AQA (A) GCSE Religious Studies Unit 4 Roman Catholicism: Ethics (textbook)

Summary:
This textbook has been written to meet the needs of students following the AQA GCSE Religious Studies Specification A course who are studying Unit 4 Roman Catholicism: Ethics. Detailed analysis of the issues and discussion of a range of views are supported throughout by key word definitions and study of set Biblical passages and other Christian teachings. Each section concludes with sample questions and answers, questions for exam practice, class activities and homework tasks. A final section on exam technique is followed by a glossary and list of useful websites.
Each of the following topics for this specification is considered from the perspective of Roman Catholicism:
Christian values
Christian marriage
Holy Orders and religious vocation
Lay ministry
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
Crime and punishment
Prejudice and discrimination
The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick
Respect for human life (at the beginning of life)
Respect for human life (at the end of life)
Vocation in action
War and peace

• Completely updated for the new GCSE specifications
• Learn to identify and discuss, and construct arguments for and against, different beliefs and points of view
• Have the opportunity to explore topic areas in greater depth through class activities and homework
• Practise answering the types of questions they will encounter in the examination
• Gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the content and requirement of each unit

Table of Contents:
Introduction
1. Sources of authority for Roman Catholics
2. Christian values
The Ten Commandments: Exodus 20:1-17
The Beatitudes: Matthew 5:1-12
3. Christian marriage
The Roman Catholic marriage service
Roman Catholic teaching about marriage
Sexual relationships
Responsible parenthood
Adoption and fostering
Why marriages fail
Divorce, annulment and remarriage
4. Christian vocation: holy orders
The ordination of priests
The role and work of the priest
The role of deacons
5. Christian vocation: religious life
Religious orders and religious vows
The ordination of women to the priesthood
Arguments against women priests
Arguments for women priests
Celibacy of the priesthood
6. Lay ministry
Lay people (the laity)
The parable of the talents: Matthew 25:14-30
7. Christian reconciliation
Sin
Reconciliation and forgiveness
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
The life and teaching of Jesus
The parable of the forgiving father: Luke 15:11-32
8. Crime and punishment
Causes of crime
How are people punished?
Aims of punishment
Capital punishment
Christian attitudes to crime and punishment
The parable of the unmerciful servant: Matthew 18:23-35
9. Prejudice and discrimination
Causes of prejudice and discrimination
Discrimination and the law
Areas of discrimination
The parable of the Good Samaritan: Luke 10:25-37
Christian attitudes to prejudice and discrimination
10. Christian healing
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick
Dying and the Afterlife
11. Respect for human life (at the beginning of life)
The sanctity of human life
Contraception
Abortion
In vitro fertilisation (IVF)
12. Respect for human life (at the end of life)
Types of euthanasia
Dignity in Dying
The ProLife Alliance
Arguments for euthanasia
Arguments against euthanasia
Roman Catholic attitudes to euthanasia
Other Christian views on euthanasia
13. Christian responses to global issues
Vocation in action
The situation in developing countries
The response to the crisis
Christian attitudes to world poverty
14. War and peace
Causes of war
Consequences of war
Types of weapons and warfare
The Just War theory
Terrorism
Pacifism
Christian attitudes to war and peace
Exam technique
Glossary
Useful websites
Index

About the Author(s):
Sheila Butler is a principal examiner and experienced teacher. Until recently she was Head of Religious Studies at Durham High School for Girls. She is currently teaching part-time at Durham School.