A reminder about the links!

Get a Voki now!



You will find the links a couple of pages down, or go to the STM RE Hub here.

Voki

Get a Voki now!



Can you see my Voki? I can't get her to appear on my other website ...

Animoto

I hope this works .... it's a trial video photo music thing!

New Blogs

I have begun using Edublogs to host a new hub of RE blogs. There is a general blog, then specific blogs for each year group. Click on the appropriate links below to visit the new blogs. Obviously all the information and ideas found here will remain!

Our RE "hub" - This is where general information will go. You can also find links to all the other blogs here.

Year 7 RE Blog - For information about the Year 7 course, for good work and a place where you can comment on the work of others.

Year 8 RE Blog - Specifically for Year 8s - there are already a variety of tasks and student comments on this blog.

Year 9 RE Blog - Does what it says on the tin. For Year 9s.

GCSE RS Blog - Year 10s and 11s share a blog, for all things GCSE related, including the mark scheme and links to the specification.

AS RS Blog - For anything to do with the AS course.

A2 RS Blog - For all things A2 related.

Theology and Imagination Blog - This blog is a bit different. I'm sure you all realise that TV, films, books, art etc all gain their inspiration from religious, theological, spiritual, moral and ethical issues! Here's the place to discuss the works of art and media projects to consider what we can learn from them.

I hope that you will find these new blogs easy to use, and that we will get more people taking part in the blogging adventure.

Global Warming

Just found this interesting article on the BBC that I thought I'd share with you. It tells how Evangelical Protestant Christians in America have different points of view on Global Warming - could be useful for an essay on Environmental Ethics in the A2 exam.

A2 Revision Notes

Here are the notes from the A2 Revision session.

AS Revision notes

Here are the notes from today's revision.

Enhanced podcast

Click here for an enhanced podcast about Virtue Ethics. Sorry, couldn't upload it straight to this site.

Mark my Essay ...

Remember, I wrote this in 20 minutes, which is why there is no substantial part (b). Sorry! But now try and mark it using the mark scheme in the previous post, and post a comment telling me how many marks I would get for part (a), and why.

AS Mark Scheme

Use this mark scheme to mark the essay which I'll try and put up in the next couple of days.

Some more A2 photos

1. Critically assess the view that Natural Law is of no use when discussing sexual ethics.

2 Evaluate the claim that conscience is the voice of God.

3 ‘God knows the ethical decisions we will make.’ Discuss.

4 To what extent is it true to claim that people have an individual sense of moral responsibility for the environment?

A2 Essay Questions

1. To what extent is the religion you have studied consistent with a utilitarian approach to ethics? (45)

2. How far is killing in warfare more justifiable than other kinds of killing? (45)

3. 'Unless we assume that everyone is free to make moral choices, we have no right to punish criminals.' Discuss. (45)

4. Discuss critically the belief that conscience is the voice of God. (45)

5. Assess the view that conscience is not the voice of God, but is learned. (45)

6. Compare and contrast Utilitarianism with the ethics of the religion you have studied. (45)

7. Discuss the claim that killing in warfare is more justifiable than other kinds of killing. (45)

8. 'Religious ethics prevent progress in embryo research.' Discuss. (45)

9. Assess critically the nature and role of the conscience in ethical decision-making. (45)

10. 'We do not possess any genuine freedom to act ethically.' Discuss. (45)

11. To what extent, if at all, can the ethics of the religion you have studied be interpreted as Utilitarian? (45)

12. Discuss how ethical theories might be applied to issues of war and peace. (45)

AS Exam Essay Questions

If you had to choose one of the following three questions, which would you choose, why, and how would you answer?

1. a) Explain the Hypothetical and Categorical Imperatives. (33)
b) 'It's always right to do one's duty.' Discuss. (17)

2. a) Explain the main features of one absolutist theory of ethics. (33)
b) 'Moral absolutism is too rigid.' Discuss. (17)

3. a) Explain how a follower of Natural Law might respond to issues raised by genetic engineering. (33)
b) 'Genetic engineering is "playing God".' Discuss. (17)

AS Exam Essay Questions

If you had to choose one of these exam questions, which would you choose? What would you write?

1. a) Explain how moral relativism might be applied to voluntary euthanasia. (33)
b) 'Moral relativism is not the best approach to voluntary euthanasia.' Discuss. (17)

2. a) Explain the main differences between Act and Rule Uilitarianism. (33)
b) 'Rule Utilitarianism ignores consequences.' Discuss. (17)

3. a) Explain objections to abortion in the religious ethics you have studied. (33)
b) 'A foetus is a person and should be protected at all costs.' Discuss. (17)

Prayer and Portsmouth: Football and Religion

I heard a really interesting article on the news this evening; could it be that Portsmouth managed to come ninth because of the power of prayer? There is an interesting documentary on 1Xtra called "Praying for a Win" tomorrow; there are a number of Christian players and staff members, who regularly pray before games, in the laundry. They do make it clear that they are not simply praying that they will win, but it is interesting that they did better this year than last ... could the power of prayer at least make some of the players more confident in their own abilities, or less stressed, or change them in some way that makes winning somewhat easier? What do you think?

Radio 4 also mentioned the case of Marvin Andrews, who plays for Trinidad and Tobago and Raith Rovers; whilst playing for Rangers he suffered a cruciate ligament injury that should have been treated through an operation. However, he believed that God wanted him to pray and not have the operation: six weeks later he was playing again, and managed to help Rangers win the league that season.

What other sports people are Christians, or followers of other religions? Do you think prayer makes a difference? How, and why? Should people pray for their teams to win, or does that trivialise prayer?

Fears over NHS drugs costs ...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6652183.stm

How much should we have to pay for drugs that keep us alive? Who should be subsidised? If all drugs were to be free, where should the money come from? How do we make the decision about how much to charge for certain drugs? All these are areas relating to medical ethics ...

Stallone admits hormone charges

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6656407.stm

In the Religion and Sport unit with Year 12s, we have looked at the use of drugs in sport - what are the ethical considerations of Sylvester Stallone possessing growth hormone drugs? He was stopped in Sydney while promoting his most recent Rocky movie ... what example is he setting to his fans? What do you think?

GCSE Revision Key Words

These are the GCSE Key Words that have not been asked in the exam papers yet. This may make them more likely to come up this year ... but that's not definite, so you should learn them all just in case! However, doublely make sure you know these ones ...

Believing in God

• causation
• design
• moral evil
• natural evil
• omniscient

Matters of Life and Death

• contraception
• heaven
• hell
• non-voluntary euthanasia
• paranormal
• voluntary euthanasia

Marriage and the Family

• marriage
• nuclear family
• promiscuity
• re-marriage

Social Harmony

• discrimination
• multi-ethnic society
• racism

There are so few words left that the examination board may start repeating them. However, they may also ask for examples (eg in the past they have asked for an example of racial discrimination and to name two religions in the UK apart from Christianity), so have a few of these up your sleeve as well, just in case.

GCSE Revision Mindmaps

Here are a couple of mindmaps covering the topics "Believing in God" and "Matters of Life and Death". I hope they enlarge large enough for you to read them!

Advice for Year 11s ...

The time is fast approaching ... the exam is on Thursday. Here are the key points that we suggest you definitely revise (you do need to revise everything, but we think these points are particularly important ...):

Believing in God

• Catholic Upbringing
• Miracles
• Problem of Evil and Suffering
• Arguments for God's existence
• Types of Religious Experience

Matters of Life and Death

• Abortion
• Euthanasia
• Life after death
• Contraception

Marriage and the Family

• Divorce / Remarriage
• Family Life
• Sex before / outside marriage
• Christian attitudes to homosexuality

Social Harmony

• Different roles of men and women (eg women in the ministry)
• Prejudice and discrimination
• (possible contribution of one Christian in this area ... Martin Luther King)
• Christian attitudes to other religions

Religion, Wealth and Poverty

• The work of CAFOD / SVP
• The causes of world poverty
• Christian teachings on wealth and poverty

More GCSE notes

GCSE Revision Notes

They are a bit scrappy, but here they are at last ... the hard copy of some of the notes we've been making in class over the past couple of weeks.

Parable of the Sheep and the Goats

DivShare File - Parable presentation (parable_sheep_goats.mov)

I'm not sure if this is going to work ... it should be a short movie clip of the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats. Essential knowledge for all GCSE students!

(I've put in the link ... the embed function doesn't seem to work properly.)

Video and Audio: Embryo Research

There have been a lot of relevant, controversial and interesting articles in the news recently relating to Embryo Research and other Genetic Engineering issues, all of which are of particular interest to the A Level students. There are many informative videos on the BBC Video and Audio search on Embryo site. One of the most recent issues is whether embryos should be allowed to be screened for a breast cancer gene, in order to protect future children. Is this a good idea, saving future lives from the heartache caused by cancer, or does it diminish the personhood of all those with, or those who may be diagnosed in the future as having, cancer? What would Natural Law have to say about this? Or Act or Rule Utilitarianism?

Year 11 Revision Podcast: C4 Social Harmony Key Words

Year 11 Revision Podcast: C3 Marriage and Family Life Key Words

Year 11 Revision Podcast: C2 Matters of Life and Death

Year 11 Revision Podcast: C1 Believing in God Key Words

An introduction to the disciples for Year 7

If this works ... then it's an introduction to the disciples for Year 7s, for the next unit of work.

First podcast ...

Well, AS class, I said I'd try and make a podcast. I think I have succeeded (although I'm afraid since it's my first attempt it may be quite boring!) I'm not sure if I can host it here ... I'm going to try though. In the meantime, find it on my podbean site.



I did it!!!! Can you listen to it okay? Remember, try listening to it with a pen and paper.

First podcast ...

Well, AS class, I said I'd try and make a podcast. I think I have succeeded (although I'm afraid since it's my first attempt it may be quite boring!) I'm not sure if I can host it here ... I'm going to try though. In the meantime, find it on my podbean site.

Woman loses final embryo appeal

Natallie Evans began IVF treatment with her partner after learning that she had ovarian cancer. Six fertilised embryos were frozen so she could have children later. However, she split up with her partner, and he then withdrew his consent for these embryos to be used. This means that Ms Evans cannot have children. Today was her final chance, as the Grand Chamber of the European Court agreed with the British courts and the European Court of Human Rights, that her ex-partner's right to withdraw consent should be upheld. This will mean that the six embryos will now be destroyed. Click here for an article by the BBC.

AS students ... you may need to consider issues such as this in your exam. Whose rights should be considered here? The woman, her ex-partner, the embryo? What stance would different theories take?

A2 Ethics Exam - What you need to know!

A reminder of what you need to know for the A2 Ethics exam.

Free Will and Determinism
- Hard determinism (Calvin, Augustine, Spinoza)
- Soft determinism
- Libertarianism (Hume, Aquinas)

Conscience
- Aquinas
- Joseph Butler
- Freud

Christian Ethics
- Sources of Roman Catholic ethics (Aquinas' Natural Law, Virtue Ethics, Scripture: esp. Ten Commandments, Sermon on the Mount)
- Protestant Christian ethics (Relativist: Gospel applied to social ethics through love: Reinhold Niebuhr, Paul Ramsey, Joseph Fletcher; Absolutist: Robertson McQuilkin, Lewis B. Smedes; liberal Christians / Evangelical Christians: different views on sexuality, abortion etc)
- The purpose of ethical behaviour (to live life the way God wants; in imitation of Christ; in order to enter Heaven; repentance and a desire to do good)
- deontological or teleological?

Environmental Ethics
- preservation of species, conservation of habitats, depeletion of biodiversity and natural resources, ozone layer, effects of pollution
- how our actions affect future well-being of human life
- Criticism of religious approaches to environmental ethics
- Defence of religious approaches to environmental ethics
- Deep ecology and some criticism

Sex and Relationships
- Christian approaches to sexuality (celibacy; marriage; reproduction; contraception; Natural Law; love)
- Other approaches to sexuality (libertarian and contractarian ethic; feminist approaches)
- Christianity and homosexuality

War, Peace and Justice
- "Holy Wars" (crusades, jihad)
- Just War (explained by Thomas Aquinas) (Geneva and Hague Conventions)
- Pacifism (Buddhism, Quakers etc)
- Realism (Reinhold Niebuhr)

AS Ethics - Main Paper

Here's an overview of what you need to know for the main Ethics paper:

Kant and the Categorical Imperative
- Immanuel Kant (Groundwork of the Metaphysic of Morals, 1785)
- The moral law
- Good will and duty
- The Imperatives (Categorical and Hypothetical)
- The Kingdom of Ends
- Strengths and Weaknesses
- Position on Medical Ethics (abortion, euthanasia, genetic engineering, embryology, right to a child)

Utilitarianism

- Jeremy Bentham (Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, 1789)
- Principle of Utility
- Teleological ... consequences
- Humans seek pleasure and try to avoid pain.
- An action is right if it produces the greatest good for the greatest number.
- The Hedonic Calculus: intensity, duration, certainty, closeness, followed by similar sensations, purity, extent.

- John Stuart Mill (Utilitarianism, 1863)
- If quantitative pleasure, nothing would stop one's pleasure being extinguished for the sake of the minority.
- Therefore: qualitative pleasures are better.
- Higher pleasures (of the mind) and lower pleasures (of the body)

- Act Utilitarianism
- each individual situation
- flexible
- could justify virtually any act

- Rule Utilitarianism
- best overall rule which if followed by whole community leads to greatest result
- JSM: I must obey the rule even if it does not lead to the greatest pleasure for me in this situation
- could still permit morally unacceptable practices eg slavery

- Strengths and Weaknesses of each position
- Position on Medical Ethics

Absolute and Relative Morality
- Know the difference between the two
- Know examples of Ethical Theories that fit into each
- Know Philosophers attached to each
- Know strengths and weaknesses of each
- Know the position of each on Medical Ethics

Medical Ethics
- You will be asked questions about the positions of various ethical theories on the following areas of medical ethics:
- Abortion
- Euthanasia
- Genetic Engineering (in particular, cloning)
- Embryology
- The right to a child (not to be confused with the right to life!)
- You should know the strengths and weaknesses of each of the theories when dealing with these issues.
- You should know some key facts and issues that should be addressed in each issue.

As you can see, we still have a lot to revise ... watch this space for more help, suggestions and exam questions!

AS Revision - Foundation Paper

Here is a list of what you need to know for the AS Ethics exams (Foundation paper, main paper to follow):

Foundation Paper

Meta-Ethics
Be able to compare meta-ethics with normative ethics.

Naturalism - FH Bradley (Ethical Studies, 1876)
Intuitionism - GE Moore (Principia Ethica, 1903)
Emotivism - AJ Ayer (Language, Truth and Logic, 1936)
Prescriptivism - RM Hare (The Language of Morals, 1952)

Can we scientifically prove rightness or wrongness?
Where do we gain our sense of right and wrong?
Are moral statements linked to actions or just feelings?
Does morality have a rational basis?

Moral Relativism
Situationism - J Fletcher (Situation Ethics, 1966)
The belief that moral truth varies depending on culture, religion, time, place ...
Fletcher - right choice: produces the most loving consequence in that particular situation.
Flexible ... subjective ... how do we know what is the most loving thing to do?

Virtue Ethics
Aristotle (Nichomachean Ethics, 4th century BCE)
What are the qualities that make someone good?
Do our actions indicate our virtues and vices?
Eudaimonia - the ultimate end or happiness, reached by practising virtuous behaviour.
Virtues: courage, temperance, liberality, munificence, high-mindedness, right ambition, good temper, civility, sincerity, wittiness, modesty, just resentment.
Find a Golden Mean between extremes of excessiveness or deficiency.
Alasdair MacIntyre (After Virtue, 1981): our society has lost track of these values.
Encompasses all parts of human life ... duty to act virtuously ... what should we do if virtues conflict?

Natural Law
Thomas Aquinas (Summa Theologica, 1273)
Influenced by Aristotle: 'The natural is that which everywhere is equally valid."
Divine law as opposed to human law.
Law is in scripture, but can be deducted using reason.
We must act in a way that is in accordance with God's purpose for humanity.
Five precepts: to preserve life, reproduce, educate children, live in society, worship God.
Intention and act are both important.
Catholic teaching influenced by Natural Law.
Provides communities with clear common rules.
Simplistic to say there is a single human purpose.
Does not take into account consequences of actions.

Go through the list - colour code them using a traffic light system: red if you really don't know, amber if you are unsure, green if you feel confident.

Make sure you know the strengths and weaknesses of each Theory, so you can evaluate them.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to you all! Click here for more information about Easter.

Christ has risen ... he has risen indeed!

Good Friday

I wonder if you have been to a Good Friday service today? I have, and find it a very moving service. The main aspect, perhaps, is the Veneration of the Cross, where the congregation process forward to kiss the feet of Jesus on the cross.

The Good Friday service, in the Catholic Church, is the middle part of one Mass, which begins on Thursday and ends on Saturday. The Mass begins on Thursday, and during that service there is the washing of the feet and the Lord's Supper is commemorated through the Eucharistic prayer and the Mass. That service has no Concluding Rite, and the congregation leave in silence. On Friday, there is no opening entrance hymn. The service begins in silence, moves almost immediately into the reading of the Passion narrative, and finishes in silence after communion (there is no Eucharistic prayer ... the Sacrament has been kept from Thursday). The congregation walks out in silence, and will come together tomorrow again at the Saturday Vigil to light the fire that will light the Paschal candle. More of that tomorrow, though!

For more information about Good Friday, you could read the BBC Religion & Ethics website.

IVF in the news

Twin IVF births 'need to be cut' says the Human Fertility and Embryology Authority. Women often used to have more than one embryo implanted to make it more likely that one would survive. However, IVF has become more successful, so the number of twins being born has increased. These twins are more likely to be born premature, and therefore are more at risks of encountering other problems. There is therefore a suggestion that women should be encouraged to be only given one embryo - but at the risk that this embryo might not survive.

Read the articles, watch the film, and consider not only what you think, but also what Kant, Fletcher, Bentham, Mills, Catholics, Liberal Protestants might think. Post a comment, AS class! Get involved ... let's try and start a discussion.

Podcast

I'm trying to work out how to attach a podcast to this blog. Have any of you any ideas how to do that? When it is eventually uploaded, I would advise you to listen to it with your notes in front of you. Take notes as you listen.

My first video - can you see it?

AS class, this is just my first attempt at making a video. Please leave a comment with your initials, telling me if you think iMovies like this might be helpful (eg can you watch it okay?!). See you on Wednesday!

A Note to my AS Class

Hello! Hope you are remembering to have a look on this blog for help with revision! Not a lot on Utilitarianism at the moment, I'm afraid, but there will be some to come ... watch this space! In the meantime, read through your notes, highlight the key passages, and summarise what you are learning, so you can revise from it more easily in the few weeks to come. Good luck!

Abolition of the Slave Trade

I've just been pointed towards another anti-slavery website, Set All Free. AS class ... how might utilitarians view slavery? What about absolutists, or relativists?

CAFOD KidzZone

Click here in order to go to the CAFOD Kidzzone - find out more about Fair Trade, or hunt around for information about Lent, for example the Live Simply campaign.

Forgiveness

Task:

Click on The Forgiveness Project website. Go to stories, and read through some of the stories of reconciliation and conflict resolution.

In your book, summarise three of the stories you think are most interesting. You could copy out the key quotes into your book.

Then post a comment on this blog saying which story you find most inspirational, motivating or hopeful, and why. Leave your first name or your initials so I can see who has completed the task.

Abolition of the Slave Trade

Today is the 200th anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade. The BBC website has lots of information about the Slave Trade and how it's abolition was brought about in the UK. But remember, there are still people who are enslaved today. You could also visit the Anti-Slavery webpage to find out more about modern day slavery.

Live Simply

If you have looked at the CAFOD site, you might have seen the Live Simply promises being mentioned. Have a look at the Live Simply webpage to find out more ... Is there a promise there that you could keep during Lent?

More Fairtrade Fortnight resources

You can find out more about Fairtrade Fortnight at the CAFOD website. Year 9s can use this to help with your homework over the next two weeks; GCSE students will find info on here to help with Unit C5, Religion: Wealth and Poverty. There is even a student-friendly page that I have just found, as part of the Big Deal site.

Fairtrade Fortnight

Fairtrade Fortnight starts tomorrow ... what can you do to help? Well, for a start you can buy Fairtrade bananas, coffee, tea, chocolate, hot chocolate ... Most, if not all, major supermarkets stock a variety of Fairtrade Products. If you can't find what you are looking for, why not ask? You can also fill in a card at most stores saying how they can improve - why not ask for more fairly traded products?

Hangman

There are less than fifty teaching days until the exams start, if I remember correctly. And you need to know your key words ... GCSE Bitesize has a hangman game to help you practice these keywords. They do cover many different aspects of Religious Studies, including religions other than Christianity, and Philosophy, and won't necessarily have the words you need to know for those 2 mark questions. But they are useful, and it's another way to revise.

CAFOD Big Deal Homework Help

Another great site that will help you in loads of ways, with RE, Geography, Citizenship ... Click on the Big Deal Homework Help link and find out about CAFOD, Debt, HIV and AIDS, Trade, Fairtrade Fortnight, Conflict, Aid, Emergencies, the Environment ...

That Religious Studies Website

I've found another useful website. That Religious Studies Website has lots of articles on different topics that may be relevant to GCSE students and A Level students.

GCSE Podcasts

I'm all for new technology, and I know that many of you have iPods or mp3 players, so you may find the resources at GCSE Podcast helpful. I found a couple of podcasts on euthanasia (free) and abortion (£1.50). These sound very useful for revision purposes. Check them out!

Ash Wednesday

It's Ash Wednesday today ... have you been to Church to receive ashes?

Shrove Tuesday

Find out more about Shrove Tuesday at the BBC website. Have you had your pancakes yet?

Legal Battle over "Right to Die"

Right to die? Read this article, and watch the clip, to find out more about Kelly Taylor's battle to force doctors to end her life.

Listen to Kelly's story ... should she be allowed to be helped to die? Or is it right that euthanasia remains illegal in the UK?

Vegetarianism or Happy Pigs

(Image from bbc.co.uk - website below)

I read this interesting article about a man who was a vegetarian but now farms his own pigs, which he eats.

Tom Welch, the farmer, said that his reasons for being a farmer were ethical farming ones - he believes it is wrong to keep animals in poor conditions, and that there is no clear link between the meat we buy in the supermarkets and the animal it came from.

One comment by a reader at the end struck me:
"Tom Welch has clearly never been a true vegetarian. His reasons for being so were out of concern for animal welfare during farming. But the true reason for being vegetarian is that you believe it is morally and logically wrong to kill other creatures in order to eat their flesh when it is possible to live off grains, pulses, fruit, vegetables, and nuts."
- Neil, County Antrim

Is there are "true reason" for being a vegetarian? What do you think? Should people be vegetarians? If so, why? Are some reasons better than others?

TV and Radio Listings

There are often very informative and interesting programmes about religious and ethical themes on TV and on the radio. Year 11s learnt a lot from the Beyond Belief discussion on conversion - there was an ideal answer to the question "In a multifaith society, people should not try to convert others to their religion." Do you agree?

In order to have a better idea of what's on TV and radio this week that might be relevant and interesting, click here. The RE Directory has compiled a short list of programmes for this week and the next. If you've missed something on Radio 4 (which I've mentioned before!) then you can often use their "listen again" service. Very useful.

Great Lives

Another great BBC Radio 4 programme. Unfortunately you'll have to listen to Great Lives quickly before it is replaced by another one! The reason I recommend this week's episode is because Ann Widdecombe has chosen Pope John Paul II as the "Great Live" to be discussed. His "life, character, charisma and holiness" is reflected upon in this programme.

Beyond Belief

I cannot recommend Radio 4 enough. Not only does it have a huge variety of informative and entertaining programmes, but many of these can be listened to again in order to help you understand religious and ethical issues better.

Beyond Belief is one of these programmes. Click on the link, then you can choose to listen to the Conversion programme if you are in Year 11, or the Ashura, Sunni and Shia programme if you are in Sixth Form. Or just choose any of the topics that interest you!

Martin Luther King

My Year 11 class has been set homework based on the life, beliefs and actions of Martin Luther King.

This homework is to be a substantial piece of writing, for example an obituary, a mindmap, a factfile, a eulogy, a speech, a letter, a newspaper report, a powerpoint, or perhaps something else that you can think of. (Check with me that it's okay.) I have looked up some relevant websites.

Remember, websites can be biased and may contain inaccuracies. It's always good to double check your facts!

The King Centre
Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Wikipedia
Time Magazine: 100 Most Influencial Leaders

And here's MLK's famous "I have a dream" speech:

Source - YouTube, "I Have A Dream"

Christian Denominations

I've just found this tree ... You can find out about the different branches of Christianity. Click to find out more about different Christian Denominations.

The Mass

One piece of Year 10 homework this week was to describe the Mass. We looked at most of the structure of the Mass in school. Here are a couple of websites to help you with your homework and/or revision.

Wiki description of the Mass

A list of sites about the Sacraments

Have fun!

Fairtrade Fortnight

Fairtrade Fortnight is coming up soon ... Year 9s will be learning about how we can become more conscious of fairly traded products, which will follow on from the work that you have been doing on the conscience. Can we keep a clear conscience if we buy products that have not been fairly traded, and, instead, buy products - bananas, coffee, trainers, footballs, flowers - that have been produced to bring large profits to a few people while those who work on harvesting or making them get very little?

Watch out for more on Fairtrade Fortnight ...

Big Brother ... Racist?

I was hoping to avoid Big Brother ... but when it makes not only the front page of the Evening Standard, and many broadsheet Indian newspapers, and is discussed in Parliament and on the Radio 4 news (and click here for a BBC link), then I suppose it ought to be on this blog!

In case you've not been following the news, there have (to date) been almost 20,000 complaints made to Ofcom, the watchdog body that overseas the media. People have been complaining that some of the contestants (namely Jade, Jade's mother and boyfriend, Danielle and Jo) have been bullying, and making racist comments about, Shilpa Shetty, a Bollywood star.

Gordon Brown is in India today, and he has been asked many questions about Big Brother by people who are extremely upset with the treatment seen of Shilpa. At the moment, Channel 4 are saying that there's not much they can do about it when Shilpa has not complained ... however, many of the comments have been made behind her back.

If you worked for Endemol, or Channel 4, what would you do? Would you want to stop showing the show, or pull out the main offenders to talk to them, or let things run and see how the main culprits respond when they are finally voted out? What would a Christian response be? How would you react if you were one of the celebrities in the house? Who do you respect most, out of the housemates?

First Test Tube Baby has her own baby

Louise Brown, the world's first test tube baby, has given birth to her first child (conceived naturally).

A Level students should be aware of this case, as part of the "right to a child" debate.

Girl banned from wearing a crucifix at school

The Daily Mail headline was large and clear yesterday. "Crucifix banned in school" (or something similar). Samantha Devine, who attends a non-denominational school, had been told to remove her crucifix, a gift from her father. Outrageous? Her father thinks so: "I have seen other religous pupils at the school who are not part of the Christian fath, but they are allowed to wear their religious garments and symbols without being questioned," he said.

However, the school has stated that the reason she has been asked to remove the necklace is because it represents a health and safety risk, and therefore goes against the school rules, which state that neck chains cannot be worn. The school has given Samantha the option of wearing a small lapel badge. After all, Christians are not required to wear any symbol of Christianity, whereas in some religions there is a religious requirement to wear certain clothing or symbols - for example, the 5Ks of Sikhism require every Sikh to have uncut hair (kesh) (and therefore wear a turban) and to wear a bangle (kanga).

At a conference yesterday, I heard that a Bishop (unfortunately I cannot remember the name, nor can I find it on the internet - can anyone help me find his statement?) was interviewed, explaining that Christians are not required to wear symbols, but are required to follow the rules of authority (or something like that) - in this case, if the girl really wishes to show her devotion she could wear a lapel badge, but she should certainly keep the school rules. There is no need for her to break them.

This is an interesting discussion, covering free will, the place of symbolism, devotion, and using religion as an excuse to get your own way ... I'd be with the school and the Bishop on this one. Would you be?

For more on this story at the BBC, click here.

Scientology Charity gives money to Labour

Labour given thousands by Scientology charity
Thought this could be of interest to those of you in Sixth Form who are studying Sects and Cults at the moment ... Should the Government accept money from this cult? Click on the link above to find out more about this story.

BNP Ballerina

'BNP Ballerina' returns to stage
Clink on the link above to read more about the English National Ballet dancer, Simone Clarke, who has admitted to being a member of the BNP. There have been protests outside the London Coliseum demanding that she should be sacked, since the ENB is a publically-funded organisation which receives £6million from the Arts Council each year, which requires recipients to be "aware of how their work contributes to race equality and promoting good race relations".

I first heard of this situation duing a conversation about free speech, and the difference between absolutism and relativism in the UK today. The person who mentioned this news was explaining that he thought that absolute views were out of date nowadays, and that he felt that relative morality was therefore a better position to take. In relation to this story, he believed that since the BNP is a legal political party, that in a democracy one should be able to state your political views freely, without feeling that people were going to campaign for your dismissal from a job.

However, the second person in the discussion said that he felt that any position being expressed in public by someone receiving money from the Arts Council, should express a position that was "for" life, not against it, which he feels the BNP is. My own position (I had not read the article so was not at that time in full possession of the facts) was that perhaps Joseph Fletcher's stance, in his Situation Ethics, that "love" was to be the marker by which one makes their decisions, was a positive one that could be embraced in this situation.

What do you think? Freedom of speech? Public money? Absolute views for/against the BNP? Relative morality ... are all positions equally valid, or are some invalid?

Sects, Cults and New Religious Movements

Sixth formers preparing presentations for this term's work could find the following links helpful. Remember that religion is quite a controversial subject, so some links might be biased, and I am not responsible for the contents of any links, since I've not had time to check them out.

Wiki Definition of a Sect
Religious Tolerance
Religions and Cults ... one point of view and long list!
Yahoo list of links to different religious groups
Wiki Definition of a Cult

And in general, looking up something specific on Google always helps!

I look forward to seeing your presentations. And to discovering what activities you have planned for us!

Virtue Ethics Essays

Here is a concept map for Virtue Ethics. You can make your own one while reading through your notes. I will make photocopies of this one for you on which you can add extra notes.

Natural Law Essays

Here is a concept map looking at St Thomas Aquinas' Natural Law theory. AS students will need to know about this for their Foundation paper next week ...

Cry, The Beloved Country

I came across this passage in the book, "Cry, The Beloved Country" by Alan Paton. It was written in 1948, and is set in South Africa. It is an excellent book, which I recommend. However, the passage I am about to quote reminded me of one of the GCSE questions, "Outline the problem of evil and suffering in Christianity" - or, more particularly, explain a Christian response to this problem.

"I have never thought a Christian should be free of suffering, umfundisi. For our Lord suffered. And I come to believe that He suffered, not to save us from suffering, but to teach us how to bear suffering. For He knew that there is no life without suffering."

St Vincent de Paul Society

So far, most Year 11s have written about CAFOD in their mock exam, rather than the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP). Since the question was asking about Catholic organisations that help relieve poverty in the UK, you should have written about SVP.

Click on this link to find out more about this organisation:

http://www.svp.org.uk/

GCSE: Believing in God

Here are the questions you were asked in your mock exam:

1. a) What is conversion? (2)
b) Outline an argument got God's existence based on causation. (6)
c) Explain how the presence of religion in the world can lead to, or support, belief in God. (8)
d) "A religious upbringing brainwashes people into believing in God."
Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view. In your answer, you should refer to Catholic Christianity. (4)

2. a) What does omnipotent mean? (2)
b) What is the problem of evil and suffering for people who believe in God? (6)
c) Explain, with examples, how having a religious experience can lead to, or support, belief in God. (8)
d) "Considering the evidence, everyone should be agnostic."
Do you agree? Give reasons for your opinion, showing that you have considered another point of view. (4)

Which set of questions did you choose? How did you go about choosing which questions to answer? Remember, you can only answer one set, you can't mix and match.

Personally, I would have gone for question 2, since I would find gaining 6 marks on the argument for God's existence based on causation harder than if the question was asking about the Argument from Design. Quite a number of you did describe the Design Argument in your answer, thus losing marks. I would also have found it a bit harder to gain 8 marks explaining how the presence of religion in the world can lead to, or support, belief in God, where it is necessary to look at some of the similarities found in different religious beliefs around the world, rather than the more straightforward religious experience question, where I could have written one paragraph each on the influence of the numinous, miracles, answered prayer and conversion experiences. Of course, I would then have had to have known that an agnostic is someone who is unsure whether or not God exists, rather than someone who does not believe in God (an atheist).

Right, now look at those questions again, and see what you think! Would you still choose the same set of questions?

Happy New Year!

I hope you all have all had a very happy new year, and that you all work hard and are well rewarded for that work in 2007!

Special thoughts go to those in Years 12 and 13 who are studying for their exams which are in just 12 days time. I hope your revision is going well, and that you've got your heads around Meta-Ethics, Natural Law and Relative Morality. We'll cover Virtue Ethics next week. Very quickly.

I've also been thinking of my Year 11s, since I've been marking your exam scripts. I'm sure you're looking forward to getting them back, and learning how to improve.

Happy New Year!