2024_AQA-GCSE Religious Studies B – Paper 2A: Perspectives on Faith (Themes) (Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme) Thursday 16 May 2024

2024_AQA-GCSE Religious Studies B – Paper 2A: Perspectives on Faith (Themes) (Merged Question Paper and Marking Scheme) Thursday 16 May 2024 Candidate number I declare this is my own work. GCSE RELIGIOUS STUDIES B Paper 2A Perspectives on faith (themes) Thursday 16 May 2024 Afternoon Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes Materials Before you open this book, you must ensure you also have the Question Paper/Answer Book for the religion option you are entered for (either Islam or Judaism). Instructions • Use black ink or black ball-point pen. • Fill in the boxes at both the top of this page and the top of the Question Paper/Answer Book for the religion option. • Choose two themes and answer all questions for those themes. • If you need extra space for your answer(s), use the lined pages at the end of this book. Write the question number against your answer(s). • Do all rough work in this book. Cross through any work you do not want to be marked. • You must answer the questions in the spaces provided. Do not write outside the box around each page or on blank pages. Information • The maximum mark for this paper is 48. • The marks for the questions are shown in brackets. Advice You will have 1 hour 45 minutes to complete both Question Paper/Answer Books. You are advised to spend 50 minutes on this paper and 50 minutes on your religion option. For Examiner’s Use Question Mark 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 TOTAL GCSE Religious Studies B: Paper 2A - Perspectives on Faith (Themes) Summary The GCSE Religious Studies B: Paper 2A - Perspectives on Faith (Themes), scheduled for May 2025, will assess students’ understanding of major religious themes, with a focus on how different faith traditions approach and interpret these themes. The paper will explore a range of ethical and philosophical issues through the lens of different religious perspectives. Key areas covered include: 1. The Existence of God and Revelation:  Arguments for and against the existence of God: Students will explore various arguments for God's existence, such as the cosmological, teleological, and moral arguments, and the counter arguments presented by atheism and agnosticism.  Revelation: Different ways in which God is believed to reveal Himself to humanity, including through scripture, prophets, personal experience, and nature. Understanding the importance of revelation in different religious traditions, including Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.  The Problem of Evil and Suffering: Examining how different faiths understand the existence of evil and suffering in a world created by a benevolent God, and the responses offered by religious teachings (e.g., theodicy, free will). 2. Religion and Science:  Science and Religion in Conflict: Exploring the historical and contemporary tension between science and religion, particularly in areas like creation versus evolution and the role of science in understanding the universe.  Religion and Science in Harmony: Some religious perspectives see science and faith as complementary, not contradictory. Exploring views that suggest science explains how the world works, while religion addresses why it exists.  The Role of Religious Belief in Scientific Endeavors: How religious beliefs may guide scientific research and ethical considerations in scientific practices, such as stem cell research and genetic engineering. 3. Human Relationships:  Marriage and Family Life: Religious views on the purpose and sanctity of marriage, including the significance of commitment, love, and respect. Views on issues such as divorce, remarriage, and same-sex marriage.  Gender Equality: How different religious traditions view the roles of men and women in society, family, and worship, with particular reference to gender equality and the roles women can have in religious leadership.  Sexuality and Relationships: Religious teachings on sexuality, including chastity, sexual relationships within marriage, contraception, and homosexuality. How faith traditions navigate contemporary issues of sexual morality. 4. Ethical Issues:  Abortion: Different religious perspectives on the morality of abortion, focusing on the sanctity of life and when life begins. Students will analyze the ethical dilemmas and the role of personal choice versus religious doctrine.  Euthanasia: The moral and ethical debates surrounding euthanasia and assisted suicide from the perspective of different religious teachings on the sanctity of life and the concept of suffering.  War and Peace: Religious views on war, including the Just War Theory and pacifism. How faith traditions justify or oppose the use of violence in conflict and the pursuit of peace.  Social Justice: How different faiths approach issues of poverty, wealth distribution, and social justice. Focus on the teachings of charity, compassion, and the role of religious communities in helping the poor and marginalized. 5. The Role of Religion in Society:  Religion and Secularism: Exploring the relationship between religious belief and secular society, including debates on the role of religion in public life, education, and politics. How secular and religious worldviews can coexist or conflict in modern societies.  Freedom of Religion: The right to practice one's faith freely, religious persecution, and the importance of religious tolerance and dialogue in a multi-faith society.  The Impact of Religion on Social Issues: How religious organizations and beliefs influence social and political issues such as environmental activism, human rights, and social justice movements. 6. Life After Death:  Beliefs about Life After Death: Different religious beliefs regarding the afterlife, such as the concepts of Heaven, Hell, and reincarnation. How faith traditions offer hope and comfort regarding what happens after death.  Judgment: Religious views on judgment after death, including how actions in this life determine one's fate in the afterlife. Concepts of heaven, hell, or reincarnation depending on religious tradition.  The Importance of the Afterlife in Religious Life: How the belief in life after death affects the way believers live their lives, their values, and their behavior. 7. Perspectives on Faith in Contemporary Issues:  Religious Responses to Modern Problems: How religious traditions respond to issues such as climate change, technological advancements, and global inequality. This includes exploring religious views on human responsibility toward the planet and the role of religion in addressing contemporary challenges.  Interfaith Dialogue: The importance of dialogue between different religions and how they approach common ethical issues, aiming to promote understanding and tolerance among diverse faith communities. *JUN2480632A01* IB/G/Jun24/G4006/E7 8063/2A 2 Only answer the questions from TWO themes. Answer all the questions from your TWO chosen themes. 0 1 Theme A: Religion, relationships and families 0 1 . 1 Which one of the following is the Catholic Church’s declaration that a marriage is not valid? Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Annulment B Cohabitation C Divorce D Separation 0 1 . 2 Give two Christian teachings which show that women and men are equal. 1 2 Do not write outside the box 1 2 *02* [1 mark] [2 marks] IB/G/Jun24/8063/2A 3 0 1 . 3 Explain two contrasting views in contemporary British society about remarriage after divorce. • You must refer to a Christian view. • Your contrasting view may come from Christianity or from another religious or non-religious tradition. [4 marks] Question 1 continues on the next page Turn over ► *03* IB/G/Jun24/8063/2A Do not write outside the box 4 4 0 1 . 4 Explain two Christian beliefs about sex before marriage. Refer to scripture or another source of Christian belief and teaching in your answer. [5 marks] Do not write outside the box 5 *04* IB/G/Jun24/8063/2A 5 0 1 . 5 ‘Procreation (having children) is an essential part of being a Catholic family.’ Evaluate this statement. In your answer you: • should give reasoned arguments to support this statement • should give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view • should refer to Christian arguments • may refer to non-religious arguments • should reach a justified conclusion. [12 marks] Turn over ► *05* IB/G/Jun24/8063/2A Do not write outside the box 6 *06* Do not write outside the box IB/G/Jun24/8063/2A 7 Extra space Do not write outside the box 12 Turn over ► *07* IB/G/Jun24/8063/2A 8 0 2 . 0 2 1 0 2.2 Theme B: Religion, peace and conflict Which one of the following explains what is meant by nuclear deterrence? [1 mark] Put a tick () in the box next to the correct answer. A Getting rid of all nuclear weapons B Possessing nuclear weapons to prevent attack C Telling other countries to develop nuclear weapons D Using nuclear weapons to destroy enemy cities Give two teachings from the Catechism of the Catholic Church 2309 about Just War theo