Assessment Lesson The assessment will take 30 minutes. a) = 1 mark – definition question b) = 2 marks – give examples of… c) = 3 marks – usually a ‘why’ or ‘describe’ or ‘explain’ d) = 6 marks – understanding of beliefs and teachings.

e) = 12 marks – Evaluation and analysis of a statement – includes personal response. Look for key-words in the question/de-construct the question.

• • • • • • • General Tips Read the question carefully – try not to mix up topics. (Social Justice) Time Management – allowing enough time to answer both topics. Being too general – a) – d) – answers need to be Christian specific – including quotes. Write enough for the d) and e) questions Use of quotes/references and examples as evidence to back up the points made throughout the exam Need to keep referring back to the question/statement.

Use key terminology.

a) Knowledge – definition, key terms, description. (1 mark) b) Knowledge – examples, reasons. – (2 marks) c) Knowledge – points, development, responses, evidence, reasons. (3 marks) d) Knowledge – Christian Specific ideas, beliefs, attitudes, responses, teachings, development and evidence (quotes) needed. (6 marks) e) Evaluation – Focus on the statement, Discussion on Christian/Non- Christian viewpoints, personal responses, significance/reflection on the issue, strengths and weaknesses. (12 marks)

Religion, Peace and Justice

Religion, Peace and Justice Revision

Just War Theory Thomas Aquinas – war is necessary under certain conditions. - Last Resort - Just cause - Legal Authority - No civilians hurt - Good must outweigh the bad Attitudes towards violence Pacifism – use of non violence – instead using marches, protests, speeches and strikes.

Martin Luther King, The Quakers and Jesus used the idea of pacifism in their work and messages.

Bonhoeffer and his work in Germany Reasons for Punishment Protection – to protect the criminals and society. Reformation – allow a chance for change.

Deterrence – stop from committing the crime again.

Retribution – make them pay in fines or time for what they have done.

Capital Punishment – death penalty Social Injustice Everyone is created equally – but not everyone has basic human rights.

Oscar Romero – ‘a voice to the voiceless’ Mother Theresa – helped the sick and poor Amnesty International – a group which campaigns for human rights in different countries

Useful Quotes

War: • ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they

will be called sons of God’

• ‘You shall not kill’ – Ten

Commandments

• ‘Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth’ Pacifism: • ‘If someone strikes you on the right

cheek, turn to him the other also’ (turn the other cheek)

• ‘Love your enemies and pray those

who persecute you’

Crime and Punishment: •‘If any of you is without sin, cast the

first stone’ ‘Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?’ (Need to have the chance to forgive)

Social Injustice: •‘Love your neighbour’ •‘When an alien lives with you in your

land, do not mistreat him. Love him as yourself’

•‘Even a sparrow that falls dead to the

ground is noticed by God’

Key words/people/quotes

Pacifism – non-violent approach, opposed to physical fighting.

Famous pacifists – Bonheoffer, Gandhi (Hindu) Martin Luther King and Jesus Other alternatives to fighting: demonstrations, protests, boycotts and writing letters.

There are two views on violence in the Bible and it is not always easy to choose pacifism. Is pacifism an easy path to follow?

‘Turn the other cheek’ ‘Love your neighbour’ ‘Love you enemies and pray for those who persecute you’

Key words/people/quotes

Just War – a set of conditions or principles which make the war a ‘just’ or ‘fair’ war.   Only a legal authority (government) can wage a war.

 Civilians should be protected.

Good chance of success.  Good reason to go to war.

 Last resort (option) everything else tried first.

 Trying to lessen the suffering and restore peace

Practice Assessment Questions

• • • • • • •

‘People should always fight for justice’ Do you agree? Support your statement with arguments and evidence. (12 marks)

You need to explain what is meant by justice and fighting. Fighting is not always a violent physical activity.

Fights using demonstrations, protests, letter writing and other methods of fighting using non – violent approaches ‘Always’ – consider whether different situations need different approaches, Some Christians may believe physical fighting is justified and necessary (Just War Theory) Whereas some Christians (Quakers) will never use violence or physical fighting.

Need to include your own opinion with explanation and analysis.

Religion and Equality

Humans were made in ‘the image of God’ everyone is equal ‘God shows no favouritism’ Teachings on Equality The Good Samaritan – ‘Love your neighbour’ regardless of who they are! Discrimination: Racism and Sexism – treating someone differently because of sex or skin colour.

Jesus and the treatment of women – the wedding and his resurrection.

Jesus had all male disciples but still had female followers.

Religion and Equality Prejudice Pre-judging someone based on appearance such as colour of skin.

Missionary work – working abroad to help and teaching people about Christianity.

Attitudes towards other religions: Respect for other denominations – Christians believe that Jesus is the right path to God (whole truth) Forgiveness – most important message from Jesus – pardoning someone or excusing them of something they have done.

Useful quotes for Religion and Equality

• • • • • Humans were ‘He created them in his image…male and female he created them’ ‘God shows no favouritism’ ‘Treat others as you would wanted to be treated’ ‘Love your neighbour’ ‘Women should remain silent in churches’

Practice Assessment Questions

• • • • •

‘Everyone should be treated equally’ Discuss

Need to discuss equality!

What would Christians say about equality – Good Samaritan – quotes from the Bible – ‘Love your neighbour’ Women in Christianity – some women can’t be priests and Paul ‘women should be silent in churches’ women don’t have authority and must answer to their husbands Modern Day view of Equality – people have equal rights in the work place and can vote…etc

Religion and Media

•

Is the media fair?

• • •

Yes

There is a lot of serious religious programming available.(Documentaries etc) Many programmes portray religion in a positive way. (Religious magazine type shows) There are lots of opportunities in programmes like soaps where important religious and moral issues are examined.

• • •

No

Many programmes just use religion for comedy (Father Ted, Vicar of Dibley) Religious characters in soaps are often odd characters (Dot and Lucus– Eastenders/ Edna – Emmerdale. What about Sophie Webster in Coronation Street?) Religious programmes are now sidelined, they are shown only on Sundays and not at prime time

Media – a medium for mass communication.

Different forms of media – TV, Film, Newspaper, Books, Music, Internet, Advertisement, Dance…etc.

Advantages – more accessible, modern technology, global audience, easier to understand religious ideas.

Disadvantages – biased information, offensive nature, bad influences.

Portrayals of Sex in the Media: Christians believe sex is sacred aspect of a marriage. Sex is shown often in the media and sometimes in a negative light – adultery, causal sex, sexual explicit songs. Portrayal of Violence in the Media: Desensitised to violence – used often in the media (call of duty) goes against key pacifist teachings. It is important to teach about sex/violence in the media but as long as it is educational and relevant.

Representation of Religious Figures –

problems with representing key religious figures such as God and Jesus.

Positive Points – Aslan from Narnia – parallel to Jesus – make its easier for children to understand the difficult Christian concepts.

Negative Points – to not worship idols – images of Jesus Christ. Difficult with the origins/ethnicity of Jesus. Controversy – Portrayal of Jesus in ‘Da Vinci Code’ Blasphemy – to make offensive and disrespectful remarks about God – Salman Rushdie accused of blasphemy in the satanic verses. Censorship – to block out offensive content. (bleeping out swearing on the radio).

Freedom of Speech – right to say what you want without censorship. Advantages/Disadvantages of these principles.

Censorship – blocking out of inappropriate material – usually associated with nudity and swearing. (Issues with Censorship) • • • •

Positive

Protects younger audiences – stops them from viewing offensive material.

Protects privacy – blurring of faces – protecting identity.

Prevents over-exposure of sex and violence Stops offensive comments about God (Blasphemy) • • • • •

Negative

Goes against the freedom of information act. (people have a right to information) Who decides who has the right to the information.

Freedom of speech is restricted.

Can in extreme circumstances turn into a dictatorship. (controlling what people have access to) Can stop religious people preaching their religious message – limiting information.

Part e)‘Films about Jesus are the best way to teach people about Christianity’ Discuss

• Reasons for the statement – - Films are more accessible to people and can bring ancient stories to life.

- Bring Christianity into the 21 st century – modernising and making ideas more relevant. - Makes people interested in religion – people who may not go to Church will be more tempted to watch a film instead. - People can engage more with the material offered.

Part e)‘Films about Jesus are the best way to teach people about Christianity’ Discuss

• Reasons against the statement: - Films which are successful present Jesus in a controversial way (Da Vinci Code) - Some films exaggerate the material and the true meaning of the religious teaching is lost.

- Films are for entertainment and some may use shock value and are not educationally useful.

Other things to think about:

• • • Films like Narnia are not directly about Jesus – is this a appropriate way to teach about Christianity.

What is the best way to teach about Jesus? There is more to Christianity than just teaching about Jesus. How helpful is the media? Effective teaching tool or manipulation of information.