2.
Christians believe that there is life after death because God wants them to share eternal happiness with him in heaven. Christians believe that there is life after death because Jesus rose from the dead. Christians believe that they are free to choose life or death and to be loving or not, they make this choice by sinning. If they sin they are being unloving and choosing death. This shows that they are unloving towards God and this was why Jesus was sent by God. Jesus, in a way, was their shepherd guarding them to eternal life. When they make the wrong decisions, and sin, they are separated from God. If they are truly sorry and wish to return to God, as God wants them to, God pays the price; He redeems them from their sin. He sacrifices Jesus’ life in order to open up the way of eternal life for them. Christians also believe that if they choose sin, they do not go to heaven they go to hell, they choose death. Christians believe that Jesus rose from the dead to show triumph of good over evil and life over death. It shows that Jesus is the Lord and that there is eternal life for all. The resurrection of Jesus also shows that God vindicated him through his death.
‘Very early on Sunday morning at sunrise, they went to the tomb…Then they looked up and saw that the stone had been rolled back. So they entered the tomb where they saw a man…’Mk 16, 2-5
This shows that Jesus rose from the dead, he triumphed over evil.
Ao2- Explain why the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus are important for Christians today
The death of Jesus gives Christians meaning and purpose to their life. It is important because they believe that if they don’t sin they will be awarded with eternal life with God in heaven. Jesus taught them to love their neighbour, if they do this, Christians believe that they win eternal life. If they could never have eternal life, there wouldn’t be any reason to be good. The death of Jesus also gives them hope and comfort, especially when a loved one dies; it makes them realise that there is eternal life. Christians show that they respect and believe in God when they go to mass or just simply do good deeds. Christians show they believe in the resurrection of Jesus when they celebrate Easter and when the go to reconciliation. Christians celebrate Easter as the most important feast because it shows that Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice, which is why we don’t sacrifice animals anymore. It was also the ultimate glory of good triumphing over evil and is a main belief of the Christian faith, proving that there is eternal life. Christians believe that they follow in Jesus’ example, goodness, even when they’re suffering or experiencing difficulties; they will be rewarded with eternal life with God in heaven. Christians show this faith in their masses and when they do good deeds. In the Catholic Church the main emphasis the mass is the main emphasis of their faith. In Anglican Churches they emphasise community, in which good deeds may be done to one another.
Ao3- ‘For a Christian to die for their beliefs does not make sense. It is better to live for them.’
Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have considered more than one point of view.
I believe that Christians would die for their faith, but only in severe situations. In theory, Christians would be prepared to die for their beliefs, in order to help others. Christians would compromise beliefs, but in extreme circumstances be prepared to die. You don’t have to give your life to a faith by dying, but by spending it on someone else.
Oscar Romero risked his life in order to help others, he wouldn’t compromise his beliefs. Because of this he was murdered.
In my view a Christian would give up their life, although I do see why this is just considered as a waste of time. Non- Christians could not believe in eternal life, life after death, so they compromise their beliefs in order to live their life as much as possible. But Christians believe that when you die you have eternal life with God in heaven, but only if you are good.
Speaking as a Christian, I would find it hard to die for my beliefs, but would die for my beliefs than to live without them.
Weighing up the arguments I feel that Christians would die for their beliefs, rather than compromising it, than living without their faith. But only die for their beliefs in extreme circumstances.
Religious Studies
30/04/2007
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