A Level Religious Studies WJEC

This subject is broken down into 223 topics in 3 modules:

  1. Component 1: A Study of Religion 156 topics
  2. Component 2: Philosophy of Religion 31 topics
  3. Component 3: Religion and Ethics 36 topics
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  • 3
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  • 223
    topics
  • 85,902
    words of revision content
  • 11+
    hours of audio lessons

This page was last modified on 28 September 2024.

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Religious Studies

Component 1: A Study of Religion

Christianity: role of the community of believers

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Christianity: role of the community of believers

The Theological Basis of Christian Community

  • Community is core to Christianity, tracing its roots to the Trinity - the belief in one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

  • Jesus emphasised the importance of community in his teachings and actions. The greatest commandment, loving one's neighbour as oneself (Matthew 22:39), encouraged the development of close-knit Christian communities.

  • The concept of koinonia (fellowship) embodies the ideal Christian community, depicting a deep, spiritual camaraderie among believers.

  • The early Christian Church, as depicted in Acts 2:44-47, exemplifies communal living, with believers sharing resources to meet everyone's needs.

The Role of Christian Community

  • Christian communities provide spiritual support, facilitating group prayer, meditation, and biblical study.

  • The community performs sacramental functions, like baptisms and communion, which are critical rites of initiation and ongoing participation within Christianity.

  • Christian communities offer moral guidance through collective interpretation and application of biblical teachings.

  • The community of believers often function as a caring support network, providing assistance in times of need, such as illness, sorrow or financial strain.

  • Christian communities also engage in missionary activities and charitable works as part of Christ’s command to spread the gospel and serve the needy (Matthew 28:19, Matthew 25:35-40).

Variations Among Christian Communities

  • Different Christian denominations interpret the nature of community and its role in distinct ways. For example, Catholic and Orthodox traditions emphasise the authoritative role of the clergy, while Protestants focus more on the priesthood of all believers.

  • While some communities, especially those with an Anabaptist heritage, may practice separation from the world, others embrace dialogue and engagement with modern society.

  • The practice of communal living and resource sharing, as evident in the early church, continues in some Christian groups, like the Hutterites and several monastic communities.

  • In the emerging house church movements, there is a shift towards smaller, more intimate gatherings, often devoid of traditional clergy and formal liturgical practices.

  • The rapid growth of online church communities reflects the advent of digital technology, providing new opportunities and challenges for the role of community in Christianity.

Course material for Religious Studies, module Component 1: A Study of Religion, topic Christianity: role of the community of believers

Religious Studies

Component 1: A Study of Religion

Hinduism: key teachers and their teachings

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Hinduism: key teachers and their teachings

Vedic Rishis

  • The Vedic Rishis or 'sages' are the ancient seers and mystics who received the sacred hymns of the Vedas. Their teachings and visions form the foundational spiritual and philosophical knowledge in Hinduism.
  • Notable among them is Rishi Vyasa, also called Vedavyasa, who composed the Mahabharata, one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India.
  • Rishi Valmiki, the author of the Ramayana, another highly influential epic in Hindu thought, is also revered for his teachings about Dharma, righteousness.

Adi Shankaracharya

  • Adi Shankaracharya was an influential philosopher and theologian who consolidated the doctrine of Advaita Vedanta, one of the six orthodox schools of Hindu philosophy.
  • His teachings emphasise the ultimate reality, Brahman, and the identity of Atman (the individual soul) and Brahman.
  • He travelled across the Indian subcontinent to propagate his philosophy and established four Mathas or monastic centres.

Ramanuja

  • Ramanuja was a significant philosopher and scholar who propounded Vishishtadvaita, or qualified non-dualism.
  • He challenged some aspects of Shankara's Advaita Vedanta and foregrounded the importance of bhakti, or devotional worship, in the path towards moksha (liberation).
  • His commentaries on the Brahma Sutras, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Upanishads are key texts in Hindu philosophy.

Swami Vivekananda

  • Swami Vivekananda, a key figure of the neo-Hindu movement, was instrumental in introducing Hinduism to the West and modernising some Hindu ideas.
  • He emphasised practical Vedanta and universalism, focusing less on rituals and more on direct experience of divine reality.
  • His addresses at the World's Parliament of Religions in 1893 in Chicago led to increased awareness and respect for Hinduism as a major world religion.

Mahatma Gandhi

  • Though not a religious teacher in the traditional sense, Mahatma Gandhi had a profound influence on modern Hindu thought through his emphasis on non-violence (ahimsa) and truth (satya).
  • Gandhi's interpretation of the Bhagavad Gita portrayed it as a philosophical guide for ethical action.
  • He promoted hindu-Muslim unity, non-violent resistance, and social reform, thereby giving a practical and social dimension to his spiritual beliefs.

Radhakrishnan

  • Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a renowned scholar and India's second President, presented Hinduism as a philosophical and ethical system compatible with other religious and philosophical traditions.
  • He interpreted Hindu mythology, rituals, and ethics in a philosophically sophisticated way, thereby engendering a modern understanding of Hinduism.
  • His work aimed to defend Hinduism against uninformed Western criticism, and he is credited with shaping the understanding of Hinduism in both India and the western world.

Course material for Religious Studies, module Component 1: A Study of Religion, topic Hinduism: key teachers and their teachings

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