World Religions other than Christianity
On this page
We are living in a changing world where access to world news, different cultures and various religious traditions is now possible at the touch of a button. The role of religion in people’s lives and in the world as a whole is highlighted again and again through various aspects of the media. Pupils have greater access to information about the world around them and it is important they are able to find and use the information about World Religions other than Christianity appropriately.
The demographic of our society is also changing with migrant workers from Eastern Europe and further afield settling in Northern Ireland. People bring with them their own traditions, culture and religious beliefs and it is important that this is recognised. Religious Education has a role to play in developing pupil knowledge and understanding of religious beliefs and practices in order to promote sensitivity towards varying religious traditions.
To address this, the Religious Education Core Syllabus in Northern Ireland includes the introduction of Learning Objective 4 – World Religions at Key Stage 3. This states that:
“Pupils should be given an introduction to two world religions other than Christianity in order to develop knowledge of and sensitivity towards, the religious beliefs, practices and lifestyle of people from other religions in Northern Ireland.”
Using this resource
There are a number of ways that the information within the activities can be used.
An important factor that must be taken into consideration is the time needed for teacher preparation of resources and research of the world religion to be studied. The activities are suggestions and teachers should take into account the amount of time they have available for a unit on World Religions other than Christianity and the depth in which they want to cover a particular religion.
The activities are also generic as teachers can decide which two world religions they wish to develop. It is not envisaged that teachers cover all the activities suggested in each section but that they choose the activities that are most suitable for their own class, classroom style and management taking into account the sensitivity of some of the issues that may arise.
The activities are suggestions and can be swapped and/or substituted as applicable. They are as follows:
- Introductory Activity – these activities introduce the topic being covered and relate the learning to everyday experiences of pupils;
- Core Activity – these are the main activities that cover the important content to be taught;
- Reinforcing Activity – these activities build on what has been learnt and can help pupils make connections;
- End Activity – these activities draw together the learning from previous work. This could be used as a summative assessment activity following each section.
A number of the activities suggested are developed further in:
These activities can be used together as a discrete unit on a specific religion or a more thematic approach can be taken over the three years integrating the teaching of World Religions other than Christianity with the other Learning Objectives of the Religious Education Core Syllabus at Key Stage 3. The activities can be used in any year of the key stage with teacher input being crucial to the complexity of the information received by pupils and the level of their responses to the activities.
A number of useful websites and resources are provided throughout the six religions covered in this resource.
Acknowledgements
CCEA would like to acknowledge the co-operation and support of:
Writers
Key Themes
- Ms Paula Graham, Head of Religious Education, Wellington College
- Mrs Brenda Leathem, Head of Religious Education, Drumcree College
- Mrs Francine Magill, Head of Religious Education, Malone College
Religions
-
Mr. Norman Richardson, Senior Lecturer in Religious Studies, Stranmillis University College (copyright for the Religions section of this site)
Advisory
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The Northern Ireland Inter-faith forum
Religious Education Advisory group:
- Rev Ian Ellis, The Transferor Representatives' Council
- Mrs Bernie Kells, CCEA
- Ms Linda Colson, CCEA
- Mr Philip Hewitt, Adviser for RE and Learning for Life and Work, NEELB
- Mr John Ferguson, Advisor for RE, SELB
- Fr Declan O'Loughlin, Catholic Diocesan Advisor
- Mr Frank Donnelly, Catholic Diocesan Advisor
- Mr Terry McMackin, NICIE
- Rev Dr Paul Fleming, St Mary’s University College
- Rev Dr Niall Coll, St Mary’s University College
- Mr Norman Richardson, Stranmillis University College
- Prof Rosalind Pritchard, University of Ulster
- Mrs Aideen Hunter, University of Ulster
- Mr Edwin Graham, The Northern Ireland Inter-Faith Forum
- Ms Paula Graham, Wellington College
- Ms Mairead Magill, Edmund Rice College
- Mrs Brenda Leathem, Drumcree College