evil, but should forgive one another.

Jesus also taught that people should not commit adultery (Matt 5:21). Adultery is a word that describes sexual immorality and infidelity between married people.

People should have one partner because in the beginning God made one man and one woman so that they become one flesh. Sexual immorality is condemned because it defiled people's bodies and it is sin.

Jesus also teaches about speaking the truth and controlling the tongue.   It is worthless if one lets his tongue run wild. James 1:26 says, 'if anyone considers himself religious, and yet does not keep a tight reign in his tongue he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.' No addition of an oath to a yes or no as it endangers the soul. Such language comes from the evil. Gossip and slander as well as foolish talk and worse joking are to be avoided in the lives of the Christians (Eph 5:4).

Christians are taught that it is important that church members refrain from retaliation or striking back, that is to say revenge. It is important that Christians rely on God to avenge them their adversaries (2 Thes 1:6-10). By not avenging,the church becomes loving. Jesus taught his disciples to love. He taught that they should love their enemies and also do good unto them, when people love their enemies they become worth to be called sons of God because God himself is love (Matt 5:43).

Morals in Islam

Muslims are expected to practice piety, humility and a sense of accountability to God. Muslims are expected to be humble before God and people. They are also expected to exercise control of their passion and desire. Charity is one of the most commendable act in Islam and it is obligatory on every Muslim who would have accrued wealth. Gratitude in prosperity is shown through Zakat (charity).

Moslems are to be kind and honourable to their parents. The Quran teaches that, “And that you be kind to one's parents if one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honour.” (17:23, 14:36). Parents are to be respected even in their old age. They are also to be loved and to be provided for.

Moslems are taught to be modesty in every aspect of life. They are taught not to be wasteful in their expenditure “And spend not wastefully your wealth in the manner of a spendthrift. Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the devils.” (17:26 –

27). Muslims are also taught not to commit adultery and come not near to the unlawful sex. Verily it is Fahishah (grave sin) and an evil way (17:32). Faithfulness in marriage is encouraged among Muslims.

Islam teaches people to refrain from intoxicants as well as gambling. Gambling and alcohol are discouraged because they are evil and result in cheating and untruthfulness. It may also lead one to be poor. (5:90). Muslims are also to be good and kind towards relatives and neighbours (4:36). Orphans, the poor as well as strangers have to be looked after. The sick have to be visited and those living with disability have to be helped in every possible way even though overprotection is discouraged. This love for fellow human beings humbles people. Islam discourages arrogance (17:37) but encourages people to humble themselves because all the powers belong toAllah alone.

Values in Islam

Cooperation – “… cooperation with one another for virtue and piety and do not cooperate with one another for sin and transgression (Surah 5:2)

Honesty – “And give full measure when measure out, and weigh with proper scales…” (17:35) “And measure in fairness and do not weigh unfairly (55:9). Truthfulness- “That Allah rewards the truthful for their truth and punishes the hypocrites if he will. “(32:24). As a matter of fact, one should, “Tolerate patiently what unbelievers say and part from them in polite manner” (73:10).

Hard work – “… surely Allah does not change the conditions of a people if they do not change themselves” (13:11).

Perseverance – “… seek help from Allah and be patient, the earth belongs to Allah. Anyone he wishes from among his servants shall inherit it …” (7:128); Bad conduct are prohibited like; lying 22:30, 24:7; Back biting, spying and suspicion

49:12;  Fraud  (83:1-3);  Extravagance  (17:26-27);  Arrogance  (57:23)  and hoarding.