How do religious and non-religious people respond to the issues of life and death?
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.
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What this dot point is asking
This dot point covers Theme 1: Issues of Life and Death, the first 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 origins of the universe and humanity, the sanctity and quality of life, abortion, euthanasia and life after death. The (d) question rewards a balanced argument with sources of wisdom and a clear judgement.
The origins of the universe and humanity
The sanctity and quality of life
Abortion
Euthanasia
Life after death
Try this
Q1. What is meant by the "sanctity of life"? [Knowledge recall]
- Cue. The belief that life is sacred and God-given, so it must be respected and protected; humans are "made in the image of God" (Genesis 1), and in Islam life is a sacred trust (Surah 5).
Q2. Explain one religious and one non-religious view on euthanasia. [Short explanation]
- Cue. Many religious believers say euthanasia is wrong because life is God's to end; many Humanists support compassionate assisted dying with safeguards, judging by the person's suffering and consent.
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 beliefs about the sanctity of life.Show worked answer →
The (c) explain question (AO1). Reward developed reasons with sources of wisdom.
Reason one. Many religious believers hold that life is sacred because it is given by God; humans are made "in the image of God" (Genesis 1) and life is a gift to be respected.
Reason two. Because God gives life, many believe only God has the right to take it ("the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away", Job 1), which shapes views on abortion and euthanasia.
Reason three. In Islam, life is a sacred trust from Allah, and the Qur'an teaches that to save one life is to save all humanity (Surah 5).
Top band. Developed reasons, each supported by a source of wisdom.
WJEC Unit 1 (d)15 marks'Euthanasia is always wrong.' 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 religious believers say euthanasia is wrong because life is sacred and God-given, and only God should decide when life ends; some fear it weakens care for the vulnerable.
Disagree. Others, religious and non-religious, argue that compassion and the quality of life matter, that a painful, dignified death can be the loving choice, and that people should have autonomy over their own death.
Non-religious view. Humanists often support assisted dying with safeguards, judging each case by compassion and consent rather than a fixed rule.
Judgement. Reach a supported conclusion, weighing sanctity of life against compassion, quality of life and autonomy.
Related dot points
- 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.
- 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 Relationships (Unit 2, Theme 3): the nature and purpose of marriage, attitudes to sex, cohabitation, divorce and remarriage, the family and its purpose, the roles of men and women and gender equality, and contraception and family planning, including religious and non-religious responses.
A focused answer on the ethical theme Issues of Relationships for WJEC GCSE Religious Studies Unit 2, covering marriage, sex, cohabitation, divorce, the family, gender roles and equality, and contraception, 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)