A03: "A priest should always refuse the sacraments to those who do not practice their faith

A03: "A priest should always refuse the sacraments to those who do not practice their faith." Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have considered more than one point of view. No I do not agree with statement. A priest should not refuse the sacraments to those who do not practice their faith. I think this as it is very difficult to establish who does not have faith i.e. a person may not attend mass or the sacraments on a frequent basis but still lead a Christian Life. They may be perfectly good, love their neighbour, and follow all 10 commandments. They may also do a lot within the community to help. These people could be living the life that Jesus recommended in everything else they do. They may feel it is sufficient to worship God in their own special ways, for example, praying at home. Can any human being judge the worthiness of another? God is the only one who can decide this. Jesus never turned anyone away who came to Him with sincerity and an open heart. His enemies could not understand how a great teacher and Holy man could associate with such low class people and this made his opponents complain but Jesus still showed love to sinners. If someone today with sincerity and an open heart wishes to receive the sacraments can a priest who is acting on behalf of Jesus turn them away? We must remember how Jesus would have acted to those who want to

  • Word count: 560
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Discuss the importance of the healing miracles of Jesus for Christian lives today.

Jeannette Wells Discuss the importance of the healing miracles of Jesus for Christian lives today. I think that Jesus' healing miracles is very important for Christian lives today and for those in the future. I think this because Christians can rely on these miracles to have faith in the Kingdom of God. If Jesus did not perform healing miracles then it destroys the image we see of Jesus. Christians believe that it was because he was the Son of God that he had the power to perform healing miracles. Christians see these miracles and believe that they could happen to them if they have faith because these miracles are so great and unimaginable. Christians may turn to Jesus when they are ill and there is no cure, such as a cancer and they have nothing left to turn to. So they put their faith in God, by themselves and their families praying. It has been known for them to be cured because they have great faith in the Kingdom of god, this is what many people would call a healing miracle. We can know about Jesus healing miracles from Luke's gospel, the blind beggar (18:35-43) This story happened in Jesus' time on earth, yet healing miracles have been herd of which are similar even today. I think that the most important fact of Jesus' miracles is that no one has ever, or can ever perform his healing miracles. We some times come to believe that a magician may perform a miracle using

  • Word count: 463
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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How does Elli's search for truth and meaning differ form Palmers?

Sarah Kazim 10BL How does Elli's search for truth and meaning differ form Palmers? Contact is a film mainly about faith, faith in yourself to do what is right and faith in others that they do right by you. It's also a film about belief, and whether we, as human beings should be forced to justify what we believe in when there is no physical proof that the focus of our belief actually exists. It's also a film about hope, and love, and life, and death. The whole concept of the movie is based not on the question of whether extraterrestrial life exists, but whether what we believe should be determined by what we can prove. The main character in the film is Dr. Ellie Arroway who is the head of the SETI (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence) project. Ellie is a woman whose purpose in life is to scan the heavens for the possibility of alien life, and she has dedicated the last fifteen years doing so after the deaths of her father and mother. After the mathematical message, assumed to be from aliens, is received, Ellie shows her determination by finding out more, which ends up in her taking a trip to outer space. The visit changes the way she looks at the world and the concept of humanity itself. Ellie is a woman not driven by ambition or materialism, but by her curiosity. She believes in science and its logical principles, but towards the end her feelings change and she

  • Word count: 575
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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"Worship is more important than helping people in the local community". Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view.

"Worship is more important than helping people in the local community". Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer, showing that you have thought about more than one point of view. There are arguments in favour of both worship and prayer as forms of practising Christianity. Through, for example, lifestyle choices we can help make serious differences to other's lives, thus fulfilling the commandment "love your neighbour as yourself". From a humanitarian point of view, regardless of religion, we know that to help others is a very decent and honourable thing to do. It is important to remember 1 John 2:18, which states - "Little children, let us love, neither in word nor with the tongue, but in deed and truth"; as well as Col 13:17, which states "Whatever you are doing, whether you speak or act, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." These bible quotes are telling Christians that they must show their devotion to their faith through deeds and actions in their daily lives. Christians strive to emulate Jesus, and throughout the bible can be seen examples of Jesus' compassion towards others; through his simple acts of kindness as well as his performing of miracles. He healed the blind and the sick, raised the dead and freed those oppressed by "evil spirits". He used his power to help others, and is this way he was teaching

  • Word count: 742
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Miracles are about faith, not fact. Discuss.

Miracles are about faith, not fact. Discuss. Before discussion on the issue of miracles can begin, we must look at the nature of the statement and what it means. Miracles have baffled philosophers and ordinary people alike for years. The words 'are about faith' brings about the question as to whether faith is necessary to experience a miracle or if is possible to experience a miracle and then have faith. This issue will be explored in more depth later. If miracles are not about fact, then this suggests that they are the opposite-fiction. There is much speculation on whether miracles can occur, mostly explored by Hume, but does evidence matter to a believer? The term 'faith' indicates that it is a commitment which acknowledges that it involves risk. Christians are taught "Do not put the Lord your God to the test"1, therefore they should not need evidence of God's work. This can be described as 'blind faith'. A problem with discussing miracles is that it is difficult to find a single explanation to adequately fit the word. Many definitions have been offered. The Christian definition is "A marvel, an extraordinary event which seems to go against what is known of the laws of nature" 2. Of course, this event, from a Christian perspective, is brought about by God. Christians believe all miracles, whether it be the ones in the Bible or the more scarce modern day miracles are the

  • Word count: 3759
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Physical healing Miracles.

Coursework a (ii) Jesus performed many miracles, each one different. Most of them fit into one of four categories and are described in the gospels. They are: physical healing miracles, resurrection miracles (bringing the dead back to life), exorcism miracles (casting out the devil) and natural miracles (e.g. calming a storm). Every miracle has a meaning and a reason and they are done through the power of God. When Jesus spoke in the synagogue at Nazareth, he said things like: the poor would hear good news, people in prison would be set free, the blind would see, the oppressed would no longer have to suffer and God was about to save his people (Luke 4: 16-20). Physical healing Miracles Luke's gospel tells us that Jesus healed the sick, including blindness deafness and dumbness. Some examples of this are when Jesus healed a roman officer's servant (Luke 7:1-10), the healing of Simons mother-in-law from a fever (Luke 4: 30-40), the man with a skin disease (Luke 5: 12-15) and the man with the paralysed hand (Luke 6:6-11) Jesus performing these healing miracles shows the love of God reaching out to people who were suffering. This also shows God's love for gentiles and not just for Jews as Jesus healed many people of different religions like the roman officers servant. When Jesus heals the paralysed man (Luke 5:18-25), he is not just healing him physically, but it is a

  • Word count: 776
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Healing miracles do not happen today. Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Christianity in you answer.

Healing miracles do not happen today. Do you agree? Give reasons to support your answer and show that you have thought about different points of view. You must refer to Christianity in you answer. I would define a miracle as an event that breaks the laws of nature and can only be explained by the power of God. Today many people believe that they have received healing from God. Yet others question why so some people have been healed yet others that are also prayed for every day are left untouched. Some people, for example scientists are sceptical and try to find a logical explanation for those who claim to be miraculously healed. For example some of these acclaimed miracles might not actually break the laws of nature, because we may be able to find a scientific explanation for them in the future when we have a wider understanding of the world around us. This year a 'frozen baby' was found - yet she survived. Maybe ten or twenty years ago many people would put it down to a miraculous event mastered by God. However the reason for her survival has been given a scientific explanation (see appendix - last paragraph), this is evidence for the argument saying that miracles don't happen today. Yet in the same article they contradict themselves and call this event miraculous. This shows that some people (in this case the reporter) have kept an open mind to either of the options being

  • Word count: 1094
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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The Parables - (The Sower, The Lamp stand, The Seed Growing Secretly and The Mustard Seed)

st February 2001 The Parables - Coursework (The Sower, The Lamp stand, The Seed Growing Secretly and The Mustard Seed) The Parable of the Sower would have been a powerful image and quite easy for those in the time of Jesus to relate to as many of them would have been farmers. Jesus tried to show them that the different soils were the different ways that people receive the seed, or Word of God. Jesus wanted everybody to receive the seed, like the good soil did and let their faith and love for God mature and grow in strength. With time those who have faith and act out the good news will grow in strength, in mind and in spirit. He wanted everyone present and all those in the future to examine themselves and determine which type of seed they were and what they could do to change that. Only then can anyone truly receive The Kingdom of God. Today we can still relate to the meaning of The Parable of The Sower although we are not farmers as those in Jesus' time. Jesus is still telling us that we should all look at ourselves and try to put right the wrongs we have done, so we too can eventually enter The Kingdom. The Word of God never changes; rather it is the way in which we choose to receive it that matters. We need to be like the seed that lands on good soil and like it, we must grow and await the harvest. We don't expect the second coming in our lifetimes but I believe

  • Word count: 1065
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Miracles. Many people have different views on what a miracle really is. For example, David Hume, an 18th century philosopher identified a 'miracle' as "a transgression of a law of nature

Miracles Coursework: Section ai What is a miracle? It is a marvellous event manifesting a supernatural act of God A miracle is also a "sign"-it's an event that "signifies" the act of God in history within the narrative context of God's way with his people. A miracle can be defined as a violation of laws of nature by God or some other supernatural being if: . There are events that seem to be miracles 2. In the absence of a plausible scientific theory, the best explanation for these events is that they were performed by a supernatural being.1 According to the Oxford Dictionary, a miracle is 1 an extraordinary and welcome event attributed to a divine agency. 2 a remarkable and very welcome occurrence. 3 an outstanding example, specimen, or achievement. However, even if miracles are extraordinary by definition, not all extraordinary events are miracles. A miracle can be used to describe a miraculous event for example the birth of a baby or is used in everyday speech 'It would be a miracle if...' We could also say that a miracle is a change for the better that can take place in a person even in the most unlikely situation2 Many people have different views on what a miracle really is. For example, David Hume, an 18th century philosopher identified a 'miracle' as "a transgression of a law of nature by a particular volition of the deity or by the interposition of some invisible

  • Word count: 2950
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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I will attempt to discuss the broad form of and the need for the notion of life after death in two Middle Eastern (Christianity and Islam) and two Far Eastern (Hinduism and Buddhism) religions.

Life after death assessment The non-religious derive much entertainment from the stupidities of religion there seems to be hardly any problem that cannot be surmounted by the bizarre leaps of faith that religions demand of their followers. However, religions themselves are subject to certain constraints and modes of thinking. I will attempt to discuss the broad form of and the need for the notion of life after death in two Middle Eastern (Christianity and Islam) and two Far Eastern (Hinduism and Buddhism) religions. All religions require faith. Some demand them. The Middle Eastern religions are ones where each human being needs to be an aggressive believer to be saved. A clean slate is a bad start and a life of piety is needed to earn brownie points for the hereafter. Therefore Christianity and Islam invented Hell for the unbelievers. And since Hell is of no use unless you have an afterlife, they also invented life after death and a soul. They then threw in eternity to make the whole affair all the more gruesome for anyone who might have second thoughts about their religion. The Far Eastern religions are ones where starting with a clean slate. Therefore, the idea of Hell and eternal torment was not particularly necessary, and the Hindu and Buddhist notions of Hell are more of a temporary detention room. All religions require followers. Followers require incentives. At an

  • Word count: 536
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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