GCSE RELIGIOUS STUDIES JUDAISM For examination 2014 onwards irevise.com 2014 1 GCSE RELIGIOUS STUDIES JUDAISM
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Table of Contents Belief about a Deity... 5 Nature of God:... 5 Belief in Gods:... 5 Miracles:... 6 Religious and Spiritual Experiences... 6 Prayer and Meditation:... 7 Food and Fasting:... 7 The End of Life... 8 Good and Evil... 10 The Problem with Evil:... 10 Coping with Suffering:... 11 Sources and Reasons for Moral Behaviour:... 11 Religion, Reason and Revelation... 11 Form and Nature of Revelation:... 11 Authority and Importance of Sacred Texts:... 12 Religion and Science... 12 Origins of the World and Life:... 12 People and Animals:... 12 Environmental Issues:... 13 Religion and Human Relationships... 13 Roles of Men and Women in the Family:... 13 Marriage and Marriage Ceremonies:... 14 Divorce:... 15 Attitudes towards re-marriage:... 15 Sexual Relationships and Contraception:... 15 Religion and Medical Ethics... 16 Attitudes towards Abortion:... 16 Attitudes to Fertility Treatments:... 16 Attitudes to Euthanasia and Suicide:... 16 Religion, Poverty and Wealth... 17 Religious Views of Wealth and the Causes of Hunger, Poverty and Disease:... 17 Concern for Others:... 18 The Uses of Money:... 18 Moral and Immoral Occupations:... 19 3 GCSE RELIGIOUS STUDIES JUDAISM
Attitudes to the War:... 19 Violence and Pacifism... 19 Crime and Punishment:... 20 Social Injustice:... 21 Ways Jews might work for social justice:... 21 Religion and Equality... 21 Principle of Equality:... 21 Equality:... 21 Attitudes towards Racism:... 22 Attitudes towards Gender... 22 Attitudes to Religion:... 23 Forgiveness and Reconciliation:... 23 Religion and the Media... 23 Use of the Media:... 24 Censorship/ Freedom of Speech... 24 4 GCSE RELIGIOUS STUDIES JUDAISM
Belief about a Deity Nature of God: Deity: is a god or a goddess. They have divine status and are a supreme being. Monotheism: Belief in one G-d. Beliefs about the nature of God: Jews believe that there is only one G-d. They believe that this G-d is the creator and ruler of the universe. For the Jewish, they believe G-d is not ordinary. G-d is omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, omni-benevolent and transcendent. Shema: a special Jewish prayer and statement of Jewish belief. According to Shema there is only one G-d, G-d is a personal G-d, the Lord is the G-d in Israel, G-d demands love from the Jews and G-d demands Jews to follow his instructions. G-d is powerful, the creator and gives life. Key words: Omniscient Omnipotent Omnipresent Omni-Benevolent Transcendent The belief that G-d is all knowing. The belief that G-d is all powerful. The belief that G-d is all places. The belief that G-d is all loving. The belief that G-d is beyond all limits. Belief in Gods: Founding story: Judaism started with a man called Abram (later to be called Abraham). He had a wife called Sarah but had no children. At the age of 75, G-d spoke to him. G-d made a covenant (special agreement) with Abram. G-d asked Abram to travel to an area now known as the Promised Land. G-d promised Abram that if he and the Hebrews travelled there he would provide him with descendants. Abram set out on his journey which lasted many years and G-d provided Abram and Sarah with a son called Isaac. When Isaac was a young boy, Abram thought that G-d was asking him to sacrifice his son. To show G-d he trusted him, Abram was willing to do it, however G-d changed his mind at the last minute. This showed that Abram was obedient and faithful. It also showed that G-d just wanted trust from his followers and not sacrifices. Abram then became known as Abraham which means father of many nations. Jewish people look to Abraham as the patriarch. To show this covenant with G-d, males are circumcised. At this stage, their Jewish faith has begun. Reasons for belief in a God: Jews believe that G-d exists through the existence of the Torah, both oral and written. The link between G-d and the chosen people is one reason why some believe G-d exists. The historical evidence of Moses, Abraham and the prophets is another reason for the Jews to believe G-d existed. G-d intervenes through the prophets and miracles. When prayers are answered, this may be reason enough for followers to believe in G-d. Others may have experienced miracles with G-d. Nature and the universe show followers what exactly G-d is capable of. 5 GCSE RELIGIOUS STUDIES JUDAISM