RS exam Q's

Explain non religious views on the meaning of life – 6/8 marks

·    To to leave the world a better place + reproduce – “DNA replicating machine” Dawkins…..

·     Hedonism – life is pleasure – pursue happiness + pleasure above all else – this will give meaning to life

·    Schopenhauer - no meaning, life is hard, bleak + painful – find solace/ comfort in art/ music/ culture

·    Aristotle – Eudaimonia (to flourish) virtuous

      Epicurus – meaning of life is friends

      Nihilism – no meaning at all

·     Nietzsche – be different/ god is dead/ rise above the herd / become a superman

Explain religious beliefs about the nature of god - 6/8 marks 

Omnipotent - all powerful 

Omnipresent - everywhere

Omniscient - all knowing 

Immutable - doesnt change 

Everlasting - lives for ever 

Benevolent - kind/ loving 

The christian view on god jas been influenced by Plato by saying there is a perfect world out there called the world of forms 

Trinity: 

Father - cares and creates 

Son - saviour 

Holy spirit - comfort + guides + inspires

Racial harmony:

Acceptance + good relationship relationships between,

people of different ethnic background 

Teaching on racism:

·      Everyone is equal – “neither Jew nor Greek…. all are one in Christ”

·      All people are made in the “image of god” & are therefore equal

·      “love your neighbour” no matter who they are

Practical examples:

·      Desmand tutu – urged Christians to get involved in politics & to campaign against racism.

·      Martin Luther king – civil rights in the US, peaceful protestor e.g. bus boycotts, marches, speeches.

·      Schools and education preach it from an early age

·      Bishops in the lords campaigning for race relations act.

Woman:

Teaching of the status of women:

Positive:

• all are one in christ 
• image of god 
• mary the mother of god... 
• mary madelyne almost a disciple 
• early church had female leaders e.g phoebe the deacones

Negative: 

• eve caused the falll - ate the apple 
• women created out of adams rib as a helper 
• ML said women should stay at home 

In the church

• Women are essential for the family - passing religion in the home - domestic church
• women cannot become priests.. only a nab can represent in the mass or eucharist 
• Church of england woman can't be priests & bishops - why? dont believe maleness is neccesary to carry out communion 

Christian teachings 

Old/ negative views:

• punishment for sin of parents/grandparents 
• satan/ devil/ depression 

Updated positive views:

• jesus shows care + compassion to disabled - heals blind etc

David shows love to Jonathans disabled son. 

L'arche - Jean-vanier: Ark refuge for mentally disabled people

BUT 

Why doesn't he value them for what they are 

All christians believe it's the world of God 

Fundamentalist: 

• Gods word is literally true 
• Anything that contradicts the bible is wrong e.g. gay marriage

Liberals:

• word of god but written by humans a long time ago 
• affected by the biases & limitations of their time. 
• wrong + out of date in some issues 

BUT 

• love your nighbour 

Conservatives: 

• word of god - He inspired humans 
• its accurate on matters of ethics + spiritually 

BUT 

Some detail may be wrong e.g. world not created in 7 days.

Sunday: 

• Triumphal entry 

- jesus come into jerusalem on a donkey 

- Crowds shout - "hosanna blessed is he who comes in the name of the lord

: irony because they praise him and then want to kill him... 

: knowledge - in control - knows about the donkey 

: King - O.T king who rides a donkey is prophesised 

Thursday:

• Last supper 
  • jesus + disciples gather in upper room
  • jesus predicts someone will betray him
  • takes bread + says "this is my body"
  • takes wine + says "this is my blood of the covenant which is poured out for many"
  • knows he is going to die/ setting up eucharist/ model of discipleship 
  • hints of sacrifice - dying for peoples sin
  • foresight of his death 

• Arrest 
• Jewish trial 

Friday:

• Roman crucifixion 
  • jesus is nailed to a cross  - mocked by everyone - soldiers cast lots for his clothes 
  • Last words - "my God why have you forsaken me"
  • centurion - "surely this shows he was the son of God"
  • sky goes dark, temples curtain rips 
  • human jesus - broken/ jews have killed their king

Friday:

• Roman crucifixion 
  • jesus is nailed to a cross  - mocked by everyone - soldiers cast lots for his clothes 
  • Last words - "my God why have you forsaken me"
  • centurion - "surely this shows he was the son of God"
  • sky goes dark, temples curtain rips 
  • human jesus - broken/ jews have killed their king