Religion in the film: Bend It Like Beckham

Adam Taylor Part Three Analyse and explain the way in which a religious theme has been dealt with in a film or television drama. The film we watched was called Bend It like Beckham. It dealt with the religion Sikhism. In the film Jess, an Asian girl, has a talent for playing football. Her family, who follow the Sikh faith, do not want Jess to play football, and jess naturally wishes to continue playing her favourite sport. After a shopping trip to get clothes for Jess's soon-to-be-married sister Pinky, Jess plays football in a park and is spotted by Jules, a British female who plays for the local female footy team. Jules invites Jess to a training session and Jess takes to it like water. The coach Joe, an Irish bloke, asks Jess to come again. She does so, but is reluctant to wear the shorts - because of a burn scar on her knee. Afterwards she goes to the park and is spotted by her mother - which results in a ban from football, as Jess's father states she should become a "proper woman". The religious issues in this include the contrast in gender roles as observed by followers of the Sikh religion and by their British countrymen. Jess's family see the role of the female to be that of a housewife - doing the cooking, cleaning and performing the basic household tasks. The issue of arranged marriages is also discussed; Jess does not want an arranged marriage because this

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Describe in detail the wedding ceremonies in Christianity and Sikhism and carefully explain the key features of each.

Describe in detail the wedding ceremonies in Christianity and Sikhism and carefully explain the key features of each. The Sikh wedding ceremony is the 'Anand Karaj' meaning the 'ceremony of bliss'. It takes place in the Gurdwara. First a meeting takes place called the Milni. It involves all relatives exchanging gifts and turbans. A reception meal is then eaten. After, the wedding ceremony takes place infront of the guru Granth Sahib. The Groom comes forward and sits facing the holy book. The bride comes in and sits at his left-hand side. The Granthi explains all the responsibilities. The couple then bow to the holy book to show they accept them. The couple stands with their fathers and a lesson is read and a hymn sung. The bride's father places garlands of flowers over the couple. He takes the grooms scarf and ties it to the bride's dupatta. On behalf of the wife, the ragis then recite a shabad. The Granthi then recites the first verse of the Lavan, composed by Guru Ram Das. This verse emphasises the performance of duty to the family and the community. Then the other three verses are sung. The second verse refers to the stage of yearning and love for each other. The third verse refers to the stage of detachment and the fourth verse refers to the final stage of harmony and union in married life during which human love blends into the love or God. For each verse, the couple

  • Word count: 1057
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Sikhism (Detailed)

The Sikh religion began about 500 years ago in the Punjab region of India (shown on the right). Sikhism was started by a man called Guru Nanak, the title Guru means teacher. He was born at a time in India when Muslims and Hindus were living in the same region but did not get a long well at all, there was conflict and arguments. Sikh religion tells us that at the age of thirty, Guru Nanak went missing and was presumed to have drowned after going for one of his morning baths to a local stream called the Kali Bein, his friend tried to find him and so ordered the whole river to be netted out-he was not found. People had begun to think he was dead but surprisingly three days later he reappeared and would give the same answer to any question asked to him: "There is no Hindu, there is no Muslim" (in Punjabi, "na ko hindu na ko musalman"). It was from this moment that Guru Nanak would begin to spread the teachings of what was then the beginning of Sikhism. He (Guru Nanak) began preaching to others that there should be tolerance of other faiths; it made sense to some people. He taught people that the differences in people's religions were not important in God's eyes. He tried to spread his teachings to everyone everywhere Although the exact account of his journey is unclear, he is widely known to have made four major journeys, across thousands of kilometres. The first being east

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Write descriptively about an artefact, place, activity, or journey with some reference or connection to the theme of 'Light'.

Year 10 English Writing Project. Task: Write descriptively about an artefact, place, activity, or journey with some reference or connection to the theme of 'Light'. It is very difficult to gain true knowledge without giving up your ego surrendering your self to the teachings of a guru. To receive knowledge directly is like receiving sunrays directly. When we look at the sky on a full moon night, we find the full moon surrounded by dark clouds. These clouds are like the devotee of the guru waiting to be enlightened by the light of the Guru. Guru is like the lamp of knowledge and the devotees like candles waiting to be lighted by the Guru's knowledge. The word Guru is defined as following: 'Gu' means darkness, and 'ru' means light. Who ever has the ability to reject the darkness of ignorance with the light of true knowledge is a Guru. A Guru does not really give or teach knowledge to the believer because true knowledge is found in the soul. It takes a Guru to remove the veil of ignorance in each soul and open their eyes to the path of light. Many devotees are looking for peace, inner peace, peace that can only be found within them. It is well known that the light within does not itself see yet it is the source of all that is seen and unseen. The guru's focus is related to the inner life, work that reflects the spiritual side of things. After finding the light within,

  • Word count: 641
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Religeous Education - Three Responsibilities

RELIGEOUS EDUCATION REVISON Guru Nanak - Three Responsibilities Firstly: Nam Japna - meditation on god's name. 'Nam' translated as name but nam means all that god is - total being and personality of god (mul mantra). This does not mean mindless repeating of words or performing actions. But the meditation on god's name (Hindu Brahmins throwing water at Hardwar and 2 Muslims praying). Secondly: Kirat Kara - earning your living honestly. Guru Nanak accepting Bhai Lalo's food > Malik Bhago (local Muslim leader) becomes angry Guru Nanak squeezed Bhai Lalo's roti and milk came out he squeezed Malik Bhago's blood came out as he got his money through exploiting the poor. Bhai Lalo worked as a carpenter. Thirdly: Vand Chhakna - giving in charity to those in need, this is liked to sewa, the service to god and humanity. Also taught is equality of birth and gender. Charitable sharing of time talents and earnings with those less fortunate than oneself. Sikhs believe that wealth within itself is not wrong providing it is gained honestly but to become obsessed by wealth is. The wealth created by hard work should be used for the benefit of the family, the Khalsa and humanity in general. Guru Arjan - Three Main Contributions . Supervised first authorised collection of Gurbani (god's word) completed in 1604. Installed in newly completed harinder sahib (Golden Temple) in

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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What is the difference between a Sikh, a Sahajdhari Sikh and a Khalsa? Please explain in context with the definition of a Sikh given in Sikh Rehat Maryada.

A1: What is the difference between a Sikh, a Sahajdhari Sikh and a Khalsa? Please explain in context with the definition of a Sikh given in Sikh Rehat Maryada (the Sikh Code of Conduct) The meaning of the word 'Sikh' is a disciple. Although you can be a Sikh (learner) of anything/anyone this word has been adopted by the followers of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's philosophy. The basic belief of a 'Sikh' is a person who believes in one God and in the teachings of the ten Sikh Gurus. They must believe in the sovereignty of Guru Granth Sahib and respects all other scriptures, prophets and religions. Apart from this the most important belief, which is an important necessity for the Sikh way of life, is being apart of the baptism ceremony initiated by our 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh in 1699. This means that in order to call yourself a proper Sikh, it includes practising the beliefs and following the teachings. However, looking deeper into the meaning of a Sikh, we can discover that this word can be separated into three different classifications; all containing the basic theme of Sikhism but each differentiate in their own way. The three mainstream Sikhs include the Sahajdharis, a normal Sikh, also known as a Keshdhari, and a Khalsa or Amritdhari. The word Sahajdhari was known before becoming prominent during the 1880's as a definition of a Hindu or Muslim, or a non-sikh who had a

  • Word count: 2623
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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The Guru Granth Sahib - an introductory leaflet

The Guru Granth Sahib The Guru Granth Sahib - an introductory leaflet Contents Sri Guru Granth Sahib • Introduction • History • Language and Teachings • Contents • Treatment and Use in Worship For further details go to www.sikhnet.com By Sonia Kaur should live their lives; in a good and meaningful way, and is meant to be recited whereas others are meant to The Guru Granth Sahib aware of their responsibilities. Some teachings found in be sung. Therefore the shabads are organised in the Guru Granth Sahib are: the ragas-the order in which they have to be sung The Guru Granth Sahib is not just a book; it is a Guru. It is consid- ered the Supreme Spiritual Author- ity and Head of the Sikh religion. It is the holy book of the Sikhs. History The first holy book of the Sikhs was the Adi Granth and it was put together by The fifth Guru - Guru Arjan Dev. The tenth Guru - Guru Gobind Singh extended the • • • • • Equality regardless of religion, race, gender, colour? as Akal Purakh (God) is Sargun An honorable way of living-encouraging mar- riage, family life, working hard? Naam Japna-meditating on the name of God Kirat Karna-An honest way of life (no theft or deception) Wand Chhakna-sharing and being generous towards the less fortunate. (by melody)-instead of subject or author. Treatment and

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Sikhism. In A02, I have to explain Sikh teaching on wealth and poverty.

G.C.S.E Coursework-Sikhism In A02, I have to explain Sikh teaching on wealth and poverty. The definition of wealth is a large amount of money and valuable material possessions or the state of being rich. The definition of poverty is the condition of being without adequate food or money. Sikhs believe in Kirat Karna. This is to earn a living by honest means. Kirat Karna places on Sikhs obligation to earn a living by honest means. Sikhs believe that work is an essential, both for the good of the individual's family and for society in general. Working provides for the fundamental requirements such as food, clothing and housing. The form of work is it manual, professional, agricultural or social is not of prime importance; but it should not involve deceit, or any other form of underhanded dealing, or exploit other people in any way possible. Immoral or illegal work is strictly frowned upon. Making a living, for example, by producing harmful drugs or promoting pornography or prostitution is not regarded as earning a living by honest means. Sikhs believe that wealth in itself is not wrong, providing it is gained honestly. But to become obsessed by wealth is. The wealth created by hard work should be used for the benefits of your family, the Khalsa (Sikh Brotherhood) and humanity in general. For every person on this Earth, work is a moral duty and commitment. We are seldom aware

  • Word count: 844
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Issue of arranged marriages Sikhism

Issue of arranged marriages – Sikhism Arranged marriage is a practice whereby two families decide if a couple within their household should marry each other. It is practiced commonly throughout South Asia, Africa and the Middle East. It is also practiced to a lesser extent in Southeast Asia and East Asia. During arranged marriage, it is usually the parents or an older family member who decided on the marriage of a couple and acts as a matchmaker. There is a lot of worldwide controversy regarding arranged marriages; such controversies are caused by issues during the process of arranged marriages such as an involuntary forced marriage. Alongside this, a forced mismatch could be possible during arranged marriages if the arranger were to arrange a marriage for his or her own benefit. Despite its controversy, many religions still practice arranged marriage. A major world religion which still practisesthis is Sikhism. Sikhs believe that when a girl is mature enough, it is a parent’s responsibility to find a match for her. They believe that marriage is a holy union between two souls and are united as one. Because of this tradition and belief, Sikh’s agree that there is nothing wrong and immoral with arranged marriage but is seen as a sacred and holy ceremony. However, in Sikh marriages, it is impossible to divorce a partner because of the fact that when two people marry,

  • Word count: 393
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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You Do Not Have to go to a Gurdwara to Be a Good Sikh

"You do not have to go to a Gurdwara to be a good Sikh" The Gurdwara is a Sikh place of worship where the Guru Granth Sahib and other Sikh scriptures are kept; the Guru Granth Sahib acts as the Guru which means that any building that contains this is effectively a Gurdwara. Followers of the religion also congregate here to worship and partake in activities such as teaching, learning or serving/helping others. Sikhs believe in karma; actions performed by human beings. The Sikh teaching is that what you do in this life will directly affect your samsara (circle of life), and that the quality of each life depends on the behaviour of a person in a previous life. A part of karma is sewa; service to fellow individuals, this builds good karma. Sikhs believe that samsara is the continuous cycle of birth, life and death and that mukti is the spiritual liberation from the cycle. To reach mukti, the person must be gurmukh. This is a person centres themselves around God, following the ways and teachings of the Guru's, and not temptations or desires. A Sikh must understand, experience, and put their focus and attention on God. God cannot be entirely understood by humans but however can be experienced through means such as love and worship. Therefore, regardless of where it takes place, prayer can lead you to mukti. Reaching mukti also means you are gurmukh as you are following God's and

  • Word count: 631
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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