GCSE Religious Studies
MODEL ANSWERS 2011
Unit 8.1 - Religion, Rights
and Responsibilities
Section 1: Rights and Responsibilities
a) What is meant by social change?
b) Should everybody’s human rights be protected?
Give two reasons for your point of view.
(2)
(4)
*c) Explain why some Christians believe they should follow
their conscience when making moral decisions.
(8)
d) “No Christian should agree with cloning.”
In your answer you should refer to Christianity.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion.
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you.
(3)
(3)
1) (a) What is social change?
(2)
The way in which society has changed or is changing.
(b)
Should everybody’s human rights be protected?
Give two reasons for your point of view.
Agreeing with the statement.
• All in God’s image
• Jesus protected human rights
• United Nations declaration
(4)
REASON
(b)
Should everybody’s human rights be protected?
Give two reasons for your point of view.
EXPLAIN
(4)
I believe that everybody’s human rights should be protected because as a Christian, I believe ‘we’re all
made in God’s image’ and therefore we should protect everyone’s human rights and be treated
equally. Also I believe that everyone’s human rights should be protected because Jesus protected
peoples’ human rights, for example when he stood up for Mary Magdalene whose human rights were
being abused and I think we should all follow his teachings and protect human rights. Finally, I
believe everyone’s human rights should be protected because everyone should be entitled to the same
rights and freedoms no matter who they are or where they live. The United Nations Declaration on
Human Rights states that all humans should be treated equally.
*c) Explain why some Christians believe they should follow
their conscience when making moral decisions.
(8)
• Conscience is “Word of God”
• Advice of St Thomas Aquinas
• More personal to them and God.
• “Let him without sin cast the first stone” – Jesus expects use of
conscience
REASON
EXPLAIN
*c) Explain why some Christians believe they should follow their conscience when making
moral decisions.
(8)
Some Christians believe they should follow their conscience when making moral decisions because they believe
that your conscience is the word of God which can help you to make moral decisions. Also, some Christians
believe they should follow their conscience when making moral decisions because Thomas Aquinas, a Christian
leader told us that we should follow our conscience to do the right thing. Thirdly, some Christians believe that
they should follow their conscience when making moral decisions because it is more personal to them than just
following what it says in the Bible. In addition Christians believe it is right to follow your conscience when
making moral decisions because Jesus often implied that people should use their conscience and made them
think about what they should do. For example, when he saved the prostitute by saying ‘let him who is without
sin cast the first stone’. He let people use their conscience to do the right thing.
(d) “No Christian should agree with cloning.” (6)
• God gave scientific knowledge to use
• Cure disease – like Jesus
• Life better for next generation
• Interfering with God’s creation
• Long term consequences unknown
• Should not try to make perfect world – only God is perfect
REASON
EXPLAIN
(d) “No Christian should agree with cloning.”
(i) I disagree with the statement that ‘no Christian should agree with cloning’ because I believe that God
gave us the scientific knowledge
to create cloning therefore we should put it to good use. Also I
disagree because cloning can help lead to a cure for diseases and also Jesus was a healer, cloning is
acceptable. Finally, I disagree with this statement because cloning can lead to helping life in the long term
and making it better for the next generation which is what God wants Christians to do.
(ii) However, other Christians will agree with this statement because they believe that cloning is playing God
and that humans should not interfere with His creation. Also, Christians agree with this statement because
we do not know the long term consequences of cloning and therefore we should not risk it. For example,
“Dolly” the sheep died prematurely and had health problems. Finally, Christians believe that they should not
agree with cloning because we should not try to make the world perfect because only God is perfect.
GCSE Religious Studies
MODEL ANSWERS 2011
Unit 8.2
Religion, Environment
and Medical Issues
Section Two: Environment and Medical Issues
3a) Give two examples of organs that can be donated.
b) Do you think more should be done to find the answers to
pollution?
Give two reasons for your point of view.
(2)
(4)
*c) Choose one religion other than Christianity and explain why
Some of its followers agree with infertility treatment and some do not.
(8)
d) “Religious people should do more than anyone else to
protect the environment.”
In your answer you should refer to at least one religion.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion.
(3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
3a) Give two examples of organs that can be donated.
Two organs that can be donated are the heart and kidneys.
(2)
b) Do you think more should be done to find the answers to
pollution?
Give two reasons for your point of view.
Agreeing with the statement.
• Spoiling the environment
• Preserve for future generations
(4)
REASON
EXPLAIN
b) Do you think more should be done to find the answers to
pollution?
Give two reasons for your point of view.
(4)
I think that more should be done to find the answers to pollution because pollution is spoiling
the environment in which humans and animals live. It is killing trees, animals, plants and many
other living things. It is not fair that humans, just one species, are spoiling the earth for all of
earth’s inhabitants. Another reason that more should be done is because we need to preserve the
planet for future generations. We need to stop polluting the earth and try to correct the pollution
that has already occurred otherwise the planet will be seriously damaged for future generations.
*c) Choose one religion other than Christianity and explain why
Some of its followers agree with infertility treatment and some do not.
(8)
• Islam – family life important
• Islam - Foetus not a life until 14 days, so can destroy extras
• Islam – no donors.
• Islam – Allah’s will to be infertile
REASON
EXPLAIN
*c) Choose one religion other than Christianity and explain why
Some of its followers agree with infertility treatment and some do not.
(8)
In Islam, some Muslims agree with infertility treatment and some do not. Some Muslims believe that infertility treatments
are right because family life is a very important part of every Muslim’s life and if technology can be used to bring about a
family, then it should be used. They believe that every Muslim deserves a family life and that they should be able to use
infertility treatments. Also, some Muslims believe that using In vitro fertilisation is right because even though some embryos
are not used and then disposed of, it is all right because they believe that the embryos are not foetuses until after fourteen
days. However, although some Muslims permit infertility treatments, they do not allow the use of donors. This is because it
would deny the child the right to know its biological parents. It would also be like adopting a child which Islam does not
allow. On the other hand, some Muslims totally disagree with infertility treatment because they believe that if Allah made
you infertile, then that is the way you were meant to be and you should not try to change that. You should just accept it
and not use infertility treatments to allow you to have children.
d) “Religious people should do more than anyone else to
protect the environment.”
• Islam – disrespecting Allah
• Environmental groups
• Judgement Day.
• Not just for religious people to do
• Non-religious people want to live in a nice world
• Everyone equal with equal responsibility to care
REASON
EXPLAIN
d) “Religious people should do more than anyone else to
protect the environment.”
(6)
(i) I do agree with the statement. One reason I agree is because Allah created the world so if Muslims do not look after it,
it is like disrespecting Allah. Muslims would agree with this because Allah is omniscient, omnipotent and omnibenevolent. Another reason I agree with the statement is because of conservation groups. Groups like “A Rocha” and
“Wisdom of Nature”, take pride in looking after the environment. This means that more religious people would want
to do the same. Christians and Muslims would care because God/Allah will judge them on Judgement Day based on
their actions.
(ii) However, some people might disagree because it is not morally right for only some people to look after the
environment while others ignore it. This means that everyone should do their part. Non-religious people would care
about this because they would still want the world to be a nice place to live in. Another reason that some people
might disagree is because everyone is equal therefore it is everyone’s duty to look after the planet. Religious people
would agree with this because in the Bible/Qur’an, God/Allah said that everyone is equal.
GCSE Religious Studies
USA
Russia
UK
MODEL ANSWERS 2011
China
Unit 8.3
Religion – Peace &
Conflict
France
India
Pakistan
?
Israel
Section Three: Peace and Conflict
5a)
b)
What does the word respect mean?
(2)
Do you think bullies should always be excluded from school?
Give two reasons for your point of view.
(4)
*c)
Explain why wars happen, using examples from at least
one current conflict.
d)
“The United Nations has done more to encourage world
peace than religion has.”
In your answer you should refer to at least one religion.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion.
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you.
(8)
(3)
(3)
5) (a) What does the word respect mean?
(2)
The word respect means taking into consideration someone’s feelings and treating them equally
and fairly as you would like yourself to be treated.
(b)
Do you think bullies should always be excluded from school?
Give two reasons for your point of view.
Agreeing with the statement.
• Isolation for verbal abuse (Reform)
• Exclusion for serious harm (Deterrence)
(4)
REASON
b)
EXPLAIN
Do you think bullies should always be excluded from
Give two reasons for your point of view.
school?
(4)
I partially agree that bullies should be excluded from school depending on the severity of the
situation. If it is just ‘name calling’ and verbal abuse which can be very harmful to a person’s
well-being, then isolation would be good so that the bully could have time to reflect on his/her
actions and change. But if the bullying reaches a serious level, then exclusion must happen for the
safety and well-being of the victim. These punishments can often reform a person or put them
off doing things like this (deterrence).
*c)
Explain why wars happen, using examples from at least
one current conflict.
• Religion and ethnicity - Kosovo
• Power and control - Germany
• Stop a dictator – Saddam Hussein
• Take natural resources
(8)
REASON
*c)
EXPLAIN
Explain why wars happen, using examples from at least
one current conflict.
(8)
Wars happen for many different reasons. One of which is religion and ethnicity. Wars since the beginning
of time have been over religion and ethnicity. For example, the “Kosovo Conflict”, the genocide in places
such as the Congo and Algeria. Wars also start because of power and land. Countries invade other
countries to take control of them and therefore gain more power. An example of this was the invasion of
Czechoslovakia by Germany in the Second World War and China invading Tibet. Wars can be caused to
stop a dictator or tyrant from terrorising his own people. For example the Second Gulf War (Saddam
Hussein) or the conflict in Libya (Colonel Gaddafi). Finally, wars can be caused by the lack of enough
natural resources and many future wars will be to do with this as resources become more scarce and in
demand.
d) “The United Nations has done more to encourage world
peace than religion has.”
In your answer you should refer to at least one religion.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion.
(3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
• Many wars have religious causes
• Islam defends faith
• Christianity – loving thing to do to save people – “Just War”
• Religion calls for peace
• “Love your enemy” - Jesus
• Golden Rule
REASON
(d) “The United Nations has done more to encourage world
peace than religion has.”
EXPLAIN
(6)
(i) I do agree that the United Nations has done more to promote world peace than religion has because a lot
of wars are fought for religious reasons. For example, many Muslims would feel that Allah would want
them to defend Islam against its enemies. In Christianity, it may be regarded as the most loving thing to
do. In both these religions, there is history of violence or declaration of war in the name of their God.
Unfortunately, some of them take literally to this today. In the Bible it is written “The man who sheds the
blood of another man, by man his blood shall be shed.”
(ii) Some people may disagree with me because they feel that the amount of peace-keeping teaching in their
religion would cancel this out. For example, Jesus always taught people to “love your enemy” and to keep
the ‘Golden Rule’. They may also disagree because if they feel a war is ‘just’ then it should be fought.
GCSE Religious Studies
MODEL ANSWERS
2011
Unit 8.4
Religion – Crime &
Punishment
Section Four: Crime and Punishment
7 a) What is meant by addiction?
b) Do you think punishment changes people’s behaviour?
Give two reasons for your point of view.
(2)
(4)
*c) Explain why some non-religious people agree with capital
punishment and some do not.
(8)
d) “Christians should never drink alcohol.”
In your answer you should refer to Christianity.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion.
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
(3)
a) What is meant by addiction?
(2)
Addiction is the recurring compulsion to engage in an activity regardless of its bad effects or
consequences.
b) Do you think punishment changes people’s behaviour?
Give two reasons for your point of view.
Agreeing with the statement.
• Harsh punishment - deterrence
• Education - reforms
• Community service - reparation
(4)
REASON
EXPLAIN
b) Do you think punishment changes people’s behaviour?
Give two reasons for your point of view.
(4)
I believe that punishment does change people’s behaviour. I think that harsh punishment such as
the death penalty changes people’s behaviour because it puts people off committing crimes and
makes them think twice before committing an offence. Also, I think punishment can change
people’s behaviour by reforming them. This is when a punishment changes the criminal’s
behaviour through education and training and this results in less crime being committed. Also, I
think that punishments such as public services and making people work for society can change
people’s behaviour because it allows them to give back to society and helps them to think about
what they have done and change for the better.
*c) Explain why some non-religious people agree with capital
punishment and some do not.
• Deterrent
• Takes dangerous people out of society
• Non-religious people believe “life for a life”
• Violence makes you as bad
• Life in prison better deterrent
(8)
REASON
EXPLAIN
*c) Explain why some non-religious people agree with capital
punishment and some do not.
(8)
Some non-religious people agree with capital punishment because they believe it is a good deterrent and puts
other criminals off committing crime. Secondly some non-religious people will agree with capital punishment
because it takes a dangerous person out of society and also stops criminals from re-offending. In addition nonreligious people agree with the death penalty because they believe a life for a life is fair and also they believe
that it creates a sense of closure for the victim’s family. However, other non-religious people disagree with the
death penalty because they believe that fighting violence with violence is not right and only results you being as
bad as they are. Also, non-religious people will disagree with the death penalty because they believe that life in
prison is a better deterrent because more people attempt suicide in prison. In addition, non-religious people
disagree with the death penalty because a United Nations survey in 1966 found no evidence that the death
penalty was a deterrent. Finally, non-religious people disagree with the death penalty because it is barbaric and
results in a brutal society.
d) “Christians should never drink alcohol.”
In your answer you should refer to Christianity.
(i) Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion.
(3)
(ii) Give reasons why some people may disagree with you. (3)
• Jesus drank wine
• Miracle at Cana – water into wine to celebrate
• Wine used in Communion during Mass
• St Paul said, “Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit” – don’t abuse it
• Methodist conference – Christians should do everything responsibly.
REASON
d) “Christians should never drink alcohol.”
EXPLAIN
(6)
(i) I disagree with this statement and believe that Christians should drink alcohol because Jesus drank alcohol
because he was a Jew and welcomed every Sabbath with wine. Secondly, I believe that Christians should
drink alcohol because Jesus agrees with alcohol because at the Wedding Feast at Cana, he turned water
into wine which shows he permits us to drink alcohol. Finally I disagree because at the Last Supper, Jesus
drank wine and told his disciples to remember him by drinking wine, ‘take this and drink it’. This shows
Christians that Jesus allows them to drink wine which is also why Catholics and Anglicans use wine at
Holy Communion.
(ii) However, other Christians will agree that ‘Christians should never drink alcohol’ because St. Paul said ‘our
bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit’ therefore we should not damage them. Also, Christians believe they
should not drink alcohol because at the Methodist Conference they said, ‘A Christian’s faith teaches him to
do everything responsibly.’