Edexcel · 1RB0

Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies

6 areas and 575 questions, with Edexcel's question types and specification references.

The papers

Paper 1: Religion and Ethics (Christianity) 102 marks, 105 minutes.
Paper 2: Religion, Peace and Conflict (Islam) 102 marks, 105 minutes.

What this course covers

1B Christian Beliefs; Living the Christian LifePractise
2C Muslim Beliefs; Living the Muslim LifePractise
1B Marriage and the FamilyPractise
1B Matters of Life and DeathPractise
2C Peace and ConflictPractise
2C Crime and PunishmentPractise

Other religions and Paper 3 are not in this course yet.

Exam skills: every question type

Edexcel All, Papers 1 and 2

Every question type, and what earns credit Edexcel Papers 1 and 2: parts (a) to (d)
- Know each board's question types: give one, outline three, explain two, and evaluate
- Tell a simple explanation from a detailed one, and a named source of authority from a vague one
- Explain contrasting beliefs with Christianity as the main religious tradition of Great Britain and another tradition
Lesson Practice
Writing the 12-mark evaluation Edexcel Part (d), Papers 1 and 2
- Build a chain of reasoning that supports a view with religious teaching
- Argue a different point of view, including different views within a religion and non-religious views
- Reach a justified conclusion that follows from the arguments
Lesson Practice

Christianity: beliefs and practices

Edexcel 1B, Paper 1

The nature of God, the Trinity and the problem of evil Edexcel 1B 1.1 The Trinity, Edexcel 1B 1.7 and 1.8 The problem of evil and suffering
- Explain Christian beliefs that God is omnipotent, loving and just, and one God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit
- Explain why evil and suffering challenge belief in a loving, all-powerful God
- Explain Christian responses to the problem of evil, including free will, prayer and charity
Lesson Practice
Creation and the afterlife Edexcel 1B 1.2 Creation, Edexcel 1B 1.6 Life after death
- Explain Christian beliefs about creation, including the Word and Spirit in Genesis 1:1-3 and John 1:1-3
- Compare literal and non-literal readings of the creation accounts
- Explain Christian beliefs about resurrection, judgement, heaven and hell, and why they matter for how Christians live
Lesson Practice
Jesus Christ and salvation Edexcel 1B 1.3 The Incarnation, Edexcel 1B 1.4 The last days of Jesus' life, Edexcel 1B 1.5 Salvation
- Explain the incarnation and the belief that Jesus is the Son of God
- Describe the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension and explain their significance
- Explain sin, original sin, salvation through law, grace and the Spirit, and atonement
Lesson Practice
Worship, prayer and the sacraments Edexcel 1B 3.1 Worship, Edexcel 1B 3.2 The sacraments, Edexcel 1B 3.3 Prayer
- Compare liturgical, non-liturgical, informal and private worship, and the use of the Bible
- Explain the Lord's Prayer, set prayers and informal prayer
- Explain baptism (infant and believers') and Holy Communion, and why Christians understand them differently
Lesson Practice
Pilgrimage and celebrations Edexcel 1B 3.4 Pilgrimage, Edexcel 1B 3.5 Celebrations
- Explain the purpose of pilgrimage, with Lourdes and Iona as contrasting examples
- Explain how and why Christians celebrate Christmas and Easter
- Explain the importance of these practices for Christians in Great Britain today
Lesson Practice
The Church in the local and worldwide community Edexcel 1B 3.6 The future of the Church, Edexcel 1B 3.7 The local church, Edexcel 1B 3.8 The worldwide Church
- Explain the Church's work in the local community, including food banks and street pastors
- Explain mission, evangelism and Church growth
- Explain the worldwide Church's work for reconciliation, its response to persecution, and the work of a Christian relief agency
Lesson Practice

Islam: beliefs and practices

Edexcel 2C, Paper 2

Tawhid, the nature of Allah and the articles of faith Edexcel 2C 1.1 The Six Beliefs, Edexcel 2C 1.2 The Five Roots, Edexcel 2C 1.3 The nature of Allah
- Explain the six articles of faith in Sunni Islam and the five roots of Usul ad-Din in Shi'a Islam
- Explain Tawhid with reference to Surah 112, and why shirk is the most serious sin
- Explain Allah's attributes, including immanence, transcendence, mercy and justice (Adalat)
Lesson Practice
Angels, predestination and the afterlife Edexcel 2C 1.6 Malaikah, Edexcel 2C 1.7 al-Qadr, Edexcel 2C 1.8 Akhirah
- Explain the nature and role of angels, including Jibril and Mika'il
- Explain predestination (al-Qadr) and how Muslims understand human freedom alongside it
- Explain beliefs about the Day of Judgement, accountability, paradise and hell
Lesson Practice
Prophethood, the holy books and the imamate Edexcel 2C 1.4 Risalah, Edexcel 2C 1.5 Kutub
- Explain Risalah and the importance of Adam, Ibrahim and Muhammad
- Explain the Qur'an's revelation and authority, and the status of the Torah, Psalms, Gospel and Scrolls of Abraham
- Explain the role and significance of the imamate in Shi'a Islam
Lesson Practice
The Five Pillars, the Ten Obligatory Acts, Shahadah and Salah Edexcel 2C 3.1 Ten Obligatory Acts, Edexcel 2C 3.2 Shahadah, Edexcel 2C 3.3 Salah
- Explain the Five Pillars of Sunni Islam and the Ten Obligatory Acts of Shi'a Islam
- Explain the Shahadah and its place in Muslim life
- Explain how and why Muslims pray, including wudu, rak'ahs, Jummah and differences between Sunni and Shi'a practice
Lesson Practice
Sawm, Zakah, Khums and Hajj Edexcel 2C 3.4 Sawm, Edexcel 2C 3.5 Zakah and Khums, Edexcel 2C 3.6 Hajj
- Explain fasting in Ramadan, its exceptions and the Night of Power
- Explain zakah and khums: who gives, who receives and why
- Explain the origins of Hajj and the significance of what pilgrims do at the Ka'aba, Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah
Lesson Practice
Jihad, festivals and commemorations Edexcel 2C 3.7 Jihad, Edexcel 2C 3.8 Celebrations and commemorations
- Explain greater and lesser jihad and the conditions for declaring lesser jihad
- Explain the origins and meaning of Id-ul-Fitr, Id-ul-Adha and Ashura
- Explain the importance of these festivals for Muslims in Great Britain today
Lesson Practice

Relationships and families

Edexcel 1B, Paper 1

Sex, marriage and divorce Edexcel 1B 2.1 Marriage, Edexcel 1B 2.2 Sexual relationships, Edexcel 1B 2.5 Family planning, Edexcel 1B 2.6 Divorce and remarriage
- Explain religious and non-religious views on sexual relationships, cohabitation and same-sex relationships
- Explain the purpose of marriage and contrasting views on contraception
- Explain religious teaching on divorce and remarriage, including the sanctity of vows and compassion
Lesson Practice
Families and gender equality Edexcel 1B 2.3 The family, Edexcel 1B 2.4 Support for the family, Edexcel 1B 2.7 Equality in the family, Edexcel 1B 2.8 Gender prejudice
- Explain the nature and purpose of families, including procreation, stability and bringing children up in a faith
- Explain religious views on same-sex parents and polygamy
- Explain religious teaching on the roles of men and women, gender equality and discrimination
Lesson Practice

Religion and life

Edexcel 1B, Paper 1

The universe, the environment and animals Edexcel 1B 4.1 The origins and value of the universe, Edexcel 1B 4.8 Responses to issues in the natural world
- Explain religious and scientific views on the origins of the universe, including the Big Bang
- Explain stewardship, dominion, awe and wonder, and religious responses to pollution and the use of resources
- Explain contrasting religious views on animal experimentation and using animals for food
Lesson Practice
Human life, abortion, euthanasia and life after death Edexcel 1B 4.2 Sanctity of life, Edexcel 1B 4.3 Origins of humanity, Edexcel 1B 4.4 Abortion, Edexcel 1B 4.5 and 4.6 Life after death, Edexcel 1B 4.7 Euthanasia
- Explain sanctity of life and quality of life, and religious views on evolution
- Explain contrasting religious and non-religious views on abortion and euthanasia
- Explain beliefs about life after death and how they affect views on the value of life
Lesson Practice

Religion, peace and conflict

Edexcel 2C, Paper 2

Peace, violence and war Edexcel 2C 4.1 Peace, Edexcel 2C 4.3 Conflict, Edexcel 2C 4.4 Pacifism, Edexcel 2C 4.5 Just war, Edexcel 2C 4.6 Holy war
- Explain peace, justice, forgiveness and reconciliation in religious teaching
- Explain religious views on violence, terrorism and the reasons for war
- Explain just war theory, holy war and pacifism, with contrasting views
Lesson Practice
Weapons of mass destruction, peacemaking and victims of war Edexcel 2C 4.2 Peacemaking, Edexcel 2C 4.7 Weapons of mass destruction, Edexcel 2C 4.8 Issues surrounding conflict
- Explain religion as a cause of conflict and as a force for peace today
- Explain religious views on nuclear weapons, deterrence and weapons of mass destruction
- Explain the work of religious peacemakers and of a religious organisation that helps victims of war
Lesson Practice

Religion, crime and punishment

Edexcel 2C, Paper 2

Crime, its causes and good and evil Edexcel 2C 2.1 Justice, Edexcel 2C 2.2 Crime, Edexcel 2C 2.3 Good, evil and suffering
- Explain good and evil intentions and actions, and whether it can be good to cause suffering
- Explain the reasons people commit crime and religious views about those who do
- Explain religious views on hate crime, theft and murder, and on justice
Lesson Practice
Punishment, forgiveness and the death penalty Edexcel 2C 2.4 Punishment, Edexcel 2C 2.5 Aims of punishment, Edexcel 2C 2.6 Forgiveness, Edexcel 2C 2.7 Treatment of criminals, Edexcel 2C 2.8 The death penalty
- Explain retribution, deterrence and reformation and religious views on each
- Explain religious views on prison, corporal punishment, community service and forgiveness
- Explain contrasting views on the death penalty, including utility and the sanctity of life
Lesson Practice

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