GCSE Religious Studies Topics
Paper 1: 2 religions used are Christianity & Judaism.
A1 Believing in God
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Only from a Christian perspective.
How religious upbringing in a family or community can lead to a
support in God.
Appearance of the world leading to belief in God
Existence of evil & suffering & effects on belief
A2 Matters of Life and Death
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Christian & Jewish perspectives as well as moral issues.
British Legislation on abortion & euthanasia
Religious attitudes to sanctity of life
Religious beliefs on death & resurrection
A3 Marriage and the Family
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Changing attitudes in UK to cohabitation & marriage.
Religious attitudes to marriage & sex before marriage.
Changing attitudes in UK to divorce & remarriage including
religious.
Changing nature of family life.
A4 Social Harmony
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Equal rights for women in UK
Religious attitudes to roles of men & women.
UK as a multi-ethnic society, prejudice, discrimination & racism.
UK as a multi faith society.
A5 Religion: Wealth & Poverty
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Religious teachings on relationship between rich & poor.
 Outline need for world development in response to causes, extent
& effects of poverty in the world.
Paper 2: 2 religions are Christianity & Judaism
H1 Religion & Social Responsibility
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How Christians make moral decisions, authority of the Bible &
Church.
Electoral System in UK & differences among Christians & their
attitude to politics.
Structure of Welfare State in UK & non-religious arguments about
it.
Christian basis of Welfare State.
H2 Religion & the Environment
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Types of pollution; scarcity of natural resources & non-religious
arguments about environmental issues.
Religious teachings on creation & stewardship.
The work of one religious person, community or organisation in
support of conservation.
Animal rights non-religious & religious.
H3 Religion: Peace & Conflict
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2 areas of conflict in the world reasons for the conflict.
Religious attitudes to war.
The work of one religious person, community or organisation for
world peace.
Religious & non-religious beliefs on bullying.
Religious teachings on forgiveness & reconciliation.
H4 Religion: Crime & Punishment
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Difference between a sin & crime: need for law & justice.
Religious attitudes to justice.
Theories of punishment.
Religious teachings on judgment, forgiveness & punishment.
Study of prisoner of conscience.
Religious & non-religious arguments about capital punishment.
H5 Religion & Medical Issues
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Medical treatments for infertility, religious & non-religious
attitudes.
Nature of genetic engineering, religious & non-religious attitudes.
Transplant surgery, religious & non-religious attitudes.