GCSE ETHICS - F.A.Q

Below are some Frequently Asked Questions about the Exam and revision.

Click on the question you want anwered.

Q. Which questions should I answer?

Q. Which questions should I revise for?

Q. How will I know which topics will come up in each subject?

Q. I've forgotten, how do I answer a part A question?

Q. I’ve forgotten, how do I answer part B questions?

Q. I’ve forgotten, how do I answer part C questions?

Q. How should I time my exam?

Q. How do I know which quotes to apply to which subjects?

Q. How should I revise part A questions?

Q. How should I revise part B questions?

Q. How do I revise for part C questions?

Q. Which questions should I answer?

 A. You should answer 3 out of the 5 questions on the paper. But you should NOT answer War and Pacifism as it was your coursework so don’t even bother revising for that. Of each question you answer you should answer A, B and C of that question.

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Q. Which questions should I revise for?

 A. Since you don’t know how they are going to phrase those questions, you should revise all four.

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Q. How will I know which topics will come up in each subject?

 A. You won’t. It’s possible that any of the topics laid out below will come up for either A, B and C. However, as explained below, some are more likely for A and B than others.

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Q. I’ve forgotten, how do I answer a part A question?

 A. Part A questions are always about teachings and beliefs. So you will need to include, more often than not, denominational views, Biblical quotes and Christian views in general about any given topic. Don’t forget you need to explain the views and quotes. For more info, see downloadable sheets below.

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Q. I’ve forgotten, how do I answer part B questions?

 A. Part B questions are always about actions and attitudes. So you need to explain how a Christian would respond to the situation at hand. You may need to include denominational views. You will need to support reasons for actions with Biblical references or quotes from religious authorities like the Pope, or statements from denominations. You may need to talk about individual actions or organisations Christians may support or join.

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Q. I’ve forgotten, how do I answer part C questions?

 A. Part C questions are always about opinions. What do a range of people think about a given issue? You should include about 3 opinions and give good evidence for at least two of them. You will need to give AT LEAST one Christian view. I advise you to give good evidence, which could be Biblical evidence for both the Christian view and maybe a life scenario example supporting YOUR OWN view. Evidence is used to give reasons as to why someone has that opinion and to get full marks, of course.

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Q. How should I time my exam?

 A. You have half an hour for each question. You should focus on part A first. This should take about 12 minutes and you should try and write a page in that time. Part B should take 10 minutes and about ¾ of a page and part C should take 5 minutes and be about 3 good paragraphs. Whatever you do, try not to go over half an hour for each full question. If you do, you may find you don’t have enough time to answer your third and final answer. Take a watch into the exam to aid with this.

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Q. How do I know which quotes to apply to which subjects?

 A. It should be obvious in the question [What are Christian teachings on Euthanasia?] that you need to supply quotes which directly or generally apply to that subject. So Euthanasia will have some common quotes with Abortion and Suicide in that any quote on the sanctity of life [‘Your body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit’ Corinthians 6:19] can be used for any of those topics. Another example is ‘There is neither Jew nor Greek…male nor female’ Galatians 3:28. This can be used for Racism, Attitudes to Other Religions AND Roles of Women in Society.

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Q. How should I revise part A questions?

 A. Pick your topic. Let’s say it’s IVF treatment. Gather all information about this topic including quotes, denominational views, handouts, etc. Write down a question: ‘What are Christian teachings about IVF treatment?’ in a particular colour. Create a subtitle: ‘General Views’. Using one quote as evidence, write some general Christian views about this topic. You may include a sentence on what IVF treatment is. Create another subtitle: ‘Roman Catholic Views’. Write two paragraphs about the Roman Catholic View including their rejection of donors, throwing away spare embryos and surrogacy [adultery]. Relate this to their view of life beginning at conception. Explain their acceptance of any treatment which includes artificially inseminating women directly in the womb. Use at least two quotes to support their view. Create another subtitle: ‘Anglican Views’. Write at least one good paragraph explaining the Anglican view including the acceptance of throwing away spare embryos within two weeks [primitive streak], and acceptance of donors from husband, wife or third party. Support their view using maybe a quote from Anglican Authority or Biblical quote about equal opportunities, or paraphrased reason why they accept this. Look on the Quaker website for Quaker views and write a paragraph on their view including a quote. This should be enough to get full marks.

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Q. How should I revise part B questions?

 A. Pick your topic. Let’s say it’s Christian attitudes towards the right use of money. Gather together all the information about that topic including quotes, handouts, essays, etc. Get some blank sheets of lined paper. Write down the question ‘What are Christian attitudes towards the right use of money?’ in a certain colour. Write down some essential quotes you may use and their references under a clear title and how they may guide a Christian; write down some other ways in which Christians might use money under clear titles and comment on these actions [views about gambling, giving to charity, concern for the poor, looking after your family, not buying drugs, etc]. You may use the quotes to support the actions. So you may write about an action: not using money to buy goods from exploited countries, and support it with the quote ‘If anyone… sees his brother in need and has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?’ 1 John 3:17. And then explain that for a Christian to love like God, they would not take financial advantage of those who are disadvantaged. Do this for all actions or at least explain the reason behind the action. If you manage to explain at least six or more actionsin sufficient detail, with at least two Biblical quotes for evidence or you've managed to explain why they'd do that clearly, and you've also included individual action and/or organisations on top of that, you should have done well.

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Q. How do I revise for part C questions?

 A. Part C questions are easy. Read the question. Consider it as a debate with your response and a Christian response at the centre of this debate. Let’s say the question is ‘It’s wrong to have sex before marriage’: discuss… . Consider a Christian view first. Write down two possible Christian views to this under the title ‘Christian views’ in a certain colour. You may discuss Roman Catholics who are totally against this: as Jesus is a sacred Union to his Church so marriage is a Sacred Union between two loving people. Find a Biblical quote to support this view. Find and write down one other view: C of E?. Then one more view under an appropriate title. It may be Christian, it may be Buddhist, Humanist, Muslim [NOT atheist. There is no group called ‘atheists’]. Then write your view last. Make sure you give a reason why you think it.

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Q. What if I revised a topic as part A and it comes up in Part B or the other way round?

 A. You should have revised all topics for part A and B in particular. But if this happens and you haven’t, you can often use the same information for both. For example, if you revised a topic as part B, you can use all the teachings you would have used in part B and then focus on them as teachings for part A. However, if it is the other way round and you revised it for part A and it comes up in part B, you must explain how the teachings would lead to certain actions.

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Some Christians believe that if a marriage is making a couple unhappy then divorce is allowed to occur.

Jesus taught that a man is only allowed to divorce his wife if she has been unfaithful to him.

Roman Catholics believe that you cannot get divorced as when you are married you become ‘spiritually’ one flesh. But they do allow an annulment

Roman Catholics allow annulment when one or both the partners has lied whilst making the marriage vows. Also if the marriage has not been consummated or they cannot have children and hid this fact. – also when one of the partners' mental health was unstable at the time of marriage and they could not be held responsible for their decisions.

“And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another, commits adultery.” Matthew 19:9

“…and in the same way a woman who divorces her husband and marries another man commits adultery.” – Mark 10:11-12.

 ‘To the marriage I give charge not I but the Lord, that the wife should not separate from her husband, but if she does let her remain single.’ 1 Corinthians 7:10. [St. Paul]

Roman Catholics also believe that you can separate from your partner, but not divorce. They would encourage a couple to separate but remain married only if the marriage cannot be saved.

Church of England believe that a civil divorce is allowed and that you can be remarried in a church with the agreement of the vicar.

Church of England may allow divorce if one of the partners is being abusive.  They will also allow divorce if one of the partners has committed adultery.

Church of England may recognise that people may make mistakes, they may use the example of Mary of Magdelene, who committed adultery and was forgiven by Jesus.

Methodists allow people to remarry unless it conflicts with the ministers own views.

A Quaker quote on divorce which can be used for parts A and B:

"A long-term relationship brings both fulfilment and tension. If your relationship with a partner is under strain, seek help in exploring your own feelings, which may be powerful and destructive, and in discerning God's guidance for you. If you undergo the distress of separation and divorce, try to maintain some compassionate communication so that arrangements can be made with the minimum of bitterness. In arrangements made for children, seek to hear and consider their wishes and remember their enduring need for love and security." Quaker.org.uk

Action: [ideas for part B] If Christians are in doubt about their marriage, they may go to a marriage guidance counsellor to talk it over. Some Churches also run counselling services to help Christians get through difficult times. If someone was thinking about divorce a Christian might guide them by quoting the Bible [see quotes above]. They may listen to them and try to understand their position. A Roman Catholic would tell them that they don't believe in divorce as the marriage was made holy by God [etc.] But if it was justified, they'd accept an annullment. They may quote Biblical passages such as...[insert examples] to help them and show that God is with them. Someone from the Church of England would tell them that they could get divorced if they had reasonable grounds, such as abuse or the person had committed adultery.

You do not need to know anything about the history of divorce, only Christian views.

• Sex should happen between husband and wife.
• Sex is a sacred act blessed by God
• Sex should happen with the view to procreate, to bear children.

• Roman Catholics believe contraception is wrong
• Roman Catholics believe only God can decide when one can and can't have a child as part of his plan.
• Roman Catholic teachings say Homosexuality is wrong as God made Adam and Eve as man and woman and blessed that union.
• They believe Christians should only use the Rhythm Method. This is when they have sex when the woman is least fertile [less able to have children].
  

"I would that all men were even as myself; but every one hath his proper gift from God .... But I say to the unmarried and to the widows, it is good for them if they so continue, even as I." [1 Corinthians]

St. Paul, apparently, did not have sex and he thought it best if people followed his example. This especially so if you were unmarried or if your partner had died.

"But I would have you to be without solicitude. He that is without a wife is solicitous for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please God. But he that is with a wife, is solicitous for the things of the world, how he may please his wife": [1 Corinthians]

This quote is trying to say that if a person is not married then they can give their life more freely to God rather than their partner.

The Roman Catholic Church teaches that using artificial contraception is wrong because:

• it is against "natural law".
• it breaks the natural connection between the creative and the unifying purposes of sex.
• it turns sex into a non-marital act.
• it gives human beings the power to decide when a new life should begin - that power belongs to God.
• it leads to widespread immorality [people having sex outside marriage]
• it damages the institution of marriage.
• it reduces male respect for women.
• it gives human beings the idea that they can have complete power over the body [when, as St. Paul said, 'Your body is a Temple for the Holy Spirit']

The Church of England teaches that:

• Christians may decide to have sex before marriage, but they encourage people to marry first, although they understand that a loving relationship is the most important thing.
• Church of England believe that it is up to the married couple, using their conscience, to decide  when they want to have children.
• Church of England believe that people should be allowed to use contraception but that sex should be encouraged after marriage rather than before.
• That every child should be wanted by its parents and that, in a difficult world, it may be most responsible for them to decide when it is right to have kids.

Action [ideas for part B]: If a Christian was in doubt about contraception their church may invite a Bishop or speaker to come and talk to them about it. They might also go to their priest, minister or vicar to ask what the Bible teaches about sex and contraception.They may look at the Bible and find such passages as... [see above]. These would help them understand the Christian response. if they were Roman Cathoic they would beleive that contraception is not acceptable. They would only accept natural means such as a miscarriage. They would believe that this was natural and part of God's plan. However, if they were from the Church of England [Anglican] then they would accept contraception as they would believe it is up to the individual to decide when they want to have children. They believe God gave us free will and that we should ensure that children are born into a loving home that wants them.
If they wre asked about sex and sex before marriage, they may use any of the teachings above that are relevant to different denominations [Church of England, Roman Catholic, etc.]. They may do similar things as they would for contraception above. Roman Catholics  would believe you should not have sex before marriage as sex is an act made holy by God and should only be done if you want to raise children. Anglicans would think that sex is a sacred act, but they understand that people can have sex before marriage, but that it should be in a loving relationship.

Essay on Contraception Word Document

Human Relationships Summary Revision Sheet Word Doc


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Medical Ethics

Abortion
Euthanasia and Suicide
Fertility Treatment
Animal Testing

Abortion

Christianity and Abortion sheet Word Document

Christian denominations have different views on abortion. The Roman Catholic Church has different views from the Church of England, for example. The Quakers are mixed as to what they believe.
Please see worksheet above for more detailed views of the Roman catholic and Church of England responses to abortion.

Roman Catholics are essentially against all scenarios under which abortion may take place. The only situation under which abortion is acceptable is if:

• The foetus dies as a direct result of life-saving medical treatment to the mother.

However, recently there has been debate about even that issue.
Also, that is hardly abortion as the intention was not the kill the child but to save the mother.

Roman Catholics are against abortion because:

• Life begins at conception.
• Life is a gift from God.
• 'Thou shalt not kill' - Exodus 20:13
• Only God can take away life - "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

Church of England are also against abortion. However, they recognise that under certain circumstances, abortion may be the most loving action.

• For them, life begins at the first of sign of the primitive streak [a groove in an early foetus disc], after about two weeks after getting pregnant.
• Circumstances such as rape
• and the fact that the mother's life may be in danger if she had the baby, are those that Church of England may accept.

Quakers have different beliefs about abortion. Some [Friends united Meeting] believe that abortion is violence and are totally against it. Other Quakers however, believe that there may be circumstances under which it is acceptable: if a woman was raped, for example.
No Quakers force their views on other Quakers however.

Humanists and abortion Word Document sheet [click here]

Action [ideas for part B] - If a person was thinking about abortion, a Christian might talk to them about their reasons. They may explain to them some Bible passages such as 'Thou shalt not kill' [Exodus 20:13]. If they were Catholic they would tell them that is was murder to kill a foetus. They may quote the passage 'You saw me before I was born [Psalm 139:15]  But if they were Church of England they might believe that they could have an abortion if there were good reasons to do so [explain those reasons]. A Christian would be compassionate towards something considering abortion if they thought the person was in a difficult situation. They may offer to pray with them to seek guidance from God.



Euthanasia and Suicide

Types of Euthanasia sheet Word Document [click here]

There are also a range of views about euthanasia and suicide. As you can see, Christians believe different things about most issues.

Most of the teachings about Suicide can be applied to Euthanasia as it is a form of suicide.

Euthanasia means 'a good death', and some people think it should be legal as people should be allowed to die with dignity.

The main difference between suicide and euthanasia is that euthanasia is usually requested by a terminally ill person [they are soon going to die from an illness] and it can be administered by someone else. But another difference is that euthanasia can be non-voluntary [someone else decides], for example if the person was in a permanent vegetative state [PVS], which means they were so brain damaged that they couldn't decide.

Roman Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church is opposed to euthanasia because it is seen as murder. In Evangelium Vitae,  Pope John Paul II said that to cause death in this way was 'a grave violation of the law of God'.

However, if large doses of painkillers are used to help ease a person's suffering, and as a result of these the person ultimately dies, this is understood as double effect and is permitted. The intention was not to kill the person but to relieve suffering.

However, the Roman Catholic Church does not believe that doctors should use any extraordinary treatment to keep people alive. If the person is going to die naturally, then they should be cared for, but not given endless treatment if they don't want it.

Other Churches

The Church of England holds a similar view, saying in 1992 that although the deliberate taking of a human life is forbidden, there are very strong arguments that people should not be kept alive at all costs when they are suffering intolerable pain.

Action [summary]:
Christian Churches encourage the support of hospices. These are special places where terminally ill people are cared for and allowed to die in comfort and dignity without employing euthanasia. Here they can receive palliative care, which is the best possible care for the dying.
If a person was considering euthanasia or suicide a Christian may talk to them about God's plan. They may pray with them. They may listen to them. They may read them passages from the Bible [below]. They may discuss any of the points above on Euthanasia. They talk to them about the sanctity of life and how they believe God gave us life and only he can take it away. They would be compassionate towards them and try to understand their situation.

Biblical Teachings about the sanctity of life applied to euthanasia and suicide

Christianity teaches that all life comes from God:

'...I was sick and you cared for me...' Matthew 25

“…So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Genesis 1:27

We are all supposed to be made in the image of God and therefore to kill ourselves would be to destroy what God has made.

It also teaches that life is sacred:

“Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit” 1 Corinthians 6:19

For this reason it would be wrong and against Christian teaching to commit suicide or to take the life of another person.

The Sixth Commandment is:

“You shall not murder”. Exodus 20:13

It is clear from the Bible that human beings are not to choose when they die:

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

Revision sheet for abortion and euthanasia / suicide Word Document 

Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice.doc

Euthanasia Christian Response - PowerPoint

Biblical Suicides.doc




Fertility Treatment

In Vitro Fertilisation actually means fertilising the egg in a glass. It is then reinserted into the woman with the hope that the embryo will grow into a foetus.

There are no direct Biblical quotes on the process of fertilisation, as it did not exist in Biblical times. But Christians have taken some teachings and applied them to the issue of fertilisation.
They also look at the process of fertilisation and consider whether it is in line with Christian teachings about life and death.

The Church of England
The Church of England does support the use of fertility treatment. However, it does believe that the rights of the embryo are observed after 14 days [when the first primitive streak appears].

The Church of England thinks that people have a right to have children as it said in the Bible:

"Be fruitful and increase in number."  Genesis 1:28

So God encouraged people to bear children and some Christians think that if the technology is there, and there is no harm done, then it is acceptable to carry out such a process.

The Church of England, however, would be anxious to ensure that no embryo later than 14 days would be used, as it would go against their belief that life begins at the first primitive streak.

During the process of IVF, many embryos are thrown away. This would only be acceptable to the Church of England up to two weeks, as before then the embryo is not considered to have the rights of a human.

Roman Catholics
Roman Catholics on the other hand, would be appalled by this, as they believe life begins at conception. So a big problem for RCs is that some embryos are thrown away during the process, which is considered murder. So they might use the quote:

'Thou shalt not kill' Exodus

or even the quote

“But God in His grace chose me even before I was born, and called me to serve Him.” St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians

Fertility treatment essay structure Word Document [click here]



Animal Testing
There are no specific passages in the Bible which are about animal testing. However, Christians are to some extent in agreement about the use of animals in laboratory testing.

In the past, animals were not considered as important as humans. Christians do not believe animals have souls or can have a relationship with God.

Christians who agree with animal testing may use the passage:

'Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.' Genesis 1:28

Some Christians may read this passage in such a way that it means we can do what we want with the animal kingdom as we are its rulers. Other Christians may believe that it is in fact showing us that we are stewards of the earth and should care for it and not destroy it.

The Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church both understand that animal testing is an important method of testing for life-saving drugs. For example, both radiotherapy and chemotherapy [life saving treatments for cancer] were first tested on animals.
However they also think that we have a responsibility to animals and should not hurt them unnecessarily. They recognise that animals are part of God's creation and should be treated with care. But they also would have no problems eating animals as they believe God gave us animals to eat as it said in Peter's dream:

'He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then a voice told him, Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.' Acts 10

So while many Christians would be happy to eat animals, and would be supportive of some forms of animals testing for life-saving drugs, they still believe that animals are God's creation and should be treated in such a way that would reduce any pain or suffering.

Link to BBC Religion and Ethics for Animal Rights - Denominational Views
That above link can be used to relate to animal rights in general, and of course this would reflect in Christian teachings about animal testing.



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Equality

Racism
The Role of Women
Attitudes to other Religions
Forgiveness and Reconcilliation

Christianity has clear views on equality when it comes to issues like racism, but not so clear when it comes to attitudes to other religions and the roles of women in society.

Christians believe that all are made equal in the eyes of God. Jesus taught this himself.

Racism
The story of the Good Samaritan highlights the teaching that Jesus thought all people were equal no matter what race they came from.

GOOD SAMARITAN ONLINE

From this story, Christians can see that even though the Jewish man who was beaten and robbed is an 'enemy' of the Samaritan, the Samaritan still helps him and even pays for him to be looked after.

Christians could look to other teachings from the Bible:

'Love your neighbour as you love yourself' Luke:10

'Then Peter began to speak: I now realise how true it is that God does not show favouritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.' Acts 10:34

From these teachings we can see that Christians believe that God does not prefer one race to another, but accepts all people. It also teaches that Christians should do the same, even to love their enemies..

"But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" Matthew 5:44 

A good example of someone who followed Jesus' teachings about love and equality is Martin Luther King. He led protests in America against white racism. He was a Christian minister who thought that all people were created equal and he made a speech in Washington that inspired people to his cause.

In the sheet below you can see highlighted Christian teachings in Martin Luther King's speech.


Martin Luther King Christian Teachings Word Document

Action: [summary] If someone were racist a Christian could possibly explain to them the meaning of equality. They may describe some of the quotes in the Bible [above] and explain Jesus' teachings. They may tell them the story of the Good Samaritan. They may pray for the person so that they may be guided by God. They may give examples of great Christians like Martin Luther King Junior who fought against racism and explain how he was influenced by Christian teachings on equality.

Equality - Essay plan on racism




Christian Attitudes to Other Religions

The documents below give a general overview of Christian attitudes to other religions. They do not contain all necessary work. Other work should be in your folders.  You should also refer to the Equality Revision Sheet to gain more information on attitudes to other religions. There you will find a few quotes relevant to answering the questions.

Christian Attitudes to Other Religions sheet  WORD .DOC

Equality Revision Sheet   WORD .DOC

Equality - Christian attitudes - pluralism,etc.


The Role of Women

Equality - Women in Christianity.ppt

Equality - B Question on Roles of Women



Forgiveness and Reconcilliation

Equality - Christian attitudes and forgiveness.ppt

Equality - Coventry litany of reconcilliation [forgiveness]

Equality - Christian attitudes and forgiveness.ppt

Equality - Forgiveness




REMEMBER - DO NOT answer the question on War and Pacifism -

That was your coursework.
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GCSE CHRISTIANITY - PHILOSOPHY

General Revision paper for philosophy - word .doc

Exam board quick revision examples word.doc