GCSE
Religious Studies
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Introduction to GCSE Religious Studies A (AQA)
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1.1 Buddhism
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The Concept of Dhamma (Dharma)
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The Concept of Dependent Arising (Paticcasamuppada)
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The Three Marks of Existence
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The Human Personality in Theravada and Mahayana Traditions
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Human Destiny
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The Buddha’s Life and Its Significance
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The Four Noble Truths
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The Nature, Use, and Importance of Buddhist Places of Worship
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Puja and Devotional Ritual
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Meditation
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Ceremonies and Rituals Associated with Death and Mourning
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Festivals and Retreats
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Ethical Teaching
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The Five Moral Precepts
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The Six Perfections
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The Concept of Dhamma (Dharma)
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1.2 Christianity
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The Nature of God
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Different Christian Beliefs About Creation
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Different Christian Beliefs About the Afterlife
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The Incarnation and Jesus as the Son of God
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The Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension
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Sin
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The Means of Salvation
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The Role of Christ in Salvation
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Different Forms of Worship and Their Significance
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Prayer and Its Significance
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The Role and Meaning of the Sacraments
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The Role and Importance of Pilgrimage and Celebrations
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The Role of the Church in the Local Community
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The Place of Mission, Evangelism and Church Growth
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The Importance of the Worldwide Church
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The Nature of God
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1.3 Catholic Christianity
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One God as a Trinity of Persons
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Creation
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Incarnation
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Redemption
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Beliefs About Life After Death
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The Meaning and Significance of ‘Sacrament’ and the Importance of the Sacramental Nature of Reality
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The Names, Meanings and Effects of the Seven Sacraments
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Prayer
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The Role and Importance of Forms of Popular Piety
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The Role and Importance of Pilgrimage
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The Funeral Rite and Its Significance
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Catholic Beliefs About the Essential Duty to ‘Love Our Neighbour’
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The Meaning and Significance of Mission and Evangelism
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The Aims and Importance of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP)
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The Aims and Importance of either the Corrymeela Community or Pax Christi
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One God as a Trinity of Persons
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1.4 Hinduism
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Brahman
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Different Understandings of the Three Features of the Divine
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How the Divine Presents
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Matter (Prakriti); The Three Qualities (Tri-Guna); Illusion (Maya); Cosmology (Rig Veda 10.129.6-7); The Cycle of Four Ages; Many Worlds and Their Diverse Inhabitants
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The Concept of Atman
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Cycle of Birth and Death: Samsara; Moral Action and Reaction: The Law of Karma; Types of Liberation: Moksha
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Individual Free Will and Responses to Suffering; Knowledge and Ignorance
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Personal Virtues
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The Four Aims of Human Life
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The Meaning of Dharma; Sanatana Dharma; Varnashrama Dharma
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Places of Worship and Their Importance
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Different Forms of Worship/Meditation and Their Significance; Key Differences in Worship in Shaivism and Vaishnavism and Different Hindu Views About the Importance of Worship
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Focuses of Worship and Representations of the Divine and Their Importance
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Sacred Festivals and Their Importance
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The Four Paths Towards Yoga (Union With the Divine)
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Pilgrimage
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The Work and Significance of Hindu Environmental Projects and Charities
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Brahman
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1.5 Islam
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The Six Articles of Faith in Sunni Islam and Five Roots of Usul Ad-Din in Shi’a Islam
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Tawhid (The Oneness of God)
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The Nature of God
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Angels, Their Nature and Role
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Predestination and Human Freedom and Its Relationship to the Day of Judgement
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Akhirah (Life After Death), Human Responsibility and Accountability, Resurrection, Heaven and Hell
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Risalah (Prophethood)
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The Holy Books
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The Imamate in Shi'a Islam
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Five Pillars of Sunni Islam and the Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi’a Islam
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Shahadah: Declaration of Faith and Its Place in Muslim Practice
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Salah (Prayer) and Its Significance
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Sawm (Fasting) during the Month of Ramadan
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Zakah: The Role and Significance of Giving Alms
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Hajj: The Role and Significance of the Pilgrimage to Makkah
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Jihad: Different Understandings and Significance
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Festivals and Commemorations
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The Six Articles of Faith in Sunni Islam and Five Roots of Usul Ad-Din in Shi’a Islam
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1.6 Judaism
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The Nature of God
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The Divine Presence (Shekhinah)
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Beliefs About Life After Death
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The Nature and Role of the Messiah
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The Promised Land and the Covenant with Abraham
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The Covenant at Sinai
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Key Moral Principles
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The Importance of the Sanctity of Human Life
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The Relationship Between Free Will and the 613 Mitzvot
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Mitzvot Between Man and God and Mitzvot Between Man and Man
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The Synagogue and Its Importance
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The Design and Religious Features of Synagogues
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Public Acts of Worship
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Shabbat in the Home and Synagogue
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Worship in the Home and Private Prayer
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Tenakh (The Written Law) and Talmud (The Oral Law)
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Rituals and Their Significance
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Dietary Laws and their Significance
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Festivals and their Importance
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The Nature of God
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1.7 Sikhism
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The Nature of God as Expressed in the Mool Mantra
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God as Creator
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The Nature of Human Life as an Opportunity to Unite With God
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Beliefs in Karma and Rebirth, and the Aim of Mukti
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The Five Stages of Liberation (Five Khands) And Barriers to Mukti
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The Importance of Being Gurmukh (God-Centred) Rather Than Manmukh (Man-Centred) And the Elimination of Pride or Ego (Haumai)
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Belief in the Oneness of Humanity and in the Equality of All
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The Expression of the Equality of All
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Sewa: The Importance and Priority of Service to Others
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The Role and Importance of the Sangat (Religious Community)
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Religious Features of the Gurdwara
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The Role of the Gurdwara within the Sikh Community
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The Role of Prayer in the Home in Sikhism (GGS 305:4)
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The Role and Importance of the Akhand Path
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The Meaning and Significance of Langar as an Expression of Sewa
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The Significance of Meditating on the Name of God (Nam Japna)
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Festivals and Their Importance
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The Importance of Visiting Sikh Historical Gurdwaras
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Birth and Naming Ceremonies
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The Initiation Ceremony (Amrit Sanskar)
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The Significance and Use of the Names Singh and Kaur
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The Nature of God as Expressed in the Mool Mantra
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2.1.1 Theme A: Relationships and Families
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Human Sexuality
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Sexual Relationships Before and Outside of Marriage
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Contraception and Family Planning
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The Nature and Purpose of Marriage
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Same-Sex Marriage and Cohabitation
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Divorce and Remarrying
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Ethical Arguments Related to Divorce
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The Nature of Families
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The Purpose of Families
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Contemporary Family Issues
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The Roles of Men and Women
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Gender Equality
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Gender Prejudice and Discrimination
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Human Sexuality
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2.1.2 Theme B: Religion and Life
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The Origins of the Universe
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The Value of the World and the Duty of Human Beings to Protect It
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The Use and Abuse of the Environment
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The Use and Abuse of Animals
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The Origins of Life
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The Concepts of Sanctity of Life and the Quality of Life
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Abortion
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Ethical Arguments Related to Abortion
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Euthanasia
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Beliefs About Death and an Afterlife
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The Origins of the Universe
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2.1.3 Theme C: The Existence of God and Revelation
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The Design Argument
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The First Cause Argument
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The Argument from Miracles
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Evil and Suffering as an Argument Against the Existence of God
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Arguments Based on Science Against the Existence of God
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Special Revelation as a Source of Knowledge About the Divine
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Enlightenment as a Source of Knowledge About the Divine
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General Revelation: Nature and Scripture as a Way of Understanding the Divine
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Different Ideas About the Divine
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The Value of General and Special Revelation and Enlightenment as Sources of Knowledge About the Divine
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The Design Argument
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2.1.4 Theme D: Religion, Peace and Conflict
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The Meaning and Significance of Peace, Justice, Forgiveness, Reconciliation
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Violence
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Terrorism
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Reasons for War
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The Just War Theory
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Holy War
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Pacifism
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Religion and Belief as a Cause of War and Violence in the Contemporary World
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Nuclear Weapons
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The Use of Weapons of Mass Destruction
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Religion and Peace-Making in the Contemporary World
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Religious Responses to the Victims of War
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The Meaning and Significance of Peace, Justice, Forgiveness, Reconciliation
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2.1.5 Theme E: Religion, Crime and Punishment
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2.1.6 Theme F: Religion, Human Rights and Social Justice
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Prejudice and Discrimination in Religion and Belief
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Issues of Equality, Freedom of Religion and Belief
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Human Rights and the Responsibilities That Come With Rights
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Social Justice
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Racial Prejudice and Discrimination
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Ethical Arguments Related to Racial Discrimination
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Wealth
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The Responsibilities of Wealth
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Exploitation of the Poor
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The Responsibilities of Those Living in Poverty to Help Themselves Overcome the Difficulties They Face
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Charity
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Prejudice and Discrimination in Religion and Belief
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2.2.1 Theme G: St Mark’s Gospel: The Life of Jesus
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John's Preparation for Jesus' Ministry: 1:1-8
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Jesus' Baptism and Temptation: 1:9-13
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The Paralysed Man: 2:1-12
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Jairus' Daughter: 5:21-24a, 35-43
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The Rejection at Nazareth: 6:1-6
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The Feeding of the Five Thousand: 6:30-44
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The Conversation at Caesarea Philippi: 8:27-33
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The Transfiguration of Jesus: 9:2-9
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Jesus' Passion Prediction: 10:32-34
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The Request of James and John: 10:35-45
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Bartimaeus: 10:46-52
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The Entry into Jerusalem: 11:1-11
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The Last Supper: 14:12-26
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Jesus in Gethsemane: 14:32-52
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The Trial before the Jewish Authorities: 14:53, 57-65
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The Trial before Pilate: 15:1-15
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The Crucifixion and Burial: 15:21-47
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The Empty Tomb: 16:1-8
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The Titles Son of Man, Son of God, Christ (Messiah) and Son of David
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The Significance for 21st Century Christians of Jesus’ Understanding of the Titles Son of Man, Son of God, Christ (Messiah) And Son of David
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St Mark’s Portrayal of Jesus as a Teacher and Miracle Worker
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Differing Beliefs About the Meaning of Jesus’ Words and Actions at the Last Supper
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Differing Beliefs About the Significance of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection, and Different Explanations Given for the Empty Tomb
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Differing Views on the Authority of St Mark ’s Gospel Relating to the Life of Jesus in Relation to the Challenges Posed by Secular Sources of Contemporary Authority
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John's Preparation for Jesus' Ministry: 1:1-8
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2.2.2 Theme H: St Mark’s Gospel as a Source of Religious, Moral and Spiritual Truths
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Parable of the Sower: 4:1–9, 14–20
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Parable of the Growing Seed: 4:26–29
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Parable of the Mustard Seed: 4:30–32
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Jesus and the Children: 10:13–16
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The Rich Man: 10:17–27
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The Greatest Commandment: 12:28–34
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The Man with Leprosy: 1:40–45
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The Call of Levi: 2:13–17
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The Greek (Syro-Phoenician) Woman’s Daughter: 7:24–30
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The Epileptic (Demon-Possessed) Boy: 9:14–29
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The Widow at the Treasury: 12:41–44
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The Anointing at Bethany: 14:1–9
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The Call of the First Disciples: 1:16–20
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The Woman with a Haemorrhage: 5:24b–34
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The Mission of the Twelve: 6:7–13
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The Cost and Rewards of Discipleship: 8:34–38; 10:28–31
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Peter’s Denials: 14:27–31, 66–72
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The Commission and Ascension: 16:14–20
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The Significance and Importance of Key Events in the Life of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark
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Different Ways the Kingdom of God is Understood
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Reasons for 1st Century Attitudes and Jesus' Approach to the Disregarded
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The Significance and Importance for Christians of Jesus’ Attitudes to Those Disregarded by the Society of His Day
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Different Views on the Significance and Importance for Jesus’ Disciples and for 21st Century Christians of Discipleship
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Different Views on the Nature and Importance of Faith
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Differing Views on the Authority of Jesus’ Teaching
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Parable of the Sower: 4:1–9, 14–20
1. The Study of Religions: Beliefs, Teachings and Practices
2. Thematic Studies
Meditation
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Samatha (Concentration and Tranquillity) Meditation
Samatha aims to develop calmness and single-pointed concentration. It involves focusing the mind on a single object, often the breath, a visual image, or a mantra. Through sustained concentration, the mind becomes tranquil, and distracting thoughts diminish.
Vipassana (Insight) Meditation
Vipassana aims to develop insight and wisdom into the true nature of reality. Practitioners observe their bodily sensations, thoughts, and emotions with mindfulness and clear comprehension. This practice leads to a deeper understanding of impermanence, suffering, and non-self (anatta).
Visualisation of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas
Some meditation practices involve visualising Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, or enlightened beings. This practice serves to invoke their qualities, cultivate compassion, and receive their guidance and blessings on the path to enlightenment.
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