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WJEC GCSE Religious Education Syllabus

The complete WJEC GCSE Religious Education specification mapped to 115 topics. Click any topic for free revision notes and practice questions.

115 topics1,885 practice questions61 revision guidesOfficial WJEC syllabus →

Beliefs and teachings in Buddhism

karma, samsara and rebirth
nirvana — its nature and importance
the Bodhisattva ideal and Mahayana Buddhism
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the Eightfold Path
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the Four Noble Truths
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the nature of the Buddha — Siddhartha Gautama
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the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha)
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the Three Marks of Existence — anicca, dukkha, anatta
Theravada and Mahayana traditions — key differences
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Beliefs and teachings in Christianity

creation and the role of God as creator
eschatology — afterlife, judgement, heaven and hell
sin, salvation and atonement
the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus
the Incarnation and the nature of Jesus Christ
the nature of God (omnipotent, omniscient, omnibenevolent, just)
the role of the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit
the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit)

Beliefs and teachings in Hinduism

atman, Brahman and the soul
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avatars — Vishnu's avatars including Rama and Krishna
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dharma, karma and samsara
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moksha — its meaning, importance and paths to achieve it
the four aims of life (Purusharthas) — dharma, artha, kama, moksha
the four stages of life (Ashramas)
the nature of Brahman — one God with many manifestations
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the Trimurti — Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva
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Beliefs and teachings in Islam

angels (Malaikah) and their role
eschatology — the afterlife (Akhirah), resurrection, judgement, heaven (Jannah) and hell (Jahannam)
holy books — the Qur'an, the Torah, the Psalms, the Gospel
predestination (Al-Qadr) and human freedom
prophethood (Risalah) — the importance of the prophets including Ibrahim and Muhammad
the nature of Allah (Tawhid, attributes of Allah)
the six articles of faith (Sunni) and five roots of Usul ad-Din (Shi'a)

Beliefs and teachings in Judaism

life after death — Olam Ha-Ba, resurrection, judgement
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the 13 Principles of Faith (Maimonides)
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the Covenant — covenant with Abraham and Moses, its meaning and significance
the Messiah and messianic age
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the nature of God — one God, omnipotent, omniscient, just and merciful
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the Promised Land and the importance of Israel
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the Shema and the importance of monotheism
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the Torah — its authority and importance
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Beliefs and teachings in Sikhism

haumai (ego) and the Five Thieves
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karma, reincarnation (samsara) and mukti (liberation)
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the afterlife — mukti, heaven and hell in Sikhism
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the Guru Granth Sahib — its authority and status
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the Mool Mantar and its significance
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the nature of God — Waheguru, Ik Onkar, key attributes
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the ten Gurus — especially Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh
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Issues of Good and Evil

aims of punishment — retribution, deterrence, reformation, protection, vindication
capital punishment — religious and non-religious views
forgiveness and reconciliation — religious and non-religious perspectives
the causes of crime and religious attitudes towards criminals and punishment
the nature of good and evil — religious and non-religious understandings
the problem of evil and suffering — types of evil, theodicies, religious responses

Issues of Human Rights

human rights — their nature, importance and religious perspectives
poverty and wealth — religious attitudes to wealth, charity and helping the poor
religious freedom and the right to practise religion
religious persecution — responses to persecution historically and today
social justice — inequality, prejudice and discrimination (race, gender, disability)

Issues of Life and Death

abortion — religious and non-religious views, ethical arguments
euthanasia — religious and non-religious views, ethical arguments
origins of the universe — religious (including Genesis) and scientific views (Big Bang, evolution)
the afterlife — religious and non-religious views on what happens after death
the value and sanctity of life — religious and non-religious perspectives

Issues of Peace and Conflict

holy war and religion-inspired violence
peace-making and reconciliation — the role of religion in conflict resolution
terrorism — causes, religious responses and condemnation
the nature of peace and war — just war theory, pacifism
weapons of mass destruction — nuclear weapons and religious views

Issues of Relationships

beliefs about marriage — purposes, ceremonies and different types
divorce and remarriage — religious and non-religious views
sexual relationships — religious and non-religious views on sex before marriage, cohabitation and homosexuality
the nature and purpose of families — different family types and religious views
the roles of men and women in families and religious communities — gender equality

Practices in Buddhism

festivals — Wesak, Parinirvana and their significance
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meditation — types (samatha and vipassana) and its importance
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pilgrimage — sites in India and Nepal associated with the Buddha
the Five Precepts and ethical living
the role of the Sangha and the monastic community
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worship and devotion — in the vihara and at home, use of shrines and offerings
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Practices in Christianity

forms of worship (liturgical, non-liturgical, informal, private prayer)
mission, evangelism and the worldwide Church
persecution, suffering and the Church — responses to persecution
pilgrimage and celebrations (Christmas and Easter)
prayer — the Lord's Prayer and different types of prayer
the role and importance of the church in the local community
the sacraments — baptism and Holy Communion

Practices in Hinduism

festivals — Diwali, Holi and their significance
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pilgrimage — Varanasi and the River Ganges
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rites of passage (Samskaras) — sacred thread ceremony, marriage, death rituals
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the caste system (Varnashrama dharma) and its influence
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the mandir — its features and importance in the community
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worship (puja) — at home and in the mandir
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Practices in Islam

celebrations and commemorations — Id-ul-Adha and Id-ul-Fitr, Ashura
Hajj — the pilgrimage to Makkah, its practices and significance
Jihad — greater and lesser jihad
Salah — the nature and importance of prayer, Friday prayers, prayers in the home
Sawm — fasting during Ramadan, exceptions and purpose
the Five Pillars (Sunni) — Shahadah, Salah, Zakah, Sawm, Hajj
the Ten Obligatory Acts (Shi'a) including Salah, Sawm, Zakah, Khums, Hajj
Zakah and Khums — charitable giving and its significance

Practices in Judaism

festivals — Pesach, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur
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food laws — Kashrut and their significance
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forms of worship — prayer, synagogue, the role of the rabbi
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pilgrimage and the importance of Jerusalem
rites of passage — Bar and Bat Mitzvah, marriage, death and mourning
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the role of the synagogue in the local and worldwide Jewish community
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the Shabbat — its importance and how it is observed
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Practices in Sikhism

festivals — Baisakhi, Gurpurbs and their importance
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pilgrimage — Amritsar and the Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple)
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Sewa (service) and its importance in Sikh life
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the Five Ks (Panj Kakars) and their significance
the Khalsa — its origins, initiation (Amrit ceremony) and significance
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the langar — its significance and how it expresses Sikh values
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worship in the Gurdwara — the Diwan and key features
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