Exam Preparation Notes

Theme A – Relationships & Families

  • Homosexuality

    • "Men who have sex with men will not receive the kingdom of God"
    • Defined as "intrinsically evil" (Catechism)
    • Pope's stance: "Who am I to judge?"
    • Some view it as "exceeding all bounds"; seen as dishonoring individuals involved.
    • Inclusivity in Islam by the Inclusive Mosque Initiative: "There are many ways of doing Islam".

  • Pre-marital sex

    • Considered "a grave sin"; emphasizes the value of relationships over the act.
    • Quote from Quakers: "It is the nature and quality of the relationship that matters".
    • Teaching: "Remain chaste (until marriage)".

  • Extra-marital sex

    • Rejected by scriptures: "Flee from sexual immorality"; "You shall not commit adultery".
    • Warning against proximity to zina (adultery).
    • Shariah law states punishment of 100 lashes for zina.

  • Contraception

    • Viewed as "intrinsically evil" (Catechism) by some; others accept it.
    • Lambeth Conference states: "Contraception is acceptable".
    • Reminder not to "kill children for fear of poverty"; God’s intention is for ease, not hardship.

  • Marriage

    • "What God has joined, let no one separate"; seen as divinely instituted.
    • "One flesh" concept; viewed as essential in religion (Hadith: "Marriage is half of religion").
    • Beloved institution: "There is no institution more beloved to God than marriage" (Hadith).

  • Cohabitation

    • Applied through Situation Ethics; suggestion to "Stay chaste until marriage".

  • Divorce

    • Viewed negatively unless in cases of sexual immorality: "Anyone who divorces their wife, except for sexual immorality…".
    • Expresses the sanctity of marriage: "What God has joined together, let no one separate".
    • Emphasizes permanence: "Until death do us part" (Marriage vows).
    • Hadith: "The most hated of lawful things to Allah is divorce"; mandates a waiting period of four months before divorce.

  • Nature + Purpose of Families

    • Biblical directive: "Be fruitful and multiply"; stressing familial responsibility: "Anyone who does not provide for his relatives…".
    • Home’s role highlighted as the "1st school of Christian life" (Catechism); promoting respect and care: "Honour your father and mother"; "Perfect their manners" (Hadith).
    • Encouragement to "Do good to your parents"; value of maternal figures expressed: "Heaven lies under the feet of your mother" (Hadith).

  • Polygamy

    • Permissibility stated: "Marry women of your choice – 2, 3 or 4".

  • Gender Roles + Equality

    • Traditional view: "Wives submit to your husbands"; contrasting views within Christianity: "There is no male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus".
    • Structure of authority: "Men are in charge of women"; divine rewards promised for all believers: "Gardens graced with flowing streams".

Theme D – Religion, Peace & Conflict

  • Peace

    • Teachings: "Blessed are the peacemakers"; promotes peaceful dialogue: "Say words of peace".

  • Justice

    • Urged to "Seek justice"; maintain truth with: "Uphold justice".

  • Forgiveness

    • Jesus teaches: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you"; correlates with Hadith: "Forgive others and Allah will forgive you".

  • Reconciliation

    • Central tenet: "God reconciled himself to us through Christ"; divine rewards for reconciliation efforts: "Whoever makes reconciliation, his reward is from God".

  • Violence

    • The law of retribution: "Eye for eye, tooth for tooth"; acceptance of non-retaliation: "Do not repay evil for evil".
    • Combat directive: "Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits".

  • Violent Protest

    • Example from Jesus: Turning tables symbolizes protest; reinforces justice: "Uphold justice".

  • Terrorism

    • Prohibition against killing: "Thou shall not kill"; sacredness of life: "Do not take life, which God has made sacred".

  • Greed

    • Warning: "For the love of money is the roots of all evil".

  • Self-Defence

    • Justified violence: "Eye for eye"; Non-retaliation mentioned previously: "Do not repay evil for evil".

  • Retaliation

    • Similar theme: "Eye for eye"; teaching on forbearance: "If anyone slaps you… turn to him the other cheek also".
    • Right of the wronged: "Those who have been harmed… permitted to take up arms".

  • WMDs

    • Align with previous discussions on peace, justice, and self-defence.

  • Just War Theory

    • Defined by stringent conditions (Catechism); Thomas Aquinas outlines:
    • Just cause
    • Last resort
    • Authority’s sanction
    • Proportionate force
    • No harm to innocents.

  • Lesser Jihad

    • Guidelines for conduct in war:
    • Protection of women, children, elderly, and religious figures.
    • Prohibitions against mutilation of dead; preservation of religious sites and crops.

  • Holy War

    • Pope’s call for Crusaders; examples from Muhammad regarding the Conquest of Makkah.

  • Pacifism

    • Strong emphasis: "Blessed are the peacemakers"; examples from MLK and Muhammad Ali advocating for peace.

  • Victims of War

    • Compassionate teaching: "Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me"; the moral imperative of loving others: "Love your brother as you love yourself".

Christian Practices

  • Worship

    • Encouraged to worship joyfully: "Worship the Lord with gladness"; importance of community worship: "Where 2 or 3 gather in my name, I am there with them".

  • Prayer

    • Continual prayer encouraged: "Be constant in prayer"; emphasis on private prayer:
    • "When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father".

  • Baptism

    • Key scripture: "Jesus came to the Galilee to the Jordan to be baptised by John"; instruction on baptism: "Baptise them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit".

  • Eucharist

    • Fundamental belief: "I am the living bread"; reminder of Christ’s sacrifice: "Do this in remembrance of me"; significance: "The source and summit of Christian life" (Catechism).

  • Pilgrimage

    • Faith and actions intertwined: "Faith, without works, is dead".

  • Christmas

    • Celebration of love: "Christmas reveals the immense love of God for humanity"; incarnation theme: "The Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us".

  • Easter

    • Celebration of resurrection: "The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world"; core belief: "If Christ had not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins".

  • Food Banks + Street Pastors

    • Active charity work: "Whatever you did for the least of these, you did for me"; the importance of practical love: "Faith, without works, is dead"; ethical call: "Love thy neighbour".

  • Mission + Evangelism

    • Command to spread faith: "Go and make disciples of all nations"; metaphor of evangelism: "I am going to send you out to fish for people".

  • Reconciliation

    • Core teaching: "Love thy neighbour"; emphasis on forgiveness: "Forgive not 7 but 77 times".

  • Persecution

    • Teaching of love and forgiveness: "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you".