Topic title: Is there a God: what and why do people believe?
Year group: 7
When taught: September-October
What are we learning?
- At the start of this module, we will look at what is meant by the terms Philosophy, Belief and Ethics. We will then explore the concept of belief in more detail, with a consideration of the idea of ‘worldviews.’
- We will then consider different beliefs about God using key terms such as monotheist, polytheist, atheist, agnostic.
- We will consider different arguments for and against the existence of God using key terms such as objective, subjective, empirical, verifiable, reason.
- We will look at key beliefs about God in Christianity and Islam and we will consider reasons for non-belief in God as expressed by Humanists.
Why is this important to know?
- This introductory module will assess prior knowledge from KS2, as well as address any misconceptions.
- It will give students fundamental understanding of key terms and knowledge crucial to progression in the subject e.g. omnipotent, omnibenevolent, atheists, agnostic etc. These terms/concepts will be revisited throughout study at KS3/4/5.
Where does this link into our past and future learning?
- As stated above, these key terms are fundamental in PBE and will be continually used by students in all future study/modules. For example, in Year 9 when we consider the problem of evil and suffering, we will explore challenges to the omnipotence and omnibenevolence of God.
- Our next Year 7 topic looks at the origins of the universe. We will use and build on the key terms in this module to consider different views towards creation. E.g. The belief by some that an omnipotent being is required to explain creation and the intricacies in nature (as proposed by the Teleological and Cosmological Arguments)
- This topic deepens skills of evaluation with the use of key terms such as subjective/objective. These key terms will be revisited throughout various subsequent modules in KS3 and beyond.
How will we be assessed on this topic?
- Ongoing assessment of knowledge and understanding of key terms through Satchel One quizzes/homework/retrieval tasks in lessons.
- An assessment in the Autumn Term comprising of Section A: Short Q and A to test knowledge and Section B: longer written answers to test application.
What makes a strong piece of work in this topic? What are teachers hoping to see?
In PBE longer answers we use codes to identify what makes a good answer. These include:
- Use of key terms (KT)
- Knowledge of key terms (K)
- Use of sources of authority (SOA) to help explain different views. For example: quotes from the Bible, religious figures such as Aquinas, Fletcher.
- Explanation of points in detail (EXPN)
- Giving different views towards the topic studied (DV)
- An understanding of how religious beliefs motivate people to act (I)
- Evaluation of different views looked at (EV) using critical sentence starters e.g. ‘It could be argued….’, ‘on the other hand….’
- Linking points back to the specific question asked (L)
- In evaluation questions, concluding/reaching a judgement is important (RJ)
What key words are there in this topic?
Quizlet: Click here
What can I try if I want to stretch and challenge myself on this topic?
- Use key terms in your written work but also when you are contributing to class discussions.
- Use the Quizlet cards to continually remind yourself of key terms. Create your own flashcards for these to use for revision. Create your own key quotes flash cards.
- Research other arguments for the existence of God such as the Ontological Argument and consider how effective arguments are in proving the existence of God.
- Attend Philosophy Club to engage in further debate with students from a different year group.
What wider reading can be done on this topic?
- Philosophy and Ethics (KS3 Knowing Religion) by Robert Orme (textbook available from P2)
- What is Humanism? How do you live without a God? And other big questions for kids by Michael Rosen and Annemarie Young (available in the Aird Library: Click here
- BBC KS3 webpages – find out what different religions believe about God: Click here
- BBC KS4 webpages – Useful webpages aimed at GCSE students but accessible for KS3. These pages include key terms and arguments for God’s existence: Click here Click here
Supporting document/links:
- Knowledge organiser (see below)
Is there a God?
Key vocab
- Atheist – someone who doesn’t believe in God
- Agnostic – someone who doesn’t know if God exists or thinks it is impossible to prove.
- Monotheism – the belief in one God
- Polytheism – the belief in many Gods.
- Omnipotent – all powerful Omniscient – all knowing
- Omnibenevolent – all loving Omnipresent – everywhere
- Eternal – everlasting Bible – The Christian Holy Book
Reasons people believe in God (they are theists)
They have been brought up to believe in God. They have had a prayer answered.
They think there must have been a first cause of everything, a cause that must be eternal.
They think the world is so complex it must have a designer.
Reasons people do not believe in God (they are atheists).
They haven’t got solid, testable, scientific proof. Not brought up to believe.
They question how a loving god can exist when there is suffering in the world if he has the power to stop it?
They have asked for something in prayer and it was not received.
Christian beliefs – monotheism
- Christian beliefs about God are found in the Bible.
- There is one God (they are monotheists). God is omnipotent, omniscient, omnibenevolent, creator of all and judge, eternal and transcendent.
- Christians believe in the Trinity, the belief in One God in 3 ‘persons’. The 3 parts are all God but they are NOT each other
- God the Father: creator & judge, who “ set the earth firmly on its foundations.” Psalms
- God the Son : Jesus says, “The Father and I are one.”
- God the Holy Spirit: Constantly here on earth
- Jesus (the son) came to earth, was God incarnate (in flesh) who performed miracles and who died to cleanse mans’ sins “Christ died for us” (Romans)
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