JCE Religious and Moral Education cheat sheet

Monotheism: belief in one God (Judaism, Christianity, Islam); Polytheism: many gods (Hinduism, ancient Greek religion); Henotheism: devotion to one god while acknowledging others.

Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) trace lineage to Abraham; key texts: Torah (Judaism), Bible (Christianity), Qur'an (Islam).

Dharmic religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism) share concepts of karma, samsara (rebirth), and dharma (duty/righteousness).

Buddhism: Four Noble Truths (suffering, cause, cessation, path) and Noble Eightfold Path; goal: nirvana.

Hinduism: major deities Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), Shiva (destroyer); paths include karma, bhakti, jnana.

Judaism: covenant with God; 613 mitzvot (commandments); key observances: Shabbat, Passover, Yom Kippur.

Christianity: core belief in Jesus as Son of God and resurrection; sacraments (e.g., baptism, Eucharist) vary by denomination.

Islam: Five Pillars (shahada, salah, zakat, sawm, hajj); Qur'an as revealed word of God; hadith as secondary source.

Indigenous and traditional religions often emphasize animism (spirits in nature), oral tradition, and community rituals; avoid generalizing across diverse cultures.

Consequentialism judges actions by outcomes; utilitarianism (Bentham, Mill) seeks greatest good for greatest number.

Deontology (Kant) focuses on duty and rules; categorical imperative: act only on maxims you could will as universal law.

Virtue ethics (Aristotle) emphasizes character traits (virtues) and the golden mean between extremes.

Natural Law (Aquinas) holds that moral principles are derived from human reason and purpose; primary precepts include preserving life and living in society.

Situation ethics (Fletcher) argues that love (agape) is the only absolute; decisions depend on context.

Ethical decision-making steps: identify the issue, gather facts, consider stakeholders, evaluate options using ethical frameworks, decide, act, reflect.

Religious moral codes: Ten Commandments (Judaism/Christianity), Five Precepts (Buddhism), Sharia (Islam), Ahimsa (non-violence in Hinduism/Jainism).

Conscience: in many traditions, a God-given capacity for moral discernment; in secular ethics, internalized moral sense shaped by reason and society.

Moral relativism vs. absolutism: relativism holds morality depends on culture/individual; absolutism holds universal moral truths exist.

Stewardship: responsibility to care for creation and resources; common in religious teachings (e.g., Genesis dominion, Islamic khalifa).

Social justice principles: dignity of the human person, common good, solidarity, subsidiarity, preferential option for the poor (Catholic social teaching).

Tzedakah (Judaism) and Zakat (Islam) are obligatory charitable giving; Sadaqah (Islam) is voluntary charity.

Seva (selfless service) in Sikhism and Hinduism; langar (community meal) in Sikhism promotes equality.

Human rights frameworks (UDHR 1948) emphasize inherent dignity and equality; many religious traditions support these principles.

Personal responsibility includes accountability for one's actions, honesty, integrity, and respect for others.

Social responsibility extends to family, community, nation, and global issues (e.g., poverty, climate change).

Civic virtues: participation, volunteerism, obeying just laws, and advocating for change through peaceful means.

Conflict resolution skills: active listening, empathy, negotiation, and restorative justice practices.

Common religious themes in literature: creation, fall, redemption, sacrifice, pilgrimage, faith vs. doubt, good vs. evil.

Allegory: a story with a symbolic meaning (e.g., Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress depicts Christian journey).

Parables: simple stories with moral lessons (e.g., Good Samaritan, Prodigal Son) used by Jesus in the Gospels.

Religious symbolism in art: light (divinity), lamb (sacrifice), lotus (purity in Buddhism), mandala (cosmos), cross (Christianity).

Iconography: religious images used in worship (e.g., Orthodox icons); aniconism: avoidance of images (e.g., Islam, Judaism).

Sacred music: Gregorian chant, hymns, Qur'anic recitation, kirtan (Hinduism), Buddhist chanting.

Architecture: churches (cross-shaped), mosques (minarets, qibla wall), synagogues (ark, bimah), temples (gopurams, stupas).

Moral themes in literature: justice, mercy, forgiveness, temptation, and the consequences of vice.

Art as expression of faith: calligraphy (Islamic), stained glass (Christian), thangka paintings (Buddhist).

Religion influences culture through rituals, festivals (e.g., Christmas, Eid, Diwali, Passover), food laws (halal, kosher), and dress.

Secularization: decline in religious influence in public life; often linked to modernization and pluralism.

Religious pluralism: coexistence of multiple religions; interfaith dialogue aims to promote understanding and cooperation.

Fundamentalism: strict adherence to core beliefs, often in reaction to modernity; can lead to extremism.

Religion and state: theocracy (religious rule), secular state (separation), and state religion (official religion).

Religious freedom: right to practice one's faith or none; protected in international law (UDHR Article 18).

Religion's role in social change: abolitionism, civil rights movement, and humanitarian work.

Religion and media: representation, stereotyping, and the use of media for evangelism or education.

Globalization impacts religion: spread of ideas, migration, and transnational religious networks.

Inquiry steps: formulate questions, gather evidence, analyze sources, evaluate reliability, synthesize, and communicate findings.

Critical analysis of religious texts: consider historical context, literary genre, author's purpose, and audience.

Distinguish between primary sources (scriptures, artifacts) and secondary sources (commentaries, textbooks).

Evaluate bias: identify author's perspective, purpose, and potential prejudice; cross-check multiple sources.

Reflection: process of thinking deeply about experiences and beliefs; can be structured (e.g., journals, discussions).

Empathy: understanding others' beliefs and feelings without necessarily agreeing; key for interfaith dialogue.

Compare and contrast: identify similarities and differences between religious traditions, ethical theories, or cultural practices.

Argumentation: construct reasoned arguments with evidence, acknowledge counterarguments, and avoid logical fallacies.

Research ethics: respect confidentiality, obtain consent, and represent views accurately.