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Philosophy, Ethics and Religious Studies
Claire BhanaHead of Philosophy, Ethics and Religious Studies
Philosophy, Ethics and Religious StudiesVirtual Wyke Start
• Why do PERS here at Wyke?• Course details/outline• Mini lesson on Civil Disobedience
and Solidarity
PERS@Wyke: Why do PERS?
Employability
A Level Philosophy, Ethics and Religious Studies equips you with agreat many transferable skills• The ability to manage your time effectively• To work to clear deadlines• To communicate clearly in writing and orally (including experience
of delivering presentations)• To absorb ideas from a wide range of different sources, organise
these into some meaningful pattern, and develop a criticaldiscussion of them.
PERS@Wyke: Why do PERS?
Employability
In addition to this, Philosophy, Ethics and Religious Studies also hasparticular value in terms of the kind of material you engage with.• Studying religious ideas, practices and lives requires that you
develop an empathic understanding of perspectives different toyour own.
• In a multi-cultural/multi-faith society, this kind of empathy isessential in the workplace and as a Philosophy, Ethics andReligious Studies student you are an ideal candidate for a wholerange of professions, especially where a multicultural dimensionexists.
RS@Wyke: Why do PERS?
Learner Voice
Philosophy, Ethics and Religious Studies receives some of the bestLearner Voice results in the whole College. Comments our studentsmake about PERS are wholly positive; students clearly feel supportedby the staff and that the delivery of the content is excellent. Studentsfeel that the feedback they receive on their written work is helpfuland focused on identifying how to progress further. They are inspiredto work hard and enjoy their lessons. In RS we work very hard andare committed to delivering challenging and interesting lessons. Ourstudents are given the support they need to progress towards, andexceed, their goals.
PERS@Wyke: Why do PERS?
2019A*-B 52%A*-C 83%
A*-E 100%
PERS@Wyke: Trips/Extra Curricular Opportunities
Revision Days and intensive subjectfocused daysWe offer a programme of external revision days for Year 1 and 2students through Candle Conference. These events are anopportunity to explore the big questions in the Philosophy, Ethics andDevelopments in Christian Thought with Dr Peter Vardy and CharlotteVardy. These days offer students more insight into some of the linksbetween different aspects of the PERS course and provide advice onhow to structure your responses and push for better grades.
PERS@Wyke: Trips/Extra Curricular Opportunities
External Lectures
We offer students regular opportunities to attend any externallectures at Hull University that are relevant to our studies inPhilosophy, Ethics and Religious Studies. Over the last few years wehave attended the following lectures:
Cosmic Chemistry: Do Science and God mix?• Professor John Lennox, Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVOTiE97u8o
What does it mean to be human?: God, Neuroscience and Human Identity• Professor John Wyatt, University College London• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzs5zxecdHc
Can Science Explain Everything?: A theoretical physicist explores science and faith• Professor Ard Louis, Oxford University• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEoDv26d1ao
PERS@Wyke: Trips/Extra Curricular Opportunities
Rome
Year 1 and Year 2 students have the opportunity to travel to Rome aapart of their studies. During this trip we stay at Villa Palazzola, a 13thcentury Cistercian monastery, fully refurbished and modernised witha beautiful garden terrace. It sits on the edge of Lake Albano justoutside Rome.The itinerary includes:• A general audience with the Pope• St Peter’s Basilica • The Vatican Museum• The Coliseum • The Venerable English College for a tour • Walking tour of some of the key sites of Rome• The Catacombs of Rome
Philosophy, Ethics and Religious Studies
Exam board: OCR3 exams worth 33% each• Philosophy of Religion• Ethics• Religious Studies (Christian Theology)
2 skills to demonstrate• AO1: knowledge and
understanding (40%)• AO2: critical analysis (60%)
A Level Year 1: Course OutlinePhilosophy 1• Ancient Greek Philosophy: Plato and Aristotle• Body and Soul• God in Philosophy
• Arguments for the existence of God• Religious experience• The Problem of Evil
Ethics 1• Ethical theory
• Utilitarianism• Situation Ethics• Natural Law• Kantian ethics
• Applied ethics• Euthanasia• Business ethics
Christian Theology 1• Insight
• Beliefs about Human Nature• Beliefs about Death and the
Afterlife• Foundations
• Knowledge of God’s existence• The Person of Jesus Christ
• Living• Christian moral principles• Christian moral action
A Level Year 2: Course OutlinePhilosophy 2• Developments in philosophical thought
• The nature and attributes of God• Religious language
Ethics 2• Developments in ethical thought
• Meta-ethics• The conscience
• Applied ethics• Sexual ethics
Christian Theology 2• Developments in Christian thought
• Religious Pluralism• The Challenge of Secularism• Feminist Theology• Liberation Theology
A Level Year 1: Course OutlinePhilosophy 1• Ancient Greek Philosophy: Plato and Aristotle• Body and Soul• God in Philosophy
• Arguments for the existence of God• Religious experience• The Problem of Evil
Ethics 1• Ethical theory
• Utilitarianism• Situation Ethics• Natural Law• Kantian ethics
• Applied ethics• Euthanasia• Business ethics
Christian Theology 1• Insight
• Beliefs about Human Nature• Beliefs about Death and the
Afterlife• Foundations
• Knowledge of God’s existence• The Person of Jesus Christ
• Living• Christian moral principles• Christian moral action
For our Virtual Wyke Start session, we’re going to be focusing on a Y1 Theology
topic
Virtual Wyke Start 2020: ODD ONE OUT!
Harriet Tubman1820 – 1913
AmericanAbolitionist
Underground Railroad Conductor
Spy
Mahatma Gandhi1869 – 1948
IndianLawyer
Anti-Colonial Nationalist
Civil Rights Leader
Dietrich Bonhoeffer1906 – 1945
German Pastor
TheologianAnti-Nazi Dissident
Martin Luther King Jr1929 –1968American
PastorCivil Rights Leader
“Taking up the cross is the voluntary or deliberate choice of
putting ourselves without reservation at the service of Christ and his kingdom; it is
putting our whole being in the struggle against evil, whatever
the cost.”Martin Luther King Jr
Virtual Wyke Start 2020
Virtual Wyke Start 2020: Specification Note
AO1The teaching and example of Dietrich Bonhoeffer on: duty to God and duty to the State Church as community and source of spiritual discipline the cost of discipleship
AO2 whether or not Christians should practise civil disobedience whether or not it is possible always to know God’s will whether or not Bonhoeffer puts too much emphasis on suffering whether or not Bonhoeffer’s theology has relevance today
2018 Developments in Christian Thought Paper:• ‘Bonhoeffer's theology is still relevant today.’ Discuss. [40]
Virtual Wyke Start 2020: Get ready…
One of the key skills your need to master for A Level Philosophy,Ethics and Religious Studies, in the ability to take notes, which youcan later use to help formulate a response to the ‘big questions’posed in this subject.
• Grab a pen and some paper ready to makenotes as we go along
• You can pause and rewind the video as often asyou need!
Virtual Wyke Start 2020: Key words
Discipleship following the life, example and teaching ofJesus
Passion Jesus' suffering at the end of his life
Solidarity an altruistic commitment to stand alongsideand be with those less fortunate, theoppressed, those who suffer
Cheap grace grace that is offered freely, but is receivedwithout any change in the recipient, andultimately is false as it does not save
Costly grace grace followed by obedience to God'scommand and discipleship
Virtual Wyke Start 2020: The Big Question…
Should a Christian ever attack their state?
Virtual Wyke Start 2020: The Big Question…
Task: Should a Christian ever attack their state?• Use the notes you’ve made during this video presentation, along
with your own thoughts and opinions, to answer today’s ‘BIG’question in as much detail and depth as you can.
• Use arguments, evidence and quotes where possible to supportyour points
• Write up your response on the Padlet (link below).• The padlet will close at 4pm on Friday 4th July so
make sure you add your response by then.
https://padlet.com/claire_bhana/lw0xaa4v9r3dxb4e
Should a Christian ever attack theirstate?
Civil Disobedience
What is it?
Should Christians ever commit acts of civil disobedience?
Under what circumstances do you think it is appropriate for a Christian?
Should a Christian ever attack theirstate?
Should a Christian ever attack theirstate?
Should a Christian ever attack theirstate?
Should a Christian ever attack theirstate?
‘Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.’Jesus
‘Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established…The
authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God
has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.’
Paul
Should a Christian ever attack theirstate?
• Both of these quotes could be used to argue that Christians mustnot engage in acts of civil disobedience
• However, as with all passages from the Bible, it is important to putthem into context
“We are not to simply bandage the wounds of victims beneath the wheels of injustice,
we are to drive a spoke into the wheel itself.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Should a Christian ever attack theirstate?
Dietrich Bonhoeffer 4th February 1906 – 9th April 1945
• Lutheran pastor, theologian and anti-Nazi dissident• His writings on Christianity's role in the secular world have become
widely influential, and his book The Cost of Discipleship has beendescribed as a modern classic
• Apart from his theological writings, Bonhoeffer was known for hisstaunch resistance to Nazi dictatorship, including vocal oppositionto Hitler's euthanasia program and genocidal persecution of theJews.
• He was arrested in April 1943 and hanged on 9th April 1945 inFlossenbürg concentration camp after being accused of beingassociated with a plot to assassinate Hitler
Should a Christian ever attack theirstate?
• Christians have often been in conflict with governments and fromthe very beginnings of Christianity Christians were threatened bythe State.
• What should a Christian do, when a key part of their faith is, asthey see it, undermined by a law they are required to follow?
• This was the situation faced by the German Lutheran pastorDietrich Bonhoeffer when he lived in the National Socialist (Nazi)State headed by Adolf Hitler.
• Bonhoeffer’s experience of life and faith led him to a profoundsense of the cost of discipleship, and the sacrifice and sufferingthat it entails.
• For Christians today this might both inspire and challenge them intheir understanding of what being Christian entails.
Should a Christian ever attack theirstate?
Should a Christian ever attack theirstate?
“…the time is fulfilled for the German people in Hitler. It is becauseof Hitler that Christ, God the helper and redeemer, has becomeeffective among us. Therefore National Socialism is positiveChristianity in action…Hitler is the way of the Spirit and the will ofGod for the German people to enter the Church of Christ.”
Hermann Gruiner
Should a Christian ever attack theirstate?
• For Bonhoeffer the call to discipleship is a call to obedience to theleadership of Jesus and the will of God.
• The first disciples responded to the call not with a profession offaith, or a rational account of the theology that they believed in,but an act of obedience to Jesus’ call to leave their lives behind andfollow him.
Should a Christian ever attack theirstate?
You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer
good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled underfoot.
You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it
under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your
light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:13-16
• Bonhoeffer argues that Christians must be a ‘visiblecommunity’ in the world
Should a Christian ever attack theirstate?• For Bonhoeffer, the call to discipleship is clearly linked to the
passion of Jesus; his suffering, rejection and death• He argues that suffering and sacrifice are part of discipleship and
for Bonhoeffer, the disciple is a disciple only in so far as he sharesJesus' suffering, rejection and crucifixion.
• If Christian life looks no different from ordinary life then it is nottruly Christian. For Bonhoeffer, the life of a Christian disciple is alife of suffering for Christ.
When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die…Suffering then, is the badge of true discipleship.
Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship
Should a Christian ever attack theirstate?
“We have for once learned to see the great events of history from below, from the perspective of the outcast, the suspects, the
maltreated, the powerless, the oppressed, the reviled - in short, from the perspective of those who suffer.”
Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers From Prison
• Bonhoeffer's thoughts aroundsuffering are linked to the idea ofsolidarity, of 'existence for others'.
• Being there for others is what makessomeone a Christian. The purpose ofChristian life is not to be 'religious'but rather to be in a relationship withGod through living an existence forothers.
Should a Christian ever attack theirstate?• BLM is just one example of a movement that could be seen as
justifying (or not!) Christians committing acts of civil disobedience.What is particularly interesting and important is that it’s happeningright now and therefore it’s a good example to use in response toour ‘big’ question.
• You can use any arguments and examples to support your opinion,whether you argue in favour or against the idea of Christiansengaging in acts of civil disobedience.
• However, your response must be about Christians specifically, notjust people in general, and you must reference Bonhoeffer’stheology in your response as his theology is the focus of the topic.
Should a Christian ever attack theirstate?
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elrTpoY6AYQ• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ph5g0jb8cE• https://www.abc.net.au/religion/how-should-christians-respond-to-black-lives-matter/11173976• https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/grace-margins/we-all-must-say-black-lives-matter• https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/13016/after-taking-a-knee-bishop-gets-call-from-pope• https://www.nola.com/opinions/article_13f88abc-a062-5f64-aa7c-14f9dd0c491f.htm• https://www.deseret.com/indepth/2020/6/2/21277491/black-lives-matter-religion-protests-george-floyd-christian-
activism-donald-trump-bible-bishop-budde
• Take a look at the following links to some extra articles/video aboutBLM, the various Christian responses to BLM in particular and theresponses to the question of whether or not Christians should everattack their state.
Virtual Wyke Start 2020: The Big Question…
Task: Should a Christian ever attack their state?• Use the notes you’ve made during this video presentation, along
with your own thoughts and opinions, to answer today’s ‘BIG’question in as much detail and depth as you can.
• Use arguments, evidence and quotes where possible to supportyour points
• Write up your response on the Padlet (link below).• The padlet will close at 4pm on Friday 4th July so
make sure you add your response by then.
https://padlet.com/claire_bhana/lw0xaa4v9r3dxb4e
Wyke Start 2020: Y11 transition work
Please check the Y11 transition page on the Wyke website forfurther information about the formal transition work that must becompleted by September. The formal transition work is based on adifferent topic (The Challenge of Secularisation) and requires you tocomplete a number of small preparation tasks before having a go ata proper A Level PERS essay/exam question.
https://wyke.ac.uk/year-11-transition-work-2020/
