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An a) style question! Explain what religious believers mean by adultery. (2 marks) Definition & Example Adultery is voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and a person who is not their spouse. Christians believe that adultery is wrong because of the commandment: “Do not commit adultery.”
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A c) style question! From two different religions or religious traditions, explain attitudes towards the use of contraception. (8 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x4 Some Roman Catholic Christians are against the use of artificial contraception because it goes against Aquinas’ Natural Law, which states that the continuation of the species is one of the main laws set down by God of how humans should live their lives. The Bible says to, “Go forth and multiply”, meaning that humans should procreate. Artificial contraception, therefore, goes against this principle. X4
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A d) style question! “Men and women will never be equal.” 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 x 4 Some Christians agree with this statement because they could believe that women are not meant to take a role in church leadership. For example, Roman Catholics believe that because Jesus chose only men to be his disciples, then only men should be leaders of the Church. Therefore, men and women will not be equal because the Church assigns different roles to both men and women. This is a bad point because during Jesus’ time, women were not usually seen out in the streets – it was a cultural norm at the time for only men to be seen out of the house. This is no longer the case and therefore if Jesus came to earth today, he would likely have both male and female followers.
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A b) style question! From one religion you have studied, explain beliefs about same-sex relationships. (5 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x2 Some Church of England Christians believe that same-sex relationships are acceptable because God gave people the free will to choose who to love. In addition, Jesus told us to, “love one another”, suggesting that we should show love to our neighbours regardless of what gender they are. Therefore, a Christian would support any expression of love, including same-sex relationships. X2
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A d) style question! “People shouldn’t be able to remarry in a place of worship.” 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 x 4 Some Roman Catholic Christians would agree with this statement because if a person has already married in the Roman Catholic Church, but divorces, then in the eyes of the Church their first marriage still exists. Therefore any marriage after this would count as adultery and God forbade adultery in the Ten Commandments: “Do not commit adultery.” This is a good point because when a couple says their vows in front of God they speak the words, “Til death do us part,” meaning that the couple have vowed to remain married for their entire lives. In addition, this promise was made in front of God and therefor it is sacred and binding. Therefore people should not be able to remarry in a church.
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An a) style question! Explain what religious believers mean by divorce. (2 marks) Definition & Example Divorce is the legal ending of a marriage. Some Christians think that divorce is wrong because it breaks the vows made during a wedding ceremony, “Till death do us part.”
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A c) style question! From two different religions or religious traditions, explain views about sex outside of marriage. (8 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x 4 Some Christians believe that sex outside of marriage can be acceptable in the right circumstances. For example, in today’s world, times are changing and people do not have to be married before they have children. God said to Adam and Eve to, “be fruitful and multiply,” meaning that they were to have children. Given that there is no account of a marriage between Adam and Eve in Genesis, then having sex to have children can be seen as acceptable as part of a loving and committed relationship. X4
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An a) style question! Explain what religious believers mean by cohabitation. (2 marks) Definition & Example Cohabitation is living together in a sexual relationship without being married. For some Christians, this is wrong because sex is sacred and is reserved for the special relationship of marriage.
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A b) style question! From one religion you have studied, explain beliefs about divorce. (5 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x2 Roman Catholics disagree with divorce because once you have said the vows in front of God and witnesses, the marriage cannot be ended until ‘death do us part.’ Therefore, unless the marriage was forced or the marriage has not been consummated, it cannot be ended, and, even in these circumstances, it is not a ‘divorce’ but an annulment. Therefore a Catholic would not divorce because it is a sin. If they do, then they are no longer able to take part in Mass. X2
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A b) style question! From one religion you have studied, explain attitudes towards gender equality. (5 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x2 Christians believe that all people were created equal and “in the image of God.” This means that all people, regardless of gender – or any other difference – are equal and should be treated as such. The Bible gives many examples of when Jesus treated men and women equally, for example, he didn’t discriminate on the grounds of gender when he cured people or raised people from the dead. Therefore, a Christian will follow in Jesus’ footsteps and treat all with equality. X2
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An a) style question! Explain what religious believers mean by commitment. (2 marks) Definition & Example Commitment is making and keeping a promise. For example, the wedding vows state, “Till death do us part.”
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A c) style question! From two different religions or religious traditions, explain beliefs about divorce. (8 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x4 Some Church of England Christians believe that divorce can be acceptable in the right circumstances, for example, if the first partner broke his or her vows and committed adultery. If a person broke God’s commandment, “Do not commit adultery,” and their vows made before God, “forsaking all others,” then the betrayal can be seen as an acceptable reason to divorce. Therefore, a Christian will use their individual conscience, which is sometimes believed to be the voice of God, and make the best decision in the situation. X4
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An a) style question! Explain what religious believers mean by contraception. (2 marks) Definition & Example Contraception is the methods used to prevent pregnancy. Some Christians will only use natural forms of contraception so that they do not interfere with God’s plan.
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An a) style question! Explain what religious believers mean by gender equality. (2 marks) Definition & Example Gender equality is when there is equal opportunities and rights between the genders. The Bible teaches that all people are, “Created in God’s image”, and therefore should have equal rights.
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A c) style question! From two different religions or religious traditions, explain beliefs about separation and divorce. (8 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x4 Some Church of England Christians believe that separation and divorce are not ideal and will try to reconcile before divorcing. This is because the Bible says, “What God has joined together, let no man separate,” meaning that humans cannot break up what has been blessed by God. Therefore a Christian will try counselling or asking their minister for support if they are experiencing marriage troubles, as they are breaking their vows made to God if they continue on to divorce. X4
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A d) style question! “The purpose of marriage is procreation.” 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 x 4 Some Church of England Christians might disagree with this statement because God gave sex to humans in order to procreate. God told Adam and Eve to, “Be fruitful and multiply,” therefore procreation is the purpose of sex, not marriage. This is a good point because not all married couples can procreate. If the purpose of marriage was solely to reproduce, then God would not have caused infertility problems in some couples – it would just be a given that children would be born.
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A b) style question! From one religion you have studied, explain beliefs about adultery. (5 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x2 Christians disagree with adultery because it breaks the sacred vows that were made during a marriage ceremony: “Till death do us part.” This means that marriage should be sexually exclusive and should not be shared with anyone else. As a result, a Christian would not commit adultery as it would not only betray their partner but break the commandment to “not commit adultery.” X2
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A c) style question! From two different religions or religious traditions, explain views about cohabitation. (8 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x4 Some Roman Catholics disagree with cohabitation because it is hard to resist the temptation to have sex when you are living with a partner. Sex, for Roman Catholics, is sacred and special, which should only take place within a marriage. The Bible says that “hell is reserved for the sexually immoral,” meaning that it is a sin to have sex before marriage. Therefore a Catholic will stay chaste and a virgin until marriage. X4
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A c) style question! From two different religions or religious traditions, explain beliefs about the nature of marriage. (8 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x4 Some Christians believe that marriage is God-given and is the basis of family life. The Bible says, “a man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” This shows that marriage is the best environment for God’s gift of sex and the ideal setting in which to raise children. Therefore, a Christian will reserve sex until marriage to emphasise their commitment and celebration of love. X4
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A d) style question! “The family is where religion is taught.” Discuss this statement showing that you have considered more than one point of view. (You must refer to religion and belief in your answer). (15Explain, marks)Analysis x 4 Point, Evidence, Some Christians agree with this statement because in the family is where children first hear terms such as ‘God’ and ‘heaven’. Children begin to ask questions such as, “What happens when we die?” and therefore it is the ideal setting to discuss religious beliefs. Families teach children prayers, such as the Lord’s Prayer, and more importantly, how to pray. This is a good point because the child’s first learning environment is the home. What is taught as expected behaviour or beliefs in the home will usually be picked up by children, who use their parents/carers as role models, copying their actions, words and behaviour. Therefore, the family is where religious ideas are first taught.
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An a) style question! Explain what religious believers mean by responsibilities. (2 marks) Definition & Example Responsibilities are the duties you are expected to carry out. For example, a Christian’s responsibilities include loving God: “Love the Lord thy God.”
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A c) style question! From two different religions or religious traditions, explain beliefs about the role of men and women. (8 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x4 Some Christians believe that the roles of men and women are equal. Within families, couples have a shared family life, with shared roles and responsibilities. The Bible says, “anyone who has not provided for their own household has denied their faith.� This means that men and women have an equal role in raising the children in the Christian faith and supporting the family financially, otherwise they have betrayed their own religion. X2
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A b) style question! From one religion you have studied, explain attitudes towards sex before marriage. (5 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x2 Some Church of England Christians believe that sex before marriage is wrong because sex should take place within a marriage. Sex is viewed as a gift from God and is holy and sacred. The Bible says that a couple, “become one flesh”, meaning that sex joins people together in a new and spiritual way. Therefore, a Christian will not have sex before marriage in order to show respect to God, themselves and their partner. X2
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An a) style question! Explain what religious believers mean by roles. (2 marks) Definition & Example Roles are the position, status or function of a person in society. For example, it is the role of the priest to deliver Mass to his congregation.
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A b) style question! From one religion you have studied, describe views about interfaith marriage. (5 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x2 Some Roman Catholics disagree with interfaith marriage because the person might not be baptised and is therefore not a Christian. This is because the Bible says that no one can lay a foundation unless that foundation is Jesus. This means that some Catholics may not choose an interfaith marriage in order to lay a more suitable ‘foundation’. However, some Roman Catholics will accept interfaith marriages if the partner who is not Catholic agrees to raise any children in the Catholic faith. X2
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A d) style question! “Marriage is the ultimate commitment.” 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 x 4 Some Christians agree with this statement because marriage is an eternal and never-ending vow made to another person, that you will love and stay with them “for better for worse.” Therefore, marriage is the ultimate commitment because you are accepting any and all responsibility for loving this person and the family you might create, for the rest of your life. This is a good point because it is also supported by scripture. The Bible says that “a man shall leave his mother and father and be united to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” This means that marriage is not only the ultimate commitment, but it is also an irreversible joining of body and soul before God, making it even more special.
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A c) style question! From two different religions or religious traditions, explain views about the importance of family. (8 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x4 Some Church of England Christians believe that family is important because it is where religious laws, and therefore UK laws, are first taught. For example, “Thou shalt not steal,” and, “Thou shalt not covet”. Both of these values are incredibly important when raising children because the morals handed down to Moses by God are a guidebook for how we should all live our lives. Therefore the family is important in Christianity because it shares God’s expectations of morality with the next generation. X4
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A b) style question! From one religion you have studied, describe the responsibilities of families. (5 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x2 Some Christians believe that family members have the responsibility to raise the children in the Christian faith and to teach them Christian values such as forgiveness. This is because the Parable of the Prodigal Son teaches families to always be forgiving and to rejoice when the family are reunited. Therefore, a Christian family has a responsibility to share and discuss Jesus’ parables, so that children can develop spiritually and build a personal relationship with God. X2
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A d) style question! “Contraception can be acceptable.” 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 x 4 Some Church of England Christians agree with this because in some circumstances, e.g. a family who already have many children, using contraception can be the best thing for the parents and the existing children. Jesus taught to “love thy neighbour”, and therefore it is more loving to allow a person the free will to choose whether or not to use contraception and reduce family size and increase the quality of life of the already-living family members. This is a good point because environmentalists and Green Christians might also agree that limiting family size is a necessary way to look after the earth and its resources. Therefore, to be stewards of God’s earth we have to think about the impact that more dependents on this earth will have on the environment. Thus, contraception can be acceptable.
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A b) style question! Explain the importance of family in a faith community. (5 marks) Point, Evidence, Explain, Action x2 Family is important in Christianity because the local Church is sustained through marriage, baptisms and other sacraments / rites of passage that bring communities together. For example, baptisms welcome a new member into God’s family and give a community a chance to pray, rejoice and celebrate with the family. Therefore, families have a vital role to play within church communities as they help to support, promote and extend the Christian family. X2
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