Revision Booklet – Religious Studies
Highfield Humanities College 2010
Name:__________________________________________________________
Class:______________
Teacher:_________________________
WJEC Full Course
Specification B
Units of Study:
Religion and Conflict
Religion and Authority
Religious Expression
Religion and Medicine
In this booklet you will find useful information and guidelines to help with
revision. Remember that these are to accompany the work you have done in
class.
Unit 1 Religion and Conflict
Topics of study:
1. What causes conflict between people?
2. Christian teaching of war and violence
3. Islamic teaching of war and violence.
4. Peace , reconciliation and Forgiveness: Jesus’ teachings. Qur’an teachings.
5. What is suffering? How do people suffer?
6. Christian & Muslim concept of suffering
7. How can Religious people help those who suffer?
Key Words:
1. Conscience
2. Just War
3. Pacifism
4. Non-violent Protest
5. Reconciliation
1. What causes conflict between people?
Causes of conflict
Difference of
Major
People feeling
Betrayal
opinion
arguments
they are being
used
Physical harm
Illness/
unemployement
2. Christian teaching of war and violence
“Love your enemies and pray for those who
“All those who take the sword will perish by it.”
persecute you.” Matthew 5:44
Matthew 26:52
Jesus taught that it was wrong to fight. He said that people should love others and offer them help,
even if they are enemies. Jesus told the Parable of the Good Samaritan to show that believers should
love, forgive and help everyone.
Jesus also showed the importance of forgiveness in His own life. For example, in the story of
Zacchaeus, Jesus asks Zacchaeus if He can stay at his house, even though he was a sinful tax collector.
Zacchaeus was so overcome by Jesus’ forgiving action that he committed himself to repaying all the
people he had taken money from.
The Quakers are Christians who take Jesus’ teaching against violence very seriously. As
Pacifists they reject all forms of violence. They “utterly deny all outward wars and strife and fighting
with outward weapons, for any end, or under any pretence.” They teach the importance of forgiveness
and follow Jesus’ teaching to “turn the other cheek.” Leonard Bird was a famous Quaker who
encouraged all Quakers not to fight in the Second World War.
HOWEVER …
“Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
John 15:13
Some Christians interpret this quote to mean that it is sometimes good to fight in wars to protect other
people. St Augustine argued that this was the case and put forward the Just War Theory. This theory
was built upon by St Thomas Aquinas. The theory states that war is acceptable as long as clear
conditions are met. The Catholic Church supports the Just War Theory, saying:
“As long as the danger of war persists and there is no international authority with the necessary
competence or power, governments cannot be denied the right of lawful self-defence, if all peace efforts
have failed.”
3. Islamic teaching of war ad violence
One meaning of the word ‘Islam’ is peace. Islam teaches the importance of peace and forgiveness.
However, like some Christians, Muslims feel that it is sometimes necessary to fight, as long as there are
clear conditions. The word for ‘Just War’ in Islam is ‘Jihad’
Greater Jihad – personal struggle to do the will of
Allah and resist temptation to do wrong.
Lesser Jihad – military war with clear conditions,
the man aim being to restore peace and freedom
The conditions of Jihad: Fighting should be in self-defence; It should be the last resort; It should be led
by a spiritual leader; Civilians, trees, crops and animals should be protected.
4. Peace and conciliation
Groups working for peace
UN: United Nations.
The UN was founded in 1945 and is a group of
countries which work together to promote peace and
security. They encourage nations to think as a global
community and try to develop friendly relations
between countries and settle differences through
peaceful methods.
Individuals working for peace
Martin Luther King: a Baptist minister who was
influenced by the teachings of love given by Jesus. He is
remembered for using non-violent protest to support
the civil rights of black Americans, like the right to vote
Corrymeela Trust
Corrymeela means ‘Hill of Harmony’ . The Corrymeela
Trust was founded in 1965 by Christians who wanted
there to be peace in their country. During the years of
conflict between Protestants and Roman Catholics in
Northern Ireland, the Christian community of
Corrymeela has provided a base for both sides to come
together.
Bashir al-Khayi - a Muslim family from Ramle in Israel.
They were forced out of Israel. A Jew called Dalia
Landau then lived in the house, unaware of the original
Muslim owners. Eventually, they came back to find
Dalia in their home. The pair got on well and decided to
create a centre for Jewish-Muslim coexistence in Israel.
Both the Qur’an and Bible are filled with teachings of forgiveness:
“And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.”
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
“The reward for an injury is an equal injury in return, but whoever makes peace and
reconciliation, they will be rewarded by Allah.”
Lord’s prayer
Sermon on the Mount
Qur’an. Surah 42: 40
5. What is suffering? How do people suffer?
Global Suffering: applies to planet eg
Personal Suffering. Applies to individuals eg grief.
earthquakes.
Some believe there must be good and evil in the world to balance each other out, which is why some
bad things happen. Some believe it is due to our own decisions and actions. Some believe it is caused by
something deliberately causing bad things to happen; calling this evil or in some cases the Devil.
6. Christian & muslim concept of Suffering and Evil
Moral Evil people choose to do things which lead
to pain and suffering. E.g. Murder and theft. Moral
evil occurs when people use their freewill to do
selfish things and hurt others
Natural Evil natural elements in the world lead to
suffering e.g. Earthquakes. Some Christians,
natural evil occurs because the world has become
corrupt due to human sin.
The Story of Job teaches Christians to keep their faith and trust in God, even when they are
suffering. It shows that believers should not question God, as He is too great and intelligent for
humans to understand.
Christians believe that God understands their suffering because he suffered and died
on the cross as Jesus. So, when they suffer, Christians think of the suffering Jesus went
through. According to Christians, Jesus had a choice: escape all of the pain by using his powers,
OR endure the suffering, to help humans. Christians believe that this meant Original Sin was
forgiven by Jesus taking the punishment himself.
Many Christians believe that there is a power or force for evil which opposes God. For many, this is
personified in the form of the Devil, or Satan. Satan is said to have once been an angel, who turned away from
God and was banished from Heaven. Satan tries to tempt people to sin and turn away from God, but Jesus and
the Holy Spirit give humans the chance to overcome this temptation.
Christians believe in heaven and hell; if they live a good life, according to God’s wishes and their belief’s they
will go to heaven, to be with Jesus and God, and have a pleasurable afterlife full of reward. They believe that if
they are bad and wicked, they will be punished and tormented by eternity in hell a place of misery and fire. Some
Christians also believe in a place called purgatory; where they can work off minor sins before they react heaven.
Muslims believe that everything that happens is part of Allah’s plan or will. This means that suffering is part
of Allah’s plan, even though humans are not able to see or understand that. Allah’s knowledge is greater than
that of humans and so humans will never be able to comprehend Allah’s will and purpose.
Muslims believe that life is a test. Humans have been given life, the world and other
people so that they can care for them. The purpose of Islam is to help people to fulfil this
responsibility to look after the world. In this way, suffering is a kind of test, to help Muslims to
prove their faith and show that they can resist the temptations of Satan (Shaytan).
Muslims believe that good can come out of suffering, because it is good when people
resist temptation and follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad, who is a good role
model. Those who resist Shaytan and follow the way of Allah, will be rewarded in the afterlife.
Many Muslims believe that evil comes from Shaytan. The Qur’an warns people to resist Shaytan’s
temptations. It warns them that there are two angels (Munkar and Nakir), who record every person’s good and
bad actions which will determine what happens to them after death. Heaven is a beautiful garden with rivers of
milk and honey where believers get to be in the presence of Allah. Hell is a blazing fire that never ends where
unbelievers and sinners will be punished for their sins.
7. How can religious people help those who are suffering?
Prayer
Counselling
Fund-raising
Charity
Training
Building work
Rehab programmes
Providing hot meals
GSCE PAST QUESTIONS
A
B
C
D
E
State two causes of conflict between people.
State two ways that war can be avoided
What is meant by pacifism?
What is meant by conscience?
How does Corryemeela promote peace?
Explain why pacifists think war is wrong.
Describe two examples of how a religious person has used non-violence in their life.
Explain two of the conditions of a Just War.
Explain why many Christians think it is important to forgive.
Explain two different ways that religious believers cope with suffering.
‘Showing forgiveness is a sign of weakness.’ Do you agree?
‘Religions can’t help create peace. Only governments can.’ Do you agree?
‘If God is good then there should be no suffering.’ Do you agree?
Unit 2 Religion and Authority
Topics of study:
1. Why do we have laws?
2. Aims of punishment
3. Religious laws
4. Religious punishments
5. Capital punishment and human rights.
Key Words:
1. Law - Rules and agreed limits to behaviour and action
2. Duty – something somebody is expected to do: Religious and otherwise.
3. Conscience – ‘inner voice’ that keeps a person on the right track; innate moral sense that
guides actions and responses; way a person knows right from wrong;
4. Justice. - fairness; where everyone has equal provisions and opportunity; honest actions;
freedom from oppression; where human rights are observed.
1. Why do we have laws?
Protection
Prevention
Why do we have laws?
Control
Justification
Duty
Conscience
2. Aims of punishment.
The purposes of punishment fall under 6 headings.
Protection: to protect the public from violent or
dangerous criminals. Retribution: revenge for a
horrendous crime committed. Reparation: to pay for
what they have done, e.g. a fine. Reform: to teach
criminals a different way to be. Deterrence: to prevent
others from doing the same thing. Vindication: to
justify a law.
3. Religious laws
As well as secular laws and rules, religious people also
have to follow sacred laws or duties.
Christians try to use the Bible as a source for guidance in life. It is made up of 2 sections, the Old Testament and
the New Testament. The Old Testament is valued because it holds the 10 Commandments which are the 10 rules
from life, and also foretells the coming of Jesus. The New Testament is valued because it holds many of Jesus’
teachings on how to live. Particularly: Love your neighbour. The Bible is believed to be from God, and very sacred.
Sometimes oaths are sworn on it, to prove how sincere the person making the oath.
Teachings found in the Qur’an form the basis of Islamic law, which is called the Shariah and is used to govern
Islamic states. The Qur’an provides a code for a Muslim’s everyday life, as it gives information on what Muslims
are allowed to eat, how they should live etc. A person’s attitudes, conduct and ethics are described in the Qur’an
and given the term Akhlaq.
4. Religious punishments
Most Christians would follow the concept of Forgiveness. If a person is truly repentant, or sorry for their actions,
then they should be forgiven and given the chance to make things right. They would agree with the idea of
Reform in an aim for punishment. They would disagree with Capital Punishment, as it does not allow for
forgiveness, or for allowing the person to make things right and learn from their mistakes.
Islam
5. Capital Punishment and Human Rights
Capital punishment is were a person is punished by taking their life eg Lethal Injection.
FOR
AGAINST
 In the Old Testament it says, “An Eye for an
Eye”, so some Christians argue that if someone
takes another life they should be made to pay
for it with their own life.
 Some Christians believe that it is up to
individual Christians to decide whether or not
they agree with capital punishment.
 Sanctity of life. All life is a sacred gift from God
and only He can decide when life ends.
 In the 10 Commandments it says, “Thou shalt
not kill”
 Jesus taught compassion and not revenge.
 The Quaker Movement is totally against Capital
punishment.
Human Rights: What if the law is wrong?
In the First World War, men were conscripted to fight, in other words they had no choice in the
matter. However, there were conscientious objectors, mainly Quakers who were pacifists and
believed that violence was wrong. They were allowed to stand down from the fighting, though
many did not agree with it.
Martin Luther King fought for the rights of black people in the USA when the laws there were
wrong and discriminated against people, merely for the colour of their skin.
Oscar Romeo fought for the poor and impoverished in Ecuador who were being victimised by
the very rich government. Like Martin Luther King he was assassinated for his attempts.
Roman Catholics are against abortion, and believe the law that allows for it to occur is wrong, saying only God has
the right to decide if a child is or is not born.
GSCE PAST QUESTIONS
A
B
C
D
E
F
State two reasons why it is important to obey the law.
State two reasons why some people commit crime.
What is meant by human rights
What is meant by Justice?
Explain two aims of punishment.
Explain the importance of one sacred text or book as a source of authority
Explain the importance of the Bible as a source of authority for many Christians.
Describe two ways that Martin Luther King Stood up for Human Rights.
Describe the attitude of two different religious traditions to capital punishment.
Describe two examples when there may be a conflict between personal beliefs and the law of the
country.
‘A life for a life. All murderers should be killed.’ Do you agree?
‘Capital Punishment is always wrong.’ Do you agree?
Unit 3 Religious Expression
Topics of study:
1. What ways do people express themselves?
2. Religious Art – images, symbols, calligraphy
3. Church and Mosque
4. Pilgrimage – Lourdes, Holy Land, Rome
5. Hajj – Mecca
Key Words:
1. Calligraphy – special form of writing, used in Islam to creatively write out passages from the
Qur’an.
2. Cross – symbol in Christianity – representing Jesus.
3. Crescent moon – symbol in Islam – representing the faith.
4. Altar – focal point of worship in a Church
5. Minbar – gives the direction of Mecca in a mosque for Muslims to pray towards
6. Hajj – fifth pillar of Islam, Pilgrimage to Mecca to retrace the journey of Muhammad.
7. Lourdes – place of pilgrimage for Christians.
8. Pilgrimage – religious journey either duty or need. Spiritual.
1. What ways do people express themselves?
There are many ways that people express themselves. Verbally, in other words speaking. Artistically;
through painting, singing, dancing. Spiritually; through worship, prayer.
In religion, people express themselves in just the same way
 Artistically:
o Painting – religious images of Jesus on the Cross, the Virgin Mary. None in Islam.
o Carvings – the carvings in wood in churches. Symmetrical patterns in Islam.
o Singing – hymns, chants, Quranic singing from memory.
o Dancing – Sufism (a variation in Islam) has a style of dancing to aid spiritual worship
 Worship:
o Communion – taking the bread and wine in Christianity to remember Jesus.
o Prayer – connecting with God through spoken word.
o Sermon – listening to the Priest or Imam, to connect closer with god and the community.
2. Religious Art – images, symbols, calligraphy
Cross. A cross or
Dove represents the
crucifix with the
Holy Spirit coming
image of Jesus,
down to earth. Also
represents the
a reminder of Noah,
suffering of Jesus.
and God’s promise
Calligraphy is a
form of art in
expressive
writing. The
words are either
from the Quran or Muhammad.
Crescent is the
symbol of Islam
and reminds
Muslims of their
faith.
3. Church and Mosque
Church – Christian place of worship.
Fish a reminder of when being a
Christian meant hiding your faith
in secret for fear of
persecution.
Clothing reminds
a Muslim to
remain modest
and true to
themselves and
their faith.
Altar is where the
bread and wine are
blessed before
Eucharist. The Altar is
also decorated in
whatever colours of
the time of year.
Stained Glass
Windows often have
images from the Bible
or representations of
Jesus on them.
Font is located
near the front
door, welcoming
all in to the
church. It is used
during infant
baptism to bless the child.
Pulpit is where the
priest or vicar will
give his or her
sermon from to the
congregation.
Pews are where the
congregation sit
during worship.
Sometimes they
kneel on cushions to
pray.
Lecturn is where the
Gospels in the Bible
are read from during a
church service. They
are usually finely
carved and very important.
Mosque – Islamic place of worship
Dome the roof inside
is also dome shaped
so the imam’s voice
can carry easily during
worship with no
microphone.
The Mineret is the tall
thin tower of a Mosque
From here the call to
prayer and worship is
sung out reminding Muslims to
either pray or attend Mosque.
Qur’an is kept in
a high place to
recognise it’s
importance and
stop it becoming
dirty in any way.
The Womens’ area is a space
specially for women
to pray in, in the
mosque, as the
men take the main
prayer room.
Minbar, is the place
where the imam stands
to teach to the Muslims
and lead prayer, and
also notes the direction
of Mecca.
Prayer floor is the carpeted space in
the prayer room of the mosque.
Muslims will kneel
side by side in rows
facing Mecca to pray
together.
4. Pilgrimage – Lourdes, Holy Land, Rome
Lourdes
Holy Land
Rome
This is the
The Holy Land is a very spiritual
This is an
place where
place for many Christians. It is
important place
a 14 year old
the place where Jesus was born,
for Christians,
had a vision
taught and died.
as it the place
from the Virgin Mary. It is now a
It is the place of where the Church was first
place of Pilgrimage for many
many prophets
officially formed. St Peter’s
Christians, to reflect and for
and places in the Basilica, Vatican City and many
healing.
Bible.
other sites are all important.
5. Hajj – Mecca.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, meaning that Pilgrimage is a religious duty for all Muslims. It is only
considered a once in a life time duty. But all Muslims try to do it. Muslims go on pilgrimage to Mecca
and Medina as these are key sites in Islam, connected to Muhammad, the Last Prophet of Islam.
GSCE PAST QUESTIONS
A
State two rules of conduct in a place of worship
State two uses of a religious building.
B
What does Holy mean?
What is meant by symbolism?
C
Explain why some religious believers consider it important to share their faith with others.
Explain why some Christians consider it important to visit Lourdes
D
Explain why some religious believers think it important to take part in interfaith dialogue.
Explain the value of pilgrimage for many religious believers
E
Describe the importance of tow different places of pilgrimage.
Explain from one religious tradition the importance of its’ place of worship.
F
‘It doesn’t matter how you behave in a place of worship – it’s only a building after all’ Do you agree?
‘Money should be spent on helping others – not religious buildings.’ Do you agree.
Unit 4 Religion and Medicine
Topics of study:
1. Religious teachings on the Sanctity of life.
2. Whose choice is it?
3. Is there anything medicine cannot do?
4. Medical Ethics
Key Words:
1. Conception – the moment life begins; the uniting of the sperm and ovum; when a human egg
is fertilised; the beginning of pregnancy.
2. Quality of life – the extent to which life is meaningful and pleasurable; when a person feels of
value and capable of contributing to life; being free from undue pain, anxiety and stress.
3. Sanctity of life – life in all its forms is sacred; non-one should take life or deny it; life is
precious and utterly priceless.




1. Religious teachings on the Sanctity of Life.
Christianity
God is involved in every humans life.
Life is sacred and a gift from God
Only God should take life away
Jesus taught that all life should be valued.



Islam
Every soul has been created by Allah.
Allah has a plan for each life.
No-one has the right to take their own or
anyone else’s life.
2. Whose choice is it? Abortion
There is no single Christian view on abortion and individual Christians differ in their opinions. Generally
they do have concerns regarding the sanctity of life, people being made in the image of God, and that all
life is precious.
Roman Catholics
generally forbid abortion under any circumstances.
Other Christians
Against abortion for social reasons i.e. ‘I don’t want a baby now’, but accept
medical reasons i.e. choosing between the life of the mother or child.
Evangelists
Against abortion, but accept there are times when it is necessary.
For Muslims, life is sacred as Allah creates all life and only he can end it. Abortion for social and
economic reasons is forbidden in the Qur’an. Many Muslims will accept abortion if the mother’s life is at
stake, and some will allow if the child is likely to have disease or be deformed in some way. However,
the taking of a life is a sin and in the next life the young children will have the right to know why they
were killed. Up to 4 months after conception the mother’s rights are greater than those of the child,
afterwards they are equal.
3. Is there anything medicine cannot do?
IVF means In-Vitro Fertilisation and is used to help couples who are having trouble getting pregnant.
Embryology is the science of living things as they grow in early stages; Knowledge and expertise on how
things grow and develop; Experimenting with embryos and early forms of life; Dealing with embryos and
life forms in their very beginning
AIH – Artificial Insemination by Husband
AID – Artificial Insemination by Donor
Surrogacy When the egg and sperm, of wife and husband are fertilised by IVF and then inserted into
another woman’s womb.
Organ Transplant is where body organ is removed and replace in a different body; Placing an organ from
a donor to save another life; Replacing a worn out or diseased body part.
Cloning involves copying the exact genetic structure of the ‘parent’, which means that the clone is not
unique in any way.
Genetic engineering could be used to screen for genes which cause hereditary illnesses, like
Huntingdon’s disease.
Life support - Advances in science have led to new technology which is capable of keeping seriously ill
people alive when they otherwise would have died.
4. Medical Ethics Religious points of view.
Christianity
Some very different views, but all would often promote
adoption.
Roman Catholic: Life is given by God and no-one has a
right to children. All embryo technology is banned for
Catholics because:
 IVF involves throwing away some of the
fertilised eggs.
 Children have a right to know who their
parents are.
 God intended Sex to be the way a child is
created.
Others: Would accept the above, but argue:
 It makes the couple happy.
 Technology is also God’s gift
 Is the cost justified when so many starve?
 Christians should be encouraged to help others
in need. They look upon organ donation as an
act of love, and a way of following Jesus'
example.
Islam






Many accept AIH and IVF because the egg and
sperm are from the husband and wife.
It is considered important to know who the
natural parents are.
IVF allowed under special circumstances if the
male has a disease
Qur’an warns that the semen or sperm should
not be destroyed or wasted.
Organ transplantation is supported as a means
of alleviating pain or saving life on the basis of
the rules of the Shari'ah
Only God/Allah has the right to create life.
(Sanctity of Life). Cloning is an example of
‘playing God’.
Bible
Bible
Job 1: 21 “The Lord gave life,
and the Lord has taken it
away”
Job 12: 10 “In His hand is the
life of every living thing and
the breath of all mankind”
Only God decides when life
begins and when it ends
God is in charge of human
life – only He decides when
it should end.
Bible and Qur’an
Psalm 139: 13 “For you
created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my
mother's womb.”
God is in charge of creating
new life – not medicine and
doctors.
GSCE PAST QUESTIONS
A
State two ways people try to overcome infertility.
State two ways science can help change lives.
B
What is meant by embryology?
What is meant by sanctity of life?
C
Explain why some religious believers are against abortion.
Explain how a religious belief might affect someone’s view on medical ethics.
D
Explain why some religious believers may be against the use of IVF
Explain two reasons why Christians may consider life to be special.
E
Describe the attitudes to organ donation from two different religious traditions
Describe the teachings of two different religious traditions about abortion.
F
‘Genetic engineering goes against God’s will.’ Do you agree?
‘Money spent on organ transplants is money wasted’ Do you agree?