Year 9 - Religious education
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the pacifist
Rebels: should we embrace or challenge authority?
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils study three case studies of individuals who challenged authority. They will analyse the inspiration behind their actions and the historical impact of their choices. Pupils will reason the degree to which religious beliefs might cause someone to challenge authority.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to explain how and why Bonhoeffer rebelled against the authorities of his time.
Key Notes
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer rebelled against the political authorities of his time.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer was an important figure in the resistance against the Nazi Party of Germany between 1933 and 1945.
- Dietrick Bonhoeffer was a pacifist who faced moral dilemmas relating to his resistance against the Nazi Party.
- Current cultural artefacts can inform us of the importance of the beliefs and actions of rebels from the past.
Vocabulary To Learn
- dilemma: a difficult choice between two or more options, often involving a moral or ethical conflict
- Holocaust: the systematic persecution and murder of European Jews and other groups by the Nazis
- martyr: a person who suffers or dies for their beliefs or principles and is often seen as a hero or symbol of a cause
- pacifist: a person who believes in resolving conflicts without violence and opposes war or the use of force
- resistance: opposition and disobedience to the Nazi regime
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Bonhoeffer was an absolute pacifist for his whole life.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer rebelled against the political authorities of his time. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was an important figure in the resistance against the Nazi Party of Germany between 1933 and 1945.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'dilemma'
a difficult choice between two or more options, often involving a moral or ethical conflict.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: Bonhoeffer was an absolute pacifist for his whole life. Correction: Bonhoeffer was a pacifist, but had the opportunity to help with the attempt to assassinate Hitler, which he decided he should try to do, given the great evil and injustice Hitler was causing.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 9 Religious education guide library.