## Junior Cycle RE Revision Notes

Junior Cycle RE Revision Notes

1. Basic

• Religion: A system of beliefs and practices often centered around questions of existence, purpose, and morality. It provides meaning and a sense of identity to its followers. Examples include Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism.

• Faith: A personal trust or confidence in a higher power, deity, or set of beliefs. Faith involves both intellectual assent and emotional commitment, as seen in acts of worship and prayer.

• Worship: Acts of devotion and reverence, often involving rituals, prayers, or ceremonies that honor a deity or sacred principle. Examples include attending Mass, offering prayers in a mosque, or meditating in Buddhism.

2. Religion and Society

• Religion in the community:

  • Local faith communities like parishes, mosques, synagogues, and temples offer spiritual and practical support, such as food drives, charity events, and youth programs.

  • Examples: St. Vincent de Paul, local interfaith councils.

• Locally, nationally, and globally:

  • Interfaith collaboration projects such as "Faith in Action" or Habitat for Humanity.

  • Global organizations like Caritas, Islamic Relief, and the United Nations' interfaith initiatives address poverty, hunger, and social justice issues.

• Issues of concern:

  • Addressing poverty, climate change, and equality through religious teachings.

  • Religious responses:

    • Christianity: Stewardship (Genesis 1:26-28).

    • Islam: Khalifah (guardianship of Earth).

    • Buddhism: Compassion for all beings (karuna).

• Dialogue for peace:

  • Interfaith initiatives foster understanding and unity to resolve conflicts, e.g., the World Council of Churches and Pax Christi.

  • Example: Interfaith prayer meetings during times of crisis.

• Stewardship and morality:

  • Stewardship encourages care for creation and accountability for actions. Examples include reducing waste and promoting clean energy.

  • Individual moral responses such as volunteering, advocating for social change, and practicing ethical decision-making.

3. Beliefs and Background

• Monotheism: Belief in one God, central to Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Example: The Shema in Judaism.

• Polytheism: Belief in multiple gods, seen in Hinduism and ancient Greek religion.

• Atheism and Agnosticism:

  • Atheism: Rejection of belief in deities.

  • Agnosticism: Uncertainty about the existence of deities.

• Sacred texts:

  • Christianity: The Bible, including the Old and New Testaments.

  • Islam: The Qur'an, considered the final revelation of God.

  • Judaism: The Torah, central to Jewish law and tradition.

  • Hinduism: The Vedas, ancient scriptures of spiritual knowledge.

4. Evidence

• Types of evidence:

  • Archaeological discoveries, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, provide historical context for religious texts.

  • Religious art and architecture reflect beliefs and practices, such as stained glass windows in cathedrals.

• Archaeology:

  • Uncovers sacred spaces and historical artifacts, such as the remains of early synagogues or the ruins of Buddhist monasteries.

  • Example: The discovery of the Rosetta Stone and its impact on understanding ancient texts.

• Art and architecture:

  • Reflect religious devotion and cultural values. Examples include Gothic cathedrals, Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, and Islamic calligraphy.

5. Local Communities of Faith

• Roles and activities:

  • Providing worship services, religious education, and charitable outreach.

  • Celebrating festivals such as Christmas, Eid al-Fitr, and Passover.

• Leadership:

  • Leaders like priests, imams, rabbis, and gurus offer guidance, oversee rituals, and teach religious principles.

6. Non-Religious Rituals and Celebrations

• Examples: Secular weddings, national holidays like Independence Day, and graduation ceremonies.

• Purpose: Marking milestones, fostering community unity, and celebrating cultural identity.

• Comparison to religious rituals:

  • Both involve symbols, ceremonies, and community gatherings.

  • Secular rituals focus on human achievements and traditions, while religious ones emphasize the divine and spiritual aspects.

7. Morality and Sources of Values

• Definition: Morality refers to principles that guide judgments of right and wrong.

• Sources:

  • Religious: Sacred texts, teachings of religious leaders, and traditions.

  • Cultural: Societal norms, laws, and customs.

  • Personal: Conscience, family values, and personal experiences.

• Key ethical frameworks:

  • Consequentialism: Evaluates actions based on outcomes (e.g., utilitarianism).

  • Deontology: Focuses on rules and duties, like the Ten Commandments.

  • Virtue Ethics: Emphasizes character traits, such as courage and compassion.

• Examples:

  • Christianity: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

  • Buddhism: The Eightfold Path encourages ethical living.

8. Expressing Religious Belief

• Symbols:

  • Christianity: The cross symbolizes Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection.

  • Islam: The crescent moon and star represent faith and guidance.

  • Judaism: The Star of David symbolizes unity and identity.

• Rituals:

  • Examples: Baptism, fasting during Ramadan, and lighting the menorah during Hanukkah.

• Art and Music:

  • Religious art: Michelangelo’s "Pietà" and Islamic geometric designs.

  • Music: Gregorian chants in Christianity, qawwali in Sufism.

• Pilgrimages:

  • Examples: The Hajj to Mecca, visiting Lourdes in Christianity, and bathing in the Ganges in Hinduism.

9. Prayer and Living Beliefs

• Prayer:

  • Types: Thanksgiving, petition, intercession, praise, and meditation.

  • Role: Strengthens faith, provides comfort, and deepens spiritual connection.

• Living beliefs:

  • Actions: Practicing forgiveness, helping those in need, and advocating for justice.

  • Challenges: Balancing personal ambitions with religious obligations and principles.

10. Religious Teachings and Issues of Concern

• Example Issue: Climate change.

  • Religious responses:

    • Christianity: Emphasizes stewardship and caring for God’s creation.

    • Islam: Promotes balance (mizan) and conservation of resources.

    • Hinduism: Extends the principle of ahimsa (non-violence) to the environment.

• Actions: Recycling, advocating for renewable energy, tree planting campaigns.

11. Religious Themes in Culture

• Literature: Moral and spiritual themes in books like "The Chronicles of Narnia" and "To Kill a Mockingbird."

• Film: Movies exploring faith and redemption, e.g., "Schindler’s List" and "The Mission."

• Art: Depictions of religious events, such as Leonardo da Vinci’s "The Last Supper" and Hindu temple carvings.

12. Dialogue for Peace and Organizations for Justice

• Interfaith dialogue: Promotes mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation. Examples include interfaith conferences and shared community projects.

• Organizations:

  • Trócaire: Focuses on poverty alleviation and social justice.

  • Islamic Relief: Provides humanitarian aid globally.

  • Pax Christi: Advocates for peace and reconciliation.

13. Understanding Compassion

• Definition: Compassion is empathy combined with action to relieve suffering.

• Teachings:

  • Buddhism: Karuna (compassion) is a central tenet.

  • Christianity: The Parable of the Good Samaritan emphasizes helping others.

  • Islam: Compassion is a key attribute of Allah, as seen in the names "Ar-Rahman" and "Ar-Rahim."

• Actions: Volunteering, donating to charities, and standing up for the marginalized.

14. Stewardship and Wellbeing

• Stewardship:

  • Religious teachings emphasize care for the Earth as a sacred duty.

  • Examples: Initiatives to reduce waste, support clean energy, and protect biodiversity.

• Wellbeing:

  • Focuses on physical, mental, and spiritual health.

  • Practices include mindfulness, prayer, exercise, and maintaining healthy relationships.

Study Tips:

1. Use flashcards for key terms, symbols, and definitions.

2. Practice essay questions on major topics such as morality and interfaith dialogue.

3. Create mind maps to connect themes like compassion, stewardship, and societal impact.

4. Relate concepts to real-life examples or current events for deeper understanding.

5. Review past exam papers to familiarize yourself with question formats and allocate time effectively during exams.