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Strategies for spiritual and moral development in the RE classroom

Online resources

PDF

Rosemary Rivett

2 © RE Today Services 2013

AcknowledgementsThis PDF accompanies the publication More Than 101 Great Ideas: Strategies for Spiritual and Moral Development in the RE Classroom written by Rosemary Rivett with original artwork by Catherine Faulkner, ISBN 978-1-905893-75-1, and may be downloaded by purchasers from the RE Today website. Unauthorised reproduction is illegal.

RE Today would like to thank the following copyright holders for permission to use their work in this resource:Lisa Kassapian for the photograph used on pp.9/10; REQuest – www.request.org.uk – for the photograph on p.15; Abiba Husseini for the adaptation of the story on p.18; Sarah Northall for the snowflake strategy, example and template on pp.21–2; David Rose/NATRE for the photograph of the Muslim family at prayer on p.23; Shahida Chowdury for the photograph of the boy reading the Qur’an on p.23; Henry Martin – www.sermons4kids.com – for the illustrations on p.31; Srivati Skelton for the poem ‘Shopping with the Buddha’ on p.41.Quotations from the Bible used in the Disentangling activity (Strategy 107) on pp.37-8 are from the Wycliffe Bible, copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble and Eugene H Petersen, The Message (Nav Press 2003). Quotations from the Bible used in the Disentangling activity (Strategy 107) on pp.39-40 are from the Revised Standard Version; quotations from the Buddhist Dhammapada are from http://www.metta.lk/english/Narada/index.html, trans. Venerable Narada Mara Thera, 1972. Photograph of the Muslim father whispering the words of the adhan on p.23 is © World Religions Photo Library/Alamy.Illustration of the rucksack on p.19 is by Clare Brienza.

Permission is granted to purchasing institutions to make copies of all pages in this document for educational purposes within that institution.

© RE Today Services 2013

www.retoday.org.uk

Published byChristian Education1020 Bristol RoadSelly OakBirminghamB29 6LB

3© RE Today Services 2013

Contents

Strategy ACT

Writing my own report: template

Persona dolls: Resource – Preparation and example

Human barchart: Response sheet – Wise words

Human barchart: Response sheet – Evil and suffering

CREATE

Drawing around: Photograph (partial) – Preparing for Shabbat

Drawing around: Photograph (complete) – Preparing for Shabbat

Senses poems: Response sheet – Poem

Picture extending: Resource – The Journey of Life

ENQUIRE

Good questions, better questions: Resource – More than 40 questions aboutIslam

Mysteries: Cards – Will Amir go on Hajj next year?

REFLECT

Bubbling speech … bubbling thoughts: Response sheet – The Christian Bible

X Y Grid: Resource – Judgement Day: views of hell 1

X Y Grid: Response sheet – Judgement Day: views of hell 2

Guided story: Story – Sheikh Abdul Qadir

Rucksack: Response sheet – template

TALK

Box story: Template

Snowflake: Resource – My beliefs

Snowflake: Response sheet – template

THINK

Similarities and differences (Odd one out): Islam

Similarities and differences (Odd one out): Template

Zebra: Resource – Game board

Zebra: Resource – Question cards on Sikhism

Target board: Template

Feelings Graph 1: Cards – The Night of Power

Feelings Graph 2: Graph – Template

Feelings Graph 3: Story – The Night of Power

Jigsaw reading: Resource – Easter Story

Jigsaw reading : Resource – Conjoined twins

Talking circle: Resource – Forgiveness quotes

Talking circle: Response sheet – Forgiveness

Fact or opinion: Cards – Prayer in Islam

Fact or opinion: Cards – Religion and science

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Contents continued

Strategy WRITE

Disentangling translations: Text – The Parable of the Lost Son

Disentangling translations: Answers – The Parable of the Lost Son

Disentangling beliefs: Text – Life after death

Distentangling beliefs: Answers – Life after death

Bag of words: Poem – ‘Shopping with the Buddha’ by Srivati

Buttresses: Template

Socratic questioning: Question cards

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Writing my own reportThis sheet is to help you write about the work you have been doing in RE.

Write as much as you can, but do at least ten sentences, choosing starters from five or more boxes.

Think and write carefully on your own.

• This RE topic has made methink about …

• Since doing this work in RE Ihave …

• My reasons are …

• I believe …

• I can’t make my mind upabout …

• Other people think …

• I liked it when …

• The best bit of the work was …

• What I enjoyed about it was …

• I found it interesting when …

• The good thing about thiswork was …

• In RE we have been learningabout ...

• What we’ve done in RE is …

• Our lessons in RE have beenabout …

• In RE I’ve learned about …

• The main things I did in REwere …

• Now I understand more about …

• Before doing this work in RE Ididn’t realise that …

• One thing that made me thinkwas …

• It’s surprising that …

• I’m curious to find out moreabout …

• I’m still puzzled about …

• I can’t be sure that . . .

• One fascinating thing is. . .

• I could have improved my REwork by …

• To do better in RE I will …

• If I started this work again Iwould …

• The effort I put in was …

• I am most pleased with …

• My RE written work is …

• The advice I would give tosomeone starting this work would be …

• Overall, my work has been …

• From this work, I have gained …

• Generally, RE has been …

• Finally, I would like to say …

ACt: Writing my own reportTemplate


ACt: Persona dolls and RE

Preparation

• It is best to have a designated time for using persona dolls, preferably weekly. Regular weekly sessionsenable children to know what’s expected and to be able to recall information about the personas readily. As with all learning, it is useful to keep revisiting the issues under discussion for several sessions so that learning can become embedded.

• Gather as for a usual ‘carpet time’, either in a cluster or circle. Sit on a chair with the doll sitting in your lap.• Use one persona doll at a time to support current learning. You will need to know well the details of

what the persona likes, thinks and believes. Good preparation is essential.Personas• Below is an example of a persona – Yusuf, who is Muslim. There are also some questions to use with

children to encourage understanding of his beliefs. A structure for a follow-up session is found in the book (Strategy no. 15 on p.18).

• For more personas and ideas for using persona dolls in RE, see:• Persona Dolls in Religious Education by Shahne Vickery, ISBN 978-0-9556611-2-9, available from http://shop

retoday.org.uk• The Little Book of Persona Dolls, by Marilyn Bowles and Sarah Featherstone (Featherstone Education 2004),

ISBN 978-1-904187-86-8.

Yusuf – who he is, what he likes, thinks and believesBefore introducing Yusuf to the children you will need to know about his persona. You may need to share some of these details with the group or they may be peripheral to the discussion. They can be ‘released’ over several sessions throughout the year.• Yusuf is five years old. He has an older sister called Safiyya.• He goes to school in the daytime and a special school in the evening held at the mosque. This is the

building where Muslims worship Allah, who has 99 names to describe how wonderful he is.• Here Yusuf learns to read Arabic so that he knows more about Allah by reading the Qur’an, the Muslim

holy book. • Yusuf prays every day to Allah and uses a prayer mat like the rest of his family.• The most important time in Yusuf’s family’s year is the time of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid. Eid falls

at the end of Ramadan. Ramadan is a month of praying and fasting when Muslims pray to be better people.• At Eid, Yusuf celebrates by wearing new clothes, giving and getting presents and eating special food.Questions that encourage understanding of Yusuf’s beliefs1 How could we find out what a mosque and a prayer mat look like?2 Do you have a special book that you like to read?3 Do you think it would be hard to learn another language like Arabic?4 Do you know any other language?5 What do you find it hard to learn?6 What is the most important time for Yusuf and his family?7 Do you have special times of the year when you celebrate with your family?

Persona dolls

Examples


ACt: Human barchartResponse sheet: Wise Words

Wise Words

Circle the number which best shows your response to each statement:

Strongly agree Strongly disagree

Never try to get back at someone who makes you cry.

1 2 3 4 5 6

Worrying about what might happen is a waste of time.

1 2 3 4 5 6

Treat other people as you would like them to treat you.

1 2 3 4 5 6

Don’t be greedy. Having lots of things won’t make you safe and happy.

1 2 3 4 5 6

Wise Words




1 2 3 4 5 6


1 2 3 4 5 6


1 2 3 4 5 6


1 2 3 4 5 6

Wise Words




1 2 3 4 5 6


1 2 3 4 5 6


1 2 3 4 5 6


1 2 3 4 5 6

Wise Words




1 2 3 4 5 6


1 2 3 4 5 6


1 2 3 4 5 6


1 2 3 4 5 6


ACt: Human barchartResponse sheet: Evil and suffering

Evil and Suffering



Suffering is God’s way of testing people.

1 2 3 4 5 6

God punishes the wicked and rewards the good.

1 2 3 4 5 6

Suffering is part of God’s plan: we are unable to understand this.

1 2 3 4 5 6

Suffering has nothing to do with God.

1 2 3 4 5 6

Evil and Suffering




1 2 3 4 5 6


1 2 3 4 5 6


1 2 3 4 5 6


1 2 3 4 5 6

Evil and Suffering




1 2 3 4 5 6


1 2 3 4 5 6


1 2 3 4 5 6


1 2 3 4 5 6

Evil and Suffering




1 2 3 4 5 6


1 2 3 4 5 6


1 2 3 4 5 6


1 2 3 4 5 6

9© RE Today Services 2013 Photocopiable by purchasing institutions

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ENQUIRE: Good questions, better questions More than 40 questions about Islam

1 Why are there more than 1700 mosques inBritain today?

2 What does a Muslim believe?

3 What does a Muslim do at the mosque?

4 Why are there about 2 million Muslims inBritain?

5 What is a mosque and how is it used?

6 How did the Muslim religion begin?

7 How could you tell if the Prophet Muhammadheard an angel speak? For sure?

8 What is the Muslim religion called? Why?

9 What stories do Muslims love to tell about theProphet Muhammad?

10 If everyone followed the Muslims’ Shariah Law,would our society be more peaceful?

11 What happened to the beautiful words that theProphet Muhammad heard from the angel in a cave one day?

12 What do Muslims celebrate? How and why?

13 Why do Muslims want to remember theProphet Muhammad?

14 How and why do Muslims pray five times a day?

15 Is the Muslims’ God Allah the same as the Godof the Jews and Christians?

16 How do Muslims welcome a new baby into thefamily?

17 Why did British people give £40 million poundsto Islamic Relief last year?

18 Why do Muslims like to visit Makkah, and whatdo they do there?

19 Can anyone learn from Islam – withoutbecoming a Muslim?

20 What difference to life does it make if you are ayoung Muslim in Britain today?

21 If everyone gave 2½ % of their money away asMuslims do, would the world be fairer?

22 How do Muslims find peace in their heartsthrough their religion?

23 Why do some people think Islam is to do withterrorism?

24 Are Muslims and Christians worshipping thesame God?

25 What can you learn from visiting a mosque?

26 What does the Holy Qur’an say?

27 What do Muslims think about Jesus?

28 In Muslim families, are men and women equal?

29 Why is what the Prophet Muhammad saidimportant to Muslims today?

30 What makes the religion of Muslims so strong?

31 How do the Five Pillars give strength to theMuslim religion?

32 Why do many people in Britain today want tobecome Muslims?

33 What is the centre of the Muslim world and why?

34 Why do Muslims often get a bad press?

35 If Muslims cannot draw Allah, or picture him,how do they teach children what Allah is like?

36 What is good about the fact that Britain is amore Muslim country and a more mixed country than it used to be 40 years ago?

37 Which famous British people are Muslim? Whatare they famous for?

38 Is it true that Allah may let people into paradiseafter they die? Can this be proved (other than by dying!)?

39 Why do some Muslims not use music? What Islamic music do you like?

40 ‘All Muslims are different.’ True, but what unitesthe religion?

41 If you could find out five new things aboutIslam, what would you like to know, and why?


ENQUIRE: Mysteries

Will Amir go on Hajj next year?

Amir is 15 in April next year.

Amir is a Muslim. His father is an imam (a

leader at a mosque) in Gloucester.

The ‘Pillars’ include declaring Shahadah,

praying five times a day; fasting during the month of Ramadan, and giving

money to the poor.

Amir’s grandfather died last year without having

been on Hajj. He and Amir were very

close.

Makkah is the birthplace of Muhammad (pbuh).

Hajj takes place over a 5-day period. This year it was in mid-January.

Next year it will be early January.

Makkah is in Saudi Arabia.

Muslims have to perform the ‘Five Pillars’ of Islam.

In the centre of the Haram Mosque in Makkah is the Ka’ba – the temple first built by Adam (pbuh) for the worship of Allah.

Many Muslims believe that Allah will answer all prayers offered while on

Hajj.

Amir is a cricket fan. England have an away

series against Pakistan in January next year.

Hajj celebrates the Muslim ummah or

community. Three million Muslims from all over the world worship together.

Amir is hoping to do A-levels and go on to

university.

Pilgrims must wear white as a sign of unity and

equality.

Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage to Makkah.

The Fifth Pillar is Hajj. All Muslims should go on Hajj at least once in their lifetime if they are able to.

Pilgrims on Hajj follow in the footsteps of

Muhammad (pbuh) in his last journey to Makkah.

Amir studies the Qur’an at madrassah (mosque school) most evenings.

Amir is scared of flying.

Amir is diabetic.

The Ka’ba is the closest place to heaven. It is the holiest place on earth.

Offering Hajj in a right spirit can mean that a

pilgrim (or hajji) will get into heaven.

It is permitted to do Hajj on someone else’s behalf

if they are too ill, or if they have died.

Amir’s family is not having a summer holiday this

year.

Cards: Will Amir go on Hajj next year?


REFLECt: Bubbling speech … bubbling thoughts The Christian Bible

Photocopiable by purchasing institutions

© REQuest – www.request.org.uk


REFLECt: X Y grid Judgement Day: views of hell 1

You cannot read much of the book of Revelation without encountering some violent visions, including words of judgement on those who are not in ‘the Lamb’s book of the living’, and the sentence of hell.

• For many people, including some Christians, theexistence of hell is incompatible with the Christian idea of a God of love. For some, this makes them reject the idea of God.

• Some Christians deny the existence of hell,believing instead in annihilation – those not entering heaven will simply cease to exist.

• Others believe that justice requires that evil bepaid for, and that justice therefore demands the existence of something like hell.

I believe in hell but not as a place of burning fire and devils with

pitchforks. I think that the Bible is saying that life without God

is actually the worst kind of life, and that choosing to turn your back on God will lead to being

apart from him for eternity.

Heaven and hell represent the glory and the wretchedness of being human. Heaven is when goodness triumphs, wherever that occurs. Hell is wherever good is overcome by small-minded, nasty, selfish, hurtful

attitudes and actions.

Hell is just a state of mind. You could be physically in a paradise

and yet going through hell in your mind.

I believe in life after death but I am not sure that there is a hell. It

doesn’t seem likely to me that God would punish people for ever.

I believe the Roman Catholic view, that we go to Purgatory after we die. We are punished there for as long as it takes to clean us up and get us ready

for heaven. It is painful but also hopeful. Hell has no hope. I’m not sure if it is a place, but it is full of

despair.

I can see the value of believing in judgement and punishment

after death. It seems unfair that bad people can get on and be

successful in life and never face any penalty for their evil. I would quite like there to be a hell for

really bad people, but I can’t see it as very likely.

I believe that the biblical descriptions of hell are accurate and describe the fate of those who do not turn to God in

repentance. The description of hell as a ‘lake of fire’ shows that the actual reality may be beyond

our understanding.

I don’t believe that God would torture people for eternity.

How would it be possible to live in heaven knowing that people

you know may be suffering like that, even if they deserved some punishment? I believe in

annihilation. If you are not going to heaven, you simply cease to

exist at death.

I think it is ludicrous to imagine that we carry on existing after death, let alone in some place

of burning torment. Those ideas were made up to keep people in

order, so that the church and state authorities could keep control. I

find it a despicable belief.

The following nine quotations express a range of beliefs about hell. In pairs, cut them out and place them on the ‘Views of hell’ grid according to whether the writers are sceptical about hell or believe in it, and whether they see hell as literal or metaphorical. As you place the quotations, talk about the views expressed and how far you agree or disagree with what they say.


REFLECt: X Y grid Judgement Day: views of hell 2

Place the nine quotations expressing a range of beliefs about hell on this grid, according to where you think they fit.

The writer

believesin the existence of hell

The writer is

scepticalabout the existence of hell

The writer seeshell as

metaphorical

The writer seeshell as

literal


REFLECt: Guided story Story: Sheikh Abdul Qadir

Sheikh Abdul Qadir

There was once a very patient and kind man who lived in Jilan, called Sheikh Abdul Qadir. He needed to be patient because his next-

door neighbour was a non-believer who loved to play practical jokes. Whenever the sheikh said his prayers, his neighbour would play music to disturb him. This would have made other people angry but the sheikh never complained.

One day the non-believing neighbour was arrested by the police in Jilan and thrown in jail. Of course, with the neighbour in jail no one disturbed the sheikh when he was praying, so he was able to pray in peace. The sheikh was relieved that no one was disturbing him, but then he started thinking that he had not seen the neighbour for several days. He started wondering: Where is he? Has he gone away on a journey? Is he ill?

Sheikh Abdul Qadir decided to find out what was the matter. He asked his other neighbours and when he heard what they said, he was very shocked. ‘Your neighbour is in jail.’ He asked, ‘Why? What was his offence?’ Nobody knew.

The sheikh was angry with himself that his neighbour had been in jail for several days and he hadn’t done anything to help him. The sheikh went to the judge and told him that he would pay money to bail his neighbour out of jail. The judge checked the details and found that the neighbour had been put in jail with no charges against him, so he was immediately freed.

The neighbour had been terrified when he was thrown into jail for no reason. He found out that it was only because of the sheikh that he had been released. He was ashamed of himself and went to the sheikh to apologise for being so unkind to him before. And when the unbeliever realised that Islam brought out such goodness in people, and taught people how to look after others, he became a Muslim.

Adapted by Abida Husseini


REFLECt: Rucksack Rucksack template


tALK: Box story Box template


tALK: SnowflakeMy beliefs

I believe that following a religion is the best

way to live.

I believe that the truth about life is hard to

find.

I believe that the world will be a better

place in the future.

I believe that love is more important than

freedom.

I believe that prayer is helpful.

I believe that God is real and not just in your imagination.

I believe that I can help make the world a more peaceful place.

I believe that this life is a preparation for the new life after death.

SnowflakePut an X along the spoke to illustrate how far you agree with the statement at the end – the nearer the centre, the less you agree; the nearer the outside edge, the more you agree.Join up the Xs to make your unique snowflake shape, which can then form a basis for debate with others as you compare each other’s snowflakes.


tALK: Snowflake Snowflake template

SnowflakePut an X along the spoke to illustrate how far you agree with the statement at the end – the nearer the centre, the less you agree; the nearer the outside edge, the more you agree.Join up the Xs to make your unique snowflake shape, which can then form a basis for debate with others as you compare each other’s snowflakes.


tHINK: Similarities and differences (Odd one out) Islam

Similarities between 1 and 2

Differences between 1 and 2

I can see . . .



The odd one out is . . .

because . . .

I can see . . .



I can see . . .

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tHINK: Similarities and differences (Odd one out)) Similarities and differences template



I can see . . .



The odd one out is . . .

because . . .

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I can see . . .

1 2

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tHINK: Zebra Game board


tHINK: ZebraQuestion cards on Sikhism

Guru Nanak is the first Sikh Guru.

Baisakhi is a Sikh festival which celebrates the founding of the

Khalsa.

You will find a langar kitchen in a

gurdwara.

Sikh women and girls take the name ‘Kaur’ which means

princess.

Sikhs don’t drink alcohol.

Sikhs are vegetarian.

All Sikhs wear turbans.

A kara is a steel band. It is one of the

5 Ks.

Sikhs do not use music in their

worship.

Sikhs believe in one God.

The Guru Granth Sahib is the Sikh

holy book.

A gurdwara is a Sikh place of worship.

Sikhs do not cut their hair.

There are 10 human Gurus in the Sikh

religion.

Seva means selfless service.

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tHINK: Feelings graphThe Night of Power: Cards

Muhammad returns to Makkah from a long trip. He is hot

and very tired.

Jibril insists that Muhammad must

recite from a scroll, even when he

protests that he cannot.

Muhammad wonders what he will do if Khadijah

doesn’t believe him.

Muhammad goes to a cave at Hira to pray to God and enjoy the peacefulness.

At the third time of asking Muhammad recites the words!

He repeats them to help him remember

them.

Eventually Khadijah says that she

believes that the words are from

Allah (God).

Suddenly Muhammad feels

he is not alone. The angel Jibril is beside

him.

Muhammad goes home and tells Khadijah, his

wife, all that has happened.

Muhammad tells many other people

what happened. Not everyone believes him.


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tHINK: Feelings graphStory: The Night of Power

The city of Makkah was hot and sticky, and crowded with many visitors. Muhammad had just returned from a long trip, and wanted

to get away from the busy and noisy city to somewhere quiet and peaceful where he could be alone to talk to God.He told his wife, Khadijah, that he was going to the cave called Hira in the nearby mountains. It was a cave he often went to when he wanted to think and pray.The cave was quiet and cool. At last he had some time to pray and to be alone to think. Suddenly he had a strange feeling. He felt as though he wasn’t alone, that someone else was there! He slowly turned around, and in the corner near the entrance to the cave he could see a light. He looked more closely, squinting his eyes to get a better view. Then he realised it wasn’t a light at all – it was an angel! The angel, who was called Jibril, held out a scroll of paper which had words written on it. ‘Read this, Muhammad,’ the angel said. ‘But I can’t read,’ replied Muhammad. Once again the angel told him to read the words on the scroll, and, once again, Muhammad told the angel that he could not read. A third time the angel told him to read the scroll, in the name of the Lord who created the world.This time Muhammad found that he could read the words on the scroll, and as he read them he felt as though the words were being written on his heart. Muhammad repeated the words, and then he knew that he would never forget them. Muhammad left the cave and returned to the city of Makkah to tell his wife, Khadijah, all about what had happened to him in the cave. She knew immediately just how important these words were. She realised the words were from God.In the following months and years Muhammad received many more words from God, and he told them to many people who also believed they were from God. Some people in Makkah believed what he said was true, and others did not like what he was saying.Years later, Muhammad died. Then the people who believed what Muhammad had said to be true wrote down all the words that Muhammad had been told by the angel Jibril, so that the words would never be forgotten. The book they were written in is called the Qur’an. The word Qur’an means ‘that which is read or recited’.

The Qur’an is revealed to Muhammad


tHINK: Jigsaw reading Easter story

© Henry Martin www.sermons4kids.com/hmartin.htmReproduced by kind permission of the artist.

The triumphal entry into Jerusalem The last supper

The Garden of Gethsemane and Peter’s denial

Jesus is crucified

The trial of Jesus

Jesus’ body is missing!


tHINK: Jigsaw reading Conjoined twins

Conjoined twins

• In groups of four, sort the 18 statements your teacher will give you to reconstruct the story of this religious and moraldilemma, establish lines of argument and work out who you think said what and why.

• After sorting the story line, allocate one of the following roles to each of the four members of the group:• The priest (the Roman Catholic Christian position)• The judge (the legal position)• The professor of ethics (ethical position)• The commentator (the observer’s point of view).

• Regroup into specialist groups (i.e. all the ‘priests’ together) to do further research to help each other prepare for arole-play discussion.

• Return to your home groups. Role-play the discussion between the priest, the judge and the professor, with thecommentator acting as observer and recorder. Each group feeds back, through the observer, the main issues and points raised.

Statements for sorting

Should doctors or parents decide if one conjoined twin should die so that the other can live?

Task

The court should have allowed the parents to decide.

We leave it in the hands of God. We have no right, no power about

life. Life is in the hands of God.

If they decide to intervene or let the doctors intervene, then they will in effect be responsible for

the death of one of the children in order to save the other.

As Roman Catholics they believe that it is wrong to do evil –

sanctioning the death of a child – even though it could result in good.

The pain of being on the sharp horns of this dilemma is

excruciating because you do worry – and you do your best.

If there is no operation, it is likely both children will die.

When we start, as humans, deciding who lives and who dies … I feel

very uncomfortable.

For their parents, the operation is not a question of life or death. It is

a test of their faith.

These parents do not have weird views. They have very standard

views, the most important of which is you don’t kill one person in

order to save another.

If there is hope that one of them can survive, they can separate and

let one live.

Either decision is a tragic decision. If they decide to leave God’s will to happen then both children will die.

The question is simple – do you kill one to save the other, or do you let

two die?

Two baby girls joined at the lower abdomen lie entwined in a hospital incubator in Manchester. One must

die so the other can live.

I think it’s wrong. I think this is a classic example of a moral dilemma where two standard positions are

in a clashing situation.

Whose job is it to decide questions of life or death? The court’s. Not a job we have to do, most certainly.


tHINK: talking circleForgiveness quotes

1 Forgiveness isA funny thingIt warms the heartAnd cools the sting.

Peter Allen

4 It is easier to forgive an enemy thanto forgive a friend.

William Blake

7 To err is human.To forgive, divine.

Alexander Pope

10 You will keep your friends if youforgive them, but you will lose your friends if you keep talking about what they did wrong.

The Bible (RSV), Proverbs 17

13 If we practise an eye for an eye and atooth for a tooth, soon the whole world will be blind and toothless.

Mahatma Gandhi

2 Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself.

Suzanne Somers

5 When you have an argument withsomeone you really love, the first one who says, ‘I’m sorry I hurt your feelings; please forgive me,’ is the winner.

Unknown

8 It takes one person to forgive; it takestwo people to be reunited.

Lewis B Smedes

11 Don’t give up your job when yourboss gets angry. If you stay calm, you’ll be forgiven.

The Bible (RSV), Ecclesiastes 10

14 He who is devoid of the power toforgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.

Martin Luther King, Jr

3 Jesus said: ‘Don’t judge others, andGod won’t judge you. Don’t be hard on others, and God won’t be hard on you. Forgive others, and God will forgive you.’

The Bible (RSV), Luke 6

6 Forgiveness is the answer to thechild’s dream of a miracle by which what is broken is made whole again, what is soiled is made clean again.

Dag Hammarskjöld

9 The weak can never forgive.Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

Mahatma Gandhi

12 He who forgives, and is reconciledto his enemy, shall receive his reward from God; for God loves not the unjust doers.

The Qur’an, 42:40

15 Forgiveness is the fragrance that theviolet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.

Mark Twain


tHINK: talking circleForgiveness response sheet

I think saying sorry is important when...

Because ...

Forgiveness can be very difficult, for example ...

If someone asked for my advice about forgiving a person who harmed them, I’d say ...

Forgiveness can be the best thing to do because ...

Another thing I thought about from this work was ...


tHINK: Fact or opinion Prayer in Islam

Fact or opinion? Prayer in Islam

When I pray I am worshipping God and I am talking to Allah.

Du’a is a personal prayer. It often contains requests to God.

Prayer makes me feel more alive and responsible. It makes me feel strength in my faith, and develops a generous community.

Prayer performed in company is 27 times better than prayer performed alone.

Hadith

Prayer is very powerful.

Muslims pray five times a day.

Prayer makes me think that God is there for me and will forgive me if I should do something wrong.

God answers prayer.

Praying is a waste of time.

Prayer makes me feel closer to Allah.

I know that if I have prayed with all my concentration and my heart and for the sake of Allah, then I will be rewarded.

During Ramadan there is one extra prayer time each day.

Some people are lazy and miss their prayers. Unfortunately one of these idle people is me.

When I pray I feel very relaxed and happy, especially on the Friday Prayer, which keeps us Muslims together and united in our community.

When I pray I feel as if I am talking to God. It makes me think about whether what I am doing is good or evil.


tHINK: Fact or opinion Religion and science

Fact or opinion? Religion and science

Some religious people believe that a universe

without the idea of God is inexplicable.

Science will never find evidence of a link

between apes and human beings.

The study of genetics explains how natural

selection occurs.

The book of Genesis in the Bible describes

literally how God created the universe.

Some scientists believe in a creator

God as well as the Big Bang and evolution.

Evolution is the mechanism through

which God’s creation took place.

God is no longer needed as an explanation.

Nicolaus Copernicus discovered that the

sun is at the centre of the universe.

Science will, eventually, discover all the laws

of the universe.

The universe is about 15 billion years old.


WRItE: Disentangling translations The Parable of The Lost Son (Bible, Luke ch. 15)

1 By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus,listening intently.

2 And the Pharisees and scribes grutched, saying, ‘For this man receiveth sinful men, and eatethwith them’.

3 And Jesus spake to them this parable, and said: ‘A man had two sons.12 The younger said to his father, “Father, I want right now what’s coming to me [after you die].”

So the father divided the property between them. 13 And not after many days, when all things were gathered together, the younger son went forth

in pilgrimage into a far country; and there he wasted his substance in riotous living.14 After he had gone through all his money, there was a bad famine all through that country and

he began to hurt. 15 He signed on with a citizen there who assigned him to his fields to slop the pigs. 16 And he coveted to fill his womb of the pods that the hogs ate, and no man gave to him. 17 And he turned again to himself, and said, “How many hired men in my father’s house have

plenty of loaves; and forsooth I perish here in hunger. 18 I’m going back to my father. I’ll say to him, ‘Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before

you; I don’t deserve to be called your son. Take me on as a hired worker.’”20 He got right up and went home to his father.

When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him.

21 And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee; and now I amnot worthy to be called thy son.”

22 But the father wasn’t listening. He was calling to the servants, “Quick. Bring a clean set ofclothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

23 And bring ye a fat calf, and slay ye, and eat we, and make we feast. 24 My son is here – given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!” And

they began to have a wonderful time. 25 But his elder son was in the field; and when he came, and nighed to the house, he heard a

symphony and a crowd. 26 Calling over one of the houseboys, he asked what was going on. He told him, “Your brother

came home. Your father has ordered a feast – barbecued beef! – because he has him home safe and sound.”

28 And [the brother] was wroth, and would not come in. Therefore his father went out, andbegan to pray him.

29 The son said, “Look how many years I’ve stayed here serving you, never giving you onemoment of grief, but have you ever thrown a party for me and my friends?

30 But after that this thy son, that hath devoured his substance with women, came, thou hast slain tohim a fat calf.”

31 And he said to him, “Son, thou art evermore with me, and all my things be thine. 32 But this is a wonderful time, and we had to celebrate. This brother of yours was dead, and

he’s alive! He was lost, and he’s found!”’

Here are two translations of Jesus’ story of The Lost Son. Unfortunately they have become all tangled up.

The Parable of The Lost Son (Bible, Luke ch. 15)


WRItE: Disentangling translations

Quotations from the Wycliffe Bible, copyright © 2001 by Terence P Noble; and Eugene H Petersen, The Message (Nav Press 2003).

The Parable of The Lost Son, Luke ch. 15 (answers)Wycliffe translation – in italic textThe Message translation – in roman text1 By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus,

listening intently. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes grutched, saying, ‘For this man receiveth sinful men, and eateth with

them’. 3 And Jesus spake to them this parable, and said: ‘A man had two sons.

12 The younger said to his father, “Father, I want right now what’s coming to me [after you die].” So the father divided the property between them.

13 And not after many days, when all things were gathered together, the younger son went forth inpilgrimage into a far country; and there he wasted his substance in riotous living.

14 After he had gone through all his money, there was a bad famine all through that country andhe began to hurt.

15 He signed on with a citizen there who assigned him to his fields to slop the pigs. 16 And he coveted to fill his womb of the pods that the hogs ate, and no man gave to him. 17 And he turned again to himself, and said, “How many hired men in my father’s house have plenty of

loaves; and forsooth I perish here in hunger. 18 I’m going back to my father. I’ll say to him, ‘Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before

you; I don’t deserve to be called your son. Take me on as a hired worker.’”20 He got right up and went home to his father.

When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him.

21 And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee; and now I am notworthy to be called thy son.”

22 But the father wasn’t listening. He was calling to the servants, “Quick. Bring a clean set ofclothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

23 And bring ye a fat calf, and slay ye, and eat we, and make we feast. 24 My son is here – given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!” And

they began to have a wonderful time. 25 But his elder son was in the field; and when he came, and nighed to the house, he heard a symphony

and a crowd. 26 Calling over one of the houseboys, he asked what was going on. He told him, “Your brother

came home. Your father has ordered a feast – barbecued beef! – because he has him home safe and sound.”

28 And [the brother] was wroth, and would not come in. Therefore his father went out, and began topray him.

29 The son said, “Look how many years I’ve stayed here serving you, never giving you onemoment of grief, but have you ever thrown a party for me and my friends?

30 But after that this thy son, that hath devoured his substance with women, came, thou hast slain tohim a fat calf.”

31 And he said to him, “Son, thou art evermore with me, and all my things be thine. 32 But this is a wonderful time, and we had to celebrate. This brother of yours was dead, and

he’s alive! He was lost, and he’s found!”’


WRItE: Disentangling beliefsDisentangling beliefs: Life after death

Life after death Behold this beautiful body, a mass of sores, a leaped up lump, diseased, much thought of, in which nothing lasts, nothing persists. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. Thoroughly worn out is this body, a nest of diseases, perishable. This putrid mass breaks up. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. Truly, life ends in death. Like gourds cast away in autumn are these dove-hued bones. We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. What pleasure is there in looking at them?

We know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Of bones is this house made, plastered with flesh and blood. Herein are stored decay, death, conceit, and hypocrisy. Here indeed we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, so that by putting it on we may not be found naked. While we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened – not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

Even ornamental royal chariots wear out, so we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. We are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord, so we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each one may receive good or evil, according to what he has done in the body. So too the body reaches old age. But the Dhamma of the Good grows not old. Thus do the Good reveal it among the Good.

Text based on Buddhist Dhammapada 147–151 and Christian Bible, 2 Corinthians 4:16–5:10 (RSV)

ActivitiesThe above account contains texts from Buddhism and Christianity to do with the body and life after death. Using three colours, highlight phrases that show Christian beliefs, Buddhist beliefs, and any that could apply to both faiths.Draw a Venn diagram, and make notes of the differences between the Buddhist and Christian beliefs expressed. In the overlap of the diagram, note any similarities between the beliefs.


WRItE: Disentangling beliefsDisentangling beliefs: Life after death (answers)

Life after death (answers)Buddhism: Dhammapada 147-151 – in roman text

Christianity, Bible, 2 Corinthians 4.16 – 5.10 – in italic text

Behold this beautiful body, a mass of sores, a heaped up lump, diseased, much thought of, in which nothing lasts, nothing persists. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. Thoroughly worn out is this body, a nest of diseases, perishable. This putrid mass breaks up. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. Truly, life ends in death. Like gourds cast away in autumn are these dove-hued bones. We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. What pleasure is there in looking at them?

We know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Of bones is this city made, plastered with flesh and blood. Herein are stored decay, death, conceit, and hypocrisy. Here indeed we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, so that by putting it on we may not be found naked. While we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened – not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

Even ornamented royal chariots wear out, so we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. We are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord, so we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive good or evil, according to what he has done in the body. So too the body reaches old age. But the Dhamma of the Good grows not old. Thus do the Good reveal it among the Good.

Buddhism: Dhammapada 147–151, http://www.metta.lk/english/Narada/index.htm,

translated by Venerable Narada Mara Thera 1972 Christianity: Holy Bible (RSV), 2 Corinthians 4:16 – 5.10


WRItE: Bag of words Poem: Shopping with the Buddhaby Srivati

He seemed to enjoy the drive.Not so much the view,although I noticed him noticing the manstood in the allotmentas we turned left toward Asda.No, it was the breeze.He leant his head out of the windowlike a dog, closing his eyes sometimesto inhale the world.

As I pulled into the parking spaceand turned off the enginehe was already opening the doorand making for the trolleys. A few people turned to stare,but not many.This is East London after all.My surprise was that he didn’t knowthat he needed a pound coin.I assume omniscience;he assumed freedom and trust.

I let him push the trolley.How could I have stopped him?He had already refolded his robe across his shoulderand was off into the vast cavern.Knowing we needed vegetables, another assumption:that we would focus on our needs,move mindfully, no energy (or money) wasted,and be done in half an hour.

But no. The Buddha wanted to see everything.We walked up and down every aisle so that he could marvelat the choice of breakfast cereals,taste the free samples of cheese at the deli counterand stand quietly by the banks of chilled flesh,his bare shoulder goose-bumpingbefore he moved on.

For a while I lost him.Then hearing a distant, deep laughter,saw a flash of flying saffronas he go-karted the trolley down the middle aisletowards the shelves of eggs.He stopped like a professional,delighted to discover the button for bored children:one press and a chicken crows like morning.He pressed it three times.

I love the Buddha,even when we reached the checkoutand discovered the expensive chocolate cake he’d put in the trolleyand knew that he had no money.

As we put the shopping bags into the boot of the carI realised that we hadn’t spoken once.‘Did you enjoy that?’ I said.‘I enjoy everything,’ he replied.

© Srivati Skelton


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