England · Pearson EdexcelSyllabus
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 life after death?Divergent Christian teachings about life after death, including resurrection, judgement, heaven, hell and purgatory, and why they matter today.9 min answer →
- What do Christians believe about creation and the incarnation?The biblical account of creation and the role of the Word and Spirit, and the incarnation of Jesus Christ as the Son of God.9 min answer →
- What do Christians believe about the last days of Jesus and salvation?The last days of Jesus' life and the nature and significance of salvation, including law, sin, grace, the Spirit and atonement.9 min answer →
- How do Christians respond to the problem of evil and suffering?The problem of evil and suffering for belief in a loving and righteous God, and the divergent biblical, theoretical and practical solutions offered.9 min answer →
- What do Christians believe about the Trinity?The nature and significance of the Trinity as expressed in the Nicene Creed, the oneness of God, the nature and significance of each Person, and how this is reflected in worship today.9 min answer →
Christianity: Practices
Module overview →- Why do Christians celebrate Christmas and Easter?The nature and history of Christian festivals in the church year, including the celebration and significance of Christmas and Easter.8 min answer →
- Why do Christians pray and go on pilgrimage?The nature and purpose of prayer, including set, informal and the Lord's Prayer, and the nature, purpose and places of pilgrimage.9 min answer →
- How does the Church serve the local and worldwide community?The future of the Church and mission, the role of the local church, and the role of the worldwide Church, including charity and reconciliation.9 min answer →
- How do Christians worship and use the sacraments?Liturgical and non-liturgical worship and the role of the sacraments, including baptism and the Eucharist, across denominations.9 min answer →
Religion, crime and punishment
Module overview →- What do religions teach about why people commit crime and why we punish?Causes of crime, religious attitudes to lawbreaking, and the aims of punishment, including retribution, deterrence and reformation.9 min answer →
- What do religions teach about forgiveness and the treatment of criminals?Religious teachings on forgiveness, and attitudes to the treatment of criminals, including prison, corporal punishment and community service.9 min answer →
- What do religions teach about the death penalty?Religious and non-religious attitudes to capital punishment, the arguments for and against, and how they relate to justice and the sanctity of life.9 min answer →
Islam: Beliefs and teachings
Module overview →- What do Muslims believe about life after death?Muslim teachings about Akhirah (life after death), the nature of judgement, paradise and hell, and how these affect a Muslim's life today.8 min answer →
- What do Muslims believe about angels and predestination?The nature and importance of angels (Malaikah) and of al-Qadr (predestination), and how predestination relates to human freedom and the Day of Judgement.8 min answer →
- What do Muslims believe about the prophets and the holy books?The nature and importance of Risalah (prophethood) and the holy books (Kutub), including the Qur'an, Tawrat, Zabur, Injil and Sahifah.9 min answer →
- What do Muslims believe about the nature of Allah?The characteristics of Allah as shown in the Qur'an, including Tawhid, immanence, transcendence, omnipotence, beneficence, mercy and justice.9 min answer →
- What are the foundations of Muslim belief?The Six Beliefs of Sunni Islam and the Five Roots of Usul ad-Din in Shi'a Islam, their nature, purpose and importance.9 min answer →
Islam: Practices
Module overview →- What do Muslims mean by Jihad, and how do they celebrate their festivals?The meaning and significance of Jihad, including greater and lesser Jihad, and the festivals of Id-ul-Adha, Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul-Ghadeer and Ashura.8 min answer →
- How and why do Muslims perform Salah?The nature, significance and purpose of Salah for Sunni and Shi'a Muslims, and how it is performed in the home and mosque.8 min answer →
- Why do Muslims fast, give Zakah and perform Hajj?The nature, role and significance of Sawm (fasting in Ramadan), Zakah and Khums (charity), and Hajj (pilgrimage).9 min answer →
- What are the Five Pillars and the Ten Obligatory Acts?The Five Pillars of Sunni Islam and the Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi'a Islam, and the Shahadah as the first Pillar.8 min answer →
Religion, relationships and families
Module overview →- What do religions teach about contraception and family planning?Divergent religious teachings and attitudes about contraception and the regulation of births, and non-religious views.8 min answer →
- What do religions teach about divorce and the equality of men and women?Religious teachings and attitudes towards divorce and remarriage, and the equality of men and women in the family and society.9 min answer →
- What do Christians and Muslims teach about marriage and sexual relationships?Religious teachings on the purpose and importance of marriage, cohabitation, sex before marriage and same-sex relationships in Christianity and Islam.9 min answer →
- What do religions teach about the purpose of families and how the community supports them?Religious teachings on the purpose and importance of families, types of family in the 21st century, and how the local community supports families.8 min answer →
Religion, matters of life and death
Module overview →- What do Christians and Muslims teach about abortion?Religious and non-religious attitudes to abortion, the sanctity of life and the quality of life, and when life begins.9 min answer →
- What do religions teach about euthanasia and life after death?Religious and non-religious attitudes to euthanasia and dying, and beliefs about life after death in Christianity and Islam.9 min answer →
- What do religions teach about the origins and value of life?Religious and scientific views on the origins of the universe and life, the sanctity of life, and the value of human and animal life.8 min answer →
Religion, peace and conflict
Module overview →- What do religions teach about pacifism and peacemaking?Religious attitudes to pacifism and non-violence, and the work of religious believers and organisations in peacemaking and reconciliation.8 min answer →
- What do religions teach about peace, justice and when war is just?Religious teachings on peace and justice, the causes of war, and the conditions of a just war and holy war in Christianity and Islam.9 min answer →
- What do religions teach about weapons of mass destruction and the effects of conflict?Religious attitudes to weapons of mass destruction and nuclear weapons, the effects of war, and religious responses such as helping victims.8 min answer →