Revision Library

revisionlibrary.co.uk

GCSE · Christianity

RS.CP12 Christian Persecution Today: Causes and the Church's Response

AQA 8062 · Calculators not allowed · about 50 minutes

Total Marks

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

Which one of the following is an example of a cause of persecution against Christians described in this topic: religious intolerance, political conflict, or freedom of worship restrictions? Context: causes of persecution today.

A. A high level of religious tolerance and freedom
B. Restrictions on freedom of worship
C. Government support for all religions equally
D. Widespread ecumenical cooperation

(Total for Question 1 is 1 mark)

Give two general causes of persecution of Christians today, in the context of global religious practice.

(Total for Question 2 is 2 marks)

Explain two effects of persecution on Christian believers and their local communities, in the context of the worldwide church today.

(Total for Question 3 is 4 marks)

Explain two contrasting Christian beliefs about the value of suffering and persecution, and refer to a sacred writing or other source of belief in your answer. Context: beliefs about suffering in Christian teaching.

(Total for Question 4 is 5 marks)

Give three typical ways the worldwide church may respond in practice to communities experiencing persecution, in the general context of Christian relief and solidarity.

(Total for Question 5 is 3 marks)

Explain two practical ways Christian organisations may help victims of persecution, in the context of worldwide church activity.

(Total for Question 6 is 4 marks)

Give two effects persecution can have on the faith of individual Christians, in the context of personal belief and practice.

(Total for Question 7 is 2 marks)

Explain two ways Christian teaching or scripture might encourage believers to support those who are persecuted. Refer to a source of wisdom and authority in your answer. Context: biblical encouragement to help the suffering.

(Total for Question 8 is 5 marks)

Give three reasons why Christians elsewhere might feel obliged to offer help to persecuted churches, in the general context of global Christian responsibility.

(Total for Question 9 is 3 marks)

Explain two challenges churches face when giving help to persecuted Christians abroad, in the context of logistical and ethical considerations.

(Total for Question 10 is 4 marks)

Give two ways ordinary Christians can show solidarity with persecuted believers, in the context of individual action within a local church.

(Total for Question 11 is 2 marks)

Evaluate the view that the persecuted church needs support from Christians elsewhere. In your answer you should give reasoned arguments to support this statement, give reasoned arguments to support a different point of view, refer to religious arguments, and reach a justified conclusion. Context: the role of outside support for persecuted Christian communities today.

(Total for Question 12 is 12 marks)

State the meaning of the term 'religious intolerance' as used when discussing causes of persecution in this topic.

(Total for Question 13 is 1 mark)

Mark scheme · RS.CP12 Christian Persecution Today: Causes and the Church's Response

Question 1

B1 selecting B, restrictions on freedom of worship
Answer: B. Restrictions on freedom of worship.

Question 2

B1 one correct cause, e.g. religious intolerance or hostility from other religious groups, oe
B1 one other correct cause, e.g. political or social conflict that targets religious groups, or restrictions on freedom of worship, oe
Answer: Any two: for example, religious intolerance; political or social conflict targeting religious groups; restrictions on freedom of worship.

Question 3

B1 point 1: believers may be forced to hide or meet in secret, oe
B1 development: this can weaken visible community life and reduce public worship and outreach, oe
B1 point 2: persecution can cause loss of property, livelihood or displacement, oe
B1 development: this can lead to hardship for families and pressure on other church communities providing shelter or support, oe
Answer: E.g. meeting in secret, reducing visible community life; loss of property or displacement causing hardship and pressure on other churches.

Question 4

B1 belief 1: some Christians believe suffering is a way to share in Christ's suffering and grow spiritually, oe
B1 development: this is supported by passages such as Philippians 1:29, which speaks of being granted to suffer for Christ, oe
B1 belief 2: other Christians believe suffering should be resisted and that believers should work to avoid persecution where possible, oe
B1 development: this view is supported by teaching that Christians should preserve life and seek peaceful solutions, oe
B1 accurate reference to a sacred writing or other source made, e.g. Philippians 1:29, Hebrews 13:3, or a recognised teaching, oe
Answer: Contrast example: some view suffering as participation in Christ and spiritual growth (Philippians 1:29), others emphasise avoiding harm and seeking protection, both with scriptural or doctrinal support.

Question 5

B1 one practical response, e.g. providing humanitarian aid or shelter, oe
B1 second practical response, e.g. offering pastoral care and counselling, oe
B1 third practical response, e.g. prayer and public solidarity with persecuted Christians, oe
Answer: Any three: humanitarian aid/shelter; pastoral care and counselling; prayer and solidarity; advocacy for religious freedom, etc.

Question 6

B1 point 1: they can supply emergency food, medical help and temporary housing, oe
B1 development: this provides immediate relief and helps families survive displacement, oe
B1 point 2: they can offer legal support and advocacy to protect rights and seek safe outcomes, oe
B1 development: this can reduce injustice and help persecuted people access asylum or protection, oe
Answer: E.g. emergency food/medical help and housing to relieve suffering; legal support and advocacy to protect rights and seek safe outcomes.

Question 7

B1 one effect, e.g. it may strengthen personal faith and reliance on prayer, oe
B1 one other effect, e.g. it may cause doubt, fear or a weakening of practice, oe
Answer: Any two: may strengthen faith and reliance on prayer; may cause doubt, fear or reduced practice; may result in deeper commitment or withdrawal, etc.

Question 8

B1 point 1: teaching to remember and care for those who suffer, e.g. Hebrews 13:3, 'remember those in prison', oe
B1 development: this encourages practical support and solidarity with imprisoned or persecuted believers, oe
B1 point 2: teaching to love and serve others, including enemies, e.g. Matthew 5:44, which can motivate prayer and compassionate action, oe
B1 development: this supports nonviolent care and practical help even for those who persecute, or for fellow sufferers, oe
B1 accurate reference to scripture or other source made, e.g. Hebrews 13:3, Matthew 5:44, oe
Answer: E.g. Hebrews 13:3 calls Christians to remember those in prison and act in solidarity; Matthew 5:44 calls believers to love and pray for others, motivating compassionate support.

Question 9

B1 reason 1: a sense of Christian solidarity and duty to care for fellow believers, oe
B1 reason 2: obedience to scripture and teaching about helping the suffering, oe
B1 reason 3: practical compassion, wanting to relieve suffering and provide safety, oe
Answer: Any three: solidarity and duty; obedience to scripture; practical compassion to relieve suffering; witness to Christian love.

Question 10

B1 point 1: security risks and the safety of local believers and aid workers, oe
B1 development: sending overt help can increase danger for locals, so careful planning and discreet support are needed, oe
B1 point 2: potential dependency or undermining of local church leadership, oe
B1 development: large-scale external aid can weaken local initiative or create tensions, so support must be appropriate and empowering, oe
Answer: E.g. security risks requiring discreet support; risk of dependency or undermining local leadership, requiring empowering approaches.

Question 11

B1 one way: praying regularly for persecuted Christians, oe
B1 one way: taking part in fundraising or supporting ethical relief projects, oe
Answer: Any two: pray regularly for persecuted believers; fundraise or support practical relief projects; write messages of solidarity, etc.

Question 12

Level 4 (10-12): A well-developed, balanced evaluation that gives clear reasons supporting and opposing the view, includes relevant religious arguments and scripture or teaching, and reaches a justified conclusion. Arguments are developed with clear reasoning and examples.
Level 3 (7-9): A balanced answer that offers several developed arguments on both sides and refers to religious arguments or scripture, with a conclusion that is supported but may lack detailed justification.
Level 2 (4-6): An answer that gives some relevant arguments for and/or against the view, with limited development and some reference to religious ideas, but the conclusion is weak or only partially justified.
Level 1 (1-3): Simple, undeveloped points are made for one side only or a brief unsupported judgement is given, with little or no reference to religious ideas.
Level 0 (0): No relevant material.
Indicative content:
- Arguments supporting the view: practical help can save lives, provide shelter and medical care, and relieve immediate suffering.
- Supporting religious argument: teachings about loving and helping others, e.g. Matthew 25:35-36, and the duty to remember those who suffer, e.g. Hebrews 13:3.
- Supporting argument: outside support shows Christian solidarity and strengthens persecuted communities' morale and global witness.
- Arguments against the view: external support can bring security risks or draw negative attention to local believers, making situations worse.
- Counter religious argument: some teaching emphasises the need for local churches to be self-reliant and avoid cultural dependence, and that faith should not rely on outside material support.
- Counter argument: external aid can create dependency, undermine local leadership, or be ineffective if poorly coordinated, so support must be sensitive and empowering.
- Judgement: a balanced conclusion may argue that support is often necessary and right, but must be carefully planned, discreet where required, and aimed at empowering local churches rather than creating dependency.

Question 13

B1 a clear definition such as: unwillingness to accept people of different religious beliefs, often leading to hostility or discrimination, oe
Answer: Unwillingness to accept people of different religious beliefs, often leading to hostility or discrimination.

Christian Persecution Today: Causes and the Church's Response - Worksheets, Questions and Revision