unit 5 Flashcards
) What is meant by the term resurrection? [1]
Coming back to life in bodily form. Usually used to refer to Jesus.
Name one religious tradition that believes in resurrection. [1]
Christianity (also Islam)
What is meant by the term reincarnation? [1]
The belief that all living things have a number of existences/lives – this is dependent of their Karma.
Name one religious tradition that believes in reincarnation. [1]
Hinduism (Buddhism)
Name one group that rejects any belief in life after death. (1
Humanists
hat is meant by the term heaven? (1)
A place where God exists – an eternal place where humans go when they die – a place of eternal reward/peace/bliss.
What is meant by the term hell? (1)
A place of eternal punishment/torment
Name two “proofs” of life after death. (2)
near death experiences, the resurrection of Jesus, the paranormal/ghosts
Outline teachings from one religious tradition you have studied about life after death. [5] (K)
Christianity
- Salvation is achieved through belief and acceptance of the sacrifice of Jesus to overcome the issue of human sin.
- Jesus (as the Son of God) will judge the world at the end of time according to the Parable of Sheep & Goats in Matthew 25. This return is known as the Parousia.
- On judgement day humanity will be separated into the righteous and the unrighteous. The righteous will receive eternal life; the unrighteous will be eternally separated from God (hell)
- Heaven and earth will be recreated and inhabited by the righteous for eternity
- Outline the teaching on resurrection in any one tradition you have studied. (5) (K)
Answers may include:
Christianity
- Christianity teaches that Christ rose from the dead and ascended into
heaven
- His resurrection was attested to in the Bible in the empty tomb and
resurrection narratives
- Christianity teaches that humanity too will rise from death
- After death all face Divine judgement and experience an afterlife
- Relevant Biblical passages may be cited for example Luke 23:42–43.
- Describe some features of near death experiences. [5] (k)
- Pleasant feelings of peace and calm
- The awareness of being in a garden/ a place of tranquility
- Communion with dead relatives and friends
- A bright light
- A sense of separation from the physical body
- A sense of then being pulled back into the physical body.
- Those experiencing near-death experiences report common features.
- Some may refer to meeting loved ones, travelling along a darkened tunnel.
- Some refer to seeing a Deity/religious leaders.
- Many describe an ‘out of body’ experience.
- Near death experiences are both supported and challenged by modern
medics.
- Some may interpret such experiences symbolically/religiously.
Accept valid alternatives
- Outline some arguments a person might use to try to prove that there is life after death. [5] (K)
- For some the resurrection of Jesus as evidence that there is life after death. According to the gospels many people were witnesses to the resurrected Jesus. The disciples were able to see and touch his wounds. Jesus also taught of eternal life for those who accepted his message
- Many argue that near death experiences are evidence of life after death and people’s descriptions of such experiences tend to back up scriptural descriptions of heaven
- Many claim to have experienced ghosts and this too may be evidence that the soul/spirit lives on after death.
6.Describe what one tradition you have studied teaches about hell. (5) (K)
Christianity
- Human beings have free will but have sinned against God and so are
fallen/sinful and need to be saved (Genesis 3).
- There is a final day of judgment where God judges humanity on their
beliefs and deeds.
- Heaven and hell are identified and described in the Bible (some
Christians also accept the existence of purgatory).
- Life after death is eternal.
- Relevant scriptural references should be provided.
Accept valid alternatives
.Discuss why atheism rejects the idea of an afterlife. (5) (U)
- Atheism rejects all religious teaching concerning an afterlife.
- Death is the end there is nothing beyond this temporal world.
- There is no empirical evidence in favour of an afterlife therefore it
cannot exist.
- The myth of an afterlife came into existence because humanity fears
death.
- The views of atheistic scholars rejecting the idea of an afterlife may be
cited – Hume, Dawkins.
Accept valid alternatives
8.Explain what one tradition you have studied teaches about how this life prepares you for the afterlife. (5) (U)
Christianity/Islam/Judaism
All these religions accept that life on earth is preparation for the next life since the way in which a person lives either following/not following God will determine where they spend eternity
Life is about learning how to be obedient – how to submit to God’s will for one’s life
Jesus spoke of preparing a place for his followers and of “treasures in heaven which await them.”
The Qur’an speaks of recording angels who will report to Allah on the person’s life thereby determining where eternity is to be spent.
- How might belief in an afterlife provide comfort to someone who is suffering? [5] (U)
- Belief in afterlife can provide a sense of purpose in present sufferings.
- Belief in afterlife provides assurance of ultimate justice.
- It is comforting to know that the dead may live on in some form – this life is not the end.
- People may find comfort in the idea that they may one day see their loved ones again
- It may ease suffering to think that the dead person is with God, or in a safe and joyful place, free from suffering.
Accept valid alternatives
- Explain why some people believe that there is no life after death. [5] (U)
- Life after death is not something that can be proved by science
- Atheists and Humanists have this view.
- There is no God and therefore can be no supernatural destiny.
- There is no empirical evidence to prove life after death.
- The concept of life after death is illogical since death by definition is the cessation of all life.
- A belief in life after death may encourage complacency or disengagement in this life.
- Many have put forward alternative explanations for the resurrection of Jesus, e.g. the disciples/religious authorities may have stolen the body; the women went to the wrong tomb
- Near death experiences may simply be a form of hallucination brought on by medication or by a sudden drop in blood pressure resulting in a floating feeling.
- Explain non-religious teaching about the soul. (U) (5)
- The Greek philosopher Plato said that people have souls which are
separate from their bodies.
- After death the soul does not decay but lives on.
- Monism rejects the possibility of a separate soul.
- Materialists reject the idea that any feature of humanity can survive
death.
12.Explain what one religious tradition you have studied teaches about final judgement. (5) (U)
Buddhism
- Buddhism believes in the concept of rebirth
- There is an interconnection between each life lived by a person
- Each life is interconnected by karma (either good or bad)
- There is a link between a person’s actions in one life and what happens
to them in the future
- Good or bad karma results in being born into a higher or lower situation.
14.“The idea of life after death is essential to all religions.”
Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. (10) (E)
- If there is a benevolent God He can and should free adherents from
lives of pain and suffering in an afterlife.
- Many sacred texts explicitly refer to life after death.
- Ultimate justice and belief in a just God means that there should be
some form of judgement after death.
- If there is no afterlife the sacred texts are wrong and the promises made
within them invalid.
- Without a life after death humanity cannot achieve fulfilment and fully
recognise God.
- The idea of life after death provides great hope and comfort in this life.
On the other hand:
- Religion is more than a message of a life after death, it provides moral
guidance.
- Theists should engage more with this life rather than focusing on the
next.
- Perhaps theists should focus on their conduct in this life without selfishly
seeking reward in the next.
- Atheists will claim that religious claims concerning life after death are
simply a form of wish fulfilment, humanity fears death and so religion
offers immortality.
- “We cannot be certain what happens after death so we should just enjoy life and live for the moment.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. [10] (E)
Agree:
- Different religions promote different teachings about the afterlife – some would argue that these cancel one another out (Hume)
- People become so concerned about heaven and hell that they fail to make the most of life in the here and now.
- The idea of the afterlife is just an invention to give people a sense of comfort and purpose in this life.
- Religious texts teach more about how to live now in a way that pleases God than they do about the afterlife – therefore religious believers should focus more on their life here and now rather than worrying about the future.
Disagree:
- Enjoying life and living for the moment may be a foolish viewpoint given that most religious traditions teach that one’s behaviour in this life will have an impact on one’s place in the afterlife
- Many people argue that it is possible to be certain what happens after death from religious texts. E.g. Jesus said to the criminal crucified beside him, ‘today you will be with me in paradise.’
- For many Christians the resurrection of Jesus is proof that there is life after death and that our lives in the here and now are given purpose and meaning by this future hope.
Accept valid alternatives
- “Without a belief in the afterlife there is little motivation to do good.” Do you agree? Give reasons for your answer. (10) (E)
Agree:
- Theists would agree with this claim, the idea of an afterlife promotes the
concept of ultimate justice.
- Humanity is morally motivated by both the fear of punishment and hope
of eternal reward.
- Without the concept of final judgment morally poor behaviour may go
unpunished – authors of genocide may never be prosecuted.
- Morally good behaviour may not be acknowledged in life, greed may
bring success rather than censure.
- Relevant scriptural teaching may be cited.
- It is important to offer a positive future goal to all humanity.
On the other hand:
- Atheists would reject this claim as biased, implying that without God one
cannot be morally good.
- There are many reasons to be morally good for the benefit of the
individual, society and indeed future generations.
- The idea of an afterlife is a harmful delusion as it stops humanity from
focusing on this life here and now.
- Religious teaching about an afterlife may lead to moral selfishness, only
doing good for perceived reward.
Accept valid alternatives
- “Heaven and Hell are not real – they are just human inventions to help us cope with death.” Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer showing that you have considered different points of view. [10] (E)
gree:
- Belief in an afterlife does bring comfort to the dying and to people who have lost loved ones. Belief that the soul lives on gives people hope and provides a sense of purpose in difficult times.
- There is no scientific evidence to support religious beliefs in life after death or reincarnation.
- Humanists deny the idea of an afterlife and of heaven and hell. They believe this life is all there is. There is value in living an ethical life; not because it will influence an afterlife; but because it improves life here and now for us, for others and for future generations.
Disagree:
- There are many examples of people who claim to have had ‘Near Death Experiences’ and claim to have briefly experienced an afterlife, a sense of peace, or even to have spoken with dead friends or relatives. Many see such experiences as evidence of an afterlife.
- People claim to have seen ghosts and view such experiences as evidence of a spiritual world and an afterlife. Mediums claim to be able to communicate with people who have died.
- Most religious traditions teach that there is an afterlife and that our behaviour in this life will have an impact on our eternal destination.
- Christians would consider the resurrection accounts in the Gospels as evidence that there is life after death. Through his resurrection Jesus defeated death and Christians believe they will also be raised to eternal life at the end of time. Many would argue that the accounts in the gospels cannot be dismissed as many people witnessed the risen Christ.
- “People should not fear death because there is proof of life after death.” Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer showing that you have considered different points of view [10] (E)
Agree:
- Many claim that Near Death Experiences are evidence that life continues after death
- For Christians the Resurrection of Jesus proves that there is life after death
*Many religious traditions which suggest there is an afterlife e.g. Christianity – heaven, Islam – paradise etc.
- Some claim the ability to be able to communicate with people who have died.
Disagree:
- Many dismiss NDEs as mere hallucinations which may be the result of something as simple as a sudden change in blood pressure
- Humanists would argue that this life is all there is
- Many do not regard the teachings of sacred texts as “proof” of anything.
Accept valid alternatives
