RELIGIOUS STUDIESPhilosophy and Ethics

REVISION MATERIALB601

Answering Exam Questions

Religious and Spiritual Experience

Revision Ideas

Table of Contents RELIGIOUS STUDIES Philosophy and Ethics REVISION MATERIAL ............................................................................. 1

Answering Exam Questions .................................................................................................................. 2 Religion and Spiritual Exoerience.......................................................................................................... 4 Key words and terms ................................................................................................................................... 4

What is worship?……………………………………………………………. ...................................................................................... 5 Christian symbols…………………………………………………………. ........................................................................................ 6 The use of art in worship……………………………………..................................................................................................... 6The use of music in worship.............................................................................................................................. 7 The use of food in worship………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7Prayer ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7The Church …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 8 Past Exam Questions ...................................................................................................................................... 9Sources of Information: .................................................................................................................................. 10

Answering Exam Questions In your exam you will have to answer on 4 different topics on one paper. Each topic is divided into 5 sub questions. They are a), b), c), d) and e). You must answer all five for each topic from the same religion. You will only answer questions on Christianity.

Question A)

This part of the question is worth one mark and your answer should show your knowledge and understanding of a concept. So, for instance, you might be asked ‘What is pacifism?’ and your answer should show that you know what ‘sacrament’ means.

Question B)

This part of the question is worth two marks and asks for two ideas within a concept. So, for instance, you might be asked ‘What are Christian attitudes to fasting?’ and you would need to respond to the trigger word ‘attitudes’ by showing that some Christians would think it was a good idea and explain why and also that other Christians would not agree to it and explain why.

Question C)

This part of the question is worth three marks and asks for three ideas within a concept. So, for instance, you might be asked ‘What do Christians believe about the purpose of prayer?’ and you would need to give three different ideas/ reasons why Christians believe marriage to be important.

Question D)

This part of the question is worth six marks and asks you to describe and explain a belief or attitude, while analyzing the reasons Christians respond in this way. So, for instance, you might be asked to explain Christian beliefs about using food in worship. You would need to include relevant Christian teachings to support the ideas in your answer. Try to include biblical quotes, but you must make sure you explain what these mean in order to show the examiner that you have understood the teaching. For example, ‘do this in remembrance of me’ means that Jesus expected his followers to take communion together. You will also need to use specific religious words in these answers when they are relevant. For example, when answering a question on prayer you may wish to refer to the phrase ‘supplication’ which means asking God for something that you need.

Question E)

This part of the question is worth 12 marks and asks you to show different points of view in response to the statement given. So, for instance, you might be given the statement Prayer is a waste of time’ and you would need to refer to a Christian point of view in your answer, showing that there are different Christian approaches to this statement and then give your own personal response. Try to make that response different, if you can, to the ones you have mentioned previously. It is very important that you do give your own point of view otherwise you will not achieve high marks. You will need to support the Christian ideas with reference to Christian teachings/ biblical quotes. Again, explain them in your own words to show your understanding.

Religion and Spiritual Experience

In this topic the examiners expect you to have considered: o What is worship?o Symbols in Christianityo The use of art in worshipo The use of music in worshipo The use of food in worshipo Prayero The church

Key words and terms

Adoration - Worshipping God for who he is and what he has done Awe - A feeling of amazement and respect Chi-rho -The first two letters of Jesus' name in Greek Confession - When someone says sorry for their sins and asks for God's forgiveness Crucifix - A cross with the figure of Jesus on it Denomination - A branch of Christianity (eg Church of England) Eucharist -The Christian ceremony that commemorates the Last Supper. Bread and Wine are used to represent Jesus' body and blood (sometimes called Holy Communion or Mass) Fasting -Abstaining from food for a religious reason Hymn - A song of praise to God Icthus - 'Fish' in Greek - symbolises the name of Jesus Icon - A holy picture of Jesus or the Virgin Mary or a saint found in Orthodox churches Lent - The period of 40 days leading up to Easter that recalls the time Jesus spent in the wilderness Liturgy - The formal arrangement of a Christian service of worship Meditation - When someone deeply reflects on spiritual matters, sometimes concentrating on an idea or object Numinous - The feeling of the presence of a greater being in the universe Prayer - Communication with God (privately or publically) Rosary -A set of beads and prayers used in worship (especially by Roman Catholics) Sacrament - An outward physical sign of an inward grace given by God Sermon - A talk given by a priest which highlights an important topic Service - An organised Christian worship Stained glass window - A colourful window in a church that tells as Bible story Supplication -Prayers asking for God's help with an issue (or to help with someone else's problems) Symbol - Using something to represent something else as a way of explaining the unexplainable Thanksgiving -A prayer that gives thanks to God

WHAT IS WORSHIP? When a believer shows honour or respect to their God. Acts of worship can usually be divided into PUBLIC (communal), usually in a place of worship

(church, cathedral, chapel, or meeting house for Quakers), and PRIVATE, usually in one’s home, acts, though these sometimes overlap.

Private worship can also take many forms but tends to be ‘quiet time’ of focus on one’s faith. It helps a Christian develop their own private relationship with God and can take the following forms:

o prayer before sleep, Lord’s Prayer – thanking God, seeking guidance o private readings from the Bible o Worship at home also takes many forms eg: o Grace said before meal; ‘for what we are about to receive may the Lord make us truly

thankful’. o Lord’s Prayer said before sleep. o Bible readings/ groups o Roman Catholics may use rosary beads to use during prayer o Orthodox may use icons to focus on prayer o Meditation – this allows silent reflection and to listen carefully to what God is saying. o Intercessionary prayers are prayers which are said on behalf of someone elseo Prayers of penance are said when asking for forgiveness, o TV programmes such as Songs of Praise allow people to worship at home

Communal worship is generally centred around the church and gives an opportunity for groups of people to join together and share their beliefs, it can take many forms:

o singing of hymns unites the congregation, those such as ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’ help express a Christians belief about creation and God’s part in it.

o EUCHARIST – means ‘giving thanks’, and is the receiving bread and wine in memory of Jesus’ last meal with his disciples and his sacrifice on the cross. AKA Holy Communion, Mass or Lord’s Supper. In the Catholic Church Communion is a sacrament.

o Two main bodies of belief: TRANSUBSTANTIATION – the bread and wine transform into the body and blood of

Christ during the priest saying the Eucharist prayer CONSUBSTANTIATION – the bread and wine are representative of the body and blood of

Christ.o Congregation listen to a sermon, the priest tries to relate this to their own lives. o Prayers are said, sometimes silently, sometimes out loud with everyone

joining in. Prayers include the Lord’s Prayer and in the Catholic tradition the Hail Mary.

o HYMNS – Prayers set to music are sung by the congregationo BIBLE READINGS

SYMBOLS IN CHRISTIANITY Symbols are used in various ways throughout Christianity:

o As a display of faith (cross/crucifix around neck; fish on car window)o A focus for worship (pictures)o Secret communication when early church was suffering persecution (Ichthus - fish)

o Reminder of events/belief (crucifix for Jesus’ sacrifice; empty cross for resurrection; alpha-omega belief that God is everything)

Some symbols which are significant in Christianity include the fish symbol (ΙΧΘYΣ are the Greek letters that spell the word fish) seen commonly on cars. Early Christians used this symbol to identify themselves during times of persecution.

Alpha and Omega (A +Ω), Greek letters for the beginning and the end, indicating that God is the beginning and the end.

Chi-Rho – symbol made from Greek letters for Christ.

There is also much symbolism during baptism eg: water symbolises the cleansing of original sin, Catholics rub oil on the babies forehead symbolising the coming of the Holy Spirit. Candles are also lit to symbolise moving from darkness into light.

Holy Communion also has much symbolism as already mentioned – see section above. The priest during services will also wear vestments with symbolic use of colour. For example white is

seen as purity and is worn during Christmas and Easter and red is worn on Passion Sunday and Good Friday.

Different denominations will use symbols to various degrees in their places of worship.

ART IN WORSHIP: Many Christians represent their faith through artistic displays. In the Orthodox and Catholic tradition art is very important, richly decorated churches, icons, stained glass,

paintings, carvings, tapestries – some find this helpful, gives them a focus, others feel there is too much decoration and it can distract people from worship.

o Orthodox and Roman Catholic branches are very keen on elaborately decorated pictures of saints, Jesus or the Virgin Mary.

o Famous artists from Michelangelo (Sistene Chapel / La Pieta), to Salvador Dali (The crucifixion) have chosen to use art to express religious themes.

o Stained glass windows depict stories from Gospels, particularly important in times when people could not read.

o Film as an art form has attempted to depict the stories of Jesus, from animated films (Miracle Maker) to feature films (Mel Gibson’s ‘Passion of the Christ’). Some believe these are valuable ways of sharing the messages behind the Bible. Others believe it is wrong as

o Depictions of God will naturally have human characteristics and cannot truly depict the messages in their purest form.

o In some churches an absence of art is an expression of belief about God. Some may believe that God is beyond anything we have experienced and no art form can represent the wonder of God.

MUSIC IN WORSHIP: Traditionally hymns have been sung accompanied by an organ in praise of God and Jesus and recounting the

various Bible stories. Nowadays, many Christians listen to Christian rock/pop music and this is frequently used at large gatherings

as a way of praising together.

o Hymns are most common music form in churches, contemporary singers also produce music which expresses their own personal beliefs eg: Kanye West ‘Jesus Walks’, Cliff Richard’s ‘Millenium Prayer’ and many others.

o Famous composers such as Handel, Elgar and Bach produced work to express something of the splendour and majesty of God.

Some Orthodox churches and monastic orders chant during worship which acts as a focus and calming element.

Quakers believe in silent worship so would not use music in worship.

FOOD IN WORSHIP

Unlike other religions, Christianity does not have any religious laws telling them to avoid or consume certain foods

In the Acts of the Apostles Peter had a vision which came from God. It said that all kinds of food could be eaten. This overturned the food laws of the Old Testament which are still followed today by Jews. However, overtime certain items have become associated with various points in Christian worship (symbolic):

o Bread and wine during the Eucharist = blood and body of Christ.o Fish = eaten by Christ and provided by Jesus to his followers. Some Catholics only eat fish on Friday

and do not eat meat as this was the day Jesus was crucified. o Hot Cross buns at Eastero Fasting during lent or at times of seeking forgiveness. Christians give up certain foods (fast) during 40

days of Lent. This represents Jesus going without food whilst in the wilderness. Jesus did not give into temptation from the devil and in the same way Christians who fast will have to be strong.

Some Christians will be vegetarians as a sign of their responsibility to animals in the world and their role of stewards. However, Jesus himself ate meat and it is well told how he provided fish for people.

Some Christians will see supporting Fairtrade organisations as part of their Christian duty. Christians will frequently give thanks for their food and acknowledge that it has been given to them and not

everybody is so lucky to have food readily available to them. Some Christians may fast to show their dependence on God. Jesus stated that when people fast they must

do so privately. It is a matter between God and the individual that God himself will reward. (Matthew 6:12)

PRAYER

Prayer is an attempt to communicate with God and is often thought to build a personal relationship. Many prayers are appeals to God and can be part of both public and private worship

Lord’s Prayer is the most commonly used set prayer in worship and involves giving thanks, requesting guidance, requesting forgiveness, assistance to forgive others and adoration of God’s powers.

Types of prayer:o ADORATION - Praising God for his greatnesso THANKS GIVING - Thanking God for his good giftso CONFESSION/PENITENTIAL - Asking for forgiveness of sinso PETITION - Praying for your own needso INTERCESSION - Praying for other people in need

Some Christians will pray silently with no formal set of prayer The Jesus Prayer is a single line which is either used in times of imminent need or repeated as a form of

meditation: ‘Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner’.

THE CHURCH

ACTS Some Christians pray in four parts which they remember as ACTS: A: Adoration-worshipping God C: Contrition-acknowledging they may have done wrong T: Thanksgiving – thanking God S: Supplication-asking God for help

Since its beginning after Jesus’ death, the church has evolved to be a complex structure of different schools of thought.

All the branches, or DENOMINATIONS, of Christianity have some similarities and so can justify being grouped together under the umbrella term, ‘Christianity’, although there are frequently points of tension between the different branches. The three areas of common ground are:

o Belief in one Godo Follow the teachings of Jesuso Their holy book called a Bible.

The two main reasons for the development of different denominations are:o Different parts of the world : Christianity has grown in different directions all over the world,

communication was difficult so ideas were not shared o Differences in opinion about importance of teachings and practices means that differences also

occur in the same areas of the world = SCHISMS

There have been two major points of disagreement: East-West Schism 1054: Disagreements between the Eastern Church and the church in Rome. Each

excommunicated the other. Reformation 1500s: Martin Luther objected to corruption in the Church and made the Bible available in

German so everyone could read the word themselves, meant people did not rely on priests. Catholic-Protestant split. Also, Henry VIII decided he wanted to be head of the Church of England, creating the Anglican Church and allowing him to get divorced and remarried.

ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT - The campaign to bring all churches together into one united church is called the Ecumenical Movement.

Past Exam Questions

(a) What is fasting? (1)

(b) List two symbols used by Christians in worship (2)

(c) State three ways Christians may worship in the home (3)

(d) Explain how prayer deepens the faith of a believer (6)

(e) ‘Art helps people to worship.’ (12)

Discuss this statement. You should include different, supported points of view and a personal view point. You must refer to Christianity in your answer.

(a) Name a place of public worship for Christians (1)

(b) State two ways Christians show respect to Jesus when worshipping (2)

(c) Describe the use of food in festivals (3)

(d) Explain why Christians worship God (6)

(e) ‘It doesn’t matter where you worship (12)

Discuss this statement. You should include different, supported points of view and a personal view point. You must refer to Christianity in your answer.

Specimen answer for question d) Why do some Christians fast? (6 marks).

Some Christians fast because they believe that this will help them understand how people who live in poverty and do not have enough to eat feel. Other Christians might choose to give up something special during Lent, such as chocolate. They do this to remember the time when Jesus was in the wilderness and was tempted by the devil. The forty days of Lent lead up to Easter and is a period of penitence (being sorry for what you have done). It is also a time when Christians feel thankful for all that God has given them. Many Christians fast on certain days of the year and save the money that they would spend on food to give to charities that support people in other countries who do not have enough to eat. So, as well as helping others, they are also practising self-discipline.

Examiner’s comment- this is a good answer, the candidate has shown a good understanding of the question. There is good description and analysis. The information is presented clearly with some technical terms.

Sources of Information:

Bible

Discovery: Philosophy and Ethics For OCR GCSE Religious Studies, Nelson Thornes, Jon Mayled, Libby Ahluwalia

Religion in Focus: Christianity in Today’s World, Jon Murray

Examining Religions: Contemporary Moral Issues, Joe Jenkins

Philosophy Through Christianity, Lorraine Abbott

www.gcsere.org.uk

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/re/

www.re-xs.ucsm.ac.uk

www.bbc.co.uk/religion