FoxChild@Learn
Paper 2A Perspectives on faith (themes)
June 2024
Q1.1: Which one of the following is the Catholic Church’s declaration that a marriage is
not valid?
Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Annulment B Cohabitation C Divorce D Separation
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Answer: A Annulment
Q1.2: Give two Christian teachings which show that women and men are equal.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. God created both women and men / in his own image (Imago Dei) / ‘there is no male and female; for are one in Christ’ (Galatians 3:28 ) / Jesus interacted with women and treated them with respect, implying equality / ‘both man and woman are human beings to an equal degree’ (Mulieris Dignitatem / women and men may have different roles and traits, but they complement each other / they were created to be a ‘communion of persons’ (the Catechism of the Catholic Church) / as human beings, they have identical human dignity, etc.
Q1.3: Explain two contrasting views in contemporary British society about remarriage
after divorce. • You must refer to a Christian view. • Your contrasting view may come from Christianity or from another religious or non-religious tradition.
Question 1 continues on the next page
Answer:
similarities and differences within and/or between religions and beliefs. First contrasting view Second contrasting view Contrast may mean opposing or mean different views in terms of either belief or issue. If similar views are given, only one of them may be credited up to 2 marks max. • Remarriage to a different person after divorce is not recognised in the Catholic Church and in som other Christian churches / the vow ‘until death us do part’ is binding / it was a promise made before God / Jesus taught that it was an act of adultery, etc. • Remarriage after divorce may cause psychological and emotional problems for the family / the existing children may find it hard to accept the step-parent / this may cause problems for the relationship between the adults, etc. • It is compassionate to give someone whose marriage has ended in divorce a second chance at happiness / and to enjoy the blessings of married and family life / many Christian churches are will to remarry those who have been divorced, etc. • Some view marriage simply as a legal contract, not a sacrament / if the contract is legally ended b divorce, then a new contract may be undertaken, etc.
Q1.4: Explain two Christian beliefs about sex before marriage.
Refer to scripture or another source of Christian belief and teaching in your answer.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Relevant and accurate reference to scripture or another source of Christian belief and teaching – 1 mark. • Many Christians believe that sex involves total commitment between a couple / it is an exclusive a it joins the couple in a lifelong bond, etc. • Virginity is a gift to be offered to one’s spouse / it highlights the true worth of sexual relationships / casual sex trivialises them, etc. • No sex before marriage has practical benefits / it means that sexually transmitted diseases cannot passed on / it avoids the issue of unwanted pregnancy, etc. • Some Christians believe sex before marriage should be avoided as sex should be open to procreation/ but the best environment to raise children is within a family (marriage), etc. • Some see sex as something to be enjoyed within the boundaries set by the law / it is a natural instinct / providing it does not cause harm, there is nothing wrong with sexual relationships before • Sexual relationships before marriage may benefit a marriage / sexual experience may prevent uncertainty at the outset of marriage, etc.
Sources of authority might include:
‘Everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.’ ‘Because love is so great, so sacred, and so unique, the Church teaches young people to wait until they are married before they start to have sexual relations.’ (Youcat 407) Sex in marriage fulfils the love between a husband and wife rather than being something done for personal pleasure. (John Paul II’s ‘Theology of the Body’) Accept all other sources of authority that correctly support the beliefs given.
Q1.5: ‘Procreation (having children) is an essential part of being a Catholic family.’
Evaluate this statement. In your answer you: • should give reasoned arguments to support this statement • should give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view • should refer to Christian arguments • may refer to non-religious arguments • should reach a justified conclusion.
Extra space
Q2 Theme B: Religion, peace and conflict
Answer:
In your answer you: • should give reasoned arguments to support this statement • should give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view and understanding of relevant evidence and information. References to religion applied to the issue. relevant evidence and information. Clear reference to religion. relevant evidence and information.
Arguments in support:
• Children are a gift from God / they complete the family / many people of all religions believe this / t promise in a Catholic wedding to accept children lovingly from God is based on this / procreation is key duty set out in natural law, etc. • The first command in the Bible is ‘to be fruitful and multiply’ / Catholic teaching is based on this / many people want to have children / it is a biological instinct, etc. • The Catholic Church teaches couples to take into account their family situation / to ensure that the are able to care and provide for their children / natural family planning is an acceptable way of controlling pregnancy without preventing the work of God / it does not detract from the belief that procreation is marriage’s primary purpose / ‘A Christian married couple may and should be responsible in using the gift and privilege of transmitting life’ (Youcat), etc.
Arguments in support of other views:
• Some couples do not want children / or may not be able to have them / their careers or lifestyle mig mean that they would be unable to give children the attention they need / in such situations, procreation is less important than total commitment to one another / they are still a family and will have responsibilities towards their own parents and other relatives, etc. • The view that procreation is the primary purpose of family life does not take account of global issues / families should not have too many children because of the problem of global overpopulation / there is a limit to how many people the world can support, etc. • Couples might foster or adopt / this means that procreation is not an essential part of family life / th are still a family, etc. Q2 Theme B: Religion, peace and conflict
Q2.1: Which one of the following explains what is meant by nuclear deterrence?
Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Getting rid of all nuclear weapons B Possessing nuclear weapons to prevent attack C Telling other countries to develop nuclear weapons D Using nuclear weapons to destroy enemy cities
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Answer: B Possessing nuclear weapons to prevent attack
Q2.2: Give two teachings from the Catechism of the Catholic Church 2309 about
Just War theory.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. There are strict conditions / they must be very carefully thought about / the damage caused by the aggressor must be lasting / serious / certain / all other means of ending the conflict must have been tried / shown to be ineffective / impractical / there must be a real likelihood of success / the use of weapons must not produce evils worse than the evil to be destroyed / account must be taken of the power of modern weaponry / it is the responsibility of those in authority to assess whether the conditions have been met / these are the traditional elements enumerated in the ‘Just War’ doctrine, Also allow the following points which are found in the paragraphs immediately following 2309: Public authorities have the right and duty to require citizens to fulfil obligations relating to national defence / public authorities should make provision for conscientious objection / non-combatants, thos who have been wounded or taken prisoner should be respected and treated humanely / genocide is mortal sin / indiscriminate destruction of whole cities and areas, eg through use of weapons of mass destruction is prohibited / harm to non-combatants should be considered and minimised where
Q2.3: Explain two contrasting views in contemporary British society about forgiveness.
• You must refer to a Christian view. • Your contrasting view may come from Christianity or from another religious or non-religious tradition.
Question 2 continues on the next page
Answer:
similarities and differences within and/or between religions and beliefs. First contrasting view Second contrasting view Contrast may mean opposing or mean different views in terms of either belief or issue. If similar views are given, only one of them may be credited up to 2 marks max. • Christians should always be willing to forgive / Jesus taught the importance of unconditional forgiveness / do not forgive seven times but seventy times seven / the parable of the unforgiving servant / the forgiving father (prodigal son), etc. • It is a sign of strength / it requires courage to ‘turn the other cheek’ / it is an act of love that is costl • Being willing to forgive enables the victim to move on / it does not mean forgetting what has been done / but includes understanding / reconciliation, etc. • Some people may think that some evil actions are so great that forgiveness is impossible / the bombing of Hiroshima / the torture carried out by those with power, etc. • Some see forgiveness as a sign of weakness / it may encourage aggressors to repeat their actions
Q2.4: Explain two Christian beliefs about the use of torture.
Refer to scripture or another source of Christian belief and teaching in your answer.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Relevant and accurate reference to scripture or another source of Christian belief and teaching – 1 mark • The Catholic Church and most other Christians denounce torture as inhumane / it ignores a person human rights / it is a threat to people’s life and wellbeing, etc. • Torture shows a lack of respect / it treats someone as an object / it does not recognise the person being created in God’s image, etc. • It is illegal according to international law / Christians believe that they should obey the law, etc. • Torture may have a bad effect on the torturer / torturers may become hardened / they may lose the ability to feel qualities such as compassion, etc. • A minority of Christians might think that limited use of torture might be justified / if it would result in saving hundreds of lives / eg if bombs had been planted / the lesser of two evils, etc.
Sources of authority might include:
‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you...’ (Matthew 5:44) ‘Let every person be subject to the governing authorities...’ (Romans 13:1) ‘Love does no wrong to a neighbour...’ (Romans 13:10) ‘Show proper respect to everyone...’ (1 Peter 2:17) ‘Torture ... is contrary to respect for the person and for human dignity.’ (Catechism of the Catholic Accept all other sources of authority that correctly support the beliefs given.
Q2.5: ‘Religion is never a good reason for going to war.’
Evaluate this statement. In your answer you: • should give reasoned arguments to support this statement • should give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view • should refer to Christian arguments • may refer to non-religious arguments • should reach a justified conclusion.
Extra space
Q3 Theme C: Religion, human rights and social justice
Answer:
In your answer you: • should give reasoned arguments to support this statement • should give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view and understanding of relevant evidence and information. References to religion applied to the issue. relevant evidence and information. Clear reference to religion. relevant evidence and information.
Arguments in support:
• Jesus taught his followers to turn the other cheek / not to retaliate / so even if one’s religion is threatened, going to war is not the answer for a Christian, etc. • Going to war just leads to more violence / as Jesus taught when he said that those who live by the sword die by it / there are other ways of defending one’s religion / eg showing its worth through a li devoted to love and service of others, etc. • The Catholic Church teaches that it is wrong to seek to convert others to one’s religion by force / ‘…the human person has a right to religious freedom. This freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion…’ (Dignitatis Humanae), etc.
Arguments in support of other views:
• The Old Testament claims that wars were often commanded by God / these included wars to defen one’s religion / eg the Maccabees fought to prevent Judaism from being eliminated, etc. • The concept of holy war is prominent in the Old Testament / God fighting alongside his people / Israel’s enemies were God’s enemies / they were to be destroyed, etc. • Not responding to attacks on religion could be seen as a sign of indifference or weakness / it might encourage the aggressor to intensify actions / and attempt to eliminate the religion altogether, etc. Q3 Theme C: Religion, human rights and social justice
Q3.1: Which one of the following terms means ‘treating people fairly’?
Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Dignity B Justice C Responsibility D Stewardship
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Answer: B Justice
Q3.2: Give two reasons why Christians disagree with discrimination based on sexuality.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. It is disrespectful / it deprives people of their human rights / it is not treating people with dignity / all people, whatever their sexuality, are created in the image of God / Jesus treated others with respect and did not discriminate / the ‘neighbour’ in ‘love your neighbour’ includes everyone / it shows a lack
Q3.3: Explain two contrasting views in contemporary British society about the Christian
teaching to ‘love your neighbour’. • You must refer to a Christian view. • Your contrasting view may come from Christianity or from another religious or non-religious tradition.
Question 3 continues on the next page
Answer:
similarities and differences within and/or between religions and beliefs. First contrasting view Second contrasting view Contrast may mean opposing or mean different views in terms of either belief or issue. If similar views are given, only one of them may be credited up to 2 marks max. • It entails respecting the dignity of others / as created in God’s image, etc. • It entails acknowledging their human rights / to freedom of belief / to justice, etc. • It entails responsibility / showing kindness and compassion / putting the needs of others on the sam level as one’s own, etc. • Some think that their own interests, needs or family should take priority / ‘look after number one’ / responsibility for providing for others’ needs lies with the state, not the individual, etc. • Respect must be earned and deserved / those who behave in an anti-social way / or who adopt a self-destructive lifestyle do not merit respect, etc.
Q3.4: Explain two Christian beliefs about being wealthy (rich).
Refer to scripture or another source of Christian belief and teaching in your answer.
Answer:
beliefs, practices and sources of authority. Relevant and accurate reference to scripture or another source of Christian belief and teaching – 1 mark • Wealth is neutral / possession of wealth in itself is not a sin / it is the ‘love of money’ that, accordin to the New Testament, is the root of all evil, etc. • Wealth is a gift from God / it must be used wisely / the parable of the talents contains a warning th people will be judged on how they have used their wealth, etc. • Christians have a responsibility to use wealth to help others / this does not mean making themselv poor, but they should share with others what they have / the parable of the sheep and goats warns that they will be judged on their failure to care for others / the concept of stewardship applies to the use of wealth, etc. NB Credit answers that relate to spiritual wealth.
Sources of authority might include:
The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–30) The parable of the sheep and goats (Matthew 25:31–40) The parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 1619–31) Jesus’ conversation with the rich man (Mark 10:17–27) ‘For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil...’ (1 Timothy 6:10) Accept all other sources of authority that correctly support the beliefs given.
Q3.5: ‘The “Preferential Option for the Poor” is not fair.’
Evaluate this statement. In your answer you: • should give reasoned arguments to support this statement • should give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view • should refer to Christian arguments • may refer to non-religious arguments • should reach a justified conclusion.
Extra space
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Answer:
In your answer you: • should give reasoned arguments to support this statement • should give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view and understanding of relevant evidence and information. References to religion applied to the issue. relevant evidence and information. Clear reference to religion. relevant evidence and information.
Arguments in support:
• It is effectively a form of discrimination / putting the needs of those of low economic status first / people should be treated equally, etc. • It might encourage dependency on charities and other forms of material assistance / this results in loss of a sense of self-worth and personal dignity, etc. • Some think that having lower economic status is due to a lack of effort on the part of an individual / or, in the case of national poverty, to corruption or mismanagement by the government / putting the needs of these first will just reinforce these issues, etc.
Arguments in support of other views:
• It is following the example set by Jesus / he spent much of his ministry in caring for the less privileged in Jewish society / they came first in his ministry / he said that he had come to bring goo news to the poor, etc. • It is putting into practice Jesus’ teaching / the parable of the rich man and Lazarus reminds Christians of their duty to care for those in need, etc. • Evangelium Gaudium teaches that the Church must focus on the needs of those who have fewer resources as they are in most need of help / ‘I want a Church which is poor and for the poor’ (Pope Francis) / the wealthy have much to learn from them, etc.