RE Exam-Style 12-mark Questions

Theme A: Families

‘Nuclear families are the ideal type of family’

Evaluate this statement.

A Christian argument to agree with this statement is that nuclear families provide better stability for children when there are two parents involved. Children may receive more attention when there are two parents, which can result in better wellbeing for those children. A quote from the Bible to support this is “Honour your mother and your father” The Bible mentions a family unit containing a mother and a father. Because of this, it shows that a nuclear family containing a mother, father and children is the ideal family type.

However, many Muslims disagree and believe that other family types can love and provide for children the same way a nuclear family could. Muslims want children to be loved and if that isn’t through a nuclear family, they accept that. A quote from the Qur’an to support this is “Honour your children and perfect their manners.” This is a parent’s role given by Allah of how to raise their children. Muslims believe this can be done through any family type, whether it is single-parent, nuclear or step-family. Therefore, nuclear families may nit be considered the ideal family type as any parent or parents can raise their child the exact same way.

On the other hand, Muslims may also agree with this statement. A quote from the Hadith to support this is “It is one of the greatest sin that a man should curse his parents.” In this part of the Hadith, it mentions two parents and since Islam does not accept same-sex marriage, it must be referring to a mother and father. Hence, this shows that in Islam the ideal type of family is a nuclear family.

Yet, many Christians may argue that a same-sex parent family can also provide for children. Same-sex parents families are classed as a contemporary family issue. Although many believe it is not ideal and goes against Biblical teachings, some Christians believe that if same-sex parents can provide stability, love and care for children, that can be accepted. For that reason, nuclear families aren’t the ideal family type, it just depends on whether the children are being provided for in every way that is needed.

Overall, I disagree with this statement. This is because even though a nuclear family may be regarded as the basic social unit, any parent can provide for their child and that is all that matters in a family. In contrast, many might agree with this statement, which is less convincing because many people may not be able to marry or have a traditional nuclear family but, they can still live and care for their children no matter what. Therefore, nuclear families are not the ideal type of family.

Theme A: Gender equality

‘It is the role of both men and women to look after children’

Evaluate this statement.

Muslims believe that men and women are equal but that they both play different roles. A father’s role is to provide for the family, usually by working to earn money, whilst a mother’s role is to stay home and look after the house whilst bringing up the children. A quote from the Hadith to prove men and women are equal is “All people are equal as the teeth of a comb” This proves the belief that they are equal, but Muslims would disagree with this statement and say that men and women have different moral duties and roles in life.

However, many see this as both mother and father looking after the children. It may be considered that the father is going out to provide for the family by earning money which can go to looking after the children. Because of this, some Muslims may believe that even though there are different roles, both of these roles are looking after the children in a way.

In contrast to that, traditional Christian views suggest that the women must stay home to take care of the children and take care of the home. This shows that, it is a woman’s role to look after children, not the man’s, since the man must go to work whilst the woman looks after the children. So, many Christian’s who follow traditional values may lean towards disagreeing with this statement and using traditions to back them up.

On the other hand, Christian’s may agree with this statement because they believe as society has changed, so has the roles of men and women and over time, they have become more and more equal. A quote from the Bible to support this is “…nor is there make or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” This proves that male and female are equal. For that reason, it can be the role of men and women to look after children.

Overall, I agree with this statement. This is because in modern times the roles of men and women have changed, becoming more flexible and there are now rules which allow equality between genders. Although, some may disagree with this statement and follow the religious teachings. This is less convincing because the holy books are outdated to modern times and as woman have fought for rights, standards of the roles of men and women have changed and developed. Therefore, it is the role of both men and women to look after children.

Theme B: The origins of the universe and human life

‘Scientific and religious views on the origins of the universe are not compatible’

Evaluate this statement.

One argument to disagree with this statement is that those who believe in theistic evolution use the Bible and scientific evidence to support their belief. Theistic evolution agrees with scientific evidence that the ‘Big Bang’ created the universe but, they believe that it was God the omnipotent creator that caused the ‘Big Bang’ to occur. A quote from the Bible to support this is “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” From this quote, theists see the light God created as the Big Bang, which then cause the universe to form. For that reason, scientific and religious views on the universe can be compatible.

However, it is quite clear that the views of literalists, and those who believe in the scientific evidence are not compatible. Literalists believe that God created the universe in six days, creating something new every day, and that he rested on the seventh day. A quote from the Bible to support this is “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Whilst, the scientific view supports the Big Bang theory, which is that the universe began with this Big Bang that expanded to create what we know as our solar system. Therefore, this shows that scientific and religious views on the origins of the universe are not compatible.

On the other hand, scientific evidence, although they believe the universe started with the Big Bang, scientists have no idea how it was formed. Theists, use this evidence to show that it was God who caused the Big Bang. This shows the theistic evidence and the scientific evidence is compatible is some way.

In contrast, literalists follow the Bible chronology and believe the universe was created approximately 6000 years ago by God. Scientific evidence shows that the Big Bang occurred 13.8 billion years ago. Hence, this shows how the scientific and religious views are not compatible.

Overall, I disagree with this statement. This is because, theistic evolution theories uses Bible evidence and scientific evidence, showing that their views can be compatible in some way. Although, some may believe that it cannot be compatible due to the belief of literalists and scientists are very opposite in every way. However, theists have managed to link the two pieces of evidence close together which proves that they can be compatible in some ways.

Theme B: The value of the universe

‘All religious people should stop using non-renewable sources of energy.’

Evaluate this statement.

Muslims believe that we are God’s khalifahs, Arabic for stewards, so it is our duty to look after his creation. A quote from the Qur’an to support this is “It is He who made you successors on the earth.” This tells Muslims that they must take care of earth, which may include not using non-renewable sources of energy. For that reason, Muslims may agree with this statement and say that to look after God’s creation they must not use resources that can harm it.

A Christian argument to disagree with this statement is that God gave humans dominion over creation. Some may see this as complete power over creation, so they can use any part of the creation, including non-renewable resources. A quote from the Bible to support this is “…they may rule the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky” This shows the dominion humans possess but many may also see it to also use anything they may need. Therefore, not all religious people have to stop using non-renewable resources because God gave them domino over his creation.

Overall, I agree with this statement. This is because God asked humans to look after his creation and non-renewable resources are destroying this world God gave to us. Although, many might disagree with this statement. This may be because non-renewable resources are cheaper and God gave humans control of this world. This is less convincing because those people may have misinterpreted what God meant when he gave humans dominion and control. I believe it was not meant to be abused by harming the world with non-renewable energy resources but by making a life for themselves without harming the planet. Therefore, I believe that all religious people should stop using non-renewable sources of energy to protect the world God gifted to them.

Theme B: Abortion and euthanasia

‘Only God should decide when we die.’

Evaluate this statement.

A Muslim argument to agree with this statement is that taking someone’s life goes against a Gods plan for them. A quote from the Qur’an to support this is “No soul shall die except with God’s permission at a predestined time.” Muslims believe in predestination, that God knows everything that will happen in the universe, including when a person will die. Therefore, only God should decide when a person dies since taking someone’s life is considered as ‘playing God’.

However, Christians may believe sometimes taking someone life may be acceptable. This may be the lesser of two evils if the persons quality of life is not satisfying. A quote from the Bible to support this is “Blessed are the merciful.” This explains that showing mercy on someone struggling by helping them end their life may be the right things to do. For that reason, not only God should decide when we die since helping someone die may be the best thing for them.

Although some Christians might also agree with this statement. This may be because taking someone life, whether they may have the persons best interests in mind or not, is still murder. A quote from the Bible to support this is “You shall not murder.” Murder is one of the greatest sins and God told humans to not murder. Because of this, it shows that only God should decide when we die as deliberately helping someone die is murder and a sin against God.

On the other hand, many believe that it is our own life and that we have the right to choose when we die. Whether a person is struggling mentally or in pain, it is their own choice for when they want to die. Even though it may not be God’s choice, he gave humans free will, so they can use this if they are in pain to make their own choice. Hence, God should not be the one to decide when humans die, he gave us free will and so we can use it for our benefit.

Overall, I disagree with this statement. This is because if a person is struggling, helping them pass away is the most loving thing you can do. Many though, may agree with this statement. This is less convincing because a loving God would not want humans to suffer and would rather they be at peace than in misery. Therefore, it is not God’s choice when we die.

Theme D: Peace, justice, forgiveness and reconciliation

‘If you fall out with someone you should always reconcile with them afterwards’

Evaluate this statement.

One Muslim argument to support this statement is that the Hadith talks of reconciliation being better than any Muslim practice. A quote from the Hadith to support this is “Shall I tell you of something that is better than fasting, prayer, and charity? [It is] reconciling between two people.” This explain to Muslims how important reconciliation is to the religion and to Allah. Therefore, Muslims may believe that if you do fall out with someone, you should reconcile with them afterwards.

However, reconciliation may not be the best thing is some cases. Someone may have fallen out with someone who doesn’t treat them very well and because of this reconciling with them may not be the best thing to do in order to protect that persons mental wellbeing. For that reason, you shouldn’t always reconcile with someone after you have fallen out, because sometimes it’s the best thing to let them go.

Overall, I disagree with this statement. This is because it may be hard for the person to become close to who hurt them again. Trust may be broken and even though they might forgive the trust being broken, it may be the best thing for some space away. Although, many might agree with this statement by saying Jesus died for us to be reconciled to God so we should reconcile with others. This is less convincing because God would only want humans to be happy and if that means taking space away from someone to be happy, God would want that. Therefore, if you fall out with someone, you don’t always need to reconcile with them afterwards.

Theme D: War

“No religious person should be a pacifist.”

Evaluate this statement.

A pacifist believes that we should not fight or use violence to resolve issues.

Some Christians may argue against this statement that Jesus was a pacifist. In the Bible Jesus told people “For all who draw the sword will die by the sword.” Christians see this as fighting against others will lead to your own death. Because of this, they may believe that religious people should be pacifists to remain peaceful and trust in God to resolve the conflict occurring.

However, a Christian argument to support this statement is that Christians were told to give what you get. A quote from the Bible to support this is “eye for an eye” This justifies retaliation for Christians and teaches them if they are harmed they should give the equal amount back. For that reason, it shows no religious person should be a pacifist.

In contrast, some Muslims believe that when Muhammad was at war, he wanted to stop the fighting and focus on being a better Muslim. A quote from the Hadith to support this is “We have finished the Lesser Jihad, let us now focus on the Greater Jihad.” This shows Muslims to focus more on being good Muslim than defending their faith through violence. Therefore, this proves that religious people should be pacifists and focus on their faith more than violence.

On the other hand, a non-religious belief to support this statement is that we should defend the weak and those who are being treated unfairly. This is also part of the criteria for just war and Lesser Jihad. So, this shows that not all religious people should be pacifists in order for them to support and help others who are struggling to support themselves.

Overall, I agree with this statement, because God and Allah created a criteria for war in both religions to benefit their religion. Both just war and Lesser Jihad criteria’s benefit the faith and those among them who need help. However, many might disagree with this statement. This is less convincing because about just war and Lesser Jihad allow Christians and Muslims to defend their faith with God’s permission. Therefore, no religious person should be a pacifist.

Theme D: