Appendix 10 - Non-statutory guidance KS3

Statutory enquiries with possible key questions (non-statutory)

1. Does belief in ‘God’ still make sense? - Christianity, (Buddhism), Humanism

• What is ‘God’? What do the religions say about the nature and existence of ‘God’?
• How are they similar to and different from each other?
• How do they differ within themselves?
• If God is infinite, how can finite human language say anything about God? What do Humanists believe?
• If there is no form of divine power or ‘God’, how can we make sense of life?
• Does life have any meaning and/or purpose?
• Why do some people believe in ‘God’ and others don't?
• How does or should believe in ‘God’ affect the way people live their lives?
• To what extent is atheism or agnosticism a more reasonable life stance?
• Would the world be better if there were no belief in ‘God’?
• Would the world be better if everyone believed the same things?

2. What is ‘Truth’ and why is it important? -Christianity, (Buddhism), rationalism

• In what sense can sacred texts and stories be held to be true?
• What evidence is there for the truth of religious worldviews?
• Is there more to truth than simply being factually correct?
• What makes someone or something an authority on truth?
• What is truth and how do we know? What is real and what is fake? Are there some things that are true now that will be true for all time?
• What does truth mean in maths, science, literature, the arts, history, philosophy, ethics and religion?
• Is there just one form of truth? How do we decide what is true?
• Does faith provide insights into truth? What is the relationship between knowledge, belief and faith? Can there be any place for revelation?
• Is factual truth sufficient for making sense of and expressing how we experience, understand and respond to the world? is it possible or desirable for everyone to believe the same truth in the same way?
• Why do people disagree about how we should live our lives?
• Why isn't there one right way to live for all people at all times?

3. What is knowledge? – Christianity, (Buddhism), Humanism

• What are ultimate questions?
• What kinds of answer do ultimate questions require?
• What can science and religion tell us about the universe and life? And can they both be held together?
• How is language used in religion and science?
• What is the nature of knowledge, belief and faith?
• What basis is there for our beliefs?
• What is revelation? How reliable is revelation?
• How do our beliefs influence the way we live and behave?

4. What does it mean to be human? - Christianity, (Sikhi), Humanism

• What do some religions teach about what it means to be human?
• What do they teach about what happens when we die?
• Do all members over religion understand these in the same way?
• What do humanists have to say about these questions?
• Is there more to life than just the material and physical?
• Does life have meaning, purpose and value?
• To what extent is human life different from and similar to other animals?
• How important is our sense of identity? Does being human hold innate value and responsibilities?
• What makes me, me, you, you and us human?

5. Does science prove religion is wrong? - Christianity, (Buddhism), materialism

• Has religion got anything meaningful to say about the origins of the universe and of life?
• What is the status of scientific theories about the origins of the universe and of life?
• Are science and religion incompatible?
• Why is there something rather than nothing and why is this an important question, or is not?
• Do we have to have a sense of meaning and purpose?
• Can life have meaning and purpose if it is just a brutal fact?
• Is there any point or purpose or value to life?
• How can science provide a moral code to live by?

6. How do we decide what is right and wrong? - Christianity, (Sikhi), Humanism

• What do the religions and humanism have to say about ‘the good life’?
• Does everyone within a religion or worldview have the same understanding of what their worldview says about the good life?
• What might influence a person’s understanding of the good life?
• Are all beliefs and theories about right and wrong equally valid?
• What makes something right or wrong? How do we know?
• Is there such a thing as the good life? If so, how can we all live it?
• If everyone just obeyed the law, wouldn't the world be a better place?

7. How can prayer and worship serve any purpose? - Christianity, (Buddhism), (Sikhi), non-religious worldviews

• In what different ways do religious devotees worship and express what is of absolute value or ultimate concern in life?
• What can religious devotees gain from acts of ritual and worship?
• To what extent is it fair to say that such things as our celebrity culture and our desire to define ourselves through our possessions bear any similarity to religious worship?
• What if anything is the point of worship?
• Can humans live without some form of worship or experience of something greater than we are?
• How do we express what is of absolute value or ultimate concern in life?
• How does religious worship compare to modern celebrity culture in terms of values and ways of living? Is there more to life than material and physical needs?

8. Is it possible to make sense of evil and suffering? - Christianity, (Buddhism), Humanism

• How do the religions and humanism explain the existence of evil and suffering?
• To what extent are these explanations adequate?
• How can people believe in God in the face of evil and suffering?
• Does the reality of evil and suffering make belief in God irrational?
• Does belief in God provide I means for facing up to and explaining evil and suffering?
• How can we explain and deal with Evil and suffering? What would life in a world without evil and suffering be like?
• Would a perfect world be desirable or possible?

9. What do we mean by a just and fair world and is it possible to create one? - Christianity, (Sikhi), Humanism

• What do the religions and humanism teach about how we should treat other people? What are human rights and where do they come from? Do we have a responsibility to make life better for other people? If so, why?
• Why should we be concerned about creating a fairer world and a just society?
• Where do our values come from? Is it possible to create a fair and just world?
• Can we agree on what would make a fair and just world?
• Is it desirable to create a fair and just world?
• If these are not possible, should we just give up and simply look after ourselves and our nearest and dearest?

10. What responsibility do humans have towards the natural world? - Christianity, (Sikhi), Non-religious worldviews

• How do religious beliefs and experiences influence people’s understanding of human responsibility for the world?
• To what extent do humans have a common responsibility to work towards climate justice?
• How do we balance our needs and our wants with our responsibility to work towards climate justice?
• What prevents people from living up to their beliefs and ideals about climate justice?
• Do religious beliefs and other worldviews really make any difference to how we treat the natural world?
• Should everyone become vegan?
• How far are you prepared to adjust your way of living to ensure global climate justice?

11. One truth or many? How can we live together with people with different worldviews? - Christianity, (Sikhi), non-religious worldviews

• What do the religions and world views teach about living with people who have different beliefs and lifestyles from their own?
• To what extent are religious faith and secular beliefs a positive or negative force in society?
• Why do religious beliefs and ways of living seemed to divide people more than bring them together?
• To what extent is this a fair judgement? How helpful are media understandings of and reporting on issues of religion and belief?
• How can all sacred texts be true? How can people with different truth claims learn to live and flourish together in community?
• Would the world be a better place if everyone believed the same?

12. What does it mean to be a Christian in the modern world?

• Why is Jesus so important in Christianity? How do different Christians understand the significance of Jesus? How is Jesus depicted throughout the ages and across different cultures? How does Jesus influence the lives of different individuals and communities?
• How and why are the Old and New Testaments important to different Christians? How was the Bible put together and why is this important regarding different ways of interpreting the sacred texts amongst different Christians? How is the Bible used by different Christians and how does it influence their Christian life? What is the central narrative of the Bible?
• How do different Christians worship? Why are there different styles of worship and what do these show about diversity in belief and understanding amongst Christians?
• How does worship Influence their ways of living? What value is there in worship?
• Why are there so many different Christian denominations and what is their significance?
• How is Christian faith expressed through the arts?
• What important occasions and life events do Christians celebrate and what does this show about what is most important in life to them?
• What do different Christians believe about life after death and how does this influence their life in the world?
• To what extent is Christian faith more than just agreeing to credal statements?

13. What does it mean to be a Buddhist in the modern world?

• Why is Buddha so important to Buddhists? How do different Buddhists interpret the nature of the Buddha?
• What are the most important principles in Buddhism? How do these principles find expression in the lives of Buddhists around the world?
• How is the Buddhist dhamma lived out in the sangha and in the laity?
• What are the core Buddhist sacred texts and how do they shape the lives of individuals and communities?
• To what extent could Buddhism be seen as a philosophy rather than as a religion?
• To what extent does Buddhism provide a worldview suited to the modern western mind?
• How is Buddhism lived and experienced around the world?
• To what extent can Buddhism be an agent for social action and change?

14. What does it mean to be a Sikhi in the modern world?

• How did the social and historical context of northwest subcontinent influence the emergence and development of Sikhi and Sikhs today?
• How do the lives of the 10 gurus influence the living faith of Sikhi today?
• What is the Guru Granth Sahib? What are the key stories and teachings? How is it used and how does it influence modern Sikhi living?
• What do the Five Ks tell us about Sikhi living and how are they lived out and interpreted differently within Sikhi communities?
• What are the most important aspects of Sikhi living and how do Sikhs responded differently to these?
• What are the core beliefs of Sikhi and how do they influence Sikhs in Britain and beyond?
• To what extent is the importance of equality lived out in different Sikhi communities?
• Why is seva such an important aspect of Sikhi life and how does it relate to Sikhi understandings of what it means to be human?

15. What does it mean to be a humanist in the modern world?

• In what different ways do Humanists understand the world? What do they hold in common?
• How is Humanism similar to and different from religion?
• What are the roots of Humanism?
• How to Humanists find value and meaning in their lives? How is this shown in their celebrations and way of living?
• How do Humanists know what is right and wrong?
• How do Humanists decide what is true?
• What do Humanists believe about the nature of reality, what it means to be human and matters of living and dying?
• What is the Humanist vision for society?
• Are all Humanists atheists? How do they respond to religious faith?