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OCR GCSE Religious Studies J625
Christianity: Beliefs and TeachingsGroup 1
Topic overviewChristian terms for the nature of GodWhy God's nature matters to ChristiansThe Christian Trinity and different attitudes to itChristian beliefs about creation in Genesis and JohnEvil, suffering and a loving GodJesus as Messiah, Son of God, Lord and SaviourThe incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection and ascensionSalvation, atonement, law, sin and graceChristian eschatology: the Second Coming, judgement, heaven and hell
Christianity: PracticesGroup 1
Topic overviewChristian worship and the structure of servicesChristian sacraments: baptism and the EucharistChristian prayer and the Lord's PrayerChristian pilgrimage and festivals: Lourdes, Jerusalem, Walsingham, Rome, Christmas and EasterChristian rites of passage and support for familiesChristian mission, evangelism and new forms of churchThe worldwide Church, ecumenism and Christian aid agencies
Islam: Beliefs and TeachingsGroup 1
Topic overviewThe six articles of faith in Sunni IslamThe five roots of Usul ad-Din in Shi'a IslamThe 99 names of AllahTawhid, shirk and Allah's attributes in actionRisalah and the prophets from Adam to DawudIsa, Muhammad and the twelve Shi'a ImamsThe Kutub: Muslim holy books and the Qur'anMalaikah: the angels in IslamAl-Qadr: predestination and human freedom in IslamAkhirah: barzakh, judgement, Jannah and Jahannam
Islam: PracticesGroup 1
Topic overviewThe Five Pillars of Sunni IslamThe Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi'a IslamSalah and wudu: how and why Muslims prayShahadah, Jummah prayer and the khutbaDu'a: private prayer in IslamHajj: origins, obligation and ihramThe rituals of Hajj and their meaningZakah: meaning, origins and nisabKhums, sadaqah and the distribution of almsSawm: fasting in RamadanEid-ul-Adha and Eid-ul-FitrEid-ul-Ghadeer and Ashura in Shi'a IslamGreater and lesser jihad
Judaism: Beliefs and TeachingsGroup 1
Topic overviewG-d as One, Creator, Law-Giver, Judge and EternalG-d's characteristics and the problem of suffering in JudaismShekinah, the divine presence of G-dThe Covenant at Sinai and the role of MosesThe Messiah and the Messianic AgeThe Promised Land and the Covenant with AbrahamMitzvot, free will and Divine ProvidenceEthical and ritual MitzvotThe sanctity of life and Pikuach NefeshJewish beliefs about the soul and life after death
Judaism: PracticesGroup 1
Topic overviewThe synagogue: design, features and the TempleSynagogue services and worship in the Jewish homeJewish public prayer and the AmidahJewish private prayer, the Shema and blessings at homeThe Tenakh, the Talmud and Jewish lawShabbat in the Jewish home and synagogueRosh Hashanah and Yom KippurPesach and the SederShavuot, Sukkot, Hanukkah and the Jewish calendarKashrut: the Jewish dietary lawsJewish birth ceremonies and Brit MilahBar Mitzvah, Bat Mitzvah and Bat ChayilKiddushin and the Jewish weddingJewish burial and mourning rites
Buddhism: Beliefs and TeachingsGroup 1
Topic overviewThe life of the Buddha and his EnlightenmentThe Dhamma and dependent originationThe Three Marks of ExistenceThe First Noble Truth: dukkhaThe Second Noble Truth: tanha and the three poisonsThe Third Noble Truth: nibbana and EnlightenmentThe Fourth Noble Truth: the Eightfold Path and Threefold WayThe five khandhas, sunyata and buddha-natureArhats, bodhisattvas, Buddhas and the Pure LandBuddhist ethical teachings: kamma, compassion and the preceptsSkilful action and the Middle Way in modern life
Buddhism: PracticesGroup 1
Topic overviewBuddhist worship: puja, chanting, mantras and offeringsBuddhist meditation: samatha, vipassana, zazen and visualisationBuddhist temples, shrines, pilgrimage sites and retreatsThe Buddhist Sangha: monastic and layBuddhist festivals: Wesak, Vassa, Uposatha and moreBuddhist death rites and mourning
Hinduism: Beliefs and TeachingsGroup 1
Topic overviewAtman, the eternal selfSamsara, maya, detachment and mokshaHindu teaching on karmaLokas, devas and asurasPrakriti, the gunas and the cycle of creationSaguna Brahman, the Trimurti and the TrideviAvatars of Vishnu and the murtiBrahman as impersonal, indwelling and personalDharma and the four aims of lifeHindu virtues, free will and suffering
Hinduism: PracticesGroup 1
Topic overviewThe four margas: jnana, bhakti, karma and raja yogaVarnashrama dharma, svadharma, sewa and danaHindu worship: havan, puja, japa, bhajan and darshanHindu temples, shrines, holy people and sacred natureHindu pilgrimage to Varanasi, the Ganges and other sitesHoli, Navaratri and DiwaliMaha Shivaratri, Ganesh Chaturthi and Raksha BandhanHindu ethical concerns: animals, environment and society
Christianity: Relationships and FamiliesGroup 2
Topic overviewThe purpose of Christian marriage and family lifeChristian attitudes to same-sex marriage and civil partnershipChristian attitudes to sex before marriage, cohabitation and celibacyChristian attitudes to contraceptionChristian ethics of divorce, annulment and remarriageThe roles of men and women in Christian families and communitiesChristian understandings of equality and gender discrimination
Christianity: The Existence of GodGroup 2
Topic overviewChristian understandings of God's relationship with the world and humanityGod's goodness and human sufferingThe design argument and the anthropic principleThe first cause argument and Christian beliefThe moral argument, soul-making and judgementHow Christians believe God is revealedChristian religious experience: conversion, mystical, charismatic and sacramental
Christianity: Religion, Peace and ConflictGroup 2
Topic overviewChristian teachings about violence and conflictChristian attitudes to terrorismThe Just War theory, Holy War and conduct in warChristian attitudes to conventional, technological and nuclear warfareChristian pacifism: absolute and conditionalChristian peacemaking and non-violent actionChristian teachings on forgiveness and reconciliationChristian views on justice, injustice and social justice
Christianity: Dialogue Between Religious and Non-Religious BeliefsGroup 2
Topic overviewChristianity in British public lifeSecularisation and the rise of humanism in BritainReligious and secular values in educationChristian teachings and secular law on marriage and equalityChristian teachings and science in medical ethicsChristian attitudes to other religions: exclusivism, inclusivism and pluralismEcumenism, inter-faith dialogue and proselytisationChristianity and atheism, agnosticism, humanism and secularism
Islam: Relationships and FamiliesGroup 2
Topic overviewThe Muslim family: roles and purposesMuslim marriage: purposes, contract and practiceMuslim views on sexuality, same-sex marriage and civil partnershipSex before marriage, cohabitation, celibacy and contraception in IslamMuslim teachings on divorce, annulment and remarriageRoles of Muslim men and women in family and communityGender equality and discrimination in Islam
Islam: The Existence of AllahGroup 2
Topic overviewMuslim views on what Allah is likeAllah's goodness and the problem of evil in IslamMuslim responses to sufferingMuslim arguments from design and first causeKhalifah, purpose and moral testing in the Muslim view of the worldRevelation and miracles as Muslim evidence for AllahMuslim religious experience: fitrah, Sufism and worship
Islam: Religion, Peace and ConflictGroup 2
Topic overviewMuslim teachings on violence and conflictMuslim responses to terrorismHoly War, the Just War theory and Muslim conduct in warMuslim attitudes to conventional, technological and nuclear warfarePacifism, non-violence and Muslim peacemakingForgiveness and reconciliation in IslamJustice and social justice in Islam
Islam: Dialogue Between Religious and Non-Religious BeliefsGroup 2
Topic overviewMuslim perspectives on Christianity in British public lifeSecularisation, humanism and Muslim faith schoolsMuslim marriage customs and UK secular lawEuthanasia, abortion and genetic science in Muslim ethicsMuslim exclusivism, inclusivism and pluralismUnity within the ummah, national identity and da'wahIslam in dialogue with atheism, agnosticism, humanism and secularism
Judaism: Relationships and FamiliesGroup 2
Topic overviewThe purpose of family and marriage in JudaismJewish views on same-sex relationships and civil partnershipJewish views on sex, cohabitation, celibacy and contraceptionJewish divorce, annulment and remarriageRoles of men and women in Jewish families and communitiesJewish teaching on gender equality and discrimination
Judaism: The Existence of G-DGroup 2
Topic overviewJewish beliefs about G-d's nature and relationship with the worldJewish responses to evil and human sufferingJewish views on the design and first cause argumentsMorality, covenant and the value of arguments for G-d in JudaismHow Jews believe G-d is revealedJewish religious experience and perception of the divine
Judaism: Religion, Peace and ConflictGroup 2
Topic overviewJewish teachings on violence and its justificationJewish attitudes to terrorismMilchemet Mitzvah, Milchemet Reshut and conduct in warJewish attitudes to conventional, technological and nuclear warfareJewish views on pacifism and working for peaceJewish teaching on forgiveness and reconciliationJewish views on justice and social justice
Judaism: Dialogue Between Religious and Non-Religious BeliefsGroup 2
Topic overviewJewish perspectives on Christianity's place in British public lifeJudaism in a secular BritainJewish schools, marriage and equality law in BritainJewish medical ethics and scientific developmentJewish views of other faiths: exclusivism, inclusivism and pluralismIntra-faith and inter-faith dialogue in British JudaismJudaism and non-religious worldviews
Buddhism: Relationships and FamiliesGroup 2
Topic overviewBuddhist views on the family and the Sigalovada SuttaBuddhist attitudes to marriage and its cultural formsBuddhist ethics of sex, the Third Precept and same-sex relationshipsBuddhist views on cohabitation, celibacy, contraception and divorceBuddhist views on the roles of men and womenBuddhist teaching on equality, caste and gender discrimination
Buddhism: The Existence of Ultimate RealityGroup 2
Topic overviewBuddhist understandings of Ultimate Reality without a creator GodBuddhist views on goodness, evil and sufferingBuddhist responses to design, first cause and the unanswered questionsThe world as samsara: kamma, cycles and human rebirthHow Buddhists believe Ultimate Reality is revealedBuddhist religious experience: refuge, jhanas, kensho and visions
Buddhism: Religion, Peace and ConflictGroup 2
Topic overviewBuddhist teachings on violence and non-harmBuddhists in violent conflict and attitudes to terrorismBuddhist views on justified war, holy war and modern warfareBuddhist pacifism and non-violent actionBuddhist peacemakers and engaged BuddhismBuddhist teachings on forgiveness and reconciliationBuddhist views on justice, injustice and social justice
Buddhism: Dialogue Between Religious and Non-Religious BeliefsGroup 2
Topic overviewBuddhists in British society and public lifeBuddhist responses to secularisation and secular educationBuddhist responses to clashes with secular law on marriage and equalityBuddhist responses to medical ethics and the value of lifeBuddhist views on other religions and inter-faith dialogueBuddhist dialogue with atheism, agnosticism, Humanism and secularism
Hinduism: Relationships and FamiliesGroup 2
Topic overviewThe Hindu family and the purposes of marriageThe significance of a Hindu weddingHindu views on sexuality, same-sex marriage and civil partnershipHindu views on sex before marriage, cohabitation, celibacy and contraceptionHindu views on divorce, annulment and remarriageRoles of Hindu men and women in family, community and upbringingHindu teaching on gender equality and discrimination
Hinduism: The Existence of Ultimate Reality and DeityGroup 2
Topic overviewBrahman, the gods and the Hindu question of deityHindu responses to evil and sufferingHindu arguments about cause and creationThe purpose of the world in Hindu thought: cycles, samsara and karmaHow Ultimate Reality is revealed to HindusHindu religious experience: conversion, mysticism, visions and murti puja
Hinduism: Religion, Peace and ConflictGroup 2
Topic overviewHindu teachings on violence and the Kshatriya's dutyHindus, terrorism and religious politicsDharma yuddha, holy war and Hindu conduct in warHindu attitudes to conventional, technological and nuclear warfareHindu pacifism, satyagraha and peacemakingHindu teaching on forgiveness and reconciliationHindu views on justice and social justice
Hinduism: Dialogue Between Religious and Non-Religious BeliefsGroup 2
Topic overviewHindus and the Christian heritage of British public lifeHindus in a secular Britain: secularisation, humanism and schoolsHindu marriage, equality and British lawHindu responses to euthanasia, abortion and genetic scienceHindu views of other faiths and inter-faith dialogueHindu conversion, proselytising and national identityHinduism in dialogue with atheism, agnosticism, humanism and secularism
Christianity: Relationships and Families
- 7 subtopics
- 21 things to know
- Component Group 2
- Component Group 2, religion, philosophy and ethics from the perspective of one of the two Group 1 religions; all four themes are studied
What Christianity: Relationships and Families covers
Christianity: Relationships and Families is examined in Component Group 2, religion, philosophy and ethics in the modern world from a Christian perspective (J625/06), if this is the perspective studied. That perspective must be one of the student's two Group 1 religions. It covers the purpose of Christian marriage and family life, Christian attitudes to same-sex marriage and civil partnership, Christian attitudes to sex before marriage, cohabitation and celibacy, Christian attitudes to contraception, Christian ethics of divorce, annulment and remarriage, the roles of men and women in Christian families and communities and Christian understandings of equality and gender discrimination.
Where it is assessed
Component Group 2
Religion, philosophy and ethics in the modern world, a two-hour paper worth 50% of the GCSE, if this religion is the perspective studied.
Check the OCR specification ↗The 7 subtopics
Each one has its own page.
- The purpose of Christian marriage and family lifeThe family's role, Genesis 2:22–25 and Matthew 19:4–6, fidelity and Exodus 20:14, what the vows and the exchange of rings show, how ceremonies differ, and ethical modes of relationship.Open →
- Christian attitudes to same-sex marriage and civil partnershipWhen same-sex marriage became legal, Catholic and Church of England teaching, the Churches that allow it, arguments on each side, understandings of sexuality, and why Christians disagree about civil partnerships.Open →
- Christian attitudes to sex before marriage, cohabitation and celibacyWhy many Christians oppose pre-marital sex, liberal views, the disagreement over living together, Paul's teaching on celibacy, celibate Catholic priests, and 1 Corinthians 6:18–20 on sexual ethics.Open →
- Christian attitudes to contraceptionCatholic opposition to artificial methods and the method Catholics accept, Protestant acceptance, contraception and health, emergency contraception, why views differ, and the role of conscience.Open →
- Christian ethics of divorce, annulment and remarriageMatthew 5:31–32, Mark 10:11–12 and 1 Corinthians 7:10–11, Catholic teaching and annulment, Protestant views of remarriage, why some Christians accept divorce, and what Churches do to prevent it.Open →
- The roles of men and women in Christian families and communitiesColossians 3 and Ephesians 5 on husbands and wives, 1 Timothy 2 and 1 Corinthians 14 on women, traditional and modern views, raising children in faith, freedom of choice, and 1 Peter 2.Open →
- Christian understandings of equality and gender discriminationGenesis 1:27, Galatians 3:28, Acts 10:34–35 and James 2 on favouritism, culture in equality debates, embedded inequalities, Tutu's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and equality and difference.Open →
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
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Key term
Why do Christian views on contraception differ, including over health and emergency contraception?
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How do Christians justify equality and challenge embedded inequality, as in Tutu's Truth and Reconciliation Commission?
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What is the role and purpose of the family for Christians?
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What is pre-marital sex?
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What is divorce?
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What does Colossians 3:18–19 teach about husbands and wives?
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What are the purposes of marriage for Christians?
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What is a civil partnership?
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Why do many Christians oppose sex before marriage?
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What is contraception?
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What does Matthew 5:31–32 teach about divorce?
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What does Ephesians 5:25 and 28 teach husbands?
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What does Genesis 1:27 teach about equality?
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What does Genesis 2:22–25 teach about marriage?
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When did same-sex marriage become legal in England and Wales?
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What is cohabitation?
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What does the Catholic Church teach about contraception?
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What does Mark 10:11–12 teach about remarriage?
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What does 1 Timothy 2:11–14 say about women?
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What does Galatians 3:28 teach about equality?
Take Christianity: Relationships and Families further
The same content, four other ways.
Commonly confused
Pairs that lose marks when they are blurred together.
Civil partnership vs Marriage
Civil partnership: a legal union introduced in 2004 that is not formed through wedding vows. Marriage: a lifelong union formed by vows, which Catholics call a sacrament.
Annulment vs Divorce
Annulment: a declaration that a marriage was never valid. Divorce: the legal ending of a valid marriage.
Celibacy vs Chastity
Celibacy: choosing not to marry or have sex at all. Chastity: sexual purity suited to one's state of life, faithful within marriage and abstinent outside it.
Questions from this topic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
What is the role and purpose of the family for Christians?
Model answer
The family is where children are born, loved and brought up to know God. The family also gives security and care to every member.
- 2
What are the purposes of marriage for Christians?
Model answer
Marriage provides lifelong companionship and mutual support. Marriage is also the proper setting for sex and for raising children.
- 3
What does Genesis 2:22–25 teach about marriage?
Model answer
God makes woman and brings her to the man, and the two become one flesh. Christians see marriage as part of God's plan from creation.
- 4
What does Matthew 19:4–6 teach about marriage?
Model answer
Jesus says God made humans male and female, and a man is united to his wife. What God has joined together, no one should separate.
- 5
What is fidelity?
Model answer
Fidelity is faithfulness to one's partner, especially sexual faithfulness. Christians see fidelity as central to marriage.
- 6
What does Exodus 20:14 command?
Model answer
Exodus 20:14 is the commandment "You shall not commit adultery". Christians see adultery as breaking the marriage covenant.
What is inside Levo
Six ways to work the same material.
Christianity: Relationships and Families revision questions
- What does Christianity: Relationships and Families cover in OCR GCSE Religious Studies?
- 7 subtopics: the purpose of christian marriage and family life, christian attitudes to same-sex marriage and civil partnership, christian attitudes to sex before marriage, cohabitation and celibacy, christian attitudes to contraception, christian ethics of divorce, annulment and remarriage, the roles of men and women in christian families and communities and christian understandings of equality and gender discrimination. Each one has its own page with questions and model answers.
- How is Christianity: Relationships and Families organised?
- By the OCR J625 specification, subtopic by subtopic, so it matches the order you are taught it in.
Every question in Christianity: Relationships and Families, on a schedule.
Attempt a question from memory, write the correct version, then attempt it again. Levo records the jump between your first attempt and your last, and brings each question back on the day you are due to forget it.
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