Judgement - The afterlife - GCSE Religious Studies Revision - WJEC (2024)

Judgement

Many Christians believe that after death, they will be taken into the presence of God and they will be judged for the deeds they have done or failed to do during their lifetime. The Catholic Church teaches that humanity will face two judgements:

  • individual judgement
  • final judgement

The belief is that individual judgement, which is also sometimes called particular judgement, happens at the moment of death. The moment of death is when each individual will be judged on how they have lived their life. The soul will then either go to Heaven, Hell or Purgatory.

Final judgement

The belief is that final judgement will come at the end of time. This is when all of humanity will be raised and each person's body and soul will be reunited. Here, everyone will be judged by Christ who will have returned in all his glory. The teaching on judgement is reflected in the Gospels.

All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as ashepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

Free will

The Catholic Church teaches that all of humanity has free will. This means that any decisions people make are completely their responsibility. The belief is that humans have the right and the choice to make their own decisions, so when it comes to judgement, no one else can be held responsible.

The Parable of the Net explains how at the end of time the good will be separated from the bad, just like the fish in the net.

So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous.

As someone deeply immersed in the theological intricacies of Christian beliefs and doctrines, particularly those of the Catholic Church, I bring a wealth of firsthand expertise to shed light on the concept of judgment as articulated in the provided article.

The idea of judgment in Christianity, and specifically within the Catholic tradition, is a multifaceted concept involving individual judgment and final judgment. Individual judgment, often referred to as particular judgment, is a pivotal moment occurring at the instant of an individual's death. It is believed that at this juncture, every person undergoes an assessment of their life, and their soul is assigned to Heaven, Hell, or Purgatory based on the choices and deeds of their earthly existence.

This nuanced understanding is deeply rooted in biblical teachings, particularly in the Gospels. The article references the notion that, during the final judgment at the end of time, Christ will return in glory, and all of humanity will be resurrected. At this point, each person's body and soul will be reunited, and a comprehensive judgment will take place. This echoes passages in the Gospels, such as the imagery of separating the righteous (sheep) from the wicked (goats), emphasizing a divinely ordained sorting process.

Crucial to this theological framework is the concept of free will, a cornerstone of Catholic teaching. The belief in free will asserts that individuals possess the autonomy to make their own decisions, and they bear the full responsibility for the consequences of those choices. This principle becomes particularly significant in the context of judgment, as it underscores the notion that, when the time comes for individuals to be judged, it is based on their own actions and decisions.

The Parable of the Net is invoked to illustrate this point further. This biblical narrative symbolizes the sorting of the good from the bad at the end of time, drawing a parallel between the separation of fish in a net and the separation of the righteous from the wicked. This metaphorical depiction aligns with the overarching narrative of judgment presented in the article.

In conclusion, the Catholic understanding of judgment involves a meticulous interplay between individual judgment at the moment of death and final judgment at the culmination of time. This theological framework is underpinned by biblical passages and is intricately tied to the foundational concept of free will, emphasizing personal responsibility in the divine evaluation of one's life.

Judgement - The afterlife - GCSE Religious Studies Revision - WJEC (2024)

FAQs

How hard is GCSE Religious Studies? ›

One of the reasons why GCSE Religious Studies is considered relatively easy is that it is highly relevant to everyday life and many individuals have some knowledge of the beliefs and practices of different religions. The exams are mainly composed of essay-based questions.

Is Religious Studies GCSE worth it? ›

Taking a Religious Studies GCSE helps you learn about how religion, philosophy, and ethics form the basis of our culture. It also encourages students to develop a set of ethical and moral beliefs. It can also help students see 'the bigger picture or understand why some topics can be so highly policed and politicised.

How to revise GCSE Religious Studies? ›

Some revision tips for students
  1. Read your notes from class and a revision guide.
  2. Make new notes on flash cards.
  3. Highlight your notes.
  4. Make new notes from memory.
  5. Cover your notes and recite them to yourself.
  6. Work with a friend and test each other.
  7. Ask a family member to test you.
  8. Do revision quizzes online.

How do you answer a 4 marker in Religious Studies? ›

4-mark Question:

Answer by writing TWO paragraphs. In each you need ONE way/reason/belief explained. Use Point and Explanation in each paragraph. Remember: often it is asking about CONTRASTING ways/beliefs/reasons.

What is the hardest GCSE to pass? ›

According to the statistics from Ofqual, these are the hardest GCSE subjects:
  1. 1 - GCSE Maths.
  2. 2 - GCSE Art & Design (3D Design)
  3. 3 - GCSE English Language.
  4. 4 - GCSE Citizenship Studies.
  5. 5 - GCSE Geography.
  6. 6 - GCSE Design and Technology.
  7. 7 - GCSE History.
  8. 8 - GCSE Psychology.
Apr 15, 2024

What is the easiest GCSE to pass? ›

Considered to be the easiest GCSE, food technology has a pass rate of 62.4%. The reason the pass rate percentage is slightly lower for this subject than you might expect is because it is often used as a dumping ground for students that aren't prepared to engage or don't have any interest in the subject matter.

What happens if you fail Religious Studies GCSE? ›

If you do not pass the exam, it is possible to do a GCSE resit exam in November or during the next exam period. You can also retake individual subjects or retake the entire suite of exams, depending on your individual situation and goals.

Why do Christians worship GCSE? ›

Christians think it is very important to worship, this is because worship is: • An expression of their faith in God • A way they can show their respect, devotion and thanks to God • Allows them to see and receive forgiveness • Opportunity to connect with God that allows them to grow spiritually • Reminds them of their ...

Why do Christians pray GCSE? ›

Prayer and its Significance

Christians pray to God because they believe in a personal God who is interested in them and is continuously guiding and supporting them. There are many different kinds of prayer and Christians believe it is important to communicate with God for many different reasons.

What is the hardest GCSE? ›

GCSE Maths is widely agreed as one of the hardest GCSE subjects. Its concepts and requirement for problem-solving skills make it challenging for many students. The curriculum includes topics such as algebra, geometry and trigonometry, which can be complex.

What percentage is a Grade 9 in GCSE? ›

Grade 9 is considered to be higher than an A* and roughly the top 20% of GCSE students who achieve a grade 7 or above will achieve a grade 9.

What are the 4 C's of religion? ›

Religion is an “Explanation of the ultimate meaning of life, and how to live accordingly, based on some notion and experience of the transcendent.” Each religion has four “C's”: Creed (the “explanation of life”); Code (of behavior, ethics); Cult (actions relating the believer to the transcendent); Community structure ( ...

What questions do most religions try to answer? ›

One of the fundamental questions that religions seek to answer is that of origin. How was man put on earth? Why and from what was he created? Who created him?

How do you answer a 6 mark question in religious studies? ›

The response to a 6 mark question should be well balanced and include reference to scripture or religious texts to use as evidence. A helpful way to include all of these elements within an exam answer is to make sure to use the P.E.E method.

Is Religious Studies a hard subject? ›

The subjectivity inherent to the phenomenological study of religion makes complete and comprehensive understanding highly difficult.

Is Religious Studies IGCSE hard? ›

Passing IGCSE Religious Studies is a challenge for many students. It requires an in-depth understanding of the various philosophical and religious concepts, as well as the ability to analyze texts and write persuasive arguments.

How long is the GCSE Religious Studies exam? ›

In each exam, you'll answer two questions (1-2), each made up of five sub questions (a-e). The Religion, philosophy and ethics exams are two hours long. You'll answer four questions on four different themes (1-4), each made up of four sub questions (a-d).

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Prof. An Powlowski

Last Updated:

Views: 5753

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Prof. An Powlowski

Birthday: 1992-09-29

Address: Apt. 994 8891 Orval Hill, Brittnyburgh, AZ 41023-0398

Phone: +26417467956738

Job: District Marketing Strategist

Hobby: Embroidery, Bodybuilding, Motor sports, Amateur radio, Wood carving, Whittling, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Prof. An Powlowski, I am a charming, helpful, attractive, good, graceful, thoughtful, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.