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GCSE · Thematic Studies

RS.TE4 Forgiveness

AQA 8062 · Calculators not allowed · about 55 minutes

Total Marks

Name: _______________________________ Date: ____ / ____ / ______

Answer ALL questions. Show all your working.

This question checks key vocabulary used when discussing forgiveness.

(a)State what is meant by forgiveness.(1)

(b)State what is meant by reconciliation.(1)

(c)State what is meant by mercy.(1)

(d)State what is meant by justice.(1)

(e)State what is meant by remorse.(1)

(Total for Question 1 is 5 marks)

Give three facts about how forgiveness is understood in Christianity and Islam.

(Total for Question 2 is 3 marks)

Explain two religious teachings about forgiveness. Refer to a source of wisdom and authority in your answer.

(Total for Question 3 is 4 marks)

Explain two contrasting religious teachings about the relationship between forgiveness and justice. Refer to a source of wisdom and authority in your answer.

(Total for Question 4 is 5 marks)

This question is about religious and non-religious perspectives on forgiveness. It is the AQA-style 24-mark, five-part question: parts (a) to (d) are worth 12 marks; part (e) is the 12-mark evaluation.

(a)State what is meant by forgiveness.(1)

(b)Give two reasons why forgiveness can be difficult for a person who has been wronged.(2)

(c)Explain two religious teachings about the relationship between forgiveness and justice. Refer to a source of wisdom and authority in your answer.(4)

(d)Explain two contrasting views, religious and/or non-religious, about whether forgiveness should always be offered to a wrongdoer. Refer to a source of wisdom and authority or another source in your answer.(5)

(e)Evaluate this statement: 'Religious believers should always try to forgive those who commit crimes against them.' In your answer you should: refer to religious teaching, refer to different points of view, reach a justified conclusion.(12)

(Total for Question 5 is 24 marks)

Explain two non-religious perspectives on forgiveness. Refer to Humanist or other non-religious beliefs in your answer.

(Total for Question 6 is 4 marks)

Give three reasons why forgiveness might benefit the person who chooses to forgive, without this ever making forgiveness something a victim owes to anyone else.

(Total for Question 7 is 3 marks)

Mark scheme · RS.TE4 Forgiveness

Question 1

(a) B1 choosing to no longer hold a wrong committed against you against the person who did it, oe
(a) Answer: Choosing to no longer hold a wrong committed against you against the person who did it.
(b) B1 the restoring of a good relationship between people who were in conflict, oe
(b) Answer: The restoring of a good relationship between people who were in conflict.
(c) B1 showing kindness or compassion to someone instead of the punishment they might deserve, oe
(c) Answer: Showing kindness or compassion to someone instead of the punishment they might deserve.
(d) B1 ensuring people are treated fairly, including that wrongdoing is dealt with appropriately, oe
(d) Answer: Ensuring people are treated fairly, including that wrongdoing is dealt with appropriately.
(e) B1 a feeling of genuine regret or guilt for a wrong that has been done, oe
(e) Answer: A feeling of genuine regret or guilt for a wrong that has been done.

Question 2

B1 the Lord's Prayer, said regularly by many Christians, includes asking God to 'forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us' (Matthew 6:12), oe
B1 asking Allah for forgiveness is a regular part of Muslim prayer and daily life, oe
B1 forgiving someone does not mean saying that what they did was acceptable, or forgetting that it happened, oe
Answer: Any three: the Lord's Prayer links being forgiven to forgiving others (Matthew 6:12); seeking Allah's forgiveness is a regular part of Muslim life; forgiveness does not mean excusing or forgetting the wrong.

Question 3

B1 point 1: many Christians believe forgiveness should be given generously and repeatedly, not just once, oe
B1 development: when Peter asks if he should forgive as many as seven times, Jesus answers 'not seven times, but seventy-seven times' (Matthew 18:21-22), oe
B1 point 2: many Muslims believe choosing to forgive and overlook a wrong is praised by Allah, oe
B1 development: 'let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like Allah to forgive you? Allah is Forgiving and Merciful' (Qur'an 24:22), oe
Answer: E.g. Jesus's teaching on forgiving 'seventy-seven times' (Matthew 18:21-22); the Qur'an's teaching to pardon and overlook (Qur'an 24:22).

Question 4

B1 teaching 1: some religious teaching encourages forgiveness as a value in itself, even towards those who have caused great harm, oe
B1 development: on the cross, Jesus says 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing' (Luke 23:34), oe
B1 teaching 2: other religious teaching stresses that personal forgiveness does not remove the need for lawful justice, oe
B1 development: 'Do not take revenge... but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord' (Romans 12:19) shows that not seeking personal revenge is different from believing wrongdoing should go unpunished by lawful authority, oe
B1 reference to a source of wisdom and authority made accurately, oe
Answer: Contrast: forgiveness taught as a value even towards serious harm (Luke 23:34) vs personal forgiveness distinguished from society's need for lawful justice (Romans 12:19).

Question 5

(a) B1 choosing to let go of resentment towards someone who has wronged you, oe
(a) Answer: Choosing to let go of resentment towards someone who has wronged you.
(b) B1 the emotional harm caused by the wrongdoing can take a long time to heal, oe
(b) B1 the person who caused the harm may show no remorse or may not have apologised, oe
(b) Answer: E.g. lasting emotional harm; a lack of remorse or apology from the person who caused the harm.
(c) B1 point 1: some religious teaching holds that repaying evil for evil is wrong, even where forgiveness is difficult, oe
(c) B1 development: 'the recompense of an evil is an equal evil... but whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah' (Qur'an 42:40), oe
(c) B1 point 2: some religious teaching separates a person's private forgiveness from the state's duty to see that justice is done, oe
(c) B1 development: Paul teaches that governing authorities do 'not bear the sword for no reason' but exist to punish wrongdoing (Romans 13:4), showing justice and personal forgiveness are treated as different things, oe
(c) Answer: E.g. the reward for choosing to forgive alongside the right to a fair response (Qur'an 42:40); the state's role in justice distinguished from personal forgiveness (Romans 13:4).
(d) B1 view 1: some religious believers hold that forgiveness should be extended widely and often, encouraging reconciliation, oe
(d) B1 development: this can draw on Jesus's teaching to forgive 'seventy-seven times' (Matthew 18:21-22), oe
(d) B1 view 2: others, religious and non-religious, argue forgiveness is entirely a personal choice for the person who was wronged, and can never be demanded of them, oe
(d) B1 development: on this view, a victim's healing and safety, and the pursuit of justice, matter regardless of whether the victim personally chooses to forgive, oe
(d) B1 reference to a source of wisdom and authority or another appropriate source made accurately, oe
(d) Answer: Contrast: forgiveness encouraged widely (Matthew 18:21-22) vs forgiveness understood as strictly a personal choice for the victim, never an obligation.
(e) L4 (10-12): A well-argued, balanced answer that considers more than one point of view in a developed way, using accurate and detailed references to religious teaching and/or scripture to support each point, and reaches a clear, justified conclusion.
(e) L3 (7-9): A clear and reasoned answer that considers more than one point of view, supported by relevant references to religious teaching and/or scripture, though the justification of the conclusion may be less developed.
(e) L2 (4-6): A reasoned answer that considers at least one point of view, with some relevant supporting evidence, but with limited or no consideration of an alternative view.
(e) L1 (1-3): One or more relevant points are made, but with little or no supporting evidence and no reasoned conclusion.
(e) L0 (0): No relevant content.
(e) Indicative content:
- Note for markers: this question can be answered with either conclusion; credit any well-supported argument, whether it agrees, disagrees, or takes a middle position.
- Agree: Jesus's teaching to forgive 'seventy-seven times' (Matthew 18:21-22) and his own example on the cross, 'Father, forgive them' (Luke 23:34), are held up as ideals many believers try to follow.
- Agree: Qur'an 24:22 teaches that choosing to pardon and overlook is rewarded by Allah, and links it to believers' own hope of being forgiven.
- Agree: some argue forgiveness benefits the person who forgives, by releasing them from ongoing anger or bitterness, whatever the offender has done.
- Disagree: forgiveness is a deeply personal response, and a victim of crime can never be under any obligation to forgive, whatever their religion teaches as an ideal; some harm may never be forgiven, and that is not a moral failure.
- Disagree: Romans 13:4 teaches that lawful authorities exist to punish wrongdoing, showing that religious teaching does not treat personal forgiveness as a substitute for justice being done.
- Disagree: encouraging victims to feel they 'should' forgive can risk minimising the seriousness of the crime or pressuring someone who is not ready, which many argue is not the intended meaning of these teachings.
- A balanced answer might conclude that religious teaching holds up forgiveness as a value worth aspiring to, while also recognising it can never be demanded of any individual victim, and that justice and forgiveness are not the same thing.

Question 6

B1 point 1: many Humanists value forgiveness for the practical and psychological wellbeing it can bring the person who forgives, rather than as a religious command, oe
B1 development: letting go of anger is often seen as beneficial to the forgiver's own mental health, whatever they decide about the offender, oe
B1 point 2: some non-religious people argue forgiveness is entirely a personal choice, and that accountability and justice for the offence matter more than whether forgiveness is given, oe
B1 development: on this view, a victim should never be made to feel they have to forgive, and their decision either way does not affect whether the offender should still face lawful consequences, oe
Answer: E.g. a wellbeing-based, non-religious case for forgiveness; a personal-choice argument that separates forgiveness from justice.

Question 7

B1 it can reduce the ongoing emotional burden of carrying anger or resentment, oe
B1 it can help rebuild a relationship, where both people involved genuinely want this, oe
B1 it can support an offender's own rehabilitation, e.g. in a restorative justice meeting, without requiring it, oe
Answer: Any three: reduces the ongoing burden of anger; can help rebuild a relationship both people want; can support an offender's rehabilitation, without ever being required.

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