Thematic Studies
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:
Relationships and Families
Religion and Life
The Existence of God and Revelation
Religion, Peace, and Conflict
Religion, Crime, and Punishment
Religion, Human Rights, and Social Justice
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sanctity of Life:
Life is sacred and given by God, thus only God has the right to take it away.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Theodicies:
Free Will Defense: Evil results from human free will.
Soul-Making Theodicy: Suffering helps develop moral and spiritual virtues (John Hick).
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:
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:
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.
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.
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).
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.
Role in Justice:
Forgiveness is crucial in many religious traditions, emphasizing the need for mercy and the possibility of redemption.
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.
Equality:
Religious teachings often advocate for the equal treatment of all people, opposing discrimination based on race, gender, or other characteristics.
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).
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.
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:
Relationships and Families
Religion and Life
The Existence of God and Revelation
Religion, Peace, and Conflict
Religion, Crime, and Punishment
Religion, Human Rights, and Social Justice
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sanctity of Life:
Life is sacred and given by God, thus only God has the right to take it away.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Theodicies:
Free Will Defense: Evil results from human free will.
Soul-Making Theodicy: Suffering helps develop moral and spiritual virtues (John Hick).
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:
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:
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.
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.
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).
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.
Role in Justice:
Forgiveness is crucial in many religious traditions, emphasizing the need for mercy and the possibility of redemption.
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.
Equality:
Religious teachings often advocate for the equal treatment of all people, opposing discrimination based on race, gender, or other characteristics.
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).
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.
