Religious Education Past Paper
CORE
SECTION 1: ESSENTIALS OF RELIGION
- Definition of: Religion, Denomination, Sect, Cult;
- Features of Religion: Prayer, Place of Worship, Belief Systems, Rituals, Worship, Symbols, Sacred Writings, Deity, Festivals, Rite of Passage;
- Human needs.
SECTION 2: CHRISITANITY
- Christian Understanding of God;
- Places of Worship;
- Major Locations;
- Source of Authority;
- Major Teachings;
- Christian Festivals;
- Practices of Christianity;
- Similarities and Differences with other Religions;
- Coming of Christianity to the Caribbean.
SECTION 3: HINDUISM
- Some Major Manifestations of God;
- Sacred Places;
- Major Locations;
- Sources of Authority: Hindu Scriptures;
- Beliefs;
- Festivals;
- Practices of Hinduism;
- Similarities and Differences with other Religions;
- Coming of Hinduism to the Caribbean.
SECTION 4: ISLAM
- Relationship with Allah;
- Places of Worship;
- Major Locations;
- Sources of Authority;
- Major Teachings;
- Festivals and Observances;
- Practices of Islam;
- Similarities and Differences with other religions;
- Coming of Islam to the Caribbean.
SECTION 5: JUDAISM
- Nature of God;
- Places of Worship;
- Major Locations;
- Sources of Authority;
- Major Teachings;
- Festivals;
- Practices of Judaism;
- Similarities and Differences with other Religions;
- Coming of Judaism to the Caribbean.
SECTION 6: CARIBBEAN INDIGENOUS RELIGIONS
- Concept of God: Rastafari, Revivalism, Vodun, Orisha, Spiritual Baptist, Santeria;
- Places of Worship;
- Major Locations;
- Major Teachings;
- Festivals/Ceremonies;
- Sources of Authority;
- Similarities and Differences with other Religions;
- The Development of Six Indigenous Religions in the Caribbean.
OPTIONS
OPTION A: CHRISTIANITY
Section 1: Human Life Issues
- Biblical teachings on the meaning and purpose of life;
- Concepts of stewardship;
- Issues related to the value and dignity of life;
- Individuals’ roles, responsibilities and rights in areas of family life and work;
- Implications of biblical teaching of love in areas of human relationship;
- The Old Testament background to the concept of the reign of God;
- The New Testament background on the concept of the reign of God.
Section 2:The Bible
- Transmission and preservation of the Bible;
- Different types of writings;
- Biblical passages applied to daily life;
- Biblical teachings applied to personal and social experiences.
Section 3: God
- Roles of God;
- Significance of the names of God;
- God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit;
- Attributes of God.
Section 4: Concept of Sin and Salvation
- Concept of Sin;
- Sin affecting the quality of life;
- Consequences of Sin;
- Concept of Salvation;
- God in the Work of Salvation;
- Salvation and Faith;
- Essential Factors in the Process of Salvation.
OPTION B: HINDUISM
Section 1: Human Life Issues
- Hindu teachings on the meaning and purpose of life (Uttarkaanda RamayanDhoaa 44);
- Concepts of Guruhood and Disciple;
- Issues related to the value and dignity of human life;
- Individuals’ roles and responsibilities and rights in the area of family life and work;
- Implications of Hindu teaching of love in the areas of human relationship;
- Scriptural teachings on the nature of human beings;
- Sanctity of Life.
Section 2: The Ramayan/Bhagvad Geeta
- How the Ramayan and Bhagvad Geeta came into being;
- Different types of writings;
- Scriptural teachings as it relates to daily life;
- Hindu teachings applied to personal and social experiences.
Section 3: The Absolute and Avatars
- Roles of God;
- Significance of the names of God;
- God as Nirgun and Saguna Brahma;
- Qualities of Saguna Brahma (as the Parmaatmaa).
Section 4: Concept of Sin and Liberation
- Concept of Sin;
- How sin affects the individual, society and environment;
- Consequences of sin;
- Concept of Liberation (Moksha);
- Bondage and Liberation.
OPTION C: ISLAM
Section 1: Human Life Issues
- Islamic teachings on the meaning and purpose of life;
- Vicegerency of man;
- Issues related to value and dignity of human life;
- Individual’s roles, responsibilities and rights in areas of family life and work;
- Concept of Ibaadah (worship) and its impact on daily life;
- The response to the social ills and inadequacies;
- The Islamic answers to socio-economic problems.
Section 2: The Holy Qur’an
- Preservation, transmission and complication of the Qur’an;
- The Arabic language as the language of the Qur’an;
- The Qur’an: Permanent miracle revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him);
- Main Tenets of the Qur’an;
- The Hadith: second source of guidance;
- The teachings of Qur’an and Hadith for daily life.
Section 3: Concept of Allah (God)
- The concept of Tawheed (Oneness of God);
- Belief in the Angels;
- Belief in Divine Scripture;
- The Concept of Prophethood;
- Belief in the Hereafter;
- Belief in Al-Qadr (Divine Decree);
- The relationship between the Allah and his servants (devotee).
Section 4: Concept of Sin, Punishment and Reward
- Concept of Sin;
- The effects of Sin;
- The consequences of sin;
- The concept of Taqwah (God consciousness) and Ihsan (Excellence).
OPTION D: JUDAISM
Section 1: Human life Issues
- Teachings on the meaning and the purpose of human life through being;
- Concept of Stewardship;
- Moral living in daily life;
- Issues related to the value and dignity of human life;
- Individuals’ roles, responsibilities and rights in family life;
- Concept of the reign of God in the Tennach (Tenakh);
- Medical and health issues.
Section 2: The Tennach (Tenakh)
- Transmission of the Tennach/Tenakh;
- The books of Teaching;
- Instruction of Jewish teachings and practices;
- Teachings of the Tennach/Tenakh applied to personal and social experiences.
Section 3: God
- Nature of God;
- The name of God and titles for God;
- God and Covenant;
- Attributes of God.
Section 4: Festivals and Observances
- Jewish Festivals in the Caribbean;
- Purpose and ceremonial observance of the festivals and holy days;
- Explain the modern significance of each festival;
- Identify the months of celebration for each.