Competition time - Week beginning 30/09/13

What opinions exist within society with respect to key moral & ethical issues?

England & Wales have a diverse representation of religions and cultures.  Below are graphs taken from the Census in 2011, identifying the most prominent religions represented in England & Wales.

Religious Affiliation, England & Wales, 2011
Source: Census - Office for National Statistics

Minority religious groups, England & Wales, 2011
Source: Census - Office for National Statistics

Today, you will be looking at some sensitive subject matter, key moral and ethical issues.  You may have your own strong opinions on each of the issues, and will have an opportunity to express these on your blog later.  Firstly, you need to research the top 5 religions, as identified above, as to their beliefs.

Task: Create a table for your research.  You will need columns for the following issues:

• Capital Punishment
• Euthanasia
• Drugs (usage & legalisation)
• Abortion
• Medical research

You will need a row for the top 5 religions represented in England & Wales as well as a definition row for each of the issues. For example:

Beliefs	Capital Punishment	Euthanasia	Drugs (usage & legalistation)	Abortion	Medical Research
Definition
Christianity
Muslim (Islam)
Hindu(ism)
Sikh(ism)
Jewish (Judaism)

• Write a definition for each of the issues in the top row - use the Internet to help.
• Use the Internet and books around the room to research each of the moral issues, and the beliefs from each religious group.  Add a summary to your created table of the beliefs for each issue & religion.

Task:  Create a blog post and include your table (copy & paste should work).  Introduce the table, explaining what it is showing.  Now its time for your opinion add this to the blog

• For each of the moral/ethical issues - explain your beliefs on each of them.  Remember to state your reasons why you believe this.

Some Resources:

BBC Religions
BBC Bitesize

Competition time - Week beginning 23/09/13

Should you be able to wear religious clothing in public places?

Religious Veil in Court - should it be allowed or not?

Muslim woman must remove veil to give trial evidence - judges ruling

Task: Read the following stories, as well as the newspaper articles on tables, from different sources about the woman fighting for the right to wear her veil in court.

The Day
The Express
New Statesman

Question: Is there any accessory or item of clothing that should be banned in public places?

Task: Research UKs most prominent religions and identify traditional dress. When is it worn? Who is it worn by? And what is its cultural and theological significance? Blog It!

Religious Affiliation, England  Wales, 2011
Source: Census - Office for National Statistics

Minority religious groups, England & Wales, 2011
Source: Census - Office for National Statistics

Task: Blog post your opinion on today's question - explain your opinion using information you have read or found today.

More resources:

Niqab veil is the 'woman's choice' - Today Programme debate

Head teachers against face veils in school

Veil debate: Boris Johnson gives his views

Lib Dem views: Banning the full-face veil

Burkas not acceptable in schools or courts, says Tory MP

BBC News links

Religion in the UK - 2011 Census