How do religious and non-religious people approach ethical questions?
Non-religious worldviews (Humanism and atheism), how religious and non-religious people make moral decisions, and where they agree and differ on ethical issues.
An Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies (C120) Component 1 answer on non-religious worldviews and ethics, covering Humanism and atheism, how religious and non-religious people make moral decisions, and where they agree and differ, with sources of wisdom and authority.
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What this dot point is asking
Eduqas wants you to explain non-religious worldviews (especially Humanism and atheism), how religious and non-religious people make moral decisions, and where they agree and differ on ethical issues. This dot point ties the whole Component 1 theme together, since every ethical issue is studied from religious and non-religious viewpoints. It feeds 15-mark evaluation questions on whether you need God to be good, so you need the content, the comparison, and the sources of wisdom and authority Eduqas rewards.
Non-religious worldviews
Humanists value human dignity, equality and freedom, support human rights, and base ethics on the effect of actions on human (and animal) wellbeing, not on religious authority.
How religious and non-religious people make moral decisions
So a believer facing a moral choice might ask "what does God, scripture or the Church teach?", while a Humanist asks "what are the likely consequences, and what does reason and compassion suggest?". Both can be careful and serious in how they decide.
Where they agree and differ
Despite different foundations, religious and non-religious people frequently agree on core values: honesty, kindness, helping the poor, opposing cruelty and the golden rule (which appears in many religions and in Humanism). They co-operate on many issues, from charity to human rights. They tend to disagree on questions where appeals to scripture and to personal autonomy and wellbeing pull in different directions, such as abortion, euthanasia and sexuality. Recognising both the shared ground and the real differences is exactly what the evaluation question, "do you need God to be good?", explores.
Common and divergent views
The common view, shared by most believers and Humanists, is that people should be honest, kind and just, and that human dignity matters. The divergence is over the source of morality (God and revelation versus reason and human wellbeing) and over specific issues (abortion, euthanasia, sexuality). Some believers argue goodness ultimately depends on God, while Humanists insist people can be fully good without God. For the exam, show both the agreement and the disagreement, and the different foundations behind them.
Try this
Q1. What is the difference between an atheist and an agnostic? [a-style recall]
- Cue. An atheist believes there is no God; an agnostic holds that we cannot know (or do not know) whether God exists.
Q2. Explain how a Humanist decides what is right. [b-style short explanation]
- Cue. A Humanist uses reason, evidence and empathy, weighing the likely consequences of actions for human (and animal) wellbeing, and follows the golden rule (treat others as you would wish to be treated), without appealing to God or scripture.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC Eduqas exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
Eduqas C120 2019 (style)2 marks[a] What is meant by Humanism?Show worked answer →
This is the 2-mark (a) AO1 definition question. Define the term precisely: Humanism is a non-religious worldview that bases morality on reason and human wellbeing rather than belief in God. A short developed phrase secures both marks, for example "a worldview without belief in God, which holds that people can live good, meaningful lives using reason, evidence and compassion". A single word risks only one mark.
Eduqas C120 2021 (style)8 marks[c] Explain how religious and non-religious people make moral decisions. Refer to sources of wisdom and authority in your answer.Show worked answer →
This is the 8-mark (c) extended AO1 question, and referring to sources is required for the top band. Explain that religious believers use sources of wisdom and authority: sacred texts (the Bible, the Qur'an), religious leaders and tradition, conscience and prayer, asking what God wills. Non-religious people, including Humanists, use reason, evidence, empathy and the consequences for human wellbeing, with no appeal to God, often guided by the golden rule ("treat others as you would wish to be treated"). Develop that they often agree on core values (honesty, compassion) even while differing on the source of authority. The top band rewards developed contrasts with relevant sources.
Eduqas C120 2022 (style)15 marks[d] "You do not need to believe in God to live a good life." Evaluate this statement. In your answer you should refer to religious beliefs and teachings, give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, and reach a justified conclusion.Show worked answer →
This is the 15-mark (d) AO2 evaluation question, where SPaG is assessed, so write in continuous prose with specialist terms. Arguments to support: Humanists and many non-religious people live caring, honest, generous lives guided by reason, empathy and the golden rule, with no belief in God, so belief in God is not needed to be good. Arguments for a different view: many believers hold that real goodness comes from God, that morality needs a firm foundation in God's commands, and that faith motivates and sustains a good life (the example of Jesus, the duty of love); without God, some argue, "good" has no ultimate basis. Use specialist terms (Humanism, atheism, conscience, golden rule). A justified conclusion weighs whether goodness depends on belief in God or whether non-religious people can be fully good.
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Sources & how we know this
- Eduqas GCSE Religious Studies specification (C120, from 2016) — WJEC Eduqas (2016)