Year 11 - Religious education
Christian and non-religious beliefs about creation
Issues of life and death
Study Hub
Study Guides
This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will focus firstly on the relationship between religion and science - looking at ideas of creation. They will examine how Christians and non-religious people view the world. Finally they will examine how people speak about the sanctity of life.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain scientific and Christian views on the origins of the universe and compare different interpretations of Genesis.
Key Notes
- The Big Bang theory, developed by Lemaître and Hawking, explains the universe's origin.
- Genesis 1 and 2 describe creation.
- Literal interpretations of Genesis see it as a factual account of creation.
- Metaphorical interpretations view Genesis as conveying deeper truths about God and creation.
- Christian and non-religious views on creation may conflict or be in harmony.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Big Bang theory: a scientific theory of the universe's origin, starting from a singularity approximately 14 billion years ago
- Georges Lemaître: a Belgian priest and physicist who laid the foundations for the Big Bang theory in 1927
- fundamentalist: someone who rejects modern knowledge in favour of a literal interpretation of religious texts
- liberal: someone who prioritises modern knowledge and interprets religious texts metaphorically
- Stephen Hawking: a British physicist (1942–2018) who supported the Big Bang theory
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The Big Bang theory and Genesis 1-2 cannot be reconciled.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
The Big Bang theory, developed by Lemaître and Hawking, explains the universe's origin. Genesis 1 and 2 describe creation.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'Big Bang theory'
a scientific theory of the universe's origin, starting from a singularity approximately 14 billion years ago.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: The Big Bang theory and Genesis 1-2 cannot be reconciled. Correction: Many Christians see the Big Bang as part of God's creation.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Christian and humanist funerals Study Guide
- Christian attitudes to human life Study Guide
- Christian beliefs about death and the afterlife Study Guide
- Contrasting views on abortion Study Guide
- Contrasting views on euthanasia Study Guide
- Dominion, stewardship and environmental responsibility Study Guide
- Non-religious attitudes to human life Study Guide
- Non-religious beliefs about death and the afterlife Study Guide
Browse all guides in the Year 11 Religious education guide library.