Why RE ?

Science and Religion in Schools Project - Unit 1b

What is Religion ?

Religion comes from the Latin ‘religio’ which means ‘to bind’

Religion is what ‘binds’ people together

It is about those beliefs, values, and practices that we follow. We stick to, or are committed to what we believe

Festivals & Fasts

Holy places & Pilgrimage

Worship

Behaviour

Beliefs

Founders & Leaders

Holy books

What is Religion ?

What is RE all about ?

Learning about religion

Learning from religion

Learning about religion

In RE we ask questions like this

• Why do Muslims have a special place to go to called the Mosque?

• What is the character of Allah?• Why do Muslims take off their

shoes before they pray?• What is the most important

teaching in Islam for Muslims today?

• Why is Friday the Muslim holy day?

<image of a mosque>

Learning from religion

In RE we ask questions like this

• What I have learnt from studying this religion/topic that I can apply to my own life?

• What is the best way for me to live my life?

• Do sacred texts have anything to say to me in the 21st century?

• Would I argue for or against God’s existence?

• Can I explain why bad things happen to good people sometimes?

Where in the world is religion?

What’s the use of studying RE?

1. It helps us to understand ourselves

2. It helps us to understand other people

3. It helps us understand our culture and way of life

4. It allows us to study claims about what is true

5. It helps us search for meaning in existence

6. It helps us understand what has influenced peoples, nations and the world

What’s the use of studying RE?

7. We learn to express ourselves clearly

8. We examine ideas of what is right and what is wrong

9. We develop our ability to argue and to reason

10. We learn to express our ideas and opinions

11. We develop our ability to communicate clearly and expressively

Why RE ?

Science and Religion in Schools Project - Unit 1b