The thematic studies section of the AQA GCSE Religious Studies exam covers a variety of contemporary moral issues and the religious perspectives on them. This includes the themes of:

1. Relationships and Families

2. Religion and Life

3. The Existence of God and Revelation

4. Religion, Peace, and Conflict

5. Religion, Crime, and Punishment

6. Religion, Human Rights, and Social Justice

1. Relationships and Families

Marriage and Family Life

• Marriage:

  • Christianity: Considered a sacrament in many denominations, symbolizing the covenant between Christ and the Church. Marriage vows often emphasize lifelong commitment and fidelity.

  • Islam: Marriage (Nikah) is a contract between a man and a woman, often accompanied by a dowry (Mahr). It is seen as a foundation for family and societal stability.

  • Judaism: Marriage is a mitzvah (commandment) and involves a ketubah (marriage contract) outlining responsibilities and rights.

• Sexual Relationships:

  • Christianity: Generally promotes chastity and fidelity within marriage. Views on premarital sex vary, with more conservative branches opposing it.

  • Islam: Sexual relations are permissible only within marriage. Premarital and extramarital sex are forbidden (zina).

  • Judaism: Sexual relations are viewed positively within marriage but are prohibited outside of it.

• Family:

  • Roles and responsibilities can vary widely. Traditional views often see men as providers and women as caretakers, but modern perspectives emphasize equality and shared responsibilities.

Contraception and Family Planning

• Christianity:

  • Catholicism: Opposes artificial contraception, promoting natural family planning methods instead.

  • Protestantism: Generally more accepting of contraception, seeing it as a responsible way to plan a family.

• Islam: Generally accepts contraception as long as it does not harm the body and both partners consent.

• Judaism: Varies, but often accepts contraception to preserve the health of the mother or to manage family size.

Same-Sex Relationships

• Christianity:

  • Conservative: Often opposes same-sex relationships, citing biblical passages.

  • Liberal: Some denominations accept and bless same-sex unions.

• Islam: Generally opposes same-sex relationships based on Quranic teachings.

• Judaism: Varies widely; Orthodox Judaism typically opposes, while Reform and Conservative movements are more accepting.

Gender Equality

• Christianity:

  • Traditional roles often emphasized, but many denominations now promote gender equality, including ordination of women.

• Islam: Men and women have complementary roles; however, gender equality is emphasized in spiritual matters.

• Judaism: Orthodox Judaism maintains traditional roles, while Reform and Conservative movements support gender equality in religious and secular life.

2. Religion and Life

The Origins of the Universe and Life

• Creation:

  • Christianity: Genesis account describes God creating the world in six days. Some interpret this literally, while others see it as metaphorical.

  • Islam: Quran describes Allah creating the heavens and the earth in six periods. Both literal and metaphorical interpretations exist.

  • Judaism: Similar to Christianity, with the Genesis account forming the basis of creation beliefs.

• Scientific Explanations:

  • Big Bang Theory: Universe began from a singular point and expanded.

  • Evolution: Life evolved over millions of years through natural selection.

The Value of the World and Environmental Issues

• Stewardship:

  • Christianity: Humans are stewards of God's creation, tasked with caring for it.

  • Islam: Humans are Khalifahs (stewards) of the Earth, responsible for its care.

  • Judaism: Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) emphasizes the responsibility to protect and sustain the environment.

• Dominion vs. Stewardship:

  • Dominion: Belief that humans have authority over nature (Genesis 1:28).

  • Stewardship: Responsibility to manage and protect the environment.

The Sanctity of Life

• Sanctity of Life:

  • Life is sacred and given by God, thus only God has the right to take it away.

Abortion and Euthanasia

• Abortion:

  • Christianity: Generally opposes, with exceptions in cases where the mother's life is at risk.

  • Islam: Generally opposes, but may permit in early stages or to save the mother's life.

  • Judaism: Generally opposes, but permits if the mother's life is at risk.

• Euthanasia:

  • Christianity: Generally opposes, emphasizing palliative care.

  • Islam: Opposes euthanasia, considering it a violation of God's sovereignty.

  • Judaism: Generally opposes, but may permit withholding extraordinary means to prolong life.

Animal Rights

• Use of Animals:

  • Ethical treatment of animals is emphasized. Religious teachings may permit use of animals for food and work but advocate for humane treatment.

  • Christianity: Dominion over animals but calls for kind treatment.

  • Islam: Animals should be treated with compassion and kindness.

  • Judaism: Bal Tashchit principle prohibits unnecessary destruction, including cruelty to animals.

3. The Existence of God and Revelation

Philosophical Arguments for the Existence of God

• Design Argument:

  • The complexity and order in the universe suggest a designer (William Paley's Watchmaker analogy).

• First Cause Argument:

  • Everything has a cause, leading to the necessity of a First Cause, identified as God (Thomas Aquinas' Cosmological Argument).

• Moral Argument:

  • The existence of moral laws suggests a moral lawgiver (Immanuel Kant).

Revelation as Proof of the Existence of God

• General Revelation:

  • Nature: Observing the natural world as a way to understand God.

  • Conscience: Inner sense of right and wrong.

  • Reason: Use of intellect to understand divine truths.

• Special Revelation:

  • Miracles: Supernatural events attributed to divine intervention.

  • Religious Experiences: Personal encounters with the divine.

  • Scripture: Sacred texts revealing God's will and character.

Problems of Evil and Suffering

• Theodicies:

  • Free Will Defense: Evil results from human free will.

  • Soul-Making Theodicy: Suffering helps develop moral and spiritual virtues (John Hick).

4. Religion, Peace, and Conflict

Religious Teachings on Peace and Conflict

• Peace:

  • Central to many religious teachings (e.g., "Blessed are the peacemakers" - Matthew 5:9).

• Just War Theory:

  • Criteria: Just cause, legitimate authority, right intention, probability of success, last resort, proportionality.

• Pacifism:

  • Advocacy for non-violence (e.g., Quakers, Buddhist teachings).

Violence and Terrorism

• Violence:

  • Justifications may include self-defense or protecting the innocent.

  • Religious Opposition: Most religions advocate for peace and condemn unnecessary violence.

• Terrorism:

  • Religious responses often include condemnation and calls for justice and peacebuilding.

Forgiveness and Reconciliation

• Forgiveness:

  • Central to many religious teachings, emphasizing the importance of letting go of grudges and seeking peace.

• Reconciliation:

  • Processes to restore broken relationships, often involving confession, forgiveness, and making amends.

Nuclear War and Weapons of Mass Destruction

• WMDs:

  • Ethical considerations involve the massive and indiscriminate destruction they cause.

  • Religious Perspectives: Generally oppose the use of WMDs due to the potential for widespread harm and loss of innocent life.

5. Religion, Crime, and Punishment

Religious Teachings on Justice and Punishment

• Justice:

  • Importance of fairness and justice in religious teachings (e.g., "Let justice roll down like waters" - Amos 5:24).

• Punishment:

  • Aims: Retribution (punishing the offender), deterrence (preventing further crime), reform (rehabilitating the offender), protection (protecting society).

Capital Punishment

• Death Penalty:

  • For: Some religious perspectives argue it serves as a deterrent and delivers justice.

  • Against: Others oppose it on grounds of sanctity of life and potential for wrongful executions.

Forgiveness

• Role in Justice:

  • Forgiveness is crucial in many religious traditions, emphasizing the need for mercy and the possibility of redemption.

6. Religion, Human Rights, and Social Justice

Social Justice and Human Rights

• Social Justice:

  • Religious commitment to ensuring fair treatment and opportunities for all (e.g., "Love your neighbor as yourself" - Mark 12:31).

• Human Rights:

  • Importance of respecting and upholding human rights as inherent to all individuals.

Prejudice and Discrimination

• Equality:

  • Religious teachings often advocate for the equal treatment of all people, opposing discrimination based on race, gender, or other characteristics.

Wealth and Poverty

• Use of Wealth:

  • Ethical considerations of wealth distribution and responsible use of resources.

• Poverty:

  • Religious obligations to help the poor and vulnerable (e.g., Zakat in Islam, Tzedakah in Judaism).

Key Words and Definitions

Chastity: The practice of refraining from extramarital or all sexual intercourse. It is often linked with maintaining purity and moral integrity.

Stewardship: The belief that humans have a duty to take care of the Earth and its resources, acting as caretakers on behalf of God.

Dominion: The concept that humans have been given authority over the Earth and its creatures, often interpreted as a responsibility to rule and manage it wisely.

Sanctity of Life: The belief that life is sacred and has intrinsic value because it is created by God. This principle often influences religious views on issues like abortion and euthanasia.

Euthanasia: The practice of intentionally ending a life to relieve pain and suffering. It can be voluntary, where the person consents, or non-voluntary, where the person is unable to consent.

Revelation: The act by which God makes Himself and His will known to humans. This can occur through sacred texts, prophets, or personal religious experiences.

Theodicy: An attempt to justify the goodness and omnipotence of God in the face of the existence of evil and suffering in the world.

Just War Theory: A doctrine that outlines the conditions under which war can be morally justified, including just cause, legitimate authority, right intention, probability of success, last resort, and proportionality.

Pacifism: The belief that any form of violence or war is unjustifiable and that all disputes should be settled by peaceful means.

Retribution: A principle of punishment where the offender is made to suffer in proportion to the harm they caused, often seen as a form of moral vengeance.

Deterrence: The idea that punishment should be severe enough to discourage the offender and others from committing similar crimes.

Reform: The aim of punishment to change offenders and rehabilitate them into law-abiding citizens, focusing on their moral and personal development.

Reconciliation: The process of restoring broken relationships, which often involves forgiveness, confession, and making amends.

Social Justice: The concept of fair and just relations between individuals and society, including the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges.

Discrimination: The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, gender, or religion.

Human Rights: The basic rights and freedoms that belong to every person in the world, from birth until death, including the right to life, liberty, and personal security.

Contraception: Methods or devices used to prevent pregnancy. Religious views on contraception vary widely, from acceptance to prohibition.

Zakat: In Islam, a form of almsgiving and one of the Five Pillars, it is a religious obligation for Muslims to donate a portion of their wealth to charity.

Tzedakah: In Judaism, the concept of charity and justice, emphasizing the obligation to help those in need.

Tikkun Olam: A Jewish concept meaning "repairing the world," emphasizing social action and justice.

Khalifah: In Islam, the term for stewardship, refers to humans as caretakers of the Earth entrusted by Allah.

Genesis: The first book of the Bible, which includes the creation story and forms the basis for Judeo-Christian beliefs about the origin of the world.

Big Bang Theory: A scientific theory about the origin of the universe, stating that it began from a singular point and has been expanding ever since.

Evolution: A scientific theory explaining the diversity of life on Earth, stating that species have evolved over millions of years through natural selection.

Bal Tashchit: A Jewish law prohibiting unnecessary destruction, including the waste of resources and harm to animals.

First Cause Argument: A philosophical argument for the existence of God, stating that everything has a cause, and there must be a First Cause (God) that is not caused by anything else.

Moral Argument: An argument for the existence of God based on the existence of moral laws, suggesting that a moral lawgiver (God) must exist.

General Revelation: The idea that God reveals Himself through nature, reason, and conscience, available to all people.

Special Revelation: The idea that God reveals Himself through specific events, scriptures, and personal experiences.

Free Will Defense: A theodicy that argues evil exists because God gave humans free will, and they sometimes choose to do evil.

Soul-Making Theodicy: A theodicy that suggests suffering and evil exist to develop human souls and virtues, making them more morally and spiritually mature.

Miracle: An extraordinary event that is believed to be caused by divine intervention, often seen as a sign of God's power and presence.

Scripture: Sacred texts considered authoritative and inspired by God, such as the Bible, Quran, and Torah.

Zina: An Islamic term for unlawful sexual intercourse, including premarital and extramarital sex.

Nikah: An Islamic marriage contract that outlines the rights and responsibilities of the husband and wife.

Mahr: A mandatory payment, in the form of money or possessions paid by the groom to the bride at the time of marriage in Islam.

Ketubah: A Jewish marriage contract that outlines the husband's responsibilities to his wife.