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B602 Revision Guide revision guide revision b602 GCSE RELIGIOUS STUDIES Table of Contents How to answer the questions Religion and Science Christianity Good and Evil Christianity What does science teach about the origins of the world and life Definitions of Good and Evil Big Bang Theory – Beliefs about Good The Theory of Evolution – Beliefs about Evil What does the Bible teach about the origins of the world and life? The Fall Religion and Science The Devil/Satan What does Genesis teach about the role of humans? The Problem of Evil Christians and Environmental issues What is the Problem of Evil for Christians? Pollution and Destruction What do Christians say in answer to the Problem of Evil? Stewardship Ways Christians cope with suffering People and Animals Sources of Moral Guidance for Christians Example Questions Example Questions How to answer the questions Parts a, b and c are point marked. This means that each mark requires one point to be made e.g. part b is worth 2 marks, so make two points Examples: a) What is death? (1) . Death is the end of life One point made – one mark given b) Give two examples of environmental issues. (2) . Global warming and pollution. Two points made – two marks given c) Describe Christian beliefs about God. (3) . Christians believe God is omnipotent (all-powerful), omniscient (all-seeing) and God is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, known as the Trinity. Three points made – three marks given Parts d (6 marks) and e (12 marks) are level marked. This means you do not need to make 6 or 12 points, but you need to write a detailed answer. Spend most of your time on these questions. o d) questions - in these questions, you need to give full explanations. Accurately state the beliefs and teachings you are explaining, using specialist terms Use quotes to back up these points of view Remember there are often different views / beliefs to be explained o e) questions - in these questions, you need to discuss and evaluate different opinions. Examiners are looking for THREE things: A range of different views. This means you have to explain opposing points of view. Religious views, giving supporting reasons for each one. A personal conclusion, clearly showing what you think of the different views in your discussion, giving reasons for your decisions. PLEASE NOTE that 3 marks are now awarded for your answers in each unit for spelling, punctuation and grammar Good and Evil Christianity Definitions of Good and Evil Good – what is morally right Evil – what is morally wrong Beliefs about Good Christians believe that only God is perfectly good. Humans were created in the Image of God; so it should be the aim of all humans to do what is good, because only by doing good can they achieve true happiness. One of the purposes of the Bible is to teach them God’s standard of goodness. For example, this standard is found in the Ten Commandments. They also believe that God became a human being, as Jesus Christ, in order to show us how to live a good life. Beliefs about Evil The Fall The Bible teaches that the devil, as a serpent, tempted Adam and Eve to disobey God. Christians call this event The Fall – i.e. they fell away from perfection. At this point, the perfect creation was ruined and evil entered the world. For fundamentalist Christians this event is the source of all evil in the world. The disobedience of Adam & Eve is referred to as original sin (i.e. the first evil) and, since we are all descended from Adam & Eve, all human beings are affected by original sin (i.e. we are not perfect). The Devil/Satan ‘Devil’ or ‘Satan’ means ‘accuser’. The Bible teaches that the Devil was originally an archangel called Lucifer who was given charge of the world. Lucifer became the Devil when he rebelled against the authority of God. Demons are other angels who also rebelled. The Devil appeared as a serpent in the Garden of Eden and tempted Adam and Eve also to disobey God The Devil tempted Jesus to rebel against God by using his powers as the Son of God for evil purposes Christian beliefs today Fundamentalist Christians Liberal Christians believe that believe the devil is a real being the story of the devil is simply a at work in the world, tempting metaphor for the ‘evil’ that humans away from God. humans are capable of doing. The Problem of Evil Two Types of Evil Natural Evil Moral Evil Evil caused by nature Evil caused by humans (e.g. earthquakes, diseases) (e.g. war, crime) What is the Problem of Evil for Christians? If God is all-loving, then he would want to stop evil and suffering. If God is all-powerful, then he is able to stop evil and suffering. Why, then, does evil exist? Why doesn’t God do something about it? Either God is not all-loving and all-powerful, or he does not exist. What do Christians say in answer to the Problem of Evil? Humans were created with free-will, with the ability to choose between right and wrong. They are not robots, only programmed to choose the good. However, with this freedom comes the responsibility for the bad things that result from choosing to do evil rather than good. God cannot be blamed for the moral evil that humans do. Fundamentalist Christians argue that God created a good and perfect world for the first humans (Adam and Eve) to live in. But they chose to disobey God. This ‘original sin’ caused the creation to be corrupted and its perfect form was ruined. The effect of this was natural evil. Liberal Christians, however, argue that the world needs to be a mix of good and evil in order for humans to develop into loving and caring individuals. Suffering helps to bring out the best in human nature. Kindness, patience, sympathy are some of the qualities that people display in response to the suffering of others. Many Christians believe that God became a human (Jesus Christ) at his Incarnation in order to save the world from the effects of evil. As the Son of God, Jesus embraced the worst of human evil by dying on a cross. The suffering of Jesus reminds Christians that the death of Jesus was God’s way of showing his love for humanity. His resurrection was a victory over suffering and death. For Christians, this triumph gives hope for the future. Ways Christians cope with suffering The Suffering of Jesus – Jesus was arrested, beaten and whipped by Roman soldiers. He was then crucified. This involved being nailed to a cross, resulting in a slow and agonizing death. This has become a metaphor for suffering, as people sometimes say that they have a ‘cross to bear’. Christians try to follow Jesus and live a life like him, and if the life of Jesus involved suffering, then they can accept that their life may also involve suffering. Suffering can make them more ‘Christ-like’. Faith in God – Christians also argue that they have to trust in God. Even though suffering and evil seem horrible and unfair, they have to believe that somehow it is all part of God’s plan. This is the point of the Book of Job in the Bible: Job was a good man who was faithful to God, but God allowed Satan to test Job by making him suffer. Job lost his family, his home, his wealth, and then his health. His friends accused him of hypocrisy, because they argued that he was being punished by God for his evil, when all the time he was pretending to be good. The point of the story is to reject the ancient view that all suffering is a punishment from God. Sometimes suffering is a test of faith in God who alone knows the beginning from the end. Prayer / Reading the Bible – Christians might pray to God for strength to cope with suffering or read examples in the Bible of how others have coped with suffering as inspiration. Support of other Christians – being part of the Christian community might help Christians cope with suffering. Sharing and helping others in need can be very comforting. Sources of Moral Guidance for Christians The Bible – Christians might look in the Bible for guidance on how to behave. For example, the Ten Commandments give clear rules about what is right and wrong. Life of Jesus – Some Christians use the idea of ‘What would Jesus do?’ This helps them to think about a situation and work out what Jesus’ answer would be. Church Teaching/Church Leaders – For Roman Catholics the teachings of the Pope on a whole range of moral issues (e.g. abortion) is very important. o Quakers cannot be members of their church unless they are pacifists. Famous Christians – The lives of famous Christians, such as Martin Luther King, inspire other Christians to do stand up for what is right. Example Questions (a) What is meant by evil? [1] (b) Give two examples of human suffering. [2] (c) What is the difference between natural and moral evil? [3] (d) How might Christians explain the problem of evil in the world? [6] (e) ‘It is God who makes people suffer.’ Discuss this statement. You should include different, supported points of view and a personal viewpoint. You must refer to Christianity in your answer. [12] (a) What is meant by conscience? [1] (b) Suggest two causes of evil in the world. [2] (c) Give three ways in which Christians might try to behave morally.
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