Religious Studies

Sort the cards into argument and counter argument.

“You have to go to church to be a Christian.”

Discuss this statement showing that you have considered more than one point of view. You must refer to religion and belief in your answer.

Argument

Counter argument

'Because it's important to share your faith and be part of a Christian community where you all believe together; it makes your faith stronger and gives support.'
'That's not convincing though because Jesus also said that where a few people were gathered together 'in his name', that he would be there among them, so he must want people to pray together.' Also, church is where the sacraments happen, like Holy Communion, and festivals are celebrated, like Easter Sunday. Jesus celebrated the last supper with his disciples and said 'do this in memory of me.'
'On the other hand though, being a good person is just one aspect of being a Christian. Many atheists are really good, moral people but there's more to it for Christians, like belief and faith and worshipping God together.'
'Some of these arguments are fair and it's not wrong to worship in houses or even out in the open - many Christians do that too, but churches are built to give glory to God and to provide a special place for worship. The word 'church' means the community of Christians and you can't be a community alone.'

'Why do you reckon that then?'
'That's a weak argument though because you shouldn't need support if you have true faith and some people prefer to be alone to worship because they can concentrate better. Even Jesus said you should go to your room, shut the door and pray.'
'Those arguments are not totally valid though because surely you can still be a Christian by your good deeds? Jesus criticised the people who just prayed but didn't act on their beliefs. He said 'what you do for others, you do for me'. Loving your neighbour is what matters, not going to church.'
'Many Christians would challenge that by saying 'together' doesn't necessarily mean a church though. The early Christians met in each other's homes and some still do. Also, some people are too ill or elderly to go to church and some live too far away from one.'
'These are reasonable points of view, but, like many Christians, I don't think going to church is what makes you Christian because I feel it is more about how you put Jesus' teachings into action by being a good Samaritan. Buildings shouldn't matter; Christianity would still exist even if all the churches disappeared.

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Highlight the statements that show evaluation/reaching judgements - AO2

“You have to go to church to be a Christian.”

Discuss this statement showing that you have considered more than one point of view. You must refer to religion and belief in your answer.

Argument

Counter argument

              'Because it's important to share your faith and be part of a Christian community where you all believe together; it makes your faith stronger and gives support.'
'That's not convincing though because Jesus also said that where a few people were gathered together 'in his name', that he would be there among them, so he must want people to pray together.'  Also, church is where the sacraments happen, like Holy Communion, and festivals are celebrated, like Easter Sunday. Jesus celebrated the last supper with his disciples and said 'do this in memory of me.'
'On the other hand though, being a good person is just one aspect of being a Christian. Many atheists are really good, moral people but there's more to it for Christians, like belief and faith and worshipping God together.'
'Some of these arguments are fair and it's not wrong to worship in houses or even out in the open - many Christians do that too,  but churches are built to give glory to God and to provide a special place for worship. The word 'church' means the community of Christians and you can't be a community alone.'

              'Why do you reckon that then?'
'That's a weak argument though because you shouldn't need support if you have true faith and some people prefer to be alone to worship because they can concentrate better. Even Jesus said you should go to your room, shut the door and pray.'
'Those arguments are not totally valid though becausesurely you can still be a Christian by your good deeds? Jesus criticised the people who just prayed but didn't act on their beliefs. He said 'what you do for others, you do for me'. Loving your neighbour is what matters, not going to church.'
'Many Christians would challenge that by saying 'together' doesn't necessarily mean a church though. The early Christians met in each other's homes and some still do. Also, some people are too ill or elderly to go to church and some live too far away from one.'
'These are reasonable points of view, but, like many Christians, I don't think going to church is what makes you Christian because I feel it is more about how you put Jesus' teachings into action by being a good Samaritan. Buildings shouldn't matter; Christianity would still exist even if all the churches disappeared.

            

Argument

Counter argument

'Because it's important to share your faith and be part of a Christian community where you all believe together; it makes your faith stronger and gives support.'
'That's not convincing though because Jesus also said that where a few people were gathered together 'in his name', that he would be there among them, so he must want people to pray together.' Also, church is where the sacraments happen, like Holy Communion, and festivals are celebrated, like Easter Sunday. Jesus celebrated the last supper with his disciples and said 'do this in memory of me.'
'On the other hand though, being a good person is just one aspect of being a Christian. Many atheists are really good, moral people but there's more to it for Christians, like belief and faith and worshipping God together.'
'Some of these arguments are fair and it's not wrong to worship in houses or even out in the open - many Christians do that too, but churches are built to give glory to God and to provide a special place for worship. The word 'church' means the community of Christians and you can't be a community alone.'

'Why do you reckon that then?'
'That's a weak argument though because you shouldn't need support if you have true faith and some people prefer to be alone to worship because they can concentrate better. Even Jesus said you should go to your room, shut the door and pray.'
'Those arguments are not totally valid though because surely you can still be a Christian by your good deeds? Jesus criticised the people who just prayed but didn't act on their beliefs. He said 'what you do for others, you do for me'. Loving your neighbour is what matters, not going to church.'
'Many Christians would challenge that by saying 'together' doesn't necessarily mean a church though. The early Christians met in each other's homes and some still do. Also, some people are too ill or elderly to go to church and some live too far away from one.'
'These are reasonable points of view, but, like many Christians, I don't think going to church is what makes you Christian because I feel it is more about how you put Jesus' teachings into action by being a good Samaritan. Buildings shouldn't matter; Christianity would still exist even if all the churches disappeared.