Life and Death specification

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QUESTION 4 – GOOD AND EVILMARK SCHEME

The suggested responses given in the mark scheme are not a checklist. Other valid alternative responses should also be credited.

(a) questions credit as instructed below: 1 mark for each relevant point made,

2 marks for either two separate points or one point which is developed/explained/elaborated

What is meant by 'conscience’? [2]

 Conscience is a person's moral sense of right and wrong

 Conscience may act as a guide to personal behaviour and conduct

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Describe religious teachings about Free Will. [5]

Christianity and Catholic Christianity

 God has given everyone freedom to live their lives

 References to different views on predestination and beliefs from different

interpretations of The Fall

 References to writings of St Augustine

 Different emphasis regarding relationships between predestination and

free will depending upon denominations

 Many Methodists believe that while God is all-knowing and always knows

what choices each person will make; God still gives them the ability to

choose (or not choose) everything

 Many Lutherans believe humanity is free to choose and act in every

regard except for the choice of salvation

 Many Roman Catholics do not view free will as existing apart from or in

contradiction to grace

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(c) Explain how religious believers respond to suffering. [8]

 Suffering is a necessary part of being human as all animals suffer in some way

 Suffering can bring benefits, e.g. resilience, deepening of faith

 Some people suffer (e.g. fasting) to experience the suffering of others and

create a shared humanity

 The acceptance of the principle of karma which relates suffering to

previous actions

 References to the lessons learnt in scriptures and wisdom e.g. the story of

Shivan, Job, etc.

 References to the role of suffering by sources of authority e.g. the

suffering of Jesus; the suffering of the Buddha leading to the principle of

the Middle Way

 Religious believers may accept suffering as part of God's plan

 Religious believers may pray for God to help them through suffering

 Religious believers may see suffering as a test

 It may weaken or strengthen faith

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(d) 'It is important to always forgive others.' [15]

Discuss the statement showing that you have considered more than one point of view.

(You must refer to religion and belief in your answer).

● Sacred texts teach forgiveness of others is important e.g. Lord's Prayer, (Matthew 6:14-15), Qur'an 64:14

● Jesus forgave the people who crucified him and expected others to forgive

 Other religious figures such as Buddha and Muhammad also taught the importance of forgiveness

● Forgiveness is better for you; it allows you to have 'closure' on a situation

 It depends on what the person has done; some parts of scripture

encourage justice instead ('an eye for an eye')

 The principle of karma and dharma suggests that we must accept the

consequences of our actions and that forgiveness is not always

appropriate

 If God made us, and is omniscient, then he knows we would not be able

to forgive sometimes

 Some religions think forgiveness is not always appropriate e.g. Jews

believe that you must not forgive on behalf of another

 Even some holy books teach about the idea of hell, so forgiveness can't

always be appropriate or there would be no such 'place'

 Catholic Christians have the Sacrament of Reconciliation to show that

forgiveness is always possible