1. Religious
Studies Unit 1

2. Section 1:
Believing in God

3. Why do atheists not
believe?
OScience explains how the world was
created
ONo physical proof God exists
OMiracles can be explained by
science or as coincidences
OEvil and suffering prove God doesn’t
exist

4. How do Christian families
encourage their children to
believe in God?

5. Paley’s design argument

6. Arguments against
We cannot prove God’s existence and
this only suggests he is the desginer
This appearance of design could be the
result of evolution

7. Causation argument
This
cause has
to be God
A powerful
cause was
necessary to
cause the
universe
The
universe
cannot
have
happened
by itself
Everything
that
happens
must be
caused by
something
else
Therefore
God
exists
Nothing
happens
by itself

8. Cosmological argument

9. Arguments against
Cannot be proved
Even if everything in the world has a cause, it
doesn’t mean the universe does
There are other possible causes of the
universe such as the Big Bang Theory
What caused God?

10. Science vs Religion
O Science offers alternative
explanations with no reference to God
O Science can be seen and tested
O The Bible’s description of creation is a
story
O The six days were stages not periods of
time
O Science describes how, Bible explains
why
O Creationists believe scientific theories
are wrong as they conflict with the Bible

11. Unanswered prayers
God isn’t listening to
them
God doesn’t care
about them
God doesn’t exist

12. Unanswered prayers
God hears and
answers prayers
just not in the way
they expect
What they are
praying for is not
part of God’s
divine plan
God doesn’t
answer selfish
prayers
They do not have
enough faith so
must go on trying

13. Evil and suffering in the Bible
Genesis says that
God created a
perfect world
Adam and Eve
used free will in
the Garden of Eden
to disobey God
which allowed evil
and suffering to
enter the world
God sent Jesus to
Earth to overcome
evil and die for the
sins of humanity

14. Christian explanations
O God gave people free will
O It is a test from God
O God has a plan and people should
trust him as he knows why
everything happens
O People can follow Jesus’ example
by striving to do good

15. Christian responses

16. Section 2:
Matters of life and
death

17. Why Christians believe in life
after death
Some think
the
paranormal
is evidence

18. The effect it has on their
lives We can cope
with suffering
because we
know Heaven
awaits us
The afterlife
shows that we
should try to
repent and
forgive
We must live a
good life and
treat others as
we wish to be
treated
Heaven offers
us comfort
when our
loved ones die
We should try to
live within the
guidelines of the
Bible and Church
because we will be
judged by God

19. How do they respond?
Confessio
n

20. Islamic beliefs about life after
death (akhirah)
After death, the
angel of death
will take a
person’s soul to
barzakh (the
stage between
when a person
dies and when
they face
judgement)
On the Day of
Judgement the
body will be
resurrected
Two angels
will open the
book which
contains the
record of
what a
person has
done in their
lifetime
If their name is on
the left side of the
book they will be
sent to al’Jannah
(paradise)
If their name is on
the right side of the
book they will be
sent to Jahannam
(Hell)
Allah will judge
each individual
on the way
they lived their
life

21. Why Muslims believe in the
afterlife Shari’ah law
teaches that
Muslims will be
judged by Allah and
their actions will
determine their
afterlife
Surahs 11 and
56 teach that
those who live
a good life will
be rewarded
The teaching
and practice of
Prophet
Muhammad
The Qur’an
states that we
came from
Allah so must
return to Allah

22. Non-religious belief in the
afterlife
O Near death experiences
O Paranormal activity
O Reincarnation
O The idea of death is difficult to deal with
O It makes sense that those who are good
are rewarded and those who are bad are
punished

23. Non-belief in life after
death
There is no
evidence- no
no one has
ever returned
to prove it
exists
Mediums
trick people
Science explains
everything so we
should not believe
things that are
unscientific
Beliefs in
Heaven and Hell
are outdated as
the Bible isn’t
relevant today
Some argue God isn’t
real so it does not
make sense to believe
in the afterlife without
reference to God
When a person
dies their body
decays so life
after death is
impossible

24. Abortion
For AgainstFor
Women should have the right
to choose- it is their body
In cases of rape, it should be
allowed
It is kinder to allow abortion if
the child will be severely
disabled
Babies have the right to be
loved and cared for and the
woman cannot always provide
this
Against
Life begins at conception so it
is murder
An embryo should have the
right to life
Even disabled children have
the right to life
Adoption is an alternative

25. Abortion in the Bible
God created man in his
own image
Your body is a
temple of the Holy
Spirit
You shall not commit
murder

26. Christian views against
Life is a
sacred gift
from God
God has a
plan for
every human
and we
should not
interfere
Life
begins at
conceptio
n so it is
murder
All life
has
value

27. Christian views for
Jesus
taught
about
compassio
n towards
others
We cannot
be sure
life begins
at
conception
It is the
kindest
action in
cases of
rape or
incest
Abortion is
the best
choice if
the
mothers life
is at risk

28. Muslim viewsSome Muslim
women believe they
should be able to
choose what
happens to their
bodies
Some argue it is
allowed in cases of
rape or incest
Before ensoulment a
foetus known to be
suffering from a
serious defect or blood
disorder can be
aborted
Abortion is not
allowed if it is a
result of adultery
Abortion is never
allowed in cases where
parents are concerned
they cannot care for
the child
After ensoulment abortion is
forbidden as the Qur’an
states ‘whoever has killed a
soul it is as though he has
murdered all of mankind’
An unplanned
pregnancy is not
a reason for
abortion
Abortion is only
permitted after
120 days if the
mother’s life is in
danger

29. Ensoulment
Life begins when the soul has entered the foetus at
120 days.

30. Why is abortion allowed if the
mother’s life is in danger?
O The mother’s life is established and
she has responsibilities to carry out
O The foetus would not exist if it was
not for the mother

31. Euthanasia
For
o Allows the patient to
die a gentle, pain-free
death
o The patient dies with
dignity
o Saves medical costs
o Relieves the family
burden
o Allows medical staff
to focus on other
patients
Against
o Sanctity of life
o Doctors can be wrong
o Some people may be
pressurised
o Hospices provide
alternative care
o Slippery slope- if it was
legalised other things
may be made legal
o Helping someone commit
suicide means living with
the guilt forever

32. Christian attitudes
It could be used for
evil purposes
It goes against the
sanctity of life
No person should
consider themselves
as so worthless
Only God has the
right to take away life
It is seen as murder
which is forbidden
Life should always
be valued, even
when a person is in
pain
God intends for
people to have a good
quality of life so it is
sometimes the lesser
of two evils

33. Muslim attitudes
Human life is
sacred as it is
given by Allah
We should not
interfere with
Allah’s plans for
his creation
Allah chooses
how long each
person lives
Suffering is a test
of faith and part
of life
All human life is
valuable
It is seen as
suicide which is
not permitted

34. Section 3:
Marriage and family
life

35. Reasons for change in
attitudes towards marriage &
family lifeO The UK is a multi-faith and multi-ethnic society
O People are more tolerant of difference
O Less focus on Christian teachings
O The Church has less influence
O Decline in traditional family values
O Women are more equal to men
O Less people are getting married
O Fewer religious marriage ceremonies
O Homosexuality is more acceptable

36. Christian views against sex
outside marriage
The Bible
says
marriage is
for sex
partners
Sex unites
a married
couple
Children born
outside of
marriage
have a less
stable family
life
Promiscuity
makes
people
vulnerable to
STIs
Adultery
breaks the
marriage
vows made
before God

37. Christian views for sex
outside marriage
If the couple
love each
other it is ok
If they are in a
long-term
committed
relationship it
is ok
If they intend
to get married
in the future it
is ok

38. Christian views on
cohabitation

39. Sex outside of marriage in the
Bible
You shall not commit
adulteryGod wants you to be
holy and completely
free from sexual
immorality
Do you not know that
your body is a temple
of the Holy Spirit?

40. Muslim views on sex outside
of marriage
Adultery is
a sin and
forbidden
by Allah

41. Muslim views on marriage
Prophet
Muhammad
was
married
Marriage is
Allah’s
intention
Sexual desire is a gift
from Allah and
Muslims are taught
to fulfil this through
marriage
Marriage brings
Allah’s blessing
and forgiveness
Muslims do not cohabit
as sex should only
take place between a
married coupleWhy all
Muslims
should
marry

42. Reasons for different attitudes
to divorce
O People are less willing
to accept bad treatment
O Divorce is more
acceptable
O Women are better
educated so do not need
to be looked after by
men
O People are less
religious so don’t take
their marriage vows so
seriously

43. Christian attitudes towards
divorce
Catholics believe…
Some Christians
believe…
O Marriage is
intended to be for
life
O Jesus said divorce
is wrong
O Marriage is a
sacrament and
divorce would break
promises made with
God
O Jesus allowed
divorce in cases of
adultery
O People can make
mistakes
O God is ready to
forgive sins
O Divorced people
can sometimes
remarry in a church

44. Divorce in Islam
The husband
must announce
his intention to
divorce his wife 3
times over 3
months
The couple and
their families
have a chance to
try and work
things out
During this time
the couple live
together but do
not have sex to
avoid pregnancy
After three
months has
passed, the
couple are free to
remarry

45. Muslim attitudes towards divorce
For Against
O Marriage is a
contract, not a
promise
O The Qur’an allows
it
O It may be better for
children to have
divorced parents
than to live with
hatred and
bitterness
O Muhammad did not
divorce
O Muhammad said
divorce was the most
hated thing Allah
permits
O Divorce may damage
the lives of the
children
O Divorce shows
disrespect to the
family

46. Christian teachings on family life
Family relationships-
• The Bible teaches that
children should honour
and respect their
parents
• Parents have a
responsibility to teach
their children about
God
The Church-
• The Church is seen as a
family of Christians
• The community provides
support for families
Social environment of the Church-
• Children are introduced when they
are baptised
• Children can attend Sunday
school and be educated in their
faith
The foundation of society-
• Children can be brought up in
a loving family
• Children can be taught right
and wrong
• The family helps to keep a
stable society of mutual
respect and love

47. Muslim teachings on family life
The family is where
many religious
activities take place
Family life is the
first level of
community in
Islam
Children are taught
to show love and
kindness towards
one another in the
family
The worldwide
Muslim family is the
Ummah
The family is the
foundation of the
Muslim community
The parents have a
responsibility to
raise their children
as Muslims
Muslims believe
extended families
offer greater
stability and
support

48. Christian views against
homosexuality
The purpose of
marriage is to have
children and same-
sex couples cannot
The Bible states
‘to lie with
another man is
an abomination’
It undermines
the family unit
Marriage was
intended by God to
be between a man
and a woman

49. Christian views for
homosexuality
Jesus taught
people to be
compassionate
towards others
Jesus taught to
‘love thy
neighbour’ and
the Golden Rule
They should be
allowed to celebrate
their commitment as
they love each other They can have a
civil partnership
and remain
celibate
All humans are
created equal by
God so they
deserve respect

50. Muslim views against
homosexuality
It is believed to
harm the health
of individuals
It is punishable
by death in
Shari’ah law
They cannot
produce chidlren
Homosexuality
is a threat to the
stability of
Islamic society
It is forbidden in
the Qur’an

51. Reasons for choosing contraception
O The couple carry genetic disorders
O They could not provide for a child
O Their lifestyle is not compatible
O They are too young
O They can plan when to have children
O Pregnancy may be harmful to the mother

52. Why Christians disagree with
contraception
Every sexual act
should be open to
the possibility of
having a child
Contraception may
encourage promiscuity
Sex was a gift from
God for procreation
Every sperm is
sacred
The main purpose of
marriage is to have
children as God said
‘be fruitful and multiply’

53. Why Christians allow
contraception
It is not a sin
In times of financial
difficulty or ill health, it
is more acceptable
It can be used to
help family
planning
Sex is also for
pleasure so using
contraception is
sensible

54. Why Muslims disagree with
contraception
Only natural forms
are allowed
Having children is
very important in
family life so it is
discouraged
Methods that cause an
early abortion are not
acceptable
Permanent methods are
forbidden

55. Why Muslims agree with
contraception
Muhammad
supported the
withdrawal method
Both partners should be
married and should
consent to the type used
Some suggest that all
non-permanent methods
are okay for married
couples
For economic
reasons it is
acceptable
It is allowed to
preserve the life of
the mother
It is more acceptable
if the existing children
or new child would
suffer

56. Section 4:
Religion and
community cohesion

57. Gender roles
O Women can vote and become MPs
O Men have a bigger role in childcare
O Women are better educated
O Women can do any job they want
O Some jobs are still gender stereotyped e.g.
nursing is seen as a female career
O Men earn more than women for the same
job
O Girls achieve higher grades in exams

58. Equal rights for women in
Christianity
For
God created men and women
in his own image
Jesus didn’t discriminate e.g.
Martha and Mary
Women stayed by Jesus’
cross and were the first to
see him after his resurrection
The Golden Rule suggests
that everyone should be
respected
Some Churches allow female
priests
Against
The Bible says women
should obey their husbands
The Bible says women
should be silent in church
All of Jesus’ disciples were
men
Eve was made from Adam’s
rib to be his helper
Women were regarded as
inferior as Eve was sinful

59. Equal rights for women in Islam

60. Different responsibilities
Men
Qur’an teaches men should
protect women
Men should provide for their
family
Should dress modestly
Should attend Mosque for
prayer
Worship separately to women
Women
Required to have children
Expected to look after the
home and children
Should dress modestly in
loose clothing
Do not have to attend
Mosque for prayer
Are free to work and have a
career, but cannot hold
positions of authority in the
Mosque

61. Benefits of a multi-ethnic society

62. What has the government done
to prevent racial discrimination?
O Race Relations Act
O ‘Britishness’ test
O Made it illegal to use abusive or insulting
racial comments
O Commission for Racial Equality
established to fight racism and deal with
complaints
O Programmes set up to ensure ethnic
minority communities have skills,
opportunities and health care

63. Why Christians should
promote racial harmony
The Bible
teaches that all
Christians are
‘one people’
Love your
neighbour as
yourself
God created
man in his
own imageThe
Golden
Rule
The Parable
of the Good
Samaritan

64. Example- Martin Luther
King

65. Why Muslims should promote
racial harmony
The Prophet
declared ‘there is
no difference
between Arabs
and non-Arabs’
All Muslims
are part of
the ummah
Qur’an
teaches that
no race is
better
Allah created
all humans
so we should
respect his
creation
All races are
loved by
Allah
Prophet
Muhammad
declared that all
people descended
from Adam and
Eve

66. How Muslims promote
unity
① Muslims pray together in
Arabic
② Muslims from all over the
world make the pilgrimage
③ All Muslims fast during
Ramadan
④ All Muslims pray facing
Makkah

67. Example- Malcolm X

68. Multi-faith society benefits
 Greater tolerance and
understanding of other religions
 Better understanding of other
viewpoints
 New ways of living and enjoying life
 Offers religious freedom
 Encourages religious pluralism
 Can experience the traditions of
others

69. Multi-faith society challenges
✘ Religious persecution and hatred
✘ Some religious groups and beliefs may
be ignored
✘ Religious tension
✘ It is not always easy to be open and
understanding towards the views of others
✘ Interfaith marriages
✘ Conversions
✘ Raising children with a mixture of beliefs
could be confusing

70. Religious believers viewpoints
Exclusivism- only
one religion is right
and all the others
are wrong.
Members should try
to convert others.
Religious
Pluralism- many
different religions
lead to God and
each one should
be respected and
treated equally
Inclusivism- only
one religion is
completely right.
Other religions may
lead to God and
should be
respected.

71. How can religion help
community cohesion?
☞ Celebration of festivals and worship where
different faiths take part showing respect and
unity
☞ Encouraging representation of different faith
groups
☞ Muslim Council of Britain encourages Muslims to
take part in UK society
☞ Religious groups can work together to heal
divisions between faiths
☞ By sharing understandings that God created all
humans equal