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RELIGIOUS STUDIES SHORT COURSE REVISION MATERIAL .............................................................................................. 1
Answering Exam Questions .............................................................................................................................. 2
Question a) c) Knowledge question ...................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Question d) Understanding question.................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Question e) Evaluation question ........................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Christianity and Equality ......................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Key words and terms ................................................................................................................................................ 4
Biblical teaching about equality ................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Christian attitudes towards other religions ............................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Christian attitudes towards racism ............................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Christian attitudes towards gender and role of women in Christian society. ........... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Forgiveness and reconciliation .................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Exam Questions ......................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Christianity, Peace and Justice ................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Key words and terms ................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
The Just War theory ................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Christian attitudes towards war ................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Christian attitudes towards the use of violence and pacifism ................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
The Christian concept of justice ................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Crime and Punishment................................................................................................................................................
Christian beliefs about and responses to social injustice .......................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Exam Questions ......................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
Sources of Information: .......................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined.
This part of the question is worth three marks and asks for three ideas within a concept. So, for instance, you
might be asked What do Christians believe about the purposes of marriage? and you would need to give
three different ideas/ reasons why Christians believe marriage to be important.
Question D)
This part of the question is worth six marks and asks you to describe and explain a belief or attitude, while
analyzing the reasons Christians respond in this way. So, for instance, you might be asked to explain
Christian beliefs about giving money to charity. You would need to include relevant Christian teachings to
support the ideas in your answer. Try to include biblical quotes, but you must make sure you explain what
these mean in order to show the examiner that you have understood the teaching. For example, Love thy
neighbour means to treat other people as you would like to be treated yourself. You will also need to use
specific religious words in these answers when they are relevant. For example, when answering a question
on medical ethics you may wish to refer to the phrase sanctity of life which shows the belief that all life is
created by God and so is special.
Question E)
This part of the question is worth 12 marks and asks you to show different points of view in response to the
statement given. So, for instance, you might be given the statement Abortion is always wrong and you
would need to refer to a Christian point of view in your answer, showing that there are different Christian
approaches to this statement and then give your own personal response. Try to make that response different,
if you can, to the ones you have mentioned previously. It is very important that you do give your own point
of view otherwise you will not achieve high marks. You will need to support the Christian ideas with
reference to Christian teachings/ biblical quotes. Again, explain them in your own words to show your
understanding.
God does not show favouritism Is another quote from the Bible which reflects the belief
Christians have that God loves everyone equally.
If there is an alien living in your land do not ill treat him Is a quote that suggests
prejudice and discrimination against people of different races or ethnic origin is wrong and that
instead we should, Treat others as you wish to be treated.
Pluralism
The belief that all religions are of equal value and are all pathways to God.
A quote to support this view is when Jesus said, In my Fathers house,
there are many rooms.
Draw a picture to
represent each of the
3 different attitudes:
Inclusivism
Attitudes towards other
Religions
Exclusivism
The belief that Christianity is the ONLY way to
God and salvation. Therefore exclusivist
Christians will often evangelise (try and tell
people about their faith) and try and convert
others. A quote to support this is when Jesus
said, I am the way, the truth and the life.
Ecumenism
The Christian Church has divided over the years as various groups have split from one another due to
disagreements about beliefs & how the church should be ran e.g Romans Catholic & Protestant,
Church of England & Methodist.
These different groups are known as denominations. Over the years there have been arguments &
deep divisions between different denominations. However, in the Twentieth Century a movement
began which sought to heal divisions amongst Christians. This is known as The Ecumenical Movement
(from the Greek oikoumene meaning 'one world').
The Ecumenical Movement began at the World Missionary Conference in Edinburgh in 1910.
Differences between different denominations were seen as a hindrance to the spread of the Christian
message because people were often seen to be working 'against' each and arguments between
Christian groups were putting non-Christians off the Christian faith. The Ecumenical Movement looks
for unity but this does not mean that all churches have to be the same but encourages them to cooperate with one another.
In 1948 the World Council of Churches (WCC) was founded. The WCC works in three main areas:
Faith and witness (spreading the Christian message)
Justice and service (promoting peace and justice in the world)
Communication (promoting tolerance and understanding in the world)
Iona
One example of an ecumenical community
is Iona which is Iona is a small island off the
west coast of Scotland, where a Celtic
monastery built in 563.
The Iona Community, founded in 1938 by
the Rev George MacLeod, then a parish
minister in Glasgow is an ecumenical
Christian community that is committed to
seeking new ways of living the Gospel in
today's world. The Community is committed
to exploring new more inclusive approaches
to worship, all based on an integrated
understanding of spirituality. It has 250 members from different denominations who meet regularly
together for worship and Christian action. Its work focuses on issues of Justice, peace and including
opposing nuclear weapons and campaigning for environmental issues. It also works to combat racism
and looks for ways to discovering new and relevant approaches to worship.
Race Discrimination
Racism in Society
Many people have claimed that we live in a racist
society. Examples of this are:
The Christian Church teaches that Racism is always wrong. It is one of the issues that it is united on.
Roman Catholics, Church of England, Methodists, Free Churches, etc
YES
NO
The Roman Catholic Church as well as many Free Churches believe women shouldnt be
allowed to be Church leaders. They believe this because:
The Church of England, Methodists, Baptists and Quakers are examples of Churches that
do allow Women priests (though some people in the Church of England still believe it is
wrong). Their arguments are that:
In Genesis God created men & women in His image and they are equal
Jesus followers were men because thats how society was back then, but he
did have women followers such as Mary & Martha
Women are just as suited to lead as men.
When Paul spoke out against Women he was speaking to the women
because of their behaviour & because they were not educated and so could
not teach, as women are now educated like men this is not an issue.
The first women become vicars in the Church of England in 1994
Paul taught against inequality within the church he said there is no difference
between men & women you are all one in Christ. Galatians 3:28
God is merciful and forgives sins and once the sins are forgiven,
they are no longer remembered.
Christians believe that God forgives those who repent (are truly
sorry)
Humans are not perfect and will continue to make mistakes. However, God continues to forgive the
mistakes if we are truly sorry.
God is able to reconcile (bring humans back into a relationship with God) people to him because of
Jesus sacrifice death and resurrection on the cross.
Through the Holy Communion Service (taking of the bread and wine) Christians can remember
Christs sacrifice and receive Gods forgiveness.
Because God is prepared to forgive us, Christians believe that we should also be prepared to shoe
forgiveness to others.
Christians believe that we should continue to forgive people every time someone is sorry for what
they have done. Forgiveness is not limited.
The Catholic Church have a confessional box where people can go, confess their sins to a priest
and the priest acts on behalf of God to forgive their sins if the person is penitent (sorry).
Examples of Christians who have forgiven Anthony Walkers mum and sister Anthony Walker
was killed in a racist attack his family are Christians and were able to forgive his murderers.
YES
NO
Pacifism
The belief that any form of war and violence are wrong.
They believe that there is always another way to solve problems other than war/violence e.g.
sanctions, protests and boycotts. (Martin Luther King changed attitudes to racism through nonviolent peaceful protests).
Violence and aggression should not be tolerated and the world would be a better place if everyone
strived for a pacifist approach.
War wastes billions of pounds that could be better spent e.g. reducing poverty, improving health care
and education.
The Quakers are a Christian denomination who are pacifists because Jesus taught us to Love your
enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
At times of war, Quakers refuse to take part in violence and resort to being conscientious objectors.
They may accept other roles during war time e.g. ambulance drivers which shows they are standing
up against violence and challenging those who think it is acceptable.
Definition
Picture to illustrate
Retribution
Reformation
Protection
Deterrence
Disagree
An eye for an eye, a
tooth for a tooth, a life
for a life meaning
If you take someones
life you should have
yours taken.
Criminals should be
given the chance to
reform e.g. The
woman caught in the act
of adultery
The Roman Catholic Church In 2004 called for increased Christian understanding in the prison
system e.g. a full working day, 5 days a week, to help inmates gain a work ethic, also more
schemes to aid skills training for jobs when released, improved education and also more money for
drug treatment.
The Church of England Offenders need to be prepared to return to society once they have served
their punishment. They actively support victims of crime and families of people in prison. They also
provide prison chaplains.
Restorative Justice Both the R.C and C of E support restorative justice where the victim can meet
the criminal and question them to gain an understanding as to why they committed the crime. The
aim is that the criminal faces up to the crime they have committed and make reparation for their
crime. This means they seek to repair some of the damage they have caused.
Nelson Mandela
Liberation Theology
This is the Christian idea that God has the power to change situations in the world that are unjust.
Therefore it is right to stand up against governments that oppress people or abuse their power.
As part of their commitment to Liberation Theology, Christians may take part in peaceful protests or
support those who are victims/charities (e.g. Amnesty International) that help those who are victims
of social injustice.
Some supporters of liberation theology have been killed for speaking out against injustice e.g. Oscar
Romero.
Sources of Information:
Bible
Discovery: Philosophy and Ethics For OCR GCSE Religious Studies, Nelson Thornes, Jon
Mayled, Libby Ahluwalia
www.gcsere.org.uk
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/re/
re-xs.ucsm.ac.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/religion