Paper 1: Beliefs and Values *Component/paper code 4RS1/01
Content summary
This paper assesses knowledge and understanding of four key topic areas from a chosen religion:
• Section 1: The Universe, Creation and the Place of Human Beings
• Section 2: Life and Death
• Section 3: Peace and Conflict
• Section 4: Rights, Equality and Social Justice.
Assessment
• Assessment is through a 1-hour 45-minute examination paper set and marked by Pearson.
• The total number of marks for the paper is 100.
| Section 1: The Universe, Creation and the Place of Human Beings | Christianity |
| 1.1 The Universe and the Place of Human Beings | Christian beliefs/teachings about creation; stewardship; Imago Dei and the uniqueness of human beings. Application of scripture in creation and teachings. |
| 1.2 Human Nature and the Human Condition | Christian beliefs/teachings about the nature of human beings, with particular reference to the body, the spirit and the soul. |
| 1.3 Selfishness, Greed, Ignorance and Sin | Christian beliefs/teachings about selfishness, greed, ignorance and sin, and the nature of sin. |
| 1.4 Free Will, Determinism and Predestination | Christian beliefs/teachings about human freedom and its limitations, and predestination. |
| 1.5 Ultimate Reality | Christian beliefs/teachings about God as the Trinity, as reflected in the Creeds, with particular reference to God as Father, Creator and Judge; and to God’s nature as Almighty, omnipotent, omniscient and benevolent. |
| 1.6 Belief, Uncertainty and Unbelief | Christian beliefs/teachings about, and responses to, reasons for/factors that may influence belief in God, including Christian nurture and formation; and to reasons for/factors that may lead to agnosticism or atheism. |
| 1.7 The Problem of Evil and Suffering | Christian beliefs/teachings about evil and suffering in the world, and how they relate to the purpose of life, with particular reference to suffering as punishment for sin and proof of faith; the questions evil and suffering raise for Christians about God’s omnipotence, omniscience and benevolence; and Christian attempts to explain why God created a world containing suffering and/or allows it to continue; theodicy. |
| Section 2: Life and Death | Christianity |
| 2.1 Death and Life after Death | Christian beliefs/teachings about heaven and hell; judgment, resurrection; and the Last Judgment. |
| 2.2 The Meaning and Purpose of Life | Christian beliefs/teachings about eternal life; the Kingdom of God; salvation; Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour; and about how salvation may be achieved, with particular reference to the grace of God, faith, worship and love. Salvation through faith versus work. |
| 2.3 Sanctity of Life, Abortion and Euthanasia | Christian beliefs/teachings about the sanctity of life, the particular value of human life; the importance of relieving suffering; euthanasia; and abortion. |
| 2.4 Human Relationships | Christian beliefs/teachings about the principles of relationships, with particular reference to Christian teaching about love. Sexual relationships – Christian teachings about the nature and importance of sexual relationships; different Christian teachings and attitudes towards sexual relationships outside of marriage and homosexuality; different atheist and Humanist attitudes to sexual relationships and Christian responses to them. |
| 2.5 Marriage and Partnership | Christian beliefs/teachings about marriage and its purposes, with particular reference to the marriage vows and the principle of monogamy. Attitudes to cohabitation and same-sex marriage. |
| 2.6 Divorce and Remarriage | Christian beliefs/teachings about annulment, divorce and remarriage. |
| 2.7 Family Structures and Responsibilities | Christian beliefs/teachings about family life and its importance. Ways in which Christian communities help to sustain family life, support the upbringing of children and keep families together, particularly through local churches. |
| 2.8 Childlessness and Celibacy | Christian beliefs/teachings about childlessness; genetic engineering; contraception; and celibacy, including reasons for and against it. |
| Section 3: Peace and Conflict | Christianity |
| 3.1 Conflict and War | Christian attitudes to conflict – the problems conflict causes in society; the nature and causes of conflict; why each of these leads to conflict – politics, resources, history, culture and religion, Christian responses to the causes. Just War theory – the nature, history and importance of the Just War Theory; the conditions of a Just War; whether Just War is possible; Christian teachings on Just War. Holy war – the nature of a holy war; teachings about war and peace as shown in the Bible; Christian teachings about war. |
| 3.2 Peace, Reconciliation and Forgiveness | Christian attitudes towards peace – the nature and importance of peace for Christians; Church teachings about peace, including Jesus as a peacemaker. The role of Christians in peacemaking – Christian teachings about peacemaking; the importance of justice, forgiveness and reconciliation in peacemaking; the work of one Christian group working for peace today, what they do and why they try to work for peace. |
| 3.3 Bullying | Christian attitudes towards bullying; the importance for Christians of working towards a peaceful society. |
| 3.4 Sin and Crime | Christian actions to end the causes of crime – the nature and problem of crime; reasons why crime might occur – poverty, politics, racism, drugs, upbringing and low self-esteem; what action is taken by Christian individuals and Christian groups to end these causes, including Prison Fellowship and Street Pastors. Christian teachings on sin. |
| 3.5 Punishment | Christian attitudes towards punishment – the nature of punishment; why punishment is important for Christians, biblical teachings about punishment; why punishment can be regarded as justice; why punishment might be needed in society. Christian attitudes towards the aims of punishment – Christian attitudes towards each of the aims of punishment – protection, retribution, deterrence and reformation; the strengths and weaknesses of each of the aims of punishment; biblical examples of teaching about punishment, including Galatians 6:1–5. |
| 3.6 Capital Punishment | Christian attitudes towards the death penalty– the nature and purpose of capital punishment; Christian teachings about capital punishment; why some Christians might support its use; why some Christians might not support its use; atheist and Humanist attitudes towards the use of capital punishment. |
| Section 4: Rights, Equality and Social Justice | Christianity |
| 4.1 Human Rights | Christian beliefs/teachings about love and the value of the individual. Examples of Christian attitudes to/support for human rights. |
| 4.2 Equal Rights and Equal Opportunities | Christian beliefs/teachings about love and the value of the individual. Examples of Christian attitudes to/support for equal rights and opportunities. Differing beliefs/attitudes within Christianity about the role of women in religious communities. |
| 4.3 The Multi-ethnic Society and Racial Harmony | Christian beliefs/teachings which oppose prejudice and discrimination and help to promote racial harmony; and examples of racial harmony in Christian practice. |
| 4.4 The Multi-faith Society and Interfaith Relationships | Christian beliefs/teachings about relationships with other religions, and which help to promote the development of a multi-faith society. Examples of interfaith (including interdenominational) relationships, involving Christians, in practice. |
| 4.5 Relationships Between Rich and Poor | Christian beliefs/teachings which encourage the wealthy to support the poor. Examples of practical generosity within and by Christian communities, based on Christian teachings about love. |
Paper 2: The Religious Community *Component/paper code 4RS1/02
Content summary
This paper assesses knowledge and understanding of three key topic areas from a chosen religion:
• Section 1: Origins and their impact on the community
• Section 2: Celebration & Pilgrimage
• Section 3: Worship & Practice
Assessment
• Assessment is through a 1-hour 30-minute examination paper set and marked by Pearson.
• The total number of marks for the paper is 60.
| Origins and their Impact on the Community | Christianity |
| Religious Texts | The Bible and its authority for Christians; differences among Christians in their attitudes to its authority and interpretation; and its use in worship, devotion/meditation and instruction/education within any one Christian denomination. Divergent Christian beliefs in their attitude to the Bible. |
| Sources of Authority | The nature and form of authority in any one Christian denomination; the role of individual conscience in matters of belief and practice; differences among Christians in their attitudes to the roles of the ordained ministry, the laity and religious leadership in local communities. |
| Founders and Leaders | The life of Jesus Christ, with particular reference to his baptism, temptations, death and resurrection; two examples of his ministry of healing; his teaching about discipleship; and his significance for Christians today. The teaching, and contribution to Christianity, of one other significant Christian, either historical or contemporary. |
| Celebration and Pilgrimage | Christianity |
| Festivals and Celebration | The celebration and significance for Christians of the festivals of Christmas and Easter. |
| Places of Pilgrimage | Bethlehem, Jerusalem and any one other place of significance to Christians (these may be places of historical and/or contemporary importance to Christians in general, or to particular denominations). |
| Worship and Practice | Christianity |
| Places of Worship | The external and internal appearance, design, significant features, purpose(s), use(s) and importance for Christians and Christian communities of the local places of worship of any two Christian denominations; different forms of church design and their significance for Christians; the reasons for their historical and contemporary importance. How churches are used by Christians today. Similarities and differences between churches in different communities. |
| Forms of Worship | The form and style of public worship of any two Christian denominations, with particular reference to the celebration of the Eucharist/Communion/Mass/Lord’s Supper; (private) prayer and/or devotional activities, and their significance for individual Christians; and the celebration and significance for Christians of the festivals of Christmas and Easter. Rites of passage and their meaning and importance for Christians, with particular reference to baptism, marriage and funerals. |