Year 9 - Religious education
Fighting against unjust laws
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 people may choose to fight against unjust laws.
Key Notes
- There are a variety of reasons why societies have laws.
- Social scientists look at the laws of a society to see the values and normal behaviour in that society.
- Augustine argued that 'an unjust law is no law at all'.
- There are examples of people who have fought against unjust laws.
- Religious ideas can support following laws, as well as fighting against unjust laws.
Vocabulary To Learn
- discrimination: the unfair treatment of a people and groups based on a part of their identity such as sex, race or religion
- justice: the idea that everyone should get fair reward or punishment for their actions
- law: a rule, usually made by a government, that is used to order the way in which a society behaves
- pacifist: a person who believes in resolving conflicts without violence and opposes war or the use of force
- unjust: when something is unfair or treats people unequally
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- The laws of a country are always based on fairness and equality.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain the lesson in two key points.
There are a variety of reasons why societies have laws. Social scientists look at the laws of a society to see the values and normal behaviour in that society.
2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'discrimination'
the unfair treatment of a people and groups based on a part of their identity such as sex, race or religion.
3. Correct this common mistake.
Mistake: The laws of a country are always based on fairness and equality. Correction: Sometimes the laws of a country are not fair or just, for example, Apartheid and segregation were supported by laws in the USA and South Africa.
More Lessons In This Unit
Browse all guides in the Year 9 Religious education guide library.