How do religious and non-religious people respond to the issues of good and evil?
Issues of Good and Evil (Unit 1, Theme 2): the problem of evil and suffering, sources of moral authority and goodness, crime and the causes of crime, the aims of punishment, forgiveness and reconciliation, and the death penalty (capital punishment), including religious and non-religious responses.
A focused answer on the philosophical theme Issues of Good and Evil for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 1, covering the problem of evil and suffering, sources of morality, crime and punishment, the aims of punishment, forgiveness and the death penalty, with religious and non-religious responses.
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What this dot point is asking
This dot point covers Theme 2: Issues of Good and Evil, the second philosophical theme in Unit 1, Part B. You need to explain religious responses (Christian and Muslim) and non-religious responses (atheist and Humanist) to the problem of evil and suffering, sources of moral authority, crime and its causes, the aims of punishment, forgiveness, and the death penalty. The (d) question rewards a balanced argument with sources of wisdom and a clear judgement.
The problem of evil and suffering
Religious responses to suffering
Sources of moral authority
Crime, punishment and its aims
Forgiveness and the death penalty
Try this
Q1. What is the "problem of evil"? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. The challenge that an all-powerful, all-loving God seems incompatible with the evil and suffering in the world; it distinguishes moral evil (human choices) from natural evil (nature).
Q2. Explain one religious view on forgiveness. [Short explanation]
- Cue. Christians stress forgiveness and reconciliation, following Jesus' teaching to forgive "seventy times seven" and to "turn the other cheek", believing forgiveness reflects God's mercy.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of WJEC exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
WJEC Unit 1 (c)8 marksExplain religious responses to the problem of evil and suffering.Show worked answer →
The (c) explain question (AO1). Reward developed responses with sources of wisdom.
Response one. Some believers explain suffering as a test of faith or a chance to grow, pointing to Job, who kept faith through suffering, or to free will, which allows moral evil.
Response two. Many respond practically: they help those who suffer, following Jesus' teaching to love your neighbour and the Muslim duty of compassion and charity (zakah, sadaqah).
Response three. Some accept it as a mystery and trust God's justice, believing wrongs will be put right at judgement and in the afterlife.
Top band. Developed responses, each supported by a source of wisdom.
WJEC Unit 1 (d)15 marks'The death penalty can never be justified.' Discuss this statement.Show worked answer →
The (d) evaluation question (AO2), with SPaG. Reward a balanced argument with religious and non-religious views and a clear conclusion.
Agree. Many believers oppose it because life is sacred and God-given, mistakes are irreversible, and forgiveness and reform are better, following Jesus' teaching of mercy ("turn the other cheek").
Disagree. Others point to retribution and protection, to "an eye for an eye" and to some traditional Muslim teaching that allows capital punishment for the most serious crimes.
Non-religious view. Humanists usually oppose it on grounds of human rights, the risk of error and the lack of evidence that it deters, judging by consequences.
Judgement. Reach a supported conclusion, weighing justice and protection against the sanctity of life, error and forgiveness.
Related dot points
- Issues of Life and Death (Unit 1, Theme 1): the origins of the universe and of human life (creation and scientific views), the value and sanctity of life and quality of life, abortion, euthanasia, and beliefs about life after death, including religious and non-religious (atheist and Humanist) responses.
A focused answer on the philosophical theme Issues of Life and Death for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 1, covering the origins of the universe and humanity, the sanctity and quality of life, abortion, euthanasia and life after death, with religious and non-religious responses.
- Christianity core beliefs and teachings for Unit 1 Part A: the nature of God (omnipotent, loving, just), the Trinity, creation and the Word, the Incarnation, the life and teaching of Jesus, the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension, salvation, grace and atonement, and beliefs about life after death (judgement, heaven and hell).
A focused answer on Christian beliefs and teachings for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 1 Part A, covering the nature of God, the Trinity, creation, the Incarnation and Jesus, the crucifixion and resurrection, salvation and atonement, and beliefs about life after death.
- Islam core beliefs and teachings for Unit 1 Part A: the nature of Allah and Tawhid, the Six Beliefs of Sunni Islam (with the Five Roots of Shi'a Islam), angels and predestination, prophethood and Muhammad as the Seal of the Prophets, the Qur'an and other holy books, and akhirah (life after death, the Day of Judgement, paradise and hell).
A focused answer on Muslim beliefs and teachings for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 1 Part A, covering Tawhid and the nature of Allah, the Six Beliefs and Five Roots, angels and predestination, prophethood and Muhammad, the Qur'an, and akhirah (life after death).
- Issues of Human Rights (Unit 2, Theme 4): human dignity and equality, prejudice and discrimination (including racism and religious discrimination), social justice and the work of justice, poverty and the responsible use of wealth, and freedom of religion and freedom of expression, including religious and non-religious responses.
A focused answer on the ethical theme Issues of Human Rights for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 2, covering human dignity and equality, prejudice and discrimination, social justice, poverty and wealth, and freedom of religion and expression, with religious and non-religious responses.
- The WJEC GCSE Religious Studies exam structure: the two units (Religion and Philosophical Themes; Religion and Ethical Themes), the Part A and Part B division, the (a) to (d) question ladder and its mark tariffs, the AO1 and AO2 assessment objectives, the use of sources of wisdom, and the SPaG marks in the extended evaluation question.
A focused guide to the WJEC GCSE Religious Studies exam structure and question types, covering the two units, Part A and Part B, the (a) to (d) question ladder and tariffs, the AO1 and AO2 objectives, sources of wisdom, and the SPaG marks in the evaluation question.
Sources & how we know this
- WJEC GCSE Religious Studies specification (3120) — WJEC (2017)