"In modern society, religious beliefs and religious behaviour are changing rather than declining" assess arguments and evidence for and against this view.

"In modern society, religious beliefs and religious behaviour are changing rather than declining" assess arguments and evidence for and against this view There are two main ways in which religion is defined. Substantive definitions define a religious belief system as involving relations between the "natural" and the "supernatural" ideas therefore religion is defined in terms of structure and content of people's beliefs not what religion does for them. The other way is functional definitions this defines religion in terms of the function it performs for society. This is what Marx called "the opium of the masses" and a form of social cement, this means TV or football matches could be considered religious. Wilson (1982) stated that those who defined religion in substantive terms are more likely to support the secularisation thesis because they can show that religious beliefs has declined as people accept other more rational explanations of the world. The idea of secularisation suggests that religion is becoming less prominent in society and its institutions less important and influential in the lives of individuals. The strongest evidence for secularisation is church attendance according to the 1851 census 40% of the population attended church by 1950 this had dropped to 20% and was less than 7.5% in 2000. Sunday school attendance has also dropped considerably from 55% in

  • Word count: 1171
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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"In what ways does the Resurrection of Jesus affect a Christians actions in worship and everyday life?"

Peter Abel The Resurrection - Influence "In what ways does the Resurrection of Jesus affect a Christians actions in worship and everyday life?" The resurrection affects a Christian's actions in everyday life in many ways. Christians believe that death is not the end, therefore they help dying people in the form of hospices. The hospice movement is aimed at seeking the best quality of life for patients with terminal illnesses. They are also aimed a caring for the family, before and after the patient has died, and providing a dignified way of death. However, the hospices are not aimed at curing patients, only caring and helping to, 'Live until you die.' Liz Gamlen works in a hospice, and she believes that they can show, "How we can deal with death and distress, and that most people beyond cure should not be abandoned." The people of Lisburn used their Church building to show their belief in the resurrection, because after a bomb shattered pieces of glass in the stained glass window, they used the shards of glass to create a new window representing the resurrection. They did this because Christians believe that even when something is destroyed, something new can be created from the ruins. The resurrection effects funeral services, because they can be more cheerful than other funeral services, because death is only 'passing into life,' and also, 'Death has lost its sting.'

  • Word count: 688
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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"Instruction for the Early Church was the Main Purpose of John's Discourses" - Examine and Assess this Statement with Reference to Any Two "I am" Discourses.

3CA 24th November 2003 "Instruction for the Early Church was the Main Purpose of John's Discourses." Examine and Assess this Statement with Reference to Any Two "I am" Discourses Instruction for the Early Church is an important function of the discourses in John's Gospel. Indeed, the scholar Bultmann describes the discourses as sermons because the discourses instruct the Early Church in the beliefs of Christianity. The discourses instruct Early Christians in John's Christology as the divine and human nature of Jesus is emphasised. For example, in the True Vine Discourse, Bultmann points out that Jesus' absolute vine nature links him with the divine; Jesus is not is not like a vine, he is the vine. In the Resurrection and the Life Discourse Jesus points out that through him, and only through him can people access eternal life "he who believes in me will live even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." It was important for the Early Church to stress Jesus' divine authority in his relationship with God. In the Resurrection Discourse Jesus is called the "Son of God", in the True Vine Discourse Jesus links directly himself with God: "everything that I have learned from my Father I have made known to you". This is linked to the theme of Jesus being eternally with God, illustrated in the Prologue "The Word (Jesus)

  • Word count: 886
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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"Is God on the side of the poor?"

Matthew Pitt L6W 9/2/2003 "Is God on the side of the poor?" Is God on the side of the poor? There are obviously many different views and answers given to this question, either derived from the Bible, from one's own opinion or a cohesion of both. But how can it be answered from the simple form of this question? Further Biblical knowledge as well as a greater understanding of Liberation Theology is required to provide a substantial answer to this, which can be obtained by looking at the individual aspects that arise when questioning God's position in relation to the poor. These are things such as the concern God had for the poor at the Exodus, The Exile and the Incarnation; The sense in which God identifies with the poor; Gods frequent work through the poor and the oppressed; The Biblical teachings that God constantly demolishes the rich and elevates the poor; and the question of whether God commands his people to have a special concern for the poor and oppressed but not the rich. There are three main points or stories in the Bible when God uses his power to intervene and Liberate the poor and oppressed, they are 1) The Exodus, 2) The Exile and 3) The Incarnation. The Exodus is the story of Moses, the burning bush, the ten plagues and the Ten Commandments. In this God shows his power by freeing oppressed slaves from the Egyptians. God refers to these poor and oppressed

  • Word count: 2206
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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"Freedom Of Choice Regarding Abortion Benefits No-One" Discuss

"Freedom Of Choice Regarding Abortion Benefits No-One" Discuss Although I haven't completely studied in depth the pros and cons of abortion, before going any further I would like to state that I am Pro-Life, my opinion of abortion is that it is immoral and unjust. In Northern Ireland abortion is illegal. In order to have an abortion you must travel to another country where abortion is legal so that it can be carried out. As there are no abortions in Northern Ireland, I have gathered some statistics from mainland Britain where abortions are legal and people from Northern Ireland may travel here to have abortions. In Scotland in 2001 the number of abortions in girls under sixteen was 276, which was 2.3% of the total amount. The amount of abortions carried out on teenagers was 2,987, which was 24.7% of the total amount of abortions. 5747 abortions were carried out on women in their twenties which was 47.7% of the total. The amount carried out on women aged twenty to twenty four was 3439, which was 28.5% of the total amount of abortions carried out. During this essay I hope to pose some questions, for example why do women have abortions and what actually happens, is it all just squeaky-clean doors and floors? I also hope to state the psychological effects of abortion and why this happens. Is there any really good reason to have an abortion? What exactly does Pro-Life and

  • Word count: 965
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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"Fugard creates drama which engages our sympathies for the fate of two or three characters closely entangled by ties of blood,love or friendship, struggling to survive in an arbitrary, bleak, and almost meaningless universe".

"Fugard creates drama which engages our sympathies for the fate of two or three characters closely entangled by ties of blood, love or friendship, struggling to survive in an arbitrary, bleak, and almost meaningless universe" How far is this an appropriate description of "Master Harold"...and the boys? ""Master Harold"... and the boys", written by Athol Fugard, could be described as the struggle of three individuals who are thrown in a desolate and bleak world and form a sympathetic bond with the readers through their effort in finding meaning in this unwelcoming society. This depiction, though quite accurate, eludes to deal with the symbolic meaning of the play, which deals with racism and contains an exaggerated illustration of the world in which the characters live. The play provides a symbolic example that embraces racism and prejudice, pride and freedom in an enlightening way. It may seem as though the "apartheid" only dictates the environment in which the characters are immersed in and is a mere background for the emotional interchange and constant struggle that occurs through out the play, when in fact this incessant battle embodies the racial tension. In a way the play is about initiation, development; becoming mature and acquiring a higher degree of consciousness. Athol Fugard teaches the audience through the rich plot and complex characters in the same way as Sam

  • Word count: 1157
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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"God gives life and only God can take it away" Discuss. This statement is probably one of the most talked about and controversial of the millennium.

Emma Partington AO3: "God gives life and only God can take it away" Discuss. This statement is probably one of the most talked about and controversial of the millennium. Many philosophers and professors have studied it and tried to come up with an answer, however in the end it comes down to opinion and faith. In this essay I will try and answer as fully as I can with views for and against. Some say that because God gave life, our lives belong to him, and only he can take them away. However, in the beginning, God let us make our own decisions and use our brain to do things that we see fit. He laid down a set of moral guidelines but whether we follow these should be the decision of the individual not the government, as it is in countries like the Republic of Ireland. It is in places like these where they do not, and according to the law cannot, take into account individual circumstances, such as rape, teenage pregnancy or illness of the mother. For example, in 1982 a pregnant woman in the Republic of Ireland was told she had cancer of the womb. To save her from death the womb would have to be removed, along with the baby. The Irish government would not let the womb be removed, claiming that by the time the cancer killed the woman, the baby would be born. In the end the baby survived but the mother did not. This is a case where the church rules the government, which, in a

  • Word count: 864
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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"God may have separated the heavens from the earth - He did not separate astronomy from marine biology" (Jonathan Levy) - To what extent are the classifications separating areas of knowledge justified?

Gianmarco Viale von Beckh Widmanstetter "God may have separated the heavens from the earth. He did not separate astronomy from marine biology." (Jonathan Levy) To what extent are the classifications separating Areas of Knowledge justified? 2002-2003 B.B.I.S Both astronomy and marine biology are autonomous areas of knowledge and both are sciences in the accepted definition of the term. Etymologically -this means the origin of the word- science or "scientia" meant knowledge. Today, it is accepted that science encompasses a very definite area of knowledge, but not all of it. To a certain extent, all areas of knowledge are associated between each other and sometimes and in some circumstances, the intrusion of one in the other, such as the influence of religion in Ethics, can be misleading. Classifications between these areas are man made, it is one of the methods that man has established in order to progress and further his knowledge, but it is only a tool. Classifications are arbitrary. While specialising in a certain topic, it is important to understand its context and place and its history in order to predict its development. Too much specialisation can lead to narrowness and lack of understanding. There is no significant distinction between common knowledge and areas of knowledge: It only means that one is the widening and rigorous organisation of the other. The method

  • Word count: 1717
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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"It is not impossible to be a true disciple if Jesus in the modern world" Discuss this statement showing that you have considered more than one point of view.

A03 "It is not impossible to be a true disciple if Jesus in the modern world" Discuss this statement showing that you have considered more than one point of view. In our modern day world I don't believe it is impossible to be a disciple but to be a true disciple and follower of Jesus would be hard. There are many distractions for people in today's society, family, career and materialistic goods. Religion is not seen as a priority in modern day life it is seen as unnecessary and unimportant part of life. With the pressures and priorities of modern day life we don't seem to have time to go to mass, stop and think or maybe just reflect on our day to day lives. Pressures from the media can change people's views on God, life, mass and even the Eucharist. With so many people wanting careers for a successful life, with money they concentrate on materialistic products and not the important things such as family, love, friends and God. They work long hours, five days a week. People in the emergency services cannot decide when to work or not, it's a full time job. This does not leave much time for importance of discipleship. We do not realise how lucky we are to be able to practice out religion freely without disapproval and receive the Eucharist as often as we want. Many countries in the world do not allow freedom of religion and they are forbidden to practice their religions,

  • Word count: 529
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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"It is not possible to be a true disciple of Jesus in the modern world" , do you agree, give reasons for your answer, showing you have considered more than one point of view, refer to Christianity in your answer.

A03, DISCIPLESHIP COURSEWORK. QUESTION: "It is not possible to be a true disciple of Jesus in the modern world" , do you agree, give reasons for your answer, showing you have considered more than one point of view, refer to Christianity in your answer. ANSWER: No I do not agree with the statement " It is not possible to be a true disciple of Jesus in the modern world" Discipleship means denying yourself, carrying your cross and following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. A disciple is a person who devotes their life and follows the ways and teachings of Jesus Christ .Discipleship involves making material sacrifices. Obviously there are several differences in our world today and the world of Jesus' such modern technology nowadays, such as computers, telephones, mobile phones and so on, whereas in Jesus' day these things were completely unheard of. These differences make our world today completely different to that of which Jesus would have lived in however in my opinion discipleship still exists in our world today. Calling today can be described as 'vocation' . We are all called to continue the good work of Jesus Christ, we as Christians work and pray for the growth of the kingdom of God on earth. Priest and Nuns are also called, they live the values of Jesus in our world today, and from this they give witness to others . Just like the first disciples, we as Christians

  • Word count: 923
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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