1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
An a) style question! Explain what religious believers mean by afterlife. (2 marks) Definition & Example Afterlife is the belief in life after death. For example, Christians believe that they can go to heaven, hell or purgatory after death.
Let’s go again!
A c) style question! From two different religions or religious traditions, explain beliefs about creation. (8 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x4 Some Church of England Christians believe that God created the world in seven days and rested on the sixth. However, some Christians do not believe that the creation story in the Bible is the exact truth, but that it has to be interpreted to suit modern science. For example, by ‘six days’, it could mean ‘six periods of time’ or ‘six eons’. For these Liberal Christians, the most important message from the creation story is that God created the world. X4
Let’s go again!
A d) style question! “Animals should have equal rights to humans.” Discuss this statement showing that you have considered more than one point of view. (You must refer to religion and belief in your answer). (15 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Analysis x4
Some Christians agree with this statement because treating animals kindly is a way of responding thankfully to God’s gift of creation. God placed animals on the earth and, although God gave mankind dominion over the earth and all its creatures, it is disrespectful to abuse it or take advantage. After all, God created animals and humans on the same day and therefore this could mean that they are of equal worth, worthy of equal rights. This is a good point because when God created the world, he said “it was good”, meaning that the world and everything on it was perfect – including the animals. Therefore animals have a role to play on this earth. Humans should not hurt animals or abuse them, as doing so would not be “treating others as you would like to be treated.” Therefore animals should have equal rights to humans.
X2
Let’s go again!
A b) style question! From one religion you have studied, describe beliefs about creation. (5 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x2 Christians believe that God created the world in seven days and rested on the sixth. However, some Christians do not believe that the creation story in the Bible is the exact truth, but that it has to be interpreted to suit modern science. For example, by ‘six days’, it could mean ‘six periods of time’ or ‘six eons’. For these Liberal Christians, the most important message from the creation story is that God created the world. X2
Let’s go again!
A d) style question! “Science and religion are incompatible.” Discuss this statement showing that you have considered more than one point of view. (You must refer to religion and belief in your answer). (15 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Analysis x4
Some Christians disagree with this statement because they are literal Christians and they believe that the world was creates exactly as it says in the Bible because it is the perfect word of God. For example, the Bible states that the world was created in six days. Therefore, if science contradicts the Bible then it is science, and not the Bible, that is wrong. This is a bad point because science is how we advance a trial new theories. The Big Bang Theory, for example, has been shown through the ever-expanding nature of the universe. Therefore science cannot be wrong because it is based on evidence and rational thinking, by looking at the world around us and coming to rational conclusions.
X2
Let’s go again!
An a) style question! Explain what religious believers mean by environmental sustainability. (2 marks) Definition & Example Environmental sustainability is where humans ensure that the demands placed on natural resources are met, without reducing quality of life in the future. For example, Green Christians believe that we should preserve nature to be stewards of God’s creation.
Let’s go again!
A c) style question! From two different religions or religious traditions, explain beliefs about the sanctity of life. (8 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x4 Some Roman Catholics believe that life is sacred and belongs to God, therefore only God can give and take life. In Genesis, God “breathed the breath of life” into Adam, which was a special and unique way for God to create – in fact, it was different from everything else that God had created. Because of this belief, Roman Catholics might not approve of abortion or euthanasia because only God can give and take a life. X4
Let’s go again!
An a) style question! Explain what religious believers mean by euthanasia. (2 marks) Definition & Example Euthanasia is allowing a person to die who is already suffering from a terminal illness. For Christians, euthanasia might go against the Ten Commandments: “Do not murder.”
Let’s go again!
A b) style question! From one religion you have studied, describe beliefs about stewardship. (5 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x2 Christians believe that God put humans in the Garden of Eden to be caretakers and stewards of the world. God said to Adam to “look after” God’s creation, and therefore Christians take this as a duty to ensure that animals aren’t abused and that environmental sustainability is promoted. Christians can do this by joining organisations like A Rocha, who work to protect, conserve and preserve animals, habitats and environments. X2
Let’s go again!
A b) style question! From one religion you have studied, outline beliefs about the sanctity of life. (5 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x2 Christians believe that all life is sacred and belongs to God. They believe that each person has an individual path set out for them by God. The Bible says, “Before I knit you in the womb, I knew you,” showing that God’s plan for our lives goes beyond our understanding (it is transcendent). Therefore, a Christian will value human life and work to save lives, e.g. by becoming a doctor/nurse. X2
Let’s go again!
An a) style question! Explain what religious believers mean by soul. (2 marks) Definition & Example Soul is the spiritual part of a person that lives on after death. Christians believe it is the part of us that is connected to God.
Let’s go again!
A c) style question! From two different religions or religious traditions, explain beliefs about abortion. (8 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x4 Some Church of England Christians might think that abortion is acceptable in the right circumstance, for example, a teenage pregnancy. This is because Jesus taught to “love thy neighbour” and therefore the most loving thing to do might be to end the pregnancy, so that both mother and child do not suffer as a result of a low quality of life. X4
Let’s go again!
An a) style question! Explain what religious believers mean by evolution. (2 marks) Definition & Example Evolution is the process by which life developed from less complex forms of life. For Christians, evolution could be part of God’s plan.
Let’s go again!
An a) style question! Explain what religious believers mean by abortion. (2 marks) Definition & Example Abortion is the deliberate termination of a pregnancy. For Christians, abortion can be seen as wrong because it goes against the Ten Commandments: “Do not murder”.
Let’s go again!
A c) style question! From two different religions or religious traditions, explain beliefs about quality of life. (8 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x4 Some Church of England Christians believe that quality of life is important because we have one life on this earth and we must live it to the best of our ability, following God’s rules and commandments, so that we can enter heaven. For Christians, faith in God can improve quality of life because belief in God provides the mental security that there is always someone there, who is willing to listen and forgive. The Bible says that God “created mankind in his image”. God would not have done such a loving act unless he wanted humans to have a good life on earth – to enjoy it. X4
Let’s go again!
A d) style question! “The world began by the Big Bang.” Discuss this statement showing that you have considered more than one point of view. (You must refer to religion and belief in your answer). (15 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Analysis x4 Some Christians agree with this statement because the Biblical account is a story that is meant to demonstrate that God created the world and show people’s understanding of the world before science. Liberal Christians would argue that “In the beginning”, God initiated the Big Bang, which set in motion the plan for the universe. This is a good point because it shows that religious belief is compatible with Christian beliefs. Also, even though science can show that the universe is expanding, there is still not proof of what exactly started the Big Bang. Therefore, God is a plausible belief.
X2
Let’s go again!
A b) style question! From one religion you have studied, describe beliefs about the quality of life. (5 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x2 Some Church of England Christians believe that quality of life is important because we have one life on this earth and we must live it to the best of our ability, following God’s rules and commandments, so that we can enter heaven. For Christians, faith in God can improve quality of life because belief in God provides the mental security that there is always someone there, who is willing to listen and forgive. X2
Let’s go again!
A c) style question! From two different religions or religious traditions, explain beliefs about euthanasia. (8 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x4 Some Roman Catholics disagree with euthanasia because it goes against the commandment to, “not murder”. Some Christians see euthanasia as murder because it ends the life of another person before God is ready to take them to heaven, therefore it is wrong and betrays the idea of the sanctity of life. X4
Let’s go again!
A c) style question! From two different religions or religious traditions, explain beliefs about the afterlife. (8 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x4 Roman Catholics believe that the afterlife exists as a form of justice for how people live their lives on earth. For example, the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats tells Christians that “whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me,” meaning that whatever people do for their neighbours, they do for Jesus. The Parable also explains that at the end of time, “God will be the final judge.” Therefore, Catholics will live the best life possible so that they can be judged to be sheep and sent to heaven, instead of goats who are sent to hell. X4
Let’s go again!
A d) style question! “It is everyone’s responsibility to look after the world.” Discuss this statement showing that you have considered more than one point of view. (You must refer to religion and belief in your answer). (15 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Analysis x4 (to follow FARM) Some Christians agree with this statement because God tells Adam to look after the Garden of Eden in Genesis. God says, “rule over the birds of the sky and the fish of the sea,” showing how God wanted mankind to look after his creation. Therefore, Christians believe that it is a God-given responsibility for humans to look after the world. This is a good point because there have been charities such as A Rocha and organisations such as Green Christians who have been set up in order to carry out our stewardship responsibilities to God, to ensure that we are promoting environmental sustainability and that animal life is being respected. If it wasn’t everyone’s responsibility to nurture and protect the environment, then these charities and organisations would not exist.
X2
Let’s go again!
An a) style question! Explain what religious believers mean by quality of life. (2 marks) Definition & Example Quality of life is how happy or enjoyable a life is. For example, Christians believe that faith improves their quality of life because they can rest all of their troubles on God.
Let’s go again!
A c) style question! From two different religions or religious traditions, explain the importance of funeral Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x4 rites. (8 marks) Funeral rites are important in the Roman Catholic Church because the symbols helps to express meaning. For example, the priest wears white because it is a colour of heaven and the resurrection. It reminds mourners that their loved one will be “raised a spiritual body” to be with Jesus in heaven.
At a Catholic funeral, there is sometimes a Requiem Mass, where the Eucharist is celebrated. This is important because it is a symbol of Jesus’ sacrifice and a reminder that they will also resurrect from the dead. This gives Catholics hope of a new and everlasting life for the soul of their loved one. X2
Let’s go again!
A b) style question! From one religion you have studied, explain beliefs about abortion. (5 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x2 Christians might think that abortion is unacceptable because of the commandment to “not kill”. This law is one of the core rules of Christianity and therefore should not be broken. Christians believe that only God can give and take a life and therefore abortion takes matters of life and death into a human’s own hands, which violates the sanctity of life. X2
Let’s go again!
An a) style question! Explain what religious believers mean by sanctity of life. (2 marks) Definition & Example Sanctity of life is the belief that life is sacred and belongs to God. Christians believe that life is a gift and only God can give and take life.
Let’s go again!
A b) style question! From one religion you have studied, explain beliefs about euthanasia. (5 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x2 Christians might think that euthanasia is unacceptable because only God can give and take life. For example, the Bible says, “Do not murder”, meaning that it is not the right of a human to take life away, even if a person is suffering intensely. Therefore, a Christian will endure the suffering that a terminal illness has brought on, especially as it will help them to think of their suffering as a test or as part of God’s plan. X2
Let’s go again!
A d) style question! “Sanctity of life is what matters.” Discuss this statement showing that you have considered more than one point of view. (You must refer to religion and belief in your answer). (15 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Analysis x4 Some Christians agree with this because God created all life and it is therefore sacred. The Bible says, “before God made you in the womb, he knew you,” showing how special and unique life is because God has planned it out from before conception. This is a good point because even the theories of cause and effect suggest that we can trace back our life and its meaning and purpose. For an omniscient God, it is not hard to imagine that the ‘map’ of our lives is viewable before we are even born. Therefore, sanctity of life is what matters because life is a gift from God.
X2
Let’s go again!
A c) style question! From two different religions or religious traditions, explain attitudes towards euthanasia. (8 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x4 Some Church of England Christians might think that euthanasia is acceptable in the right circumstance, for example, extreme suffering. The Bible says to “treat others as you would like to be treated,” meaning that you should allow a person to die with dignity if this is what you would like for yourself. Therefore, a Christian will trust their individual conscience when making a decision about euthanasia. X4
Let’s go again!
A b) style question! From one religion you have studied, explain beliefs about the afterlife. (5 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x2 Christians believe that the afterlife exists because of the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats. The parable teaches that at the end of time, “God will be the final judge” and separate the sheep from the goats. This means that the goats will go to hell and the sheep, who followed Jesus, will go to heaven. Because of this belief, Christians will treat all people with love and kindness so that they can enter heaven. X2
Let’s go again!
A d) style question! “Only God can give and take a life.” Discuss this statement showing that you have considered more than one point of view. (You must refer to religion and belief in your answer). (15 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Analysis x4 Some Christians disagree with this statement because doctors sign the Hippocratic oath, where they promise to save lives. They have been specially trained and are the professionals when it comes to science and medicine, therefore they are also able to make decisions regarding life and death. For example, if there was a situation where a pregnancy was causing the death of the mother, the doctor might decide to act on the “lesser of two evils” and choose to abort the child, even though it goes against the commandment to “not murder.” This is a bad point because even though we put our trust in doctors and their expertise, we do not give them authority to ‘give and take life’. In the case of abortion, the decision is usually in the hands of the parents, however in most medical circumstances, a doctor should only ever act to save life. This is very different from ‘giving’ or ‘taking’ life.
X2 Let’s go again!
A b) style question! From one religion you have studied, outline beliefs about animal rights. (5 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x2 Christians believe that animals should be treated kindly and with respect. This is because God created animals and therefore are part of His perfect plan. The Bible says that animals are created on the sixth day, alongside humans, and therefore animals deserve rights as much as humans do. Because of this belief, Christians will look after animals through their duty of stewardship. X2
Let’s go again!