RELIGIOUS STUDIES OPTION CHOICE HUMANITIES
Gcse Religious STUDIES Religion, Philosophy and Social Justice through Christianity 1 Christian Beliefs Trinity / Creation / Incarnation / Last days of Jesus’ life / Salvation / Eschatology / the Problem of Evil 2 Philosophy of Religion Revelation / Visions / Miracles / Religious Experiences / Prayer / Design Argument / Cosmological Argument / Religious Upbringing 3 Living the Christian Life Worship / Sacraments / Prayer / Pilgrimage / Celebrations / The future of the Church / The local church / The worldwide Church 4 Equality Human Rights / Equality / Religious Freedom / Prejudice and Discrimination / Racial Harmony / Racial Discrimination / Social Justice / Wealth and Poverty. * this topic forms the background to our study visit, ‘The Holocaust in The Netherlands’, which usually takes place in September of Year 11.
WHY religious studies? More than ever before, the world we live in is both multi-faith and global. Religion is a major source of inspiration, meaning and controversy in our world, informing politics, law, history, economics, science, art and literature. Understanding people’s religious convictions will help you to understand how they think about controversial and philosophical issues related to: international conflict resolution, peace and the maintenance of justice, good and evil, life and death, the existence of God, religious experience, human rights, prejudice and discrimination, living in community and expressions of cultural identity and spiritual awareness. It is essential that we cultivate our ability to understand and interpret other people’s religious traditions and beliefs if we hope to understand the world we live in. The study of religion is an academic discipline which helps you to learn how to think critically, listen empathetically, speak thoughtfully, and write clearly - all skills that will be of great use no matter what you go on to do in life. In this way studying religion invites us all to think in a more interdisciplinary and integral way about the world and our place in it.
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