Wednesday, 21 November 2007
Tuesday, 20 November 2007
Monday, 19 November 2007
Tuesday, 10 July 2007
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.
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.
Sunday, 3 June 2007
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.
Tuesday, 29 May 2007
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.
Saturday, 26 May 2007
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?
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?
Wednesday, 23 May 2007
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)
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)
Wednesday, 16 May 2007
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)
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)
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)
Tuesday, 15 May 2007
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?
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 ...
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?
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
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!Monday, 14 May 2007
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
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
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