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AQA GCSE Religious Studies revision notes

Concise notes per spec point, written in plain English with worked examples. AI-generated, admin-verified.

  1. 3.1.1Christianity
  2. 3.1.1.BChristian beliefs: nature of God (omnipotent, loving, just), Trinity, creation, problem of evil, afterlife (resurrection, judgement, heaven and hell), Jesus Christ (incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension), salvation (sin, grace, atonement)
  3. 3.1.1.PChristian practices: worship (liturgical, non-liturgical, private), sacraments (baptism, eucharist), prayer, pilgrimage (Lourdes, Iona), festivals (Christmas, Easter), the role of the Church in the local and worldwide community, mission, evangelism, persecution, Christian aid
  4. 3.1.2Islam
  5. 3.1.2.BMuslim beliefs: six articles of faith (Sunni) and five roots of Usul ad-Din (Shi'a), Tawhid, nature of Allah (immanence, transcendence, omnipotence, beneficence, mercy, fairness/justice), angels, predestination, akhirah (afterlife), prophethood (risalah) and the holy books, Imamate
  6. 3.1.2.PMuslim practices: Five Pillars (Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm, Hajj) and Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi'a Islam, jihad (greater and lesser), festivals (Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul-Adha, Ashura), the role of the mosque
  7. 3.1.3Buddhism (alternative)
  8. 3.1.3.BBuddhist beliefs: the Buddha's life, the Three Marks of Existence, the Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Path, dependent arising, Theravada and Mahayana traditions
  9. 3.1.3.PBuddhist practices: meditation (samatha, vipassana), worship and chanting, ceremonies and rituals around death, festivals (Wesak, Parinirvana Day), karma and rebirth, ethical teaching (kamma)
  10. 3.1.4Hinduism (alternative)
  11. 3.1.4.BHindu beliefs: the nature of Brahman, the Trimurti (Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva), avatars, atman, samsara, karma and moksha, the four ashramas and varnas
  12. 3.1.4.PHindu practices: worship (havan, puja, mandir, home shrine), pilgrimage (Varanasi, Kumbh Mela), festivals (Diwali, Holi), rites of passage
  13. 3.1.5Judaism (alternative)
  14. 3.1.5.BJewish beliefs: the nature of God (One, Creator, Lawgiver, Judge), the covenant with Abraham and at Sinai, the Messiah, life after death, the sanctity of life, mitzvot
  15. 3.1.5.PJewish practices: synagogue worship, prayer (the Shema, Amidah), Shabbat, festivals (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Pesach, Sukkot), rites of passage (Bar/Bat Mitzvah, marriage, mourning), kosher laws
  16. 3.1.6Sikhism (alternative)
  17. 3.1.6.BSikh beliefs: the nature of God, the Ten Gurus, the Mool Mantar, equality, reincarnation, mukti
  18. 3.1.6.PSikh practices: the gurdwara, worship and the Guru Granth Sahib, the langar, festivals (Vaisakhi, Diwali), the Five Ks, the role of Sewa
  19. 3.1.7Catholic Christianity (alternative to mainstream Christianity)
  20. 3.1.7.BCatholic beliefs: nature of God, Trinity, creation in Catholic teaching, Mary, sacramentalism, scriptural and tradition-based authority
  21. 3.1.7.PCatholic practices: the seven sacraments, the Mass, pilgrimage (Lourdes), the rosary and devotions, Catholic mission and the role of the Church worldwide
  22. 3.2.ATheme A: Relationships and families
  23. 3.2.A.1Sex, marriage and divorce: religious and non-religious views on sexual relationships before/outside marriage, same-sex relationships, cohabitation, contraception, divorce and remarriage
  24. 3.2.A.2Families and gender equality: nature and purpose of the family, types of family (nuclear, extended, blended, same-sex), parenting, gender roles and gender equality, religious teaching on family life
  25. 3.2.BTheme B: Religion and life
  26. 3.2.B.1Origins of the universe and life: scientific theories (Big Bang, evolution) vs religious creation accounts, dialogue between science and religion
  27. 3.2.B.2The value of human and non-human life: dominion vs stewardship, environmental ethics, animal rights and the use of animals for food, scientific testing and pets
  28. 3.2.B.3Sanctity of life issues: abortion, euthanasia, beliefs about death and the afterlife, religious and secular arguments
  29. 3.2.CTheme C: The existence of God and revelation
  30. 3.2.C.1Philosophical arguments for and against God's existence: Design (teleological), First Cause (cosmological), the argument from miracles
  31. 3.2.C.2Atheism and the problem of evil and suffering: theodicies, the existence of suffering and how it challenges belief
  32. 3.2.C.3Revelation: special revelation (visions, miracles, religious experiences) and general revelation (nature, scripture, conscience), authority and reliability of revelation
  33. 3.2.DTheme D: Religion, peace and conflict
  34. 3.2.D.1Religion, violence, terrorism and war: causes of war (greed, self-defence, retaliation), reasons against war, terrorism, religious responses to violence
  35. 3.2.D.2Pacifism, just war theory and holy war: criteria of a just war, weapons of mass destruction, religious teachings on conflict resolution and peace-making
  36. 3.2.ETheme E: Religion, crime and punishment
  37. 3.2.E.1Crime: causes of crime (poverty, addiction, mental illness, hate, opposition to unjust law), good and evil intentions, religious responses to lawbreakers
  38. 3.2.E.2Punishment: aims (retribution, deterrence, reformation, protection), capital punishment, forgiveness, suffering and treatment of criminals
  39. 3.2.FTheme F: Religion, human rights and social justice
  40. 3.2.F.1Human rights: prejudice and discrimination, racial harmony, equality of religions, freedom of religion, social justice and religious freedom
  41. 3.2.F.2Wealth and poverty: attitudes to wealth, the use of money, exploitation of the poor (people-trafficking, fair pay), giving to charity, religious responses to inequality
  42. C1Component 1: Study of religions — beliefs, teachings and practices
  43. C2Component 2: Thematic studies (4 of 6 themes)