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GCSE · Theme B: Religion and Ethics

RS.TB11 Vegetarianism, Veganism and Religious Rules on Eating Animals

AQA 8062 · Calculators not allowed · about 45 minutes

Total Marks

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

Which one of the following best describes a key Quranic instruction about food in the context of Islamic dietary law from Qur'an 5:3?

A: All animals are always forbidden to Muslims
B: Food that is explicitly named as unlawful must not be eaten, for example pork
C: Muslims must not eat any meat that was not first offered to an idol
D: Meat should never be cooked

(Total for Question 1 is 1 mark)

Give two simple reasons why some Christians choose to be vegetarian for reasons of faith in the context of Genesis and stewardship.

(Total for Question 2 is 2 marks)

Identify one food that is explicitly forbidden to Muslims under Islamic dietary law, as taught in the context of Qur'an 5:3.

(Total for Question 3 is 1 mark)

Give two features of the halal slaughter method (dhabihah) used by many Muslims when preparing animals for food.

(Total for Question 4 is 2 marks)

Explain two religious reasons why some believers choose vegetarianism for reasons of faith and conscience, in the context of Christianity and general religious stewardship.

(Total for Question 5 is 4 marks)

Explain two contrasting religious teachings on eating animals, and include a clear reference to scripture to support one of the views, in the context of Genesis 1:29-30 and Genesis 9:3.

(Total for Question 6 is 5 marks)

Give three features of modern factory farming that cause concern to religious believers worried about animal welfare and stewardship.

(Total for Question 7 is 3 marks)

Give three reasons why some Muslims and other religious people support the halal method or similar humane slaughter methods rather than factory methods.

(Total for Question 8 is 3 marks)

Explain the importance of scripture and religious teaching in shaping a believer's choices about eating meat in the context of Genesis and the Qur'an.

(Total for Question 9 is 6 marks)

Explain two ways Christian ideas about stewardship might affect decisions about eating animals today, in the context of environmental concern and animal welfare.

(Total for Question 10 is 4 marks)

State two Islamic dietary rules other than the prohibition of pork, and for each briefly explain why it is followed, in the context of Qur'an 5:3 and Islamic practice.

(Total for Question 11 is 4 marks)

Give two typical arguments used by religious vegans who avoid all animal products on the grounds of faith and conscience.

(Total for Question 12 is 2 marks)

Religious believers should not eat meat. Evaluate this statement. 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.

(Total for Question 13 is 12 marks)

Mark scheme · RS.TB11 Vegetarianism, Veganism and Religious Rules on Eating Animals

Question 1

B1 correct choice B, pork and other explicitly unlawful foods are forbidden as stated in Qur'an 5:3, cao
Answer: B

Question 2

B1 point 1: they believe in compassion for animals and so avoid causing harm, oe
B1 point 2: they feel stewardship of creation means protecting animals and the environment, oe
Answer: Any two: compassion for animals; stewardship of creation and environmental protection.

Question 3

B1 identification of pork as forbidden to Muslims, cao
Answer: Pork.

Question 4

B1 feature 1: a swift cut to the throat to sever major blood vessels, oe
B1 feature 2: the name of Allah is invoked at the time of slaughter and the blood is drained, oe
Answer: Any two: a swift cut to the throat; invoking the name of Allah; draining the blood.

Question 5

B1 point 1: compassion towards animals, that causing suffering is morally wrong and animals should be protected, oe
B1 development: some Christians cite Jesus teaching love and compassion as a reason to avoid meat that causes suffering, oe
B1 point 2: stewardship of creation, the belief humans must care for the world and avoid environmentally damaging farming, oe
B1 development: choosing a vegetarian diet is seen as a way to fulfil the duty in Genesis to care for creation and reduce harm, oe
Answer: E.g. compassion for animals linked to Christian ethics of love, and stewardship of creation from Genesis leading believers to avoid environmentally harmful meat production.

Question 6

B1 teaching 1: some Christians point to Genesis 1:29-30 which describes plants as food given at creation, supporting a vegetarian ideal, oe
B1 development for teaching 1: this is used to argue that humans were intended to live without eating animals and should show compassion, oe
B1 teaching 2: other believers refer to Genesis 9:3 which permits eating animals after the Flood, showing that meat-eating is allowed, oe
B1 development for teaching 2: this is used to justify eating meat responsibly while still requiring gratitude and stewardship, oe
B1 accurate scripture reference provided as required, cao
Answer: Contrast: Genesis 1:29-30 supports a vegetarian ideal at creation, while Genesis 9:3 permits eating animals after the Flood; students should explain how each scripture is used in differing traditions.

Question 7

B1 overcrowding or cramped living conditions for animals, oe
B1 use of intensive rearing methods that limit natural behaviour, oe
B1 routine use of antibiotics or rapid growth techniques that may harm animal health, oe
Answer: Any three: overcrowding; preventing natural behaviour; routine antibiotics or intensive growth methods.

Question 8

B1 it is believed to be quicker and so may reduce suffering, oe
B1 it involves an ethical or religious ritual, such as invoking Allah, bringing spiritual meaning and respect, oe
B1 it ensures blood is drained which some believe makes the meat cleaner and aligns with religious law, oe
Answer: Any three: quicker cut reduces suffering; religious ritual shows respect; draining blood aligns with law and perceived cleanliness.

Question 9

Level 4 (10-12): A considered evaluation offering a supported judgement that uses scripture and teaching to explain how believers are guided, with sustained reasoning and clear lines of argumentation.
Level 3 (7-9): A detailed answer that explains how scripture and teaching shape choices, with several accurate supporting points and some developed reasoning.
Level 2 (4-6): An answer that explains a few ways scripture or teaching influence decisions, with some supporting detail but limited development.
Level 1 (1-3): One or two simple relevant points about scripture or teaching influencing choices, with little explanation.
Level 0 (0): No relevant content.
Indicative content:
- Scripture such as Genesis 1:29-30 and Genesis 9:3 is used by different groups to justify either vegetarianism or permitted meat-eating.
- Qur'an 5:3 and other Islamic teachings give clear rules about lawful and unlawful foods, directly shaping Muslim practice.
- Religious teachings provide moral principles such as stewardship, compassion and gratitude that influence dietary choices.
- Believers may interpret scripture in historical context and so adapt practice, for example permitting meat after the Flood but emphasising humane treatment.
- Religious authorities, traditions and communities help to apply scripture to modern issues like factory farming and environmental impact.
- Practical religious obligations such as halal rules or fasting practices can regulate what and how believers eat, showing scripture in action.

Question 10

B1 point 1: stewardship may lead Christians to reduce meat consumption to lower environmental harm, oe
B1 development: giving examples such as reduced greenhouse gases, less land use and protecting biodiversity, oe
B1 point 2: stewardship may lead to insisting on higher welfare standards or choosing free range or ethically sourced meat, oe
B1 development: Christians may campaign for better farming methods because caring for animals is part of caring for creation, oe
Answer: E.g. reducing meat to protect the environment; choosing higher welfare and ethically sourced meat as part of caring for creation.

Question 11

B1 rule 1: animals must be slaughtered by a swift cut to the throat, oe
B1 for 1: to reduce suffering and follow the ritual requirements of halal slaughter, oe
B1 rule 2: the name of Allah should be invoked at the time of slaughter, oe
B1 for 2: to show that the act is religiously sanctioned and to express gratitude and obedience, oe
Answer: Any two rules and brief explanations: e.g. swift cut to reduce suffering; invoking Allah to sanctify the act and show obedience to religious law.

Question 12

B1 argument 1: avoiding all animal products prevents supporting industries that cause animal suffering, oe
B1 argument 2: veganism reduces environmental harm linked to animal agriculture, showing stewardship, oe
Answer: Any two: prevents supporting animal suffering; reduces environmental harm as an act of stewardship.

Question 13

Level 4 (10-12): A convincing, well-structured evaluation that offers coherent arguments for and against the statement, uses relevant religious teachings and scripture appropriately, addresses counter-arguments, and reaches a justified conclusion.
Level 3 (7-9): A clear evaluation that offers several developed arguments on both sides, includes relevant religious material, and gives a supported conclusion.
Level 2 (4-6): A balanced response with some arguments for and against the statement, some reference to religion, but limited development and a partial conclusion.
Level 1 (1-3): One or two simple assertions for or against the statement with minimal development and little or no use of religious teaching.
Level 0 (0): No response or no relevant content.
Indicative content:
- Arguments supporting the statement: compassion for animals, citing Genesis 1:29-30 as an ideal of plant based diet at creation and Christian teaching on love and nonviolence.
- Arguments supporting the statement: stewardship of creation and environmental concerns, arguing meat production harms ecosystems and the poor.
- Arguments against the statement: scripture permits meat eating, for example Genesis 9:3 shows God permitting meat after the Flood, and many religious traditions include sacrificial or communal meat practices.
- Arguments against the statement: religious laws such as halal provide ethical frameworks for eating meat responsibly rather than forbidding it, emphasising gratitude and proper treatment.
- Counter-arguments: even if scripture permits meat, religious teachings about compassion and justice can require restrictions or ethical sourcing rather than an absolute ban.
- Consideration of context and diversity: not all believers interpret scripture the same way, and cultural, economic and nutritional factors may make meat-eating acceptable or necessary for some communities.
- A justified conclusion should weigh religious authority, ethical concerns about welfare and environment, and practical implications before reaching a reasoned judgement.

Vegetarianism, Veganism and Religious Rules on Eating Animals - Worksheets, Questions and Revision