England · AQASyllabus
Religious Studies syllabus, dot point by dot point
Every dot point in the England Religious Studiessyllabus, with a focused answer for each one. Click any dot point for a worked explainer, past exam questions, and links to related dot points. Written by Claude Opus 4.8, Anthropic's latest AI.
Christianity: Beliefs and teachings
Module overview →- What do Christians believe about the Trinity and about creation?The doctrine of the Trinity as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and the role of the Word and the Spirit in the creation of the universe.8 min answer →
- How do Christians believe Jesus brings salvation?The incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, and the beliefs about sin, salvation, atonement and grace that flow from them.9 min answer →
- What are the key beliefs that shape Christian faith?Key Christian beliefs including incarnation, sin, salvation, grace, atonement and the role of these beliefs in Christian life and worship.8 min answer →
- What do Christians believe happens after death?Christian beliefs about life after death, resurrection, judgement, heaven and hell, and how these beliefs affect how Christians live now.8 min answer →
- What do Christians believe about the nature of God?The nature of God as omnipotent, loving and just, and the problem of evil and suffering this creates for believers.8 min answer →
Christianity: Practices
Module overview →- Why do Christians celebrate Christmas and Easter?The role and meaning of the major Christian festivals of Christmas and Easter, how they are celebrated, and why they are important to believers.7 min answer →
- How do Christians worship God?Different forms of Christian worship including liturgical, non-liturgical and informal worship, private worship and prayer, and why Christians worship in these ways.8 min answer →
- Why do Christians do mission and charity work?The role of mission, evangelism and Christian charitable work, including the work of Christian aid agencies and reconciliation.7 min answer →
- What are the sacraments and why do they matter to Christians?The meaning and importance of the sacraments, focusing on baptism and the Eucharist, and the different ways Christian denominations understand and practise them.8 min answer →
- What role does the local church play in the community?The role of the local and worldwide Church in the local community and the wider world, including outreach, food banks and street pastors.7 min answer →
Islam: Beliefs and teachings
Module overview →- What do Muslims believe happens after death?Akhirah (life after death), the Day of Judgement, resurrection, the importance of human responsibility and accountability, and Paradise (Jannah) and Hell (Jahannam).8 min answer →
- What do Muslims believe about angels and predestination?Malaikah (angels) and their roles, including Jibril and Mika'il, and al-Qadr (predestination) and human freedom and accountability.8 min answer →
- What do Muslims believe about prophets and holy books?Risalah (prophethood), the roles of Adam, Ibrahim and Muhammad, and the holy books including the Qur'an, Tawrat, Zabur, Injil and the scrolls of Ibrahim.8 min answer →
- What do Muslims believe about the nature of Allah?The nature of Allah including Tawhid, omnipotence, beneficence, mercy, fairness and justice (Adalat in Shia Islam), and immanence and transcendence.8 min answer →
- What are the core beliefs that unite Muslims?The six articles of faith in Sunni Islam and the five roots of religion (Usul ad-Din) in Shia Islam, and the place of Tawhid as the central belief.8 min answer →
Islam: Practices
Module overview →- Which festivals do Muslims celebrate and why?The origins and meaning of the festivals of Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul-Adha and Ashura, how they are celebrated, and their differing importance in Sunni and Shia Islam.7 min answer →
- What does jihad really mean in Islam?The meaning of jihad, the difference between greater and lesser jihad, the conditions for lesser jihad, and why jihad is often misunderstood.7 min answer →
- What are the Five Pillars and why do Muslims follow them?The Five Pillars of Sunni Islam and the Ten Obligatory Acts of Shia Islam, including Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm and Hajj, and their meaning for believers.9 min answer →
- How and where do Muslims worship?The role and importance of the mosque, the features of worship including Salah, wudu and the call to prayer, and the place of Friday prayers (Jummah).8 min answer →
Theme E: Religion, crime and punishment
Module overview →- Why do we punish people who commit crime?The aims of punishment including retribution, deterrence, reformation and protection, and religious attitudes to the treatment of criminals.8 min answer →
- Why do people commit crime and how should religions respond?The causes of crime, different types of crime, religious attitudes to lawbreakers and to good, evil and suffering.8 min answer →
- Should criminals be forgiven, and is the death penalty ever right?Religious teachings on forgiveness and the treatment of criminals, and attitudes for and against capital punishment in Christianity and Islam.8 min answer →
Theme D: Religion, peace and conflict
Module overview →- How do religions work for peace?Religious teachings on peace, pacifism, the work of peacemaking and reconciliation, and how believers respond to the victims of war.7 min answer →
- What do religions teach about violence and terrorism?Religious attitudes to violence, including violent protest and terrorism, and the reasons why conflict arises and why religions condemn or sometimes justify violence.8 min answer →
- When, if ever, is it right to go to war?The causes of war, the theory of a just war and the conditions for it, holy war, and religious attitudes to whether war can ever be justified.8 min answer →
- What do religions teach about nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction?The nature of weapons of mass destruction, the arguments for and against their use as a deterrent, and religious attitudes to them.7 min answer →
Theme A: Relationships and families
Module overview →- What do religions teach about the family and gender equality?The nature and purpose of families, the role of parents and children, and religious teachings on gender equality, gender roles and prejudice.8 min answer →
- What do religions teach about marriage and divorce?Religious teachings on the purpose and nature of marriage, cohabitation, same-sex marriage, divorce and remarriage in Christianity and Islam.8 min answer →
- What do religions teach about sex, sexuality and contraception?Religious teachings on human sexuality, heterosexual and homosexual relationships, sexual relationships before and outside marriage, and the use of contraception and family planning.8 min answer →
Theme B: Religion and life
Module overview →- What do religions teach about animals and the environment?Religious teachings on stewardship and dominion, the use of animals for food and experiments, and the duty to care for the environment and natural resources.8 min answer →
- What do religions teach about euthanasia and death?Religious and ethical attitudes to euthanasia, the value of life, end-of-life care, and beliefs about death and life after death.8 min answer →
- How do religion and science explain the origins of the universe and life?Religious and scientific accounts of the origins of the universe and of human life, and whether they can be reconciled, plus the duty of stewardship over creation.8 min answer →
- What do religions teach about the sanctity of life and abortion?The sanctity and quality of life, when life begins, and religious and ethical attitudes to abortion in Christianity and Islam.8 min answer →