See how many of the questions are the same with slightly different wording.
Topic 5 – Good and Evil
From 2003 paper
(a)Describe Christian beliefs about the Devil (Satan) [8]
(b)Explain the ways in which a Christian might try to find out the right answer to a difficult moral problem. [7]
(c)‘If people suffer, it is usually their own fault’. Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. [5]
(a)Describe how Christians might try to find out the right way to behave [8]
(b)Explain how Christians might cope with suffering [7]
(c)‘If you believe in God, suffering doesn’t matter.’ Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. [5]
From 2005 paper
(a) Describe Christian beliefs about good and evil [8]
(b) Explain the ways in which a Christian might try to find the answer to a moral problem [7]
(c) 'When people suffer they are being punished for something they have done'. Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. [5]
From 2006 paper
(a)Describe Christian beliefs about God and the Devil [8]
(b)Explain how these beliefs might help people who are suffering [7]
(c)‘If God was really good then people who not suffer.’ Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. [5]
Topic 6 – Religion and Human Relationships
From 2003 paper
(a)Describe Christian beliefs about divorce [8]
(b)Explain how a Christian marriage service might guide a couple in their married life [7]
(c)‘Divorce is never the best way to solve problems with a marriage.’ Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. [5]
From 2005 paper
(a) Describe Christian beliefs about divorce [8]
(b) Explain how a Christian marriage service might help a couple in their married life [7]
(c) 'Divorce is never right.' Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. [5]
From 2006 paper
(a)Describe the roles of men and women in a Christian family [8]
(b)Explain Christian attitudes towards divorce [7]
(c)‘Every Christian should get married.’ Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. [5]
Topic 7 - Religion and Medical Ethics
From 2003 paper
(a)Describe Christian teachings about euthanasia [8]
(b)Explain why Christians might be opposed to suicide [7]
(c)‘All life is worth living.’ Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. [5]
From 2005 paper
(a)Describe Christian attitudes to abortion [8]
(b)Explain how a Christian might respond to someone who was thinking about suicide.
(c)‘Only God has the right to take away life.’ Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. [5]
From 2006 paper
(a) Describe Christian attitudes towards abortion [8]
(b) Explain why some Christians might be against fertility treatment. [7]
(c) ‘It is up to God to decide if a woman is going to have a baby.’ Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. [5]
(c) ‘Life comes from God and only God should be allowed to take life.’ Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. [5]
(c) ‘People who are suffering should be allowed to take their own lives.’ Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. [5]
Topic 9 – Religion, poverty and wealth
From 2003 paper
(a) Describe the main causes of hunger in the world [8]
(b) Explain why a Christian might give money to charity [7]
(c) 'It does not matter how you earn your money, as long as you make enough to live on.' Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. [5]
From 2005 paper
(a) Describe the main causes of hunger in the world [8]
(b) Explain why a Christian might regularly give money to charity [7]
(c) 'It does not matter how you earn your money.' Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. [5]
From 2006 paper
(a)Describe Christian teachings about concern for the poor [8]
(b)Explain why a Christian might give money to charity [7]
(c)‘People must look after their family before they worry about the poor.’ Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. [5]
Topic 10 – Religion, Peace and Justice
(a)Describe Christian teachings about ‘Just War’ [8]
(b)Explain Christian attitudes towards pacifism. [7]
(c)‘Violence is always wrong.’ Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. [5]
From 2003 paper
(a) Describe what Christians mean by a 'Just War' [8]
(b) Explain how Christians might respond if they see other people being treated very badly by a government [7]
(c) 'Sometimes using violence is the only way to solve a problem.' Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. [5]
From 2005 paper
(a) Describe what Christians mean by a 'Just War' [8]
(b) Explain Christian atittudes to the treatment of criminals [7]
(c)'Violence is never the best way to solve a problem.' Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. [5]
From 2006 paper
(a)Describe Christian teachings about war [8]
(b) Explain why a Christian might work for peace [7]
(c) 'Violence is sometimes necessary.' Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. [5]
Tuesday, 1 May 2007
Wednesday, 18 April 2007
Christian views on euthanasia
The different Christian views are:
- Life comes from God. It is sacred. It is God's gift to us and therefore we have a responsibilty to live
- Christians should show compassion. Jesus said 'treat others as you would want to be treated'
- God gives life but also gives us free will to choose right and wrong. The dying person whould be able to determine when they die.
- Roman Catholic 'double effect' - the effect of helping a person in pain by giving pain-relief drugs, might have a double effect. first, to take away the pain, and second, bringing death sooner. This is ok, because the primary aim is to provide pain-relief and not end life.
- Life comes from God. It is sacred. It is God's gift to us and therefore we have a responsibilty to live
- Christians should show compassion. Jesus said 'treat others as you would want to be treated'
- God gives life but also gives us free will to choose right and wrong. The dying person whould be able to determine when they die.
- Roman Catholic 'double effect' - the effect of helping a person in pain by giving pain-relief drugs, might have a double effect. first, to take away the pain, and second, bringing death sooner. This is ok, because the primary aim is to provide pain-relief and not end life.
Wednesday, 4 April 2007
Christian pacifism
Some Christians are pacifists. They believe that the Christian principle of love means that fighting and killing is never allowed, even during war. They would use the example and words of Jesus like‘Love your enemies’ and ‘Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the cheek, turn to him the other also’ to support their belief. Jesus also said ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, they will be children of God'. Examples of Christian pacifists are Martin Luther King and Dietrich Bonohoeffer. Quakers are a type of Christians who believe in pacifism. Other types of Christians, like Anglicans or Methodists, leave it up to individual conscience.
How to answer part (b) questions
An example question: ‘Explain why a Christian might regularly give to charity’
An example answer:
All Christians try and follow the teachings of the Bible because they believe it contains how God wants them to live. The Bible says a lot about God’s heart for the poor. In the Bible, St. Paul says that God likes a cheerful giver and that people should set aside money on a regular basis to give to the church to help the poor. The Bible also teaches that you can’t claim to love God and ignore those in need, that loving God and loving other people are the same thing. Elsewhere Jesus teaches that God will judge people on the basis of whether they care for the poor or not.
This answer gives reasons behind why a Christian might do this or that, in this case, give to charity.
An example answer:
All Christians try and follow the teachings of the Bible because they believe it contains how God wants them to live. The Bible says a lot about God’s heart for the poor. In the Bible, St. Paul says that God likes a cheerful giver and that people should set aside money on a regular basis to give to the church to help the poor. The Bible also teaches that you can’t claim to love God and ignore those in need, that loving God and loving other people are the same thing. Elsewhere Jesus teaches that God will judge people on the basis of whether they care for the poor or not.
This answer gives reasons behind why a Christian might do this or that, in this case, give to charity.
christian responses to social injustice
social injustice is the term given to any occasion when members or groups of a society are given fewer rights and privileges than others. Where they are treated unfairly. This could be the treatment of ethnic minorities and immigrants, prisoners and especially those unjustly imprisoned, people with learning difficulties or the physically disabled, etc.
Christians believe all people are equally valuable to God (every person is made in the 'image of God'). Christians believe they should try and make the world a fairer place. The Bible teaches that is wrong to mistreat the ‘poor’ and the ‘weak’. Some Christians are part of a movement called 'liberation theology'. Liberation theology says that God wants to liberate or set free people from oppression and injustice and Christians should take action to help this happen. Liberation theology says you can't read the Bible without seeing that God is on the side of the poor and down-trodden. God wants the world to be a place where people are treated equally and fairly.
Christians believe all people are equally valuable to God (every person is made in the 'image of God'). Christians believe they should try and make the world a fairer place. The Bible teaches that is wrong to mistreat the ‘poor’ and the ‘weak’. Some Christians are part of a movement called 'liberation theology'. Liberation theology says that God wants to liberate or set free people from oppression and injustice and Christians should take action to help this happen. Liberation theology says you can't read the Bible without seeing that God is on the side of the poor and down-trodden. God wants the world to be a place where people are treated equally and fairly.
Monday, 2 April 2007
Bible quotations for peace and justice
Christian beliefs about pacifism
‘Do not commit murder’ (10 Commandments, Old Testament)
Jesus said ‘Love your enemies’ (Sermon on the Mount)
Christian beliefs about the treatment of criminals
Jesus said ‘Forgive those who have sinned against you’ (the Lord’s Prayer)
How many times shall I forgive my brother? Up to seven times? Jesus answered ‘I tell you not seven times, but seventy-seven times’ (Matthew’s gospel)
Christian responses to social injustice
‘The spirit of God is upon me to bring good news to the poor, freedom to the prisoners and sight to the blind; to set free the oppressed …’ (Jesus at the beginning of his ministry)
‘Do not commit murder’ (10 Commandments, Old Testament)
Jesus said ‘Love your enemies’ (Sermon on the Mount)
Christian beliefs about the treatment of criminals
Jesus said ‘Forgive those who have sinned against you’ (the Lord’s Prayer)
How many times shall I forgive my brother? Up to seven times? Jesus answered ‘I tell you not seven times, but seventy-seven times’ (Matthew’s gospel)
Christian responses to social injustice
‘The spirit of God is upon me to bring good news to the poor, freedom to the prisoners and sight to the blind; to set free the oppressed …’ (Jesus at the beginning of his ministry)
absolute and relative morality
What is absolute morality?
This is when a person believes that there is a right course of action in a moral dilemma that is true for all situations, regardless of culture, religious tradition, time or age. For example 'it is always wrong to kill'.
What is relative morality?
This is when a person believes that they are different courses of action needed in different situations. For example, 'it is usually wrong to kill, but sometimes it might be necessary for a particular reason'
How to use it an exam answer?
If you get a question on Christian attitudes or beliefs about war, you could say
Some Christians are always against war, because they are pacifists. This position is an example of absolute morality. Other Christians, believe it is usually wrong to fight, but recgonise there are some situations where it might be necessary. Before going to war they would argue the Just War criteria must be met. This position is an example of relative morality.
If you get a question on Christian attitudes or beliefs about contraception, you could say.
Some Christians, like Roman Catholics, believe that the use of contraception is wrong because they believe sex was created primarily for the creation of children and contraception interferes with God's plan for a couple. This is an example of absolute morality. Other Christians, like Anglicans or Methodists, believe that the use of contraception is sensible and responsible, because it allows a couple to decide when and how many children they have and so every child is wanted. This is an example of relative morality.
This is when a person believes that there is a right course of action in a moral dilemma that is true for all situations, regardless of culture, religious tradition, time or age. For example 'it is always wrong to kill'.
What is relative morality?
This is when a person believes that they are different courses of action needed in different situations. For example, 'it is usually wrong to kill, but sometimes it might be necessary for a particular reason'
How to use it an exam answer?
If you get a question on Christian attitudes or beliefs about war, you could say
Some Christians are always against war, because they are pacifists. This position is an example of absolute morality. Other Christians, believe it is usually wrong to fight, but recgonise there are some situations where it might be necessary. Before going to war they would argue the Just War criteria must be met. This position is an example of relative morality.
If you get a question on Christian attitudes or beliefs about contraception, you could say.
Some Christians, like Roman Catholics, believe that the use of contraception is wrong because they believe sex was created primarily for the creation of children and contraception interferes with God's plan for a couple. This is an example of absolute morality. Other Christians, like Anglicans or Methodists, believe that the use of contraception is sensible and responsible, because it allows a couple to decide when and how many children they have and so every child is wanted. This is an example of relative morality.
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