Describe and briefly explain the variations in religious beliefs in the British Isles today.

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Religion - A2 Question - Total marks : 60 mks

Time allowed : 90 minutes

1. (a) Using material from Item A, describe and briefly explain the variations in religious beliefs in the British Isles today. (12 mks).

Ans. As Item A indicates there are considerable regional variations in religious beliefs within the British Isles and between Great Britain and the Irish Republic.

It has long been the case for example that church attendance in N.Ireland has been much higher than other regions of the U.K. - particularly England. This could be explained partially due to the significance of fundamentalism and fundamentalist denominations (eg. Free Presbyterian, Baptist etc.) in N.Ireland - which promote a literal interpretation of the Bible and are strongly opposed to liberal theological trends.

The influence of fundamentalist beliefs is particularly evident in the table in relation to the variation between G.B. and both parts of Ireland - with regard to literal 'truths' such as belief in : Life after death; Heaven; Hell; the Devil; Miracles - with much higher percentages believing in such concepts in N.Ireland and Irish Republic than in Great Britain.

Of course we should be cautious about